Nevería Latzi Belli, Expediciones Sierra Norte

Overview

Description

Nevería Latzi Belli is part of the farming community of the Commonwealth of Villages, located in the region known as the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, one of the best conserved natural areas in Mexico and one of the three richest zones in animal diversity in the country. It has more than 400 species of birds, 350 species of butterflies, and a highly rich flora with more than 6,000 plant species. It also has seven of the nation’s nine types of terrestrial vegetation -- its forests occur at elevations from 650 to 9,840 feet (200 to 3,000 meters) above sea level, which fosters this high biodiversity and makes the northern Sierra one of the world’s 17 most important areas for biodiversity.

Given the great variety of habitats, the fauna is extremely diverse. You can find tropical species including tapirs(Tapirus bairdii), brocket deer(Mazama americana), jaguars(Panthera onca), monkeys, several species of parrots, and toucans, as well as temperate zones species such as pumas (Puma concolor), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and endemic birds such as the dwarf jay (Cyanolyca nana).

This region is characterized by moist pine-oak forest with four kinds of climate regimes: cold, cold temperate, semi-tropical cold, and tropical. You can find endemic species of orchids, tree ferns, and walking palms, diverse kinds of flowers and bromeliads, as well as mosses, lichens, laurel, oak, arums, and fungi. This community stands out for its production of orchids and bromeliads.

In addition to the great variety of plants and animal species, you can also admire a range of landscapes from mountains to valleys, cliffs, caverns, caves, plains, rivers, springs, watersheds, and streams.

This region has the highest concentration of the indigenous Zapotec people. The Pueblos Mancomunados of the northern Sierra of Oaxaca are one of the most outstanding examples of community social organization in Mexico. Their natural and cultural areas have a network of more than 60 miles (100 kilometers) of rural trails made cooperatively by the eight communities, which they use to travel and spread the word about the responsible use of their natural and cultural resources and the conservation of their forests, considered among the richest and most varied in the country.

La Nevería is a small community with temperate pine-encino forests, beautiful views of the Oaxaca mountains and the central valleys, and nature trails for hiking and seeing the large number of plant and animal species, especially birds. You can visit a waterfall and the old spring where natural ice was obtained in years past. The community has specific areas for its crops of flowers, fruits, and vegetables that you can also visit. You can interact with the customs and daily routine of the people such as growing herbs, farming, home gardening, and traditional cooking. You can also learn some basic phrases in the Zapotec language, all in a relaxing, friendly, and inviting setting.

Rooms

10 adobe and 4 wood cabins. Both are equipped with fireplace and bathroom with hot water. The cabins sleep up to 4, 5, 7 and 8 people.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 8 permanentes, 27 temporales

Percentage of local employees: 100%

We help conserve our area through the sustainable use of our natural resources and sharing ideas about conservation with the people.

We generate direct and indirect employment and we invest our profits in the development of our community.

One of our main objectives is to promote responsible tourism, so that all ecotourism centers of the Commonwealth of Villages have:

• Measures for forest conservation, use, and management by means of a community management plan and an environmental education program.
• Regulations and a guide for visitors that stipulate the measures they should follow to minimize their impact on the forest and its natural resources. This includes are recommendations for a healthy coexistence and pleasant experience in the area.
• A water treatment plant and techniques for managing organic and inorganic wastes.

Rates

$51 – $75

Rates are per day and include activities in the forest, meals with typical dishes, and lodging. Costs can vary depending on the number of people, activities and duration of stay.

For more information about rates and reservations, click on the orange “Contact” button above.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Oaxaca (OAX)

Travel time to nearest airport: 2 hours

There are no limitations to access, except for 3-axle buses.

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

• The Commonwealth of Villages, the network to which Expediciones Sierra Norte belongs, was recognized as the 2002 Best Tourist Destination by Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
• The Commonwealth of Villages was recognized by Eng Miguel Ángel de Quevedo for nature conservation in 2002.

Additional Web sites

• www.sierranorte.org.mx (available in Spanish). The Expediciones Sierra Norte website contains important information about the nature routes of the Commonwealth of Villages of Oaxaca.

Date This Information Was Provided

January 2013.

Photos courtesy of Nevería Latzi Belli, Expediciones Sierra Norte, Mexico, for SustainableTrip.org.