Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
San José is peopled by Itzá Maya, descendants of the area's pre-Hispanic inhabitants.
The extraordinarily neat and orderly village descends steeply from its little blue church to
the lakefront, site of a waterslide park and a couple of seafood shacks.
Activities
LANGUAGE COURSE
Escuela Bio-Itzá
( 7928-8056; bioitza@yahoo.com) Community-owned Escuela Bio-Itzá is part of an associ-
ation working to keep Itzá traditions and language alive. The group also manages a 36-sq-
km nature reserve bordering the southern section of the Biotopo El Zotz, which is being
outfitted for ecotourism. Students participate in community projects such as producing
cosmetics from the medicinal plant garden, or helping the reserve rangers monitor wild-
life.
Cost for the usual 20 hours of one-on-one Spanish classes is Q1260 per week to live
with a local family, or Q1650 to stay on the reserve. Bio-Itzá also offers tours of the re-
serve to nonstudents with a focus on birdwatching, medicinal plants and the work of the
chicleros who harvested the sap of the chicozapote tree for the production of chewing
gum.
LANGUAGE COURSE
Eco-Escuela de Español
( 3099-4846; San Andrés) This community-owned school in San Andrés emphasizes ecolo-
gical and cultural issues and organizes environmental trips and volunteer opportunities;
Q1180 a week includes room and board with a local family.
Sleeping
Hotel Bahía Taitzá $$
( 7928-8125; www.taitza.com ; s/d/tr Q400/500/ 600) West of San José, this is an elaborate spread
where you can truly unwind. Eight well-designed rooms with high wood ceilings and
lovely porches are in two buildings, facing the lake across a lawn dotted with ficus trees.
Wood-fired pizzas, paellas and such are served under a beachfront palapa .
HOTEL
RESORT
Ni'tun Ecolodge $$$
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