| MEXICO
-- A community ecotourism project has begun in the ejido Emiliano
Zapata, Lake Miramar, the largest (19 square kilometers) lake
on the western portion of the reserve. It sits within a ring
of mountains southeast of Ocosingo. Here you'll find caves,
archaeological sites, and hiking in a high evergreen forest.
The ejido is surrounded by mountains, humid tropical jungle,
the San Quintin Valley, and the Jataté, Perlas, and Azul
Rivers.
Tourist access is through the community of Emiliano Zapata.
It's a 7-kilometer (4.5 mile) hike to the lake, where you'll
find traditional-style communal house for travelers. The area
is also suitable for tent camping. The ejido has a number of
common sense rules for visitors: (1) Use the established latrines,
(2) Separate garbage and deposit it in the appropriate location,
(3) Do not use detergent in the lake, and (4) Do not use drugs
or drink alcoholic beverages while at the ejido.
The ejido has a cooperative store where staples can be purchased.
There are also handicrafts for sale. This is the interior jungle,
so if you want to buy anything, bring cash, not traveler's checks
or credit cards. The project helps provide financial resources
for the protection and conservation of the Lacandón forest.
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