There are so many activities offered at Hacienda Chichen Resort, we recommend you take time to visit our sister website Chichen Services which offers unique eco-cultural vacation packages and experiences that are sure to enhance your stay and visit.

Visitors marble at the magical ambiance and beauty found in our the property.  Hacienda Chichen has become a Sanctuary of Life, where guests experience a rare intimate contact with nature and the Maya cultural traditions. Explore the wonders of Yucatan’s unique eco-cultural environment, visit natural caves and experience Maya holistic rituals, or swim in natural cenote waters and enjoy birding or stargazing. Plan to stay at least three nights with us if you wish to fully enjoy all the wonders this region has to offer you.

NATURAL RESERVE TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Spa Rituals: Various Spa experiences based on Maya holistic traditions and wisdom are available at the hacienda's inhouse Yaxkin Spa.
In-house Tours: Bird Watching, Maya Herbal Medicine, Merle Greene Museum and Gallery.
Workshops: Maya Cooking Classes, Maya Aromatherapy, Herbal Spa Oils and Soap Making.
Sacred Maya Ceremonial Site: Tzolkin, Equinox, 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.

MAYA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Chichen Itza Archaeological Zone
Just a brief walk from Hacienda Chichen will take you to the back entrance gate. Staying overnight at the hacienda allows you to see 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"
A brief walk in the opposite direction brings you to Old Chichen, a part of the Chichen Itza archaeological zone which is still being excavated. Here you will find fascinating buildings, decorated with stellae and statues unlike what is seen in the public site. Visits to this special area need to be approved by the archaeologists working on the site and are by appointment only.

Balankanche Caves
These Maya Ceremonial caves are approximately 3 minutes by car from the hotel. Tourist friendly, these fabulous caves and underground waterways were part of the Initiation and Ceremonial Rites of ancient Maya. Offerings and clay pots are still in place as you stroll through the narrow path leading to the main cave dome.

Ek Balam (30 - 40 min by car via Valladolid)
A walled city with minor temples around the main pyramid. Restored in the 1990s, this archaeological site offers a fascinating encounter with the Maya stucco sculptures and motifs that ornate Maya temples and facades.

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

RECOMMENDED CENOTES

Yodzonot Cenote (2 min. by car from hotel
W we highly recommend guests to visit this impressive cenote and 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 by car from hotel on the "libre" highway to Valladolid)
A magical place to swim and enjoy the geological formations of the Yucatan, blue pristine underground "lake like" cenote, impressive rock formations and tree roots.

COLONIAL TOWNS

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. Also you will find many cleansing Maya ceremonies still practiced by the Maya people nowadays. The Native Medicine Center also has a fascinating Herbal Medicine garden and pharmacy. The town has a three towered church recently restored.

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 fabulous colonial 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. The Main Square has a lovely central park and a Cathedral. Visit the San Bernardino de Siena Convent with its many original altarpieces and beautiful 18th Century designs. Shopping around the colorful market is a real treat.

Izamal (45 min by car Hwy to Merida)
An impressive Colonial town with a mix of Maya and Spanish elements. The Convent San Antonio de Padua is the mayor structure found here. The convent holds many Colonial murals and religious images. Art and crafts typical of Izamal are the papier mache butterflies, natural fiber hammocks, jewelry made from natural seeds and sisal goods. Izamal is a town designated as one of Mexico's Pueblas Magicas.

Merida (1hr & 30 min by car)
The capital city of Yucatan is full of things to see and do. Colonial architecture abounds in the churches, museums and renovated colonial homes in the centro historico. Restaurants, shopping, museums, outdoor markets, theatre, music, and dancing are just some of the activities available in this city of over a million people. For a weekly calendar of events in Merida, check Yucatan Living events.

HACIENDA CHICHEN”S SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL MAYA COMMUNITIES AND THE NATURE CONSERVATION RESERVE

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

Xcalacoop Elementary School
Ongoing support to the school needs.

Xcalacoop Health Center
The Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. provides weekly food supplies to the Nutrition Program held at the XHC. We also provide help for the upkeep of the older building to continue the various community programs held at the XHC, while the new building donated by the hotel is under construction. The new building will have boys and girls bathrooms, an eco-friendly septic system, a kitchen and a multi-purpose room large enough to host the 140 children during their daily meal at the center. These children have been suffering from malnutrition and this daily meal 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 paid ads online, articles, and more. You can read more about it here.

Maya Jungle Reforestation and Nature Reserve
The Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. engages in ongoing protection of flora and fauna. These activities include vast reforestation of hardwoods within the 300 hectares of private land dedicated to eco-friendly activities. We also work to educate and train local native people to care for the environment and preserve the safety of our water resources.

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 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 classes, computer and job related workshops, are available to our staff in our in-house training programs.

If you wish to learn more about these education programs and help fund any of these social projects, please contact our Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C. Director, Mrs. Belisa Barbachano can be reached at info@yucatanadventure.com.mx