What is the meaning of Xixim? Xixim means sea shell in Maya language.The Eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula is called Xixim and this is the exact location of the Eco Paraiso Hotel. The Western end of the Peninsula is know as Cancun. What should I bring? We suggest you take comfortable beach clothes, such as: shorts, t-shirts, light dresses, tennis shoes and sandals. Don't forget to bring your bathing suit. Something you should'n omit in this area is a hat, cap, sun screen and mosquito repellent. If you come during the winter months, we suggest you bring a light jacket or sweater, because the eavenings can be chilly. Don't worry about towels, Hotel Eco Paraiso provides them at no cost, including beach and pool towels, as well as those needed for day trips. Is this a place for children? Of course! In fact, children enjoy tremendously our natural environment, shallow waters, sandy beaches where they can spend hours collecting treasures, and best of all, it is extremely safe. In our remote paradise, you don't need to worry about civilization's hazards. Fortunately, they are far away from us. Forget about your daily worries and come down to enjoy a pinch of paradise! What about security? The State of Yucatan is considered the safest state in all of Mexico. Xixim is even safer since we are isolated. The nearest town, Celestun, is about 12 Km away, and only nature sorrounds us. Nevertheless we have installed in every bungalow, inside the closet, a safety box where you can keep your documents and valuables. The tranka bolt with its key is provided at the front desk at no cost. But bewarel!, there is no extra key for the tranka, so if you lose it we will have to charge you for it. Of course! Our grounds are huge and we also have 5 km of virgen beaches that your pet can enjoy. For health reasons and respect to our guests, pets are not allowed in the pool or the Casa Club. We appreciate your understanding. Is comfort sacrificed at the expense of environmental standards? Not at all. Part of our philosophy is to offer ecoturism in comfort and style. The luxuries of civilization are as remarkable at Eco Paraiso as the wonders of the surrounding nature: roomy and comfortable bungalows, a fresh water swimming pool with a magnificent view of the costal dunes, the welcoming Casa Club that offers a variety of activities and three delicious meals served daily, prepared with creativity, rich in local flavour made with the freshest ingredients. You can pay for your stay and expenses at Hotel Eco Paraiso with the following major credit cards : Visa, Master Card and American Express. Of course we also accept cash in Mexican and US currency. Unfortunately, since there are no banks in Celestun, we can not take Traveler Checks nor personal checks. If you wish, you can also make a deposit to our bank account, details upon request. The sea shells I found on the beach are very beautiful, and I have orchides in front of my bungalow, can I take at least one of them? No. Being an ecological tourist means a visitor that does not leave a trail (doen't take anything, doen't leave anything) on his way throughout the beach, pyramids, lagoons, reefs, natural wells, towns, cities, jungles, etc.. Well, there is an exception! You can take all the pictures you want. I like motorized activities, I have a motorcycle/ jet ski, can I take it to the hotel? No. We remind you that we are inside a Reserve. Motorized vehicles pollute, not only because of the gas they expel and the possible fuel and oil leaks, but also the noise disturbs the local fauna. Can I bring my own bevarages, soda, wine, alcohol? No. We invite you to order your favorite drink at the Club House and drink it there or at the pool enjoying the magnificent view. Since the hotel is isolated, is topless allowed around the beach and other facilities? No. Mexican law prohibits this attitude,since all beaches are public. How many guests can sleep in a bungalow? A maximum of 3 adults OR 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 12. Do you offer King size beds? No. Our spacious bungalows are comfortably furnished with 2 Queen size beds, a sitting area with sofa bed, full bathroom with shower and a private porche with 2 hammocks. I need a crib, can I have one? Yes, please request it when you check-in at the front desk. We also have a tall chair for babies at the restaurant. Is there a TV set in the room? No. We want you to forget your daily troubles, so that you can fully enjoy our ammenities and nature. Nevertheless, we do have a TV with a DVD and VHS player in the library of the Casa Club. Why aren't the bungalows air conditioned? Beacause of environmental reasons. However, our well designed bungalows offer crossed ventilation, 2 celing fans and the Mayan technology - the palapa - will assure a comfortable refreshing environment. Is there a kitchenette in the bungalows? No. We highly recommend the tasty dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients by our Chef at the Casa Club. Are there any restrictions for smokers? Yes. Please dispose of ashes and butts only in the ash trays provided, don't flush them down the toilett nor discard them in our grounds or any other part of the Natural Reserve. Cigarette butts are not biodegradable. What are the Restaurant-bar hours at the Club House? Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. and dinner from19:30 to 22:00 hrs. The bar is open from 11:00 hrs till midnight. What kind of food do you serve? We offer international, Yucatan and Mexican cuisine,delicious seafood dishes and tasty vegetarian meals. I am a vegetarian, can your menu be adapted to my needs? Of course! Please, tell us your preferences and will try to meet them. Is the water potable? The water we use for human consumption is potable and it is free of charge. When you check-in the bell boy will fill a jar with potable water for your room. If you need more, you can ask for it any time at the bar of the Club House. Furthermore, you have the choice to buy bottled water at the Hotel. All our water comes from a brackish water well that goes through sand filters and activated charcoal, it is chlorined and stored in a cistern. Part of it is pumped to the purification system in which it is filtered again and chlorine is taken off. It finally goes through membranes of inverse osmosis (desalination) and goes through ultra-violet rays (killing bacteria). After that, it is distributed to the different consumption centers: Club House, bar, warehouse and employee restaurant. Frequent lab tests certify that our water is potable. The rest of the water in the cistern does not go through this complicated filter system and is not recommended for human consumption as it contains high levels of minerals. This water is distributed through a hydroneumatic tank to our main water distribution channel and is used for the services: toilet, shower and washbasin. Is the water in the shower limited? No, but we ask you to take care of this non-renewable resource. Also, we ask you to let your maid know if you don´t want to change sheets and towels every day, as it is advised on the bathroom. What kind of activities do you offer? Tours: We have organized 15 interesting tours to the sorrounding areas. You shouldn't miss a visit to the Ria de Celestun to observe the pink flamingo colony. For more information on the tours, please visit our. Bird watching: Without leaving the hotel grounds you can watch nearly 270 different species of birds, of which 7 are endemic. We provide binoculars at no cost. At the museum you will find specialized books for bird identification. Interpretative trails: We invite you to walk along our 2 foothpaths in wich you will learn about the vast biodiversity that surrounds us. In your bungalow you will find brochures to identify the flora. We can also provide mosquito- suits to keep bugs away and make your tour even more enjoyable. Bikes y kayaks: We offer 6 mountain bikes and 2 kayaks free of cost on a first come first served basis. T...

Articles and information about ecotourism throughout Latin America and the rest of the World. Official Site of the Mexican Association of Adventure and Ecotourism. Ecotourism guide for Protected Areas in Latin America. Official site of the International Ecotourism Society. Non-profit organization; national body for eco-certification within the travel and tourism industry of the United States. Online Directory of Environmental Products and Services. Information and articles about birds and birdwatching. Information about wildlife of the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. Cheap volunteering abroad. Ecologically oriented hotels. Charming hotel located at the heart of the Riviera Maya. Tour operators (adventure tours and eco tourism). Ecotourism in the Mayan World. Based in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. River rafting in Veracruz, Mexico. Ecotourism in the Mayan World based in Cancun, Q. Roo, Mexico. Eco Adventure Tours, Brazil. Other tour operators. Travel guides and directories. Bilingual tourist and travel guide magazine and web site with information for exploring Yucatan. Charming inns and itineraries in Mexico. A comprehensive listing of eco lodges and eco tours. Beautiful old sisal hacienda with historical museum. A collection of Small Elegant Hotels worldwide. Listings of travel information sources worldwide. A selection of charming guesthouses and inns worldwide. Global directory for vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and other lodgings. Car rentals in Mexico and worldwide. Search for your vacation accomodation (in German). Travel guides and online directory. Worldwide accomodation guide. Representative Vacation Rentals Global Travel Services for the quality oriented traveller.

Reservations and information. Hotel Eco Paraiso Xixim Municipio de Celestun Yucatan, Mexico Phone: ++52 (988) 916 2100 (988) 916 2060 Fax: ++52 (988) 916 2111 E-Mail: General Manager: Mr. Jaime Solis Garza Reception: Mr. Sergio Vazquez. Verena Gerber - Director Mexico City Phone: ++52 (55) 5135 1299 (55) 5135 1339 Fax: ++52 (55) 5568 9100 E-Mail: Toll free from USA and Canada Solsierra Destinations Phone: 1-877-561-6733. Sister hotel in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Hotel Las Palapas Beachfront Resort Av. 34 Norte s/n 5a A. y Zona Federal Maritima Playa del Carmen, Q. Roo 77710 Phone: ++52 (984) 873 42 60 Fax: ++52 (984) 873 04 58 E-Mail: