Costa Chica of Guerrero - Tourism

Tourism

While the Costa Chica is generally unknown to tourists, there have been some efforts by the state government to promote it. One of these is the sinking of cement blocks designed to allow the growth of coral to form artificial reefs. The aim of these reefs is to attract recreational divers. They also serve as breeding areas for the huauchinango fish, which is important for the Costa Chica. These have been placed off various points of the state: in the Costa Chica, about 300 have been placed in Marquelia and Copala. At Playa Ventura, the blocks also serve to break waves making the surf here gentler. In the past the beaches of this area were considered dangerous for tourists but this is no longer the case. There are very basic and rustic facilities. Food service, generally under palapas is common although accommodations are sparse and very basic. One change to encourage tourism was the replacement of many speed bumps on Highway 200 and other major roads with devices that make the car vibrate instead to control speed. These roads are now also regularly patrolled by the Mexican federal police which has much of the problem of highway robbery. Chautengo is a large lagoon in the Cruz Grande municipality. Most economic activity is based on fishing, but there are some palapas and food service at the Pico del Monte beach, which is next to where the lagoon opens to the sea. La Bocana is a long beach facing open ocean with a small navigable estuary where the Marquelia River empties into the sea. The area is filled with palapa restaurants as the beach is popular with locals. La Peñitas has two small bays facing the ocean and one mostly closed off and protected by a strip of land. Accommodations in small bungalows is available along with restaurants. Barra de Tecoanapa is next to the mouth of the Quetzala River. It has beaches facing the ocean. Playa Ventura is in the municipality of Marquelia. This is a small bay facing open ocean with a long beach and medium waves. Unlike other beaches in the area, this is relatively developed with houses, restaurants and hotels made of cinderblock and concrete, painted in bright colors. Hotel services are basic and camping is permitted.

Punta Maldonado is in the Cuajinicuilapa municipality. This is a small bay home to a fishing village. There is a couple of restaurants and two very modest hotels. The waves are gentle to moderate depending on the beach. This beach borders the state of Oaxaca. In Punta Maldonado, men go out to seat at sea at night to fish, with women taking the catch to market in the morning. The area also produces rock lobsters just a few meters off shore. The small lighthouse is close the Guerrero/Oaxaca border.

Near Punta Maldonado is Tierra Colorada, which is dedicated to the growing of sesame seed and hibiscus. It lies on the Santo Domingo lagoon, which has a wide variety of fish and birds among its mangroves. Near this is the Barro del Pío, which attracts fishermen in certain seasons. The structures in this area are inhabited only during these seasons.