Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
REVIVING ROOTS
Ojochal's namesake, once on the verge of extinction in the area, is making a slow
comeback. Though the tall, leafyojochetree (Brosimum alicastrum) takes about 30
years to mature, making this a long-term project, the local community has begun putting
theojocheback into Ojochal.
As Ojochal's population grew through the 1950s, most stands ofojochewere felled for
cattle grazing and lumber. But in the same decade the tree's starchy fruit provided nour-
ishment to many local families during severe drought. The pulp of the fruit can be eaten
raw, boiled, or made into flour. The fruit (also known as the 'Maya nut', though not a true
nut) has a low glycemic index and high protein content, and it's rich in fiber, fat, folate,
iron and antioxidants.
Around 2009, the grass-roots community group Comité de Ojoche began to replant
ojochetrees in the area in an effort to reestablish Ojochal's connection with its roots (so
to speak), and to save the tree from local extinction while reforesting the area with a nu-
tritious and culturally valuable food source.
Hotel Villas Gaia
offers walking tours of the 'Ojoche Route', and you can buyojoche
flour from the local women's entrepreneurial association, which helps to fund theojoche-
revival project.
Parque Nacional Marino Ballena
This stunner of a
marine park
( 2743-8236; admission US$7)
protects coral and rock reefs
surrounding several offshore islands. Its name comes not only from the humpback whales
that breed here but also because of the Punta Uvita 'Whale Tail', a distinctive sandbar ex-
tending into a rocky reef that, at low tide, forms the shape of a whale's tail when viewed
from above. Despite its small size, the importance of this area cannot be overstated, espe-
cially since it protects migrating humpback whales, pods of dolphins and nesting sea
turtles, not to mention colonies of seabirds and several terrestrial reptiles.
Although Ballena is relatively off the radar of many coastal travelers, this can be an ex-
tremely rewarding destination for beach lovers and wildlife-watchers. The lack of tourist
crowds means that you can enjoy a quiet day at the beach in near solitude - a rarity in
