HACIENDA CHICHEN MISSION:
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN ACTION
 CHICHEN ITZA, YUCATAN, MEXICO

   Visitors marble at the magical ambiance and beauty found in Hacienda Chichen a true Eco-Spa wellness and sustainable tourism destination in Yucatan, Mexico.  Hacienda Chichen has become a Sanctuary of Life, where guests experience a rare intimate contact with nature, the Mayan people's cultural traditions and the principals of giving and sharing while supporting the social needs of Maya communities near Chichen Itza.

HACIENDA CHICHEN RESORT AND YAXKIN SPA are proud to be among Mexico's five Top Sustainable Destination examples showcased at the 16th United Nations Climate Change Conference:

Come experience our Maya traditions
 reserve our Green Maya Vacation Packages!

MONTHLY SPECIAL ACTIVITIES:

FEB 2012 - Naturalist Jim Conrad is offering our guests free daily Nature Tours and delightful tea time. Just visit his Maya Hut to start sharing with him and other natur-lover guests his valuable knowledge about our flora, fauna, birding, and green sustainable practices. Through conversations with Jim, he will help you create a memorable experience that is timeless and sometimes life-changing. Request your free Nature Tour at the time of your booking.

MARCH 2012 -  Spring Equinox, Maya Calendar 2012 celebration at Kukulkan pyramid in Chichen Itza. Hacienda Chichen and the Maya Wiseman and Healers invite you to purify your body, mind, and soul with the unique Maya Experience:  Zumpulche, a sacred holistic sweat-bath caved ceremon. More info here.

    HACIENDA CHICHEN  ECO-CULTURAL ACTIVITIES:

In House Eco-Tours: Bird Watching, Maya Herbal Medicine, Mother Nature and Maya Myths, Hacienda Colonial History, MFIL Volunteer Sites.

Cultural Workshops: authentic Mayan Cooking Classes, Maya Aromatherapy, Herbal Spa Oils and Soap Making, volunteer social work ESL workshops.

Mayan Spa Rituals: Various Eco-Spa experiences based on Maya holistic traditions and wisdom are available at the hacienda's in-house Yaxkin Spa.

Sacred Maya Ceremonial Site: Maya Rituals, Tzolkin, Equinox sacred ceremonies, Saka Ceremonies, Ya’ache Ritual, Nikte Ha Ritual, Purification Cave Ritual and other sacred Maya traditions are celebrated throughout the year by the Maya Elders Association.

Colonial Hacienda Annual Festivals: San Isidro Labrador, Dia de Reyes, Chocolate Kakaw Festival, Spring Fair, Easter Sunday Party, Day of the Dead Celebrations, Virgen de Guadalupe Fiesta, Christmas Dinner Gala, New Years Party.

Art Museum:  Merle Greene Art Gallery and Museum.

Free Volunteer Programs: Hacienda Chichen and our civil volunteer association, Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. (pronounce in lak'ech), offer travelers who wish to volunteer, especial free volunteer vacation programs to help us support Maya communities needs.

Enjoy a pampering Mayan Spa Brake
at Hacienda Chichen - Top Eco-Chic Spa
Destination selected by acclaimed magazines:

Select one of our 2012 Eco-Chic Vacation Packages:

 Enjoy the magic of ancient Mayan Holistic Healing at Yaxkin Spa this 2012. Book any of our green
TWO NIGHT STAY VACATION OFFERS
Profits help our NGO volunteer Social Programs and our
Mayan Children's Early Education Center in Xcalacoop
 

    MAYA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES & MAYAN  RUINS

Chichen Itza Archaeological Zone
Just a brief walk from Hacienda Chichen will take you to the south entrance gate. Staying overnight at the hacienda allows you to visit Chichen Itza in the early morning light, ahead of the crowds and the heat, when the area is most magical. You can also easily enjoy the Light and Sound show in the evening, and then walk home to your Hacienda Chichen cottage under the moon and stars. Staying at Hacienda Chichen allows you to enjoy all the wonders of Chichen Itza as if it were in your own backyard.

Chichen Viejo "Old Chichen"
Visits to this special area are closed to the public. Special visits to academia may be approved by INAH since studies are still conducted by archaeologists.

Balankanche Caves (3 min. drive from the hotel).
Paid visit. Fabulous Maya Ceremonial caverns and underground waterways used by ancient Mayan as ceremonial site for Secret Initiation rituals. Stroll through narrow path leading to an impressive chamber.

