Farewell to Boca del Naranjo

Sunday, March 4, 2007 would be the last time we’d get to enjoy the natural beauty of Boca del Naranjo. We knew that, Fonatur, the tourism branch of the Mexican government, was planning to develop a huge new resort area in this bay, much like they did in Nuevo Vallarta, Cancun and Ixtapa, but we didn’t realize it would be happening so soon.

When we drove down to the beach, we found that most of the palapa restaurants had been dismantled and there were signs of fences being erected everywhere.

We had been to this beach just three weeks ago with our kids to have a look at the crocodiles in the swampy inlet and everything was as it had always been. We’d chatted with the owners of the palapa restaurant at the far end of the beach and had given them a few pesos for the use of a baño.

Today this restaurant was the only one still selling fish and cerveza so we ordered a beer and asked why THEY were still in business. They told us it was to be their final day at Boca del Naranjo. They smiled as they told us they would have be no further access to the beach after today and they would receive no financial compensation from the government. It may seem sad that they have been asked to leave, but they are simply squatters who have had free use of the land for many years. It was our friend, Elsemarie who said “These people and their children will now have a better opportunity to move onto better paying jobs in a BIGGER tourism industry”. She’s probably right. In the long run they will probably be better off.

We walked over to where the crocs usually soak up the sun during the day, but there were none in sight and the river’s edge had changed since our last visit. Soil had been brought in and baby palms had been planted every few yards. We couldn’t help but think that the next time we visit Boca del Naranjo to catch sight of a croc, we’ll be paying for a jungle tour up the river like in San Blas.

We took our beer and walked out to the beach for one last look at this beautiful piece of paradise before it changes forever. There are many beautiful beaches near Guayabitos and we are so glad that we chose to visit Boca del Naranjo on our Sunday excursion with Jack and Else.