Hacienda Chichen Resort

The International Ecotourism Society - Member

Contact:

The International Ecotourism Society 1333 H St NW, Suite 300E Washington, DC United States 20005 phone: (202) 347-9203 email: info@ecotourism.org

Property's Green Team Leader:
      Jose Santos Tamay - 52-985-851-0045

Mailing Address:
      KM 120 Merida-Puerto Juarez
      Chichen Itza, MX

For three generations the owners of Hacienda Chichen have taken the utmost care to preserve the hacienda's own historical legacy, the local Maya cultural traditions and values, and the pristine natural environment of its property. The owners and management team, composed by 99% local indigenous Maya executives, are committed to an eco-vision mission that follows an innovating set of Sustainable Tourism programs, encourage sound ecological practices, and help improve the well-being of Maya rural people in the neighboring region of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico.

Since 2003 Mr. Bruce Gordon and the hotel's Forest Guardian Team have reforest the property with over 2,500 endemic hardwood trees. In 2009 he pledged to the United Nations Environmental Program to plant more than 150 endemic endangered tree species. The deforestation in the region was depleting mature trees used for wood-carving souvenirs sold on the tourist routes to Chichen Itza. To minimize the negative impact of this activity, Hacienda Chichen has designated an area to plant mainly Gumbo Limbo trees (the favorite for souvenir carvers) and to train the staff in proper cutting procedures. Volunteers are welcome to help us create an eco-vision awareness within the local communities.

Water Waste Recycle System: Hacienda Chichen recycles all of its waste water biologically and through man-made wetlands. The gray water (laundry, showers and wash basin) go through filter traps and bio-digestible tanks before it is used as underground irrigation in our gardens. The black waters go into bacteria biodegrading tanks, an organic man-made wetlands as part of our septic water-purification and recycling system.

Local organic products support Hacienda Chichen buys many local products on a daily basis, including organic tortillas freshly made in Xcalacoop, delicious bread buns from San Felipe, seasonal vegetables and other food products grown by small families in the nearby towns. This practice is extended to non-perishables produced in the region, all in the effort to support the local economy. Our Toh Boutique sells native Mayan artists’ fine crafts to encourage the traditional arts and crafts of the Maya people for this brings pride and wealth to their families. Profits from sales are used for the property’s Nature Conservation program and the Maya Foundation’s Children’s Nutrition Program which in 2007 built new environmentally sound public bathrooms for the Xcalacoop Elementary Public School and helped safeguard the computer room.

Growing our own organic products In 2003, our senior staff and local farmer, Filomeno Mex Tun retired from the hospitality service and started Hacienda Chichen's own organic farm. This farm produces most of the hotel's fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and currently the medicinal plants used at Yaxkin Spa. Guests can stroll each morning in his field at the south end of the hotel’s gardens. It is a pleasure to hear his soft Maya lyrics and songs as he works, and to get his tips on how to grow better fruits and vegetables in your own home.

Wild honey is produced extensively in our land. The staff is welcome to benefit from the wild honey found in our property, as much as from the traditional Maya medicine herbs found in our Nature trails and any other other richness of the land as long as their activities do not destroy the delicate nature of the habitat. In 2010, Mr. Gordon and his forest-guards will start an organic pure honey production program.

Purchasing policy Hacienda Chichen's purchasing policies focus on using products that have minimal impact on the environment. All our cleaning supplies are bio-degradable and have low environment impact. We purchase local products, and organically grown food products in the region using a high standard of health and quality criteria. Proud of the beautiful traditional arts and crafts of the Maya people, we buy all our new décor items directly from Mayan communities. This contributes to the conservation of native traditional artful skills while increasing their income opportunities. Hacienda Chichen, a green boutique hotel, has a truly impressive waste management program, using a state-of-the-art eco-friendly septic system. This system purifies and recycles used water with the help of bio-digestible tanks and man-made wetlands. For that reason the hotel uses biodegradable amenities, cleaning and laundry products.

Construction and Environmental Protection Hacienda Chichen has a very low construction density, dedicating less than 0.08% to constructed areas within the 300 hectares of privately own property land. Within the vast property, Mr. Gordon has designated over 80 hectares of the land to a Maya Jungle Private Reserve, home to multiple species of native flora and fauna, including 150 different bird species nesting in our Bird Refuge jungle gardens.

Recycled Material Building Practices Hacienda Chichen was built by the Spanish Conquistadors using Maya temple stones during the 16th Century, a unique historic example of repurposing. Since then, recycled building materials have been used whenever possible. During the last three remodeling periods, 2000-2006, the designer reclaimed more than a few old furniture pieces and decoration items, as part of the owner’s love for responsible choices and to reinforce the hotel’s Colonial rustic ambiance. This environmentally friendly practice has enhanced our guests' appreciation for beauty and grace even in old recycled and reclaimed materials; it has also reduced the amount of waste commonly found in remodeling projects.