Ek Balam (30 - 40 min by car via Valladolid)
A walled Mayan city restored in the 1990s. This Mayan archaeological site offers a fascinating encounter with ornate stucco sculptures and carved temple facades.

Yaxuna (via Yaxcaba)
Yaxuna is a small and largely unexcavated Mayan site with the largest Sac-Be ever found ancient Maya, measuring about 101 km long and extending to Kabah.

          RECOMMENDED CENOTES IN YUCATAN:

Yodzonot Cenote (10 min. drive from hotel passing Piste). We highly recommend guests to visit this impressive cenote and eco-park cater by few Maya female locals, great swimming & low admission fee. (Click here for a video tour of Yodzonot Cenote).

Dzinup Cenote (18 min drive from hotel  to Valladolid)
A magical place to swim and enjoy Yucatan's geological formations: blue pristine underground cenote fresh water caved by in a  rock dome and tree roots.

         COLONIAL TOWNS & COLONIAL FESTIVALS

Yaxcaba (15 min by car via Libre Union)
This small town is known for its Native Medicine Center, Maya J-Men or native herbal healing local practitioners of Maya Medicine. Visit its Colonial Cathedral.

Tabi (10 min. more, via Libre Union and Yaxcaba)
For lovers of colonial churches and altars. This town has an amazing masterpiece recently restored and dedicated to the Virgin of Ascension. The sacristy has a secret small chapel with antique murals worth the trip.

Valladolid (30 min by car Hwy to Cancun)
The Capital of Yucatan in Colonial times before Merida was founded. The city's Historic Center has wonderful examples of Colonial architecture. Visit highlight: the San Bernardino de Siena Convent.

Izamal (45 min by car Hwy to Merida)
A charming Colonial town. Do visit San Antonio de Padua Convent and its main plaza.

Merida (1hr & 30 min by car)
The capital city of Yucatan; enjoy its Bella Époque facades, historic district and  Colonial architecture plus plazas, churches and museums. Restaurants, shopping, outdoor markets, theatre, music, dancing, free cultural events and other fun public activities are offer daily.
 

View Geotourism Changemakers where Hacienda Chichen and the Maya Foundation In Laakeech got featured for their sustainable eco-cultural vision. This project was sponsored by National Geographic and Ashoka.
 

HACIENDA CHICHEN RESPONSIBLE TOURISM ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT THE MAYA PEOPLE and OUR NATURE CONSERVATION RESERVE

Our Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. Programs and sustainable activities include the following:

Xcalacoop Elementary School - Mayan Child Care
Ongoing support to both schools needs. Read Lahnee Thomas' own volunteer experience as you may want to participate in our volunteer program as well;  if so, kindly email us at: info@yucatanadventure.com.mx

Xcopoil and Xcalacoop:   Mayan Health Centers
The Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. provides weekly food supplies to the Nutrition Program held at both XHC. We also provide help for the upkeep of the buildings and to various community programs held at the XHC. Our donated new building serves boys and girls with new bathrooms, an eco-friendly septic system, a kitchen and a multi-purpose room large for 140 children during their healthy meal at the center. These children have been suffering from malnutrition and our support is helping them on their road to health.

Yodzonot Cenote Community Project
Hacienda Chichen actively promotes this eco-park under the care of a local group of females with ongoing publicity and marketing strategies, including online ads.

Maya Jungle Reforestation and Nature Reserve
The Maya Foundation In Laakeech engages in ongoing protection of flora and fauna. These "Green" activities include vast reforestation of hardwoods within the 300 hectares of private land dedicated to eco-friendly activities. We also offer volunteer work to educate and train local native people to care for the environment, endemic animals (fauna) and plants (flora) as well as to preserve the safety of our water resources. Naturalist Jim Conrad will be happy to show you around the area.

Maya Volunteer Education Programs
As part of the commitment to help our staff broaden their opportunities and continue their education, our Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. Programs pay our staff's enrollment in various volunteer training workshops and educational programs such as Local Archaeologist Tour Guide and Local Bird-watching Certification, as well as other educational opportunities offered in Piste, Xcalacoop and Valladolid. Additional education opportunities, such as English ESL classes, computer and job related workshops, are available to our staff in our in-house training programs.

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