True ecotourism has at its core three central components. It involves small tours groups to limit any negative impact to the environment. It also involves an element of cultural interaction, bringing tourists into contact with the local community. Perhaps most importantly, ecotourism is centered on education. We firmly believe in these concepts, and have worked hard to incorporate them in our operating philosophy. What's more, we are working hard to preserve a tremendously important ecological resource.

Mangroves are an incredibley important component to the ecology of our planet, and of Banderas Bay. They provide protection against erosion, particularly that caused by high water and wave events that come with hurricanes and tropical storms. More importantly, they provide protection, food, and spawning grounds for a host of species living in and around the bay. Life in the bay quite literally depends on the health of the mangroves.

Nearly half the mangrove forests in the world have been destroyed. Some have been cut to make way for development. Others have been cut to make construction materials such as posts or railroad ties, or used to make charcoal. The United Nations Environment Program has estimated that a quarter of the destruction of mangrove forests stems from shrimp farming. Thanks to the many educational efforts, more people now understand how important mangroves are for wildlife, for humans, and for the planet's environment. With this understanding,more areas are gradually being protected.Grassroots efforts to save mangroves from development are becoming more popular as the benefits of mangroves are becoming more widely known. We are constantly reminding visitors and campers in the area about the importance of conserving the mangroves, and we work with local authorities to prevent damage to the mangroves.

As you probably already know, pollution is a reality that negatively impacts the local environment. Here at Boca de Tomates, at the mouth of the Ameca River, we find that trash and litter are an eyesore. Several sources contribute to this problem. Visitors who come here are not as careful as they should be. Litter from towns upstream gets blown and washed into the river, which then carries it downstream. Debris and litter is often blown off of or tossed from tour vessels, cruise ships, and recreational vessels. Tides and curents carry this ugly burden to the shores as surely as the sun rises and the wind blows.

The trash and litter is not just an eyesore, but it has a negative impact on the inhabitants of the local environment. In particular, plastic items are often mistaken as food and can be consumed by a variety of species. Of particular note are the sea turtles, who can mistake plastic debris for their major food source - jellyfish. All too often this is a fatal mistake, and the consequences dire in an area such as this where turtles come each year to lay their eggs.

We spend on average about 3 man-hours per day just cleaning up the local beaches and mangroves, removing as much as a half ton of litter from the area each month. More importantly, we bring this problem to the attention of everyone who visits the area so they can be more aware and bring this awareness to others.

We ask everyone to do their part, even if it just the simple act of putting litter in its proper place...

An important part of sustainable tourism is recognizing that we do have an impact on the environment. By recognizing this fact and taking some simple steps, we can limit our impact and help preserve the natural wonders for future generations. Choose tour operators that take steps to limit their impact on the environment. Pack out what you packed in (don't litter). Limit activities that cause erosion. Take only pictures, not "prizes."