Fonte: El Periplo Sustentable; Núm. 47 (2024): Número cuarenta y siete; 273 - 294
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Resumo: Protected natural areas are important instruments for conserving ecosystems and promoting development, through low-impact tourism activities, which are not exempt from causing environmental damage. The objective of this work was to describe the recreational activities in a distance gradient from the entrance of the Mezcalitos-Punta Molas Road, part of the Cozumel Island Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Mexico. The quantification of visitors and their vehicles was carried out through a combination of the non-participant observation method, and count points applied for fauna. In addition, semi-structured interviews were applied to key informants. Less tourist-recreational activity was observed in more remote sites, which indicates that the flow of tourists is regulated by the distance to the entrance of the protected natural area, due to the limitations on the transit of vehicles not suitable for sand or rock roads. The main problem observed at the site is the lack of regulation of the visit by managing institution, as well as the lack of recognition of the authority by private companies, which could lead to a negative impact on the ecosystems.
