Manialtepec Lagoon
IN RECENT YEARS TOUR ORGANIZERS ON THE MANIALTEPEC Lagoon have shifted their focus from leisurely early morning bird watching tours to night trips to experience the bioluminescence. We believe, however, that Manialtepec deserves to be seen in the light of day.
The beauty and serenity of the lagoon – the mangroves and clouds reflected in the clear, still water, the hills framing the north side, the fisherman in their canoes. This is the true paradise of the coast, so far removed from all the activity that is Puerto Escondido and yet only 16 km from town.
The lagoon also features hundreds of species of birds, including parrots, parakeets and vultures, not to mention our favorite, the frigate, which attacks other birds mid-air and steals the fish from their beaks.
The lagoon is fed by the Manialtepec River, but during the summer the two sand bars that separate it from the ocean are breached allowing the saltwater to enter. This is the ecosystem of the mangrove forests and the saltwater and freshwater fish that are abundant in the lagoon at different times of the year. When the barrier beach opens the giant shrimp go into the ocean to spawn. Snook (robalo) and red snapper (pargo) are coastal fish that also live in the lagoon during the rainy season. In the winter, the catch is mostly small fish like mullet (lisa), white mojarra, black axillary mojarra (malacapa) and catfish (cuatete).
You can schedule a tour from Las Negras with Capitán Luis. 954 113 7403.
Las Negras
LAS NEGRAS IS A FISHING VILLAGE OF AROUND 320 inhabitants that borders on the Manialtepec lagoon.
The school teacher Guadalupe Callejas Silva is the long-time delegate of Las Negras. A position that includes coordinating with the fiestas committees and helping to mediate local conflicts.
Children’s Day celebration in Las Negras.
