Experiences

something different about genesis:

There’s a difference between tourists and travellers. Travellers engage in understanding the unvarnished reality of new places. They’ll seek experience before luxury. And the opportunity to participate outweighs the desire to be entertained. For these curious souls we’ve designed tours and activities to ensure they experience the true essence of Yucatan and its people. We design and organize activities at no charge to our guests. Immerse yourself in nature, daily life and history in the heart of the Maya world.

Cultural experiences

Make cacao fit for ancient kings and queens, or corn tortillas on a 500-year old metate. Try your hand at hammock weaving and learn how medicinal honey is harvested from the Maya’s sacred stingless melipona bees. And there’s still time to learn a few introductory phrases in Maya!

Archeology/history

A stay at Genesis puts you conveniently close to commercial as well as undeveloped archaeological sites including world-renown Chichen Itza and once-powerful Ek Balam, to a vast little-known cavern used by prehistoric man as well as the ancient Maya for shelter, pottery manufacture, water, ceremonies and burial. More recent history can be explored at the nearby colonial city of Valladolid.

Nature

Our Cenote Safari gets you to 3 spectacular sink holes filled with clear subterranean water, each uniquely gorgeous with their own jungle ecosystems. We organize birding adventures and nature walks providing binoculars and guidebooks. For an extra charge, take a mangrove boat tour at Rio Lagartos biosphere reserve, famous for flamingos, fresh seafood and crocodiles.

Cenotes

The Yucatán Peninsula is dotted with hundreds of cenotes—pools of shimmering blue water fed by a vast underground freshwater river system. Some look like large ponds, others are deep sinkholes, and still others occupy gaping caverns or have dramatic rock formations.

Tortillas

Grind corn on an ancient metate and make tortillas with our neighbor, Guadalupe. We broker, free of charge, a discovery of ancestral Maya cooking and daily life around the cooking fire of a Yucateca Maya family. Truly an experience you can not miss!

Valladolid

Valladolid, The Magical City, in spite of its Spanish name and architectural influences, has deep Pre-Columbian roots. Explore the city's tumultuous, revolutionary past using our free self-guiding tour from the municipal gallery to the Franciscan monastery.

Bird Tours

Rio Lagartos Bio-Reserve Home to 20+ Endangered Species This reserve has the highest level of ecological protection in Mexico and is registered by the United Nations as a wetland of international importance.

Maya Chocolate

Jump off the tourist bus, support local economies, participate in a diminishing way of life and broaden your culinary experience. Grind chocolate on a 500-year-old stone metate with one of our delightful neighbors.

"I spent 4 nights, which gave me time to for leisurely exploring, a day at the ruins and the cenote, and time to wander the village and absorb a little local culture. The highlight was making tortillas and chocolate with a local woman, Guadelupe."