Laguna Ventanilla
Laguna Ventanilla
4.6
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.6
273 reviews
Excellent
182
Very good
77
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
1
b2run
Ontario, Canada285 contributions
Mar 2020
You have to take a taxi to get here. I believe that there are tours that run here too. It costs 100 pesos per person for a guided tour. The Laguna is a reserve so the proceeds go to reforestation and the rescue animals. There are a lot of crocodiles, birds and iguanas that you will see. There are also turtles and a couple of rescue monkeys and deer. The beach was totally empty but too rough for swimming. You take a short hike and then get paddled to the "island" to see the refuge. Then they paddle around the lagoon a bit and then you hike back. It lasted about an hour and a half.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy K
loomis ca966 contributions
Feb 2020
First of all, as many have said, there are 2 companies offering this experience. Go to the end of the road for the red shirt company. They do not have animals in captivity. The proceeds go back to the community and planting of the mangroves.
We took a 20 minute taxi from our hotel in San Agustinillo 100 mxp
The ticket is 80 mxp per person for a 1-1.5 hour experience. Approx 10 minute walk to the boat launch, then 1 hr on the water.
There is no cover on the boat, thus no shade. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray depending on the time of day.
We had crocodiles right next to the boat. We saw at least a half a dozen swimming next to us.
Plenty of iguanas too. Maybe 50 total, including 5 or so big males as distinguished by their orange color. The boat comes right up to the platform where they clamor for the green vegetation the guide provides..
A fair number of birds were also seen while the guide peacefully, and slowly paddled through the mangroves.
We were glad we went early. There were many people arriving when we left at noon.
The tour was in Spanish, with just a few words in English. If you do not speak or understand Spanish you will still enjoy the tour.
Very worthwhile. Good cause. Highly recommend.
Authentic experience
We took a 20 minute taxi from our hotel in San Agustinillo 100 mxp
The ticket is 80 mxp per person for a 1-1.5 hour experience. Approx 10 minute walk to the boat launch, then 1 hr on the water.
There is no cover on the boat, thus no shade. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray depending on the time of day.
We had crocodiles right next to the boat. We saw at least a half a dozen swimming next to us.
Plenty of iguanas too. Maybe 50 total, including 5 or so big males as distinguished by their orange color. The boat comes right up to the platform where they clamor for the green vegetation the guide provides..
A fair number of birds were also seen while the guide peacefully, and slowly paddled through the mangroves.
We were glad we went early. There were many people arriving when we left at noon.
The tour was in Spanish, with just a few words in English. If you do not speak or understand Spanish you will still enjoy the tour.
Very worthwhile. Good cause. Highly recommend.
Authentic experience
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GailGermany
Arlington, MA261 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We took the Lagune tour with a knowledgeable ‘red shirt’. Don’t know all the details about the 2 opposing groups red vs white. Just noticed as we were passing the white tour guide, the men didn’t greet one another.
The boot tour was interesting and very relaxing. This was also the place to buy straw hats, honey, teas, chocolate etc. Bought refreshing Jamaica Alma Blanca tea leaves. Prices were very reasonable and good quality with the proceeds going back to the conservation effort. We also had Tlayuda,a typical Oaxacan filled tortilla at a tiny family run restaurant. Definitely worth a visit.
The boot tour was interesting and very relaxing. This was also the place to buy straw hats, honey, teas, chocolate etc. Bought refreshing Jamaica Alma Blanca tea leaves. Prices were very reasonable and good quality with the proceeds going back to the conservation effort. We also had Tlayuda,a typical Oaxacan filled tortilla at a tiny family run restaurant. Definitely worth a visit.
Written April 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott B
McKinleyville, CA99 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We were able to go on a birdwatching tour earlier than the opening hours as the birds are more active then. It was just the two of us and our guide Lalo who was extremely knowledgeable about all the bird life. We had the whole place to ourselves for a couple of hours and saw maybe 30 species of birds, including boat billed heron, purple gallinule, and many others. Very affordable and totally worth it!
Written April 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
digitalroc
Calgary, Canada2,145 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
I was on this tour that included a visit to Laguna Ventanilla. We walked to the dock and boarded a boat tour on the lagoon followed by a stop on the small island to see the wildlife sanctuary. We saw several baby crocodiles, sea turtles, different types of birds, white tailed deer, and a sleepy spider monkey on the visit. Overall, the visit was interesting and I would rate as good, but not necessarily an attraction to visit, but just something to do. I was lucky that my tour guide/driver was bilingual, as he interpreted what the Laguna Ventanilla staff was saying about the animals.
Written January 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pene L
17 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
We went with friends and family kids 9 & 6 years old and everyone enjoyed themselves.
We loved the boat ride and the diversity of wildlife - seeing crocodiles on the water, assortment of birds in the air.
Niko did a wonderful job entertaining and informing each of us.
The natural beauty is incredible to see.
Learning about the efforts to maintain and improve biodiversity locally and the international projects was fascinating.
This is great for any type of traveler; groups, families, couples.
It’s a magical space. The variety of animals they are rehabilitating and studying was cool.
We loved the boat ride and the diversity of wildlife - seeing crocodiles on the water, assortment of birds in the air.
Niko did a wonderful job entertaining and informing each of us.
The natural beauty is incredible to see.
Learning about the efforts to maintain and improve biodiversity locally and the international projects was fascinating.
This is great for any type of traveler; groups, families, couples.
It’s a magical space. The variety of animals they are rehabilitating and studying was cool.
Written November 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca R
Bishop, CA4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
This was a moving and touching experience, amazing and heart warming. The community has out so much hard work into keeping the crocodiles in their natural habitat, and renewing the eco-community since a hurricane hit the community. Nicola was amazing to talk to and his uncle was a great guide, sensitive to the fact that our Spanish is poor.
Written July 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CasaHoffa
Huatulco, Mexico12,740 contributions
Feb 2020
It was a gorgeous day. Sunny, hot, and somewhat humid but still, the perfect weather to go for a walk with friends on the beach and for a boat ride on the lagoons at Ventanilla (about hour's ride west of Huatulco) where there are many birds and all sorts of wildlife, including crocodiles. And then lunch at our favorite hotel-restaurant, El Alquimista, in Zipolite.
Written October 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crunchieee
Hawaii30 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
OH MY GOSH! This was magical. Our tour guide, Ole, was fantastic. If you enjoy being around lots of birds, iguanas, turtles, and crocodiles....you'll enjoy this tour. I loved the sounds of all the birds....it was beautiful and exotic.
Eco-tourism at its best!
Eco-tourism at its best!
Written April 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bkjess
London, UK3 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We had a very interesting and fun tour of the lagoon with the 'Lagarto Real' cooperative for only 80 pesos if you buy from them in the village (you'll see them all over the village and at the event, as well as the other company), all profits go towards conservation of the lagoon and planting more mangroves. Got up close enough to crocodiles, iguanas and land turtles without disturbing, touching or harming the animals or the habitat, the approx. 80-90 minute tour was at a good pace and didn't feel rushed, we learnt about the mangroves and the entire habitat as well as the animals in a holistic way. They have English guides too, but even the Spanish speaking ones will make effort to try translate via other English speakers in the group. We had such a good time that we decided to give the guides a tip as they don't earn much from this not-for-profit activity. Heard negative things about the other company with white shirts (services ecoturisticos la ventanilla) and saw they were disturbing the wildlife more, bringing more boats onto the lagoon and also they keep animals like monkeys which aren't even from oaxaca in enclosures like a zoo, trapped in cages on an island in the lagoon, just deplorable! If you care about animals, real nature and conservation then don't go with the white shirt company, if you're not sure if the company you booked with from another town will go with them then just make your own way to the village and buy ticket with Lagarto real, easy much cheaper and better karma that way!
Written April 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you need advance reservations or can you wait until you arrive ??
Written May 5, 2021
we drove by the entrance area, and talked to a park employee, and he arranged for us to meet a guide the next morning before the official opening time, as birds are up early. A little Spanish helps, but we were the only ones there and it was only$30 US for a 2-3 hour girded trip with a boat There is a little hut near the entrance with some park people.
Written June 2, 2021
Donde puedo reservar y comprar los boletos? Me pueden enviar la dirección o el teléfono para llamar?
Written March 19, 2021
I also had Sergio as a guide, and we made arrangements for me to get something to him. He wrote me, but I seem to have lost his email with his address. I would like to contact him - can someone advise me as to reach him.
Written March 31, 2016
RicardoAguilarPerez
Guerrero, Mexico
Alguien puede apoyarme?
Que costo tiene la entrada para hacer el recorrido en los manglares de la ventanilla?
Gracias
Written September 10, 2015
el costo es de $100 pesos x persona eso incluye el tour de 2 horas de servicio y la lancha.El boleto lo compras en la oficina de la cooperativa te llevan a la laguna y después terminas en la isla donde podrás conocer lo diferentes programas como el centro de readaptación de animales rescatados.
Written December 1, 2017
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