Trip report: Ecotourism option in the Yucatan
Nov 18th, 2003, 06:21 PM
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Trip report: Ecotourism option in the Yucatan
Just posted a travel journal with photos (http://www.igougo.com/planning/journ...ournalID=26799) detailing our visit and volunteer work in the state of Yucatan earlier this year. We spent a month at <i>Rancho Komchen de los Pajaros</i>, an ecotourism ranch located 30km from Merida which was hard hit by hurricane Isidore in September 2002. We had contacted them about accommodations over Xmas and New Year's 2002-2003 but learned from the owner Ana Maria that the ranch was in a sorry state. So we offered to help as volunteers.
Komchen (http://www.komchen.org) is run by a non-profit <i>asociacion civil</i> which makes most of its operating revenue from paying guests. The place is a hidden gem which encompasses 340 hectares of tropical dry forest. There are four casitas for rent each with varying numbers of beds. It's not on the beach though, but it does have a 40'x15' lap pool which did the trick for us. We'd recommend it to those that can appreciate a bit of rusticity (but not roughing it). It's quiet, the night sky is amazingly clear and the food is good to boot! Birdwatchers will have a "field day" here, especially now that the vegetation has grown back.
Although this place is off the beaten path (which might explain why it's not listed in many guidebooks) it's exactly what we were looking for at the time. We'd been to the Cancun-Tulum corridor more than once and wanted to start off this trip somewhere different. Of note, those renting a vehicle from Cancun or Merida could consider this as a base camp for exploring Merida and the area's ruins and convents.
Some of you may also be interested in reading about our one-way passage on the now-defunct (or suspended) <i>Yucatan Express</i> which took us from Tampa, Florida to Progreso with our vehicle in less than two days.
Komchen (http://www.komchen.org) is run by a non-profit <i>asociacion civil</i> which makes most of its operating revenue from paying guests. The place is a hidden gem which encompasses 340 hectares of tropical dry forest. There are four casitas for rent each with varying numbers of beds. It's not on the beach though, but it does have a 40'x15' lap pool which did the trick for us. We'd recommend it to those that can appreciate a bit of rusticity (but not roughing it). It's quiet, the night sky is amazingly clear and the food is good to boot! Birdwatchers will have a "field day" here, especially now that the vegetation has grown back.
Although this place is off the beaten path (which might explain why it's not listed in many guidebooks) it's exactly what we were looking for at the time. We'd been to the Cancun-Tulum corridor more than once and wanted to start off this trip somewhere different. Of note, those renting a vehicle from Cancun or Merida could consider this as a base camp for exploring Merida and the area's ruins and convents.
Some of you may also be interested in reading about our one-way passage on the now-defunct (or suspended) <i>Yucatan Express</i> which took us from Tampa, Florida to Progreso with our vehicle in less than two days.
Dec 2nd, 2003, 07:06 AM
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Just added an incredible satellite photo of Hurricane Isidore's eye over <i>Komchén</i> on September 22, 2002. See it in the <b>Overview</b> section of our travel journal:
http://www.igougo.com/planning/journ...ournalID=26799
The photo is located at the bottom of the page. Click on it to see it full-size.
http://www.igougo.com/planning/journ...ournalID=26799
The photo is located at the bottom of the page. Click on it to see it full-size.
Dec 2nd, 2003, 07:33 AM
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This sounds great but I can't get the below link to work!
http://www.igougo.com/planning/journ...ournalID=26799
http://www.igougo.com/planning/journ...ournalID=26799
Dec 2nd, 2003, 10:32 AM
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I did get it to work now.
Good for you! Looks like a great experience and you are to be commended for combining your adventure with good works.
I loved the pool - too bad it did not stay that pretty. I'm sure you have made friends you will have the rest of your life.
Good for you! Looks like a great experience and you are to be commended for combining your adventure with good works.
I loved the pool - too bad it did not stay that pretty. I'm sure you have made friends you will have the rest of your life.
