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 the Maya communities nearby.

    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 a relaxing vacation and explore all the wonders of this region.

Hacienda Chichen slideshow activities   

   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.

    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.

MAYAN HOLISTIC WELLNESS WORKSHOPS

This 4th of July 2009, J-Men Bartolome Poot Nahuat will conduct a Mayan Medicinal Plants Workshop at his Mayan School and Botanic Garden in Espita, Yucatan, Mexico.  For directions and workshop registration please contact him direcly at the Oxlajuntikuj Mayan School email: oxlajuntikuj@hotmail.com

 July 30th, 2009, Yaxkin Spa and the Maya Foundation In Laakeech will start a Mayan Holistic Spa Therapist training program to teach and certify Spa therapists in the arts of Mayan Healing Traditions and Mayan Spa Wellness massages, organic skin care therapies, etc. The program will be held at Hacienda Chichen Resort. Register via email:  yaxkinspa@haciendachichen.com
 

    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).
Tourist friendly, paid visit site. These fabulous Maya Ceremonial caverns and underground waterways were used by ancient Mayan for their Secret Initiation and Ceremonial Rites. Offerings and clay pots are still in place as you stroll through narrow path leading to a main chamber with a stalactite "tree like" formation.

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. Also you will find many cleansing Maya ceremonies still practiced by the Maya people nowadays. A three towered Cathedral faces Main Plaza.

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 the San Bernardino de Siena Convent with its many original altarpieces and beautiful 18th Century designs.

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.

Merida (1hr & 30 min by car)
The capital city of Yucatan is full of things to see and Colonial architecture abounds in downtown with churches, plazas, museums and many epoch  homes. Restaurants, shopping, museums, outdoor markets, theatre, music, dancing, free cultural events and other fun public activities are available in Merida.

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

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

Xcalacoop Elementary School
Ongoing support to the school 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

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 was 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 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.

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.