Native Trails MyTrails 2025 73 Chiapas and the high humidity provide the best conditions for the plants to thrive well. The cut flowers of the finca are delivered inside Mexico, but also to the USA and even Europe. 67 El Palomar Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Take a walk through the plantations of El Palomar, and enjoy the wonderful view of the mountain landscape on the border with Guatemala. Citrus fruits, coffee, cocoa, and the fascinating rambutan fruit are grown on the small hacienda; the latter, from the family of soapberry trees, is related to litchis and deliciously sweet and refreshing. Another interesting part of the hacienda’s activities is fish farming. El Palomar is situated on the Cerro Colorado in the subtropical rain forest of Chiapas, directly above the Río Suchate, the border river. Relax on the palapa-like roofed terrace, and take a refreshing swim in the small pool of the beautiful estate. 68 INIFAP - Campo Experimental Rosario Izapa Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy One of the regions with the highest biodiversity in Mexico is the South near the Pacific Ocean, and it is here that the Campo Experimental Rosario Izapa of the INIFAP was established. It is dedicated to research into the diversity of the fauna as well as to the development of biotechnological procedures useful in agriculture. During your visit you will learn many interesting details about the cultivation of mango and other tropical fruit trees, cocoa trees, but also of plants used for the production of bioenergy. The institute has its own laboratories for quality checks and to develop processes for the production of biofuels. 69 The border crossing at Talismán Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy The border crossing at Talismán is one of four routes to get from Mexico to Guatemala by land. Even though it is open all day, we still recommend to cross it until the afternoon for formal reasons (check of entry and exit documents). 70 Visit of the market in Tuxtla Chico Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy The market days of Tuxtla Chico are a hustle and bustle. Many marketeers from the communities in the region meet here to present their products of most diverse origins. Owing to cruising tourists, the traditional offer of fruits and vegetables has been supplemented by handcrafted products and food specialties: Whether traditional, colorful clothes, leather shoes, or handcrafted jewelry – there is something for any taste. Mangoes, papayas, and the hairy rambutan fruit are for sale as are cacao and handmade hot chocolate prepared from it – the elixir of the gods. Among the offered products, you also find ceramics and tropical flowers from the Soconusco. Try tamales made from corn dough – and a plátano macho con crema as a dessert. 71 Visit of the archaeological zone of Izapa Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy The archaeological zone of Izapa is regarded as one of the oldest excavation sites in all of Mexico and dates back to 1,500 BC. Being an important political and ceremonial center, Izapa is likely to have been independent, although in the early period, the culture of its inhabitants may have been influenced by the Olmecs. Because of its location and the orientation of its pyramids, many archaeologists think that Izapa played a key role in the creation of the Mesoamerican calendar. Special finds such as a huge turtle head of stone and stele no. 5 with its dominant Tree of Life make this ruin a unique site. 72 Visit to the Caicrochis sanctuary Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Caicrochis is one of the oldest reception and breeding station for crocodiles and caimans in Mexico. In close proximity to Río Cahoacán, several hundred animals of different species live in the station, among them spectacled caimans, Morelet’s crocodiles, American alligators, paleosuchus, American crocodiles more than 7 m (23 ft.) long, and also the huge African spurred tortoise. Many of the animals are born here for breeding purposes (leather with CITES certificate); others receive shelter and care prior to being released back into the wild – the unexpectedly fast predators often go astray in private gardens, pools or watercourses while looking for chickens, pigs and other small animals. During your tour, you learn interesting facts about the diet, reproduction and growth of the different species.
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