Cozumel Opens New Sustainable Tourism Trail in Island’s South

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — A new sustainable tourism route has opened in southern Cozumel, offering visitors a closer look at the island’s environmental riches through hiking, birdwatching and lessons about local species.

The project aims to build ecological awareness among both Mexican and foreign tourists by combining outdoor recreation with learning about the ecosystems that make the area unique.

Seydi Crespo, who heads sustainability at Kuzá park, where the new attraction is located, said the initiative responds to growing interest in ecological tourism and to the arrival of visitors who already practice birdwatching with specialized equipment. The expedition, she said, is designed to show why Cozumel is unique and why protecting its species matters.

The route is complemented by Kuzapal, an environmental education program that since July 2025 has brought more than 2,000 preschool, elementary and high school students into activities involving birdwatching and mangrove identification.

The expedition has been folded into that effort, giving young people direct contact with nature and strengthening their grounding in sustainability. Guides share information on site about each of the available resources, including the mangrove, the birds and a pollinator garden that hosts monarch butterflies and melipona bees.

Participants receive binoculars and materials to help them identify species in their natural habitat.

Officials described the opening of the trail as another step in diversifying Cozumel’s tourism offerings, adding a product that pairs recreation with learning in a natural setting. It also serves as an alternative for travelers seeking experiences beyond traditional tourism, with an emphasis on conservation and respect for the environment.