In this spider monkey paradise there is a Mayan community named Hidalgo which still preserves its traditions, being the altars one of the most significant. As a welcome sign and respect to the local wildlife, we found a Mayan altar. The altars, according to the beliefs, are dedicated to Mother Nature and harvest abundance, and can be placed by a chaman through a ceremony only. An altar is mainly composed by a cross, an alcoholic Mayan beverage and prepared food. For many, the cross would seem related to Christianity but in fact it represents the four cardinal points. When the Spaniards came, the meaning changed and the cross was modified by putting on a Mayan dress, sign of rebellion and and rejection to the new religion. The alcoholic beverage called Balché, made of the tree bark of the same name, is used to honor the Gods and calm the spirit down. The food, pre-cooked inside a hole in the ground, is ofered to Mother Nature, then it is shared among the families to be eaten, nothing is wasted.
Punta Laguna is an enigmatic and fascinating place where it can be seen the exhuberant and well varied flora and fauna of the southest of Mexico. As its name mentions, it is the spider monkey home. It is very easy to know whether we are close to these primates by three issues: strong smell of urine, fruit remains and or feces of monkey. Be careful not to be surprised by the third one as the monkeys are always on the top of the trees.
Every year, bird watchers and nature lovers come to study and explore the jungle or just to enjoy the calm prevailing in the surrounding area. It has been registered around 450 diferent species of birds in the Peninsula of Yucatan and around 130 only in Punta Laguna such as swallow, tricoloed heron, singing quail and falcons. Also, it can be seen thousands of insects such as butterflies, termites and Mayan Bees; some endemic mammals such as pumas, coatis, howler monkeys and some reptiles such as crocodile, snakes and iguanas.
Punta Laguna is protected by Mexican laws which prohibe the over exploitation of natural resurces, illegal pruning, and cathing and trading of endemic species, including the spider monkey. It is recommended do not touch, taste nor collect any plant or animal bacause they can be poisonous or cause any allergies.