Kíichpam K´áax (Beautiful Jungle)

Kíichpam K'áax is an eco-tourism center run by the local Mayan community. Kíichpam K'áax means Beautiful Forest in Maya. This community owns 46 hectares of land. 10 hectares are 10-15 year old forests, from lands more recently deforested from cattle ranching and agriculture. 20 hectares are 40-50 year old forests, from land deforested in the 1970s due to the Mexican government's Programa Nacional de Desmontes (National Land Clearing Program). It caused massive deforestation of more than an estimated 1 million hectares in the Yucatan Peninsula for agriculture and cattle ranching between 1972 to 1982. Fortunately, there is also 10-15 hectares of virgin and untouched mature forest. Kíichpam K'áax is located 10km from the town of Chunhuhub, in the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo. It is easily accessible by car and bus from popular destinations like Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar via the highway down the Mayan Riveria coast. They built this centre share with visitors the experience of living in accordance with nature, respecting and preserving the forests and their Mayan cultural identity, through responsible and sustainable eco-tourism. Visits to this community helps generate income to ensure they have an alternative source of income and continue to protect the forests.