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Welcome to our Eco-Lodge and to our Community San Miguel del Bala, Bolivia.
This page is about our Tacana culture and about ethics and protection
of our environment.
Our Tacana Culture
Although we wear modern occidental clothes, use
flashlights, and some of our boats have motors; we still preserve our Tacana
customs and traditions. We live in
traditional houses made of bamboo and palm leaves, play local music, and grow
our fields as our grand parents have taught us.
The ethical visitor
In order to lessen the social impact and the
impact on our environment, please respect the following:
Only take pictures in the community with the consent
of the villagers or the guide.
Do not ask for discounts. When you buy handicrafts you generate
economical revenues for the community.
Do not buy handicrafts made with feathers, fur,
animals or insects.
Don’t give money, gifts or candies to the children. If you want to donate for example books or
pencils please give them to the residential manager.
Please do not enter the community houses unless
you are invited to.
If you want to walk on a path outside the
lodge’s area ask your guide to join you.
Fishing is allowed.
It is forbidden to take any animal or plant out
of the area.
Throw your litter in the wastebasket.
Donations, social projects or scientific
research should be coordinated with the general manager.
Text and recommendations from the Lonely Planet
‘Bolivia’ guide book:
In Bolivia, 6th Edition / April 2007, on page 342 the authors
writes about “Community-based ecotourism”:
“ [..] what many hope the future of Amazonian tourism will look like: responsible operators and customers; respect for culture, [..] ; and benefits for local communities. [..] with visits to indigenous communities, where you can peek into local lifestyles and traditions. Make sure you don’t give sweets or presents to children, no matter how cute they look, as this builds unrealistic expectations. [..] “
(Because of copyright we can not quote the full text)
Do not touch or feed the wild animals
Wild animals should not be touched and fed, but some tourists and tour operators apparently can’t see the problem.
Text from the page Rurrenabaque in Wikitravel:
About ‘Tours’: “Be careful to choose a good tour and a good guide. [..] Ask for proper information and testimonials. Your choice may depend on your attitude to touching and feeding wild animals.”
About ‘Pampas Tours’: “The pampas tours have become very popular and touristic during the high season and are causing damage to the wild life in the small river Rio Yacuma. [..] Also, you should make sure that your guide is not showing you already trapped anacondas or let anybody (especially anybody wearing sunscreen or repellent) touch the animals.”
2007-01-07
and 2007-06-09