The year was 1983. The place... Celestún, Mexico. Hector Ceballos-Lascurain was developing a two-fold strategy to preserve nature and the wilderness within, while also advancing employment opportunities for locals. This is where it all began. Ecotourism was born and Latin America eagerly embraced the concept as a viable strategy to promote both rural tourism and environmental awareness. With the surge of scientific research and the success of the New Key guidebook (which is now in its' 18th edition), Costa Rica emerged as a front-runner for green travel and ecotourism.

Mexico has been a little slower to adopt this form of tourism, keeping most protected areas and biosphere reserves off-limits to travelers until just recently. Some regions were considered too remote from the primary tourism corridors to attract guests. Other locations were kept off the agenda due to the lack of park guides. The 1990s brought about an awareness of the natural wonders of Mexico, as guests and organized tours discovered and raved about them.

Travelers began to come to observe wildlife and to simply witness the beauty and diversity of Mexico's natural landscape. Local communities came to the realization that ecotourism could diversify their income base as the tourism providers began to profit by offering natural history tours. Many language schools with immersion courses in the Spanish language have furthered volunteerism and community events, with students making "responsible" trips to rural communities, parks, and protected natural areas. Their coursework has also provided a cultural context in Mexico, helping broaden the perspectives of visitors.

With all of the wilderness and outdoor attractions that Mexico has to offer, promoting ecotourism in this country is only natural. Mexico is a large country, with thousands of miles of Atlantic, Pacific and Caribbean coastline. Inland, one can discover diverse geographic features and ecosystems, from snow-capped volcanoes and mountain ranges, to broad stretches of desert, to spectacular canyons, jungles and tropical forests. Explore captivating pre-Columbian ruins, taste world-renowned cuisine, and be captivated by the music and the people.