The Big Picture
We first laid eyes on Rancho Jixhil in late 2005, and even though the vegetation virtually hid the buildings we knew immediately we loved this place. It was not difficult to visualize how we might fulfill our dreams here--living sustainably in harmony with the beautiful land and the gentle, creative, and hard-working community; and drawing interested people from all over the world into the experience. It was clear that it would require lots of hard work and patience to realize this vision. We also knew that if we didn't try we would regret it forever. So here we are and here are some of the specific things we want to accomplish at Rancho Jixhil.
- Preserve the forest
- Open the mill house to guests
- Provide food for retreat guests from a small organic farm and dairy
- Refurbish the main house, adding more guest rooms and facilities for weddings, groups, and seminars
- Use alternative, renewable energy on all buildings, especially new construction
- Initially offer meals family style in house dining room. In the future construct a restaurant
- Develop a gift shop that features unique artesanias from Chiapas, as well as other parts of Mexico
- In the future offer spa services such as Mayan sauna baths, massages, etc.
- Construct several cabaña-style "treehouses" on the side of the central mountain. These will have a small footprint in order not to disturb the forest and be tall enough to provide a view over the treetops of the gorgeous valley below, dotted with small communities and terminating with a glimpse of a corner of Comitán. They will be energy independent and have fresh water for bathing from rain water which is collected and stored at the top of the mountain in the base of the observatory
- Construct an astronomical observatory on the summit of the central mountain to follow the tradition of the Mayans, studying the night sky and reveling in its beauty
- Expand walking and riding paths throughout the ranch
- Offer horseback riding
- Continue restoration of the wetlands along the central valley bottom. Build bridges and elevated walkways for observation of the wide variety of flora and fauna in the stream and ponds
- Offer other adventure possibilities for
guests such as: hiking off the beaten path, swimming in spring-fed natural pools, caving, kayaking, and rock climbing
- Offer travel services to other points of interest in Chiapas such as ruin sites (Palenque, Chinkultic, Tenam Puente, among others), waterfalls, indigenous villages, old haciendas, museums, colonial towns, beautiful rivers and lakes, coffee plantations, old sugar mills
- Be a supportive member of our community
