good for you

Wake to the sound of the Caribbean's gentle waves in your own private palapa, surrounded by bougainvillea, swaying palms and tropical fruit trees, far from city streets.

The airy eco-friendly rooms at Balamku, charmingly decorated with Mexican artwork, are a few steps from the white sand beach, a quick kayak ride to the coral reef and miles away from any big town - and with only ten guest rooms on the property, you'll never feel crowded.

The owners and hosts are on hand to help you organise sightseeing trips in the neighbouring area. Within reach are excellent snorkelling and scuba diving among coral reefs and tropical fish, day trips to ancient Mayan ruins and walks in conserved rainforest.

But of course, you could always just spend your time napping in your hammock, or sipping cocktails at the well-stocked bar.

good for mexico

The inn is powered solely on sun and wind energy, everything is meticulously recycled or composted, water is conserved, accommodations are self-ventilating and careful planting has helped conserve local species. The Canadian lodge owners are committed conservationists who live at Balamku, and employ and train local staff. They are happy to put you in touch with local guides and other services so that you can support the local economy.

Rooms

Food

Breakfast includes a selection of fresh fruits, served with yogurt, juice, homemade granola and bread, a wide range of egg dishes (omelettes, Mexican specialties, French toast – whatever takes your fancy) with bacon, ham and pancakes. Chiapas coffee and special teas are also on offer.

Lunch (not included in the room rate) is a light menu of sandwiches, pizza or quesadillas which can be enjoyed in the dining room, on the beach or taken with you on a day trip.

The bar opens in the afternoon and serves beer, specialty drinks and wine, sipped to the sounds of the inn's excellent music collection.

For dinner you have the chance to sample what's on offer in the local restaurants in and around Mahahual. There are two good beachside restaurants a 5-minute walk from the inn, while the trip to Mahahual is an hour's walk or a quick taxi ride.

The inn provides coolers for the rooms if you wish to purchase snacks and beverages in town.

Features & Facilities

• Free use of kayaks
• Daily maid service
• Beach towels
• Coolers for storing snacks and drinks
• Wireless internet for your laptop in most rooms as well as use of the Hotel's computer in the Lounge
• Library and travel information
• DVD's for room use can be arranged
• Secured parking on the property
• Night security guard
• Services not provided by the hotel, such as massages and other spa and beauty treatments, can be arranged by the owners.

Local Info & Activities

mahahual

The local little fishing village is very laid back and it does offer a number of restaurants and shops. Balamku Inn is about 5.6 kilometres south of town - a good hour's walk or a 10-minute car ride. There are many Mexican restaurants in town, as well as some serving Italian and