Your Visit - El Refugio de Potosí

Your Visit to El Refugio de Potosí

Open to the Public by Reservation

Please explore the "Our Tours" link for pricing and options All visitors receive an escorted tour from our Nature Ambassadors as part of the entrance fee.
Contact us for reservations options by WhatsApp text: (+52) 755 134 1177. Include number of persons, requested date & hour, and language preference.
Language options: English, Spanish or French.

Open for Approved Tour Guides

Daily 8:00AM - 1PM
Entrance Fee: $150 p/person
See list of Approved Tour Guides here
Please contact your preferred guide directly.

Ecological Reserve: El Refugio de Potosí

Description: Explore El Refugio de Potosi with a nature ambassador. This wander through the Reserve includes a stop in our Natural History Discovery Center, stepping inside our guacamaya aviary, visiting animals in sanctuary, climbing the observation tower, viewing our sperm whale skeleton.

Duration: Approximately 1 – 1½ hours.

Cost: MX$900 for up to 6 people (more than 6 people tours are pro-rated at MX$150 per person,
OR
MX$500 per groups of two persons.

Time: per your preferred reservation hour.

All Aboard the "Chachalaca"

Description: Trajinera Excursions. For this blissful early morning journey, you will board our prehispanic, gondola styled boat, to visit Laguna Carrizo. The boat is powered by a remero (a man with a long pole pushing off the bottom of the lagoon). Enjoy the sounds of nature without a rumbling gasoline motor or the smell of burning fuel. Delight in and learn the birds of the lagoon, see the mangroves, spy on crocodiles, inhale the essence of peace and silence.

Duration: Approximately one hour.

Cost: MX$150 per person (minimum 6 persons).
Private groups of up to 10 people MX$1500.

Time: Board at 7:30 A.M.

Early Morning Lagoon Visit – Breakfast - Nature Reserve Package

Description: A trajinera birding and mangrove excursion followed by a traditional tamal breakfast under the shade of the trees of Raptor Alley in El Refugio. After breakfast, an escorted tour of the Ecological Reserve.

Duration: Approximately 3 hours.

Package Cost: MX$450 per person (minimum of 8 people).
MX$4500 private group up to maximum of 10 people.

Time: Board at 7:30 A.M.

Discover the Night Tours in Laguna Carrizo

Description: All aboard our Trajinera for a visit to Laguna Carrizo under the starry starry night sky. Revel in the surprising glory of darkness away from light pollution. Marvel at nature through the eyes of animals under the influence of UV light.

Duration: 1 - 1½ hours

Cost: MX$200 per person (6 persons minimum).
MX$2,000 private group up to a maximum of 10 people.

Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 P.M

For School Visits

Environmental education programs designed for your school group based on age and curriculum.

Please contact us with the details of your group and preferred date.

WhatsApp text: (+52) 755 134 1177

All prices in Mexican pesos.

Directions

By Public Transportation from Zihuatanejo:

Option 1: Take any bus that stops at Los Achotes (approximate cost 20 pesos). Then take the passenger truck to El Refugio de Potosí. Cost 25 pesos.

Option 2: Take the bus from Zihuatanejo to the airport. Take the passenger van that travels the beach road towards Barra de Potosí. Tell the driver you want to go to El Refugio. They will drop you at the entrance to a dirt road. Walk 10 minutes up the road (there is shade along the way) to El Refugio.

Taxi:

Tell the driver we are located on the paved road 6 kilometers from Los Achotes towards Barra de Potosí. Approximate cost from Zihuatanejo MX$1,500 pesos round trip.

Driving from Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa:

Check Google Maps. Be warned there is often no signal in rural areas. We suggest that you download the directions before starting out.

Take Highway 200 south towards Acapulco. Turn right at the village of Los Achotes. Travel 6 km towards the beach. There are large letters on our stone wall with a metal gate. We are on the right side of the road.

Planning Your Visit

Plan to spend about an hour exploring El Refugio.
You are visiting a tropical forest.
Apply sunscreen and insect repellent in advance and away from the animals.
Bring drinking water.
Wear loose and light clothing.
Wear sensible shoes.
All guests receive guided tours from our Nature Ambassadors.
To climb the tower, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Our animals have dietary restrictions. Please do not bring food into the Reserve.
We are a tobacco-free zone.
Please leave your pets elsewhere.
We welcome children 4 years of age and older.
Restroom facilities available.
Free parking.

Baby Boobie

Pygmy Owl

Woodpecker

Tarantula

Peccary
Bring Pumbaa an apple!