Attractions & Things to Do
South Texas Ecotourism Center
The South Texas Ecotourism Center in Laguna Vista presents the region's native habitats through outdoor exhibits, walking areas, bilingual interpretation, group programs and rentable event spaces.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 501 W. State Hwy. 100, Laguna Vista, TX, 78578
- Phone
- (956) 772-0210
- Business Type
- ⭐ Local & Independent
What to know before you go
Details checked . Confirm prices, schedules and policies with the business when planning your visit.
Services 1 detail
The center offers school and private group tours, arranged by calling the office directly.
Amenities 3 details
A planned Water Testing Lab is listed as 'Coming Soon' and a Watershed Model exhibit is listed as 'Construction In Progress' — neither is open to visitors yet.
Bilingual (English and Spanish) interactive interpretive signage guides self-directed visitors through the ecosystems, and an outdoor wildlife statuary museum is spread throughout the grounds.
The center's grounds feature all five ecosystems native to South Texas laid out for visitors to walk through: Coastal Prairie, Lomas, Thorn Forest, Savanna, and a Cultivated Plants unit of agricultural/beneficial species.
Policies 5 details
Alcohol is not permitted at rented events without the STEC Director's prior written consent; if approved and being sold, the renter must provide an off-duty licensed peace officer on site and submit a TABC permit in advance.
Cancelling a rental 7 days or less before the event forfeits the entire rental fee; cancelling 8 or more days ahead forfeits only the down payment while the damage deposit is refunded.
Facility rentals require a non-refundable down payment of half the total fee to confirm the date, with the balance due 7 days before the event; only cash, cashier's check, or money order are accepted (no personal checks).
For a rented private event, maximum occupancy is capped at 100 people for parking, staffing, safety and fire-code reasons; no pets are allowed anywhere on the premises except certified service animals, and smoking is prohibited both indoors and outdoors.
Non-profit organizations can use the Multipurpose Room once per year at no charge during business hours (8am-5pm), on presentation of proof of nonprofit status; overtime or additional uses are charged the standard fee schedule.
Rates 3 details
Additional standard rental fees beyond the space rate are: $100 damage deposit (refundable), $50 room set fee, $7 per table for linens, $50 for other equipment use, $50 cleaning fee, and $50 AV system fee.
Renting the Multipurpose Room (capacity 60 guests) costs $75/hour from 8am-5pm or $100/hour from 5pm-midnight (any day), with a 2-hour minimum plus a $100 refundable damage deposit.
Wedding ceremonies only (no food, decorations, or beverages permitted) can be booked at four outdoor venues with different capacities and hourly rates: the Amphitheater (150 people) at $50-75/hour, the Outdoor Classroom (46 people), the Bird Archway (10 people), and the Viewing Deck (20 people), each 1-hour minimum/2-hour maximum plus the same $100 deposit.
Suggested: Any time · No set time — you choose