What does Chaktunche mean?
Chaktunche’ is the union of three words in Maya, meaning “Red rock tree”: Chak is the Mayan Rain God, but it also means the color red. Tun, or tuunich, means a Sacred Stone or rock. Che’ is the word for tree or wood.
What is the meaning of the cottages’ names?
Each cottage is unique and special. Their names come from de Mayan language, and are related to the name of the place or the use of each cottage, plus the ending Nah, meaning “house” in Maya.
For example: Chak Nah is the Red House, Tuunich Nah is the Stone House. Yoga Nah is the house for yoga.
Why does your pool water feel different from others?
Our pool has a chlorinator filter which is salt-based. That is why the water feels a little salty. No chlorine is added to our pool.
Why is it that the hot tubs cannot be used at any hour?
Our hot tubs are solar-based, meaning that they are warmed using the sun’s energy. The best hours to enjoy the hot tubs are from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and they are kept on for up to two hours non-stop.
Their main use is for physical therapy, for which it is convenient that they each have a different temperature. A minimum of three minutes and a maximum of 15 is enough to let the body relax or the muscles atone, depending on the temperature. You should use the hot tubs carefully, since overheating can over relax the muscles.
Also, hot tubs are cleaned every time they are used, so time is needed to do so.
How do I get to Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge?
a) From Cancun International Airport.
By car
From Cancun International Airport, take the 307 Federal Highway south towards Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Take the exit to Puerto Morelos / Colonia Zetina Gazca once reaching Puerto Morelos. Continue on the frontage road past Puerto Morelos to the junction of the road to Leona Vicario in the Ruta de los Cenotes de Puerto Morelos.
Once in the Ruta de los Cenotes, keep going for 9 km, about 10 minutes. There are Km marks at the side of the road, in black and white signs. Once you are close to Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge you will see a small white wind turbine on the left side of the road. At the 9 Km sign exit left and turn right on the left dirt frontage road before reaching the stone arch. Keep going 200 mts and turn left. The entrance is a knit wooden door with a green metal frame. Welcome! You have arrived at Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge.
By public transport
From Cancun International Airport, take the ADO bus to Puerto Morelos. Once there, you need to take a taxi from the taxi stand right next to the bus stop. Tell the taxi driver you are heading to the Km 9.2 on the Ruta de los Cenotes. At the 9 Km sign exit left and turn right on the left dirt frontage road before reaching the stone arch. Keep going 200 mts and turn left. The entrance is a knit wooden door with a green metal frame. Welcome! You have arrived at Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge.
The cost of transport is about $120 MXN per person on the bus, and another $120 to $150 MXN for the taxi.
b) From Playa del Carmen or Tulum
By car
Take the 307 federal highway towards Cancun. 34 km ahead is the exit to Puerto Morelos. Take the exit and keep on the frontage road to the turnaround under the highway. Make a U-turn at the turnaround and keep on the opposite frontage road. Continue past Puerto Morelos to the junction of the road to Leona Vicario in the Ruta de los Cenotes de Puerto Morelos.
Once in the Ruta de los Cenotes, keep going for 9 km, about 10 minutes. There are Km marks at the side of the road, in black and white signs. Once you are close to Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge you will see a small white wind turbine on the left side of the road. At the 9 Km sign exit left and turn right on the left dirt frontage road before reaching the stone arch. Keep going 200 mts and turn left. The entrance is a knit wooden door with a green metal frame. Welcome! You have arrived at Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge.
By public transport
From the bus station at Tulum or at Playa del Carmen, take the ADO bus to Puerto Morelos. Once there, you need to take a taxi from the taxi stand right next to the bus stop. Tell the taxi driver you are heading to the Km 9.2 on the Ruta de los Cenotes. At the 9 Km sign exit left and turn right on the left dirt frontage road before reaching the stone arch. Keep going 200 mts and turn left. The entrance is a knit wooden door with a green metal frame. Welcome! You have arrived at Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge.
What does my stay at Chaktunche include?
When making a reservation with Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge you get, beside spending the night at your cottage, an organic breakfast at the Boutique Restaurant Chak Hanal, plus use of the pool and hot tubs, WiFi area, gardens and trails.
How far is Chaktunche from the nearest beach?
Chaktunche is located 10 to 15 minutes by car to the nearest beach and downtown Puerto Morelos.
Can I use my credit or debit card to pay once I am at Chaktunche?
For the time being, we do not accept cards. Only cash or wire transfer. The closest ATM’s are at the Chedraui Supermarket or at the 7-11 Store next to the Puerto Morelos gas station, by the highway.
Is there cellphone signal so I can be in touch?
Due to the height of the trees around Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge there is no cellphone signal anywhere within the estate or close by. We do have, however, a limited WiFi area you can use to receive and send e-mails, check your social media or use WhatsApp. It is not as fast as you might be used to, but helps you keep in touch with your loved ones.
Only in case of emergency we have a fixed cell phone that can be used to make phone calls.
Is there internet at the cottages?
No. We only have a limited WiFi area you can use, although it can go down on occasions due to weather, since it is satellite-based.
In case of emergency, we have a fixed cellular phone at the grounds that can make and receive calls: +52-1-(998)-137-8912, usable on office hours.
Is there air conditioning in my room?
We do not have air conditioning in any of our cottages due to our respect for nature. There are floor and/or ceiling fans. Anyway, in the jungle the nights are fresh most of the year and there are seasons when you might even need a blanket.
Can I bring my own food and beverages to my cottage?
No. It is prohibited to bring food or beverages from anywhere other than Chaktunche into any of the cottages. We need to control food at the cottages since it can lure wild animals into the rooms and affect their lifestyle.
There is a beverage menu that you can order to your room with no additional cost (if not in your cottage, please ask the front desk).
What kind of animals can be seen in the Jungle at Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge?
You can see many kinds of insects, ants, spiders; several species of birds; frogs, reptiles such as lizards or snakes, and even some mammals such as monkeys, badgers or coatis, raccoons, deer, wild boars, and jaguars. Only once in Chaktunche’s history have we seen a jaguar up close.
No animal attacks if not threatened; however, we recommend you to stay away and not touch or bother any animal, to avoid accidents. You must remember you are at the jungle, and they lived here long before we did, so we must respect them and learn to live alongside them.
Is there a room-service menu?
There is room service for some beverages found at the menu in your cottage. If not found there, please ask the administration for one.
When it comes to food, it is paramount not to leave food in the cottages, since it attracts antes and other unwanted animals; however, you can reserve for food to be served at the Boutique restaurant Chak Hanal.
Is there a laundry service at Chaktunche Rancho Ecolodge?
For the time being we do not offer this service. We hope we can accommodate you in the near future. If needed, there are some laundries at Puerto Morelos, about 10 km away.
How can I book a tour from the ones you offer?
You can book through the website, or send us a WhatsApp so we can offer you the tour you like.
Do you have cribs? Can we stay with small children?
Because the safety of our guests is very important for us, at Chaktunche we do not consider our cottages to be apt for children under 12. If at some event there are to be children, every child needs a waiver signed by his/her parent or legal tutor freeing Chaktunche of any responsibility in their care.
Do you offer free parking?
Yes. We have parking spaces specific for each cottage, and there is a small parking lot outside for visitors or events.
