Just posted a travel journal detailing our visit and volunteer work at Rancho Komchen de los Pajaros earlier this year. Komchen is an ecotourism ranch located near Merida and was hard hit by hurricane Isidore in September 2002. We actually visited as volunteers to help the owner Ana Maria get the ranch back in shape for 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.

Komchen is managed by a non-profit association which makes most of its revenue from paying guests. We'd recommend it to those that appreciate a bit of rusticity (but not too much). It's quiet, the night sky is amazingly clear and the food is good to boot! Sorry if we're gushing, but although this place is off the beaten path, it's exactly what we were looking for at the time. You can find out more about Komchen and its vocational background here.

Andre y Daniel

For those of you who asked, we've added an entry to the journal about the nature of our volunteer work at Komchen.

Just added a satellite photo showing the eye of Hurricane Isidore right over Rancho Komchén de los Pajaros on September 22, 2002. See it at the bottom of the Journal Overview page. Click on it to see it full size.