How to Be a Responsible Tourist?
When planning to visit a Natural Area, it is important to inform yourself about the restrictions and recommendations for access, stay, and tours, as well as the entrance fee. If you are a responsible tourist, not only will you safely enjoy Mexico’s natural treasures, but you will also contribute to their conservation by supporting local communities that offer their products and tourist services.
- Contribute to conservation. Your payment of fees and wearing the wristband ensure entry to Natural Areas and contribute to their conservation. If you wish to actively participate in conservation, contact the staff, guides, or park rangers of the area.
- Take care of your Natural and Cultural Heritage. Natural Areas are everyone’s heritage. Take care of the animals and plants by avoiding extracting, feeding, or disturbing any species. Avoid consuming endangered species and respect closed seasons. Respect archaeological zones, fossil areas, and other elements of tangible cultural heritage.
- Be careful with fire. Fire is a potential risk for animals, plants, and inhabitants of the Natural Area as it can cause uncontrollable fires. Therefore, we recommend avoiding it or bringing gas stoves with you. Use only designated areas for this purpose. Never leave materials that can cause fires; carefully extinguish your fire.
- Manage your waste responsibly. If there are trash bins, use them; if not, please take your trash with you.
- Get to know and respect local communities. Much of the territory of a Natural Area is owned by the communities or ejidos living within or around it. The communities and their inhabitants have very interesting customs and traditions; get to know, value, and respect them.
- Enjoy facilities and use public areas responsibly. Ask about the facilities and use of public areas, which are there for you to enjoy responsibly without causing negative impacts. Use existing trails and do not create new paths. Respect signage.
- Respect other visitors. Remember that other visitors want to enjoy Natural Areas now and in the future. Respect other visitors by avoiding excessive noise or destroying what makes this area special. If you observe inappropriate behavior by other visitors, inform a park ranger.
- Choose the ideal luggage and clothing. Find out the weather you will encounter in the Natural Area and choose your clothing according to the weather forecast.
- Respect access roads. Avoid taking your vehicle beyond authorized sites, as they damage the soil and vegetation. Do not drive them into conservation areas.
- For your safety, get to know the park rangers. Register upon entering the Natural Areas, inform about the activities you are going to do for your safety and in case of emergencies. Follow the indications and recommendations given by the area staff to avoid accidents.
Value local traditions and customs
- Respect and protect everything that makes a destination unique and different: its history, architecture, and cultural values.
- Remember that vacations are also an opportunity to learn about a different culture. Try to adapt to local customs and practices without imposing your own habits and lifestyle.
- Even though you have paid for your vacation, respect the local rules: do not insist on obtaining privileges and special treatment, and do not behave offensively or arrogantly.
- Wear appropriate and not overly flashy clothing, especially in places of worship. Do not display wealth and luxury that contrast with the local standard of living.
- People are not part of the scenery. Ask for their permission before taking photos of them.
Be careful when visiting natural, archaeological, or other areas that seem fragile and/or valuable.
- Try to take back the trash generated during your visit.
- Choose routes that have the least impact on the landscape, favoring existing paths and trails. Prefer guided tours to support local work.
- If you visit a natural area, remember that there are regulations created to preserve places and species of great ecological value, many of which are endangered.
- Do not feed the wildlife.
- Respect the signage and instructions of the communities you visit.
- Do not take "souvenirs" from natural and archaeological sites.
- Respect the environment
Support the economy
- Do not buy products that require the use of wild plants or animals for their production.
- Reuse, repurpose, and recycle the solid waste you generate during your trip. Bring your own refillable water bottle, avoid buying products with unnecessary packaging, and do not accept plastic bags for purchases you can carry in another way.
- Reduce your water and electricity consumption in the accommodations you visit, and remember to turn off the lights when leaving a room.
- Support local crafts: you will take home genuine souvenirs and help the community’s economy.
- Treat local vendors and artisans with respect and kindness, and promote fair commercial relationships.
Be an informed and respectful traveler
- Protect children from exploitation in any form, especially sexual and labor exploitation.