Ciénegas del Fuerte State Park is located 90 kilometers from Poza Rica in the Tecolutla-Costa Esmeralda area, on the road to Nautla.
This federal zone has been a protected natural area since 1999.
It became a protected natural area because there was excessive hunting in the area, which diminished the fauna population. Now hunting and fishing are prohibited, but with a federal permit, locals can fish for shrimp and prawns.
What is the tour in Ciénagas del Fuerte?
It is a tour through an arm of the river, surrounded by water lilies, giant trees, and a very large area of grassland, 4200 hectares.
This is a place you never imagined existed, the climate is perfect because thanks to all the vegetation you don’t feel too hot and you can visit it in spring/summer season without any problem. Or if you don’t want to go in the water, in any season.
The tour lasts between 1 and 3 hours or even longer depending on your plans. When you arrive at the park module you are assigned a guide and you are taken in your vehicle to the entrance of the park, where you are taken in a personal boat without a motor, so as not to pollute the water, in which up to 6 people can fit and the tour begins.
Flora and fauna
On the boat tour you start to see trees with an average of 60 to 70 years old and the largest ones from 80 to 100 years old.
You can see several species of birds such as ducks, herons and even bearded vultures. If you are lucky you may also see some of the other species that live in the area such as lizards, iguanas, raccoons, badgers, squirrels, otters, turtles, river snakes or flying vipers, among others.
What to do in Ciénagas del Fuerte?
After a 2 km boat ride, you arrive at a rest area where you can bring a snack, eat, rest in the hammocks, go swimming, zip-lining, use the swings and docks before returning the same way.
Conservation efforts
All the guides in the area work together and there is only 1 tourist module. After the hurricanes they have made the reconstruction and reforestation efforts themselves. They depend on tourism to conserve and maintain the entire area since they do not receive any other type of support.
Schedule your visit
Tours start at 8 am and the last tour can leave at 4 pm to allow enough time for the activities. The cost is $230 per person and we think it is well worth it. If you want to schedule your visit you can contact the park module at 232 118 64 25.
