Community seeks its place in the Mexican sun

Juan Luis Gonzalez wants to boost a municipal profile that he concedes is overshadowed by its famous nearby neighbour.

Gonzalez is director of tourism for San Jeronimo, found about 50 miles from Acapulco, Mexico’s first major tourism resort and which has long attracted celebrities.

“Not too many people know about San Jeronimo and that’s why we’re here,” Gonzalez conceded in May while attending annual Mexican tourism show Tianguis.

San Jeronimo is about five miles from the Pacific Ocean, with Gonzalez reporting that “virgin beaches” await those visiting the area.

But he continued that those beaches are only one side to area nature.

“The beaches are nice,” he added. “We (also) have a lagoon. We have a river, we have a lot of vegetation — nice nature and tropical birds.”

Among birds that visitors may spot are egrets and pelicans.

The tourism board underscores the area’s natural side with a logo that features a palm tree before a bright sun.

Tourism authorities are looking at offering visitors river trips.

San Jeronimo had two hotels open as of May with two more preparing to begin welcoming guests. Hotel stays can feature the likes of swimming pools.

San Jeronimo is home to some 6,000 people, with another 10,000 people in the surrounding area.

Gonzalez reports that those wanting to stay in San Jeronimo who also want to take in the often bright lights of Acapulco can easily do so, with a good road linking the two destinations.

In turn, those staying in Acapulco who want a quieter day during their vacation can undertake day trips to San Jeronimo.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez says that those who visit San Jeronimo will be warmly welcomed.

“I would like to say, ‘Come and visit,'” he says. “We love tourists.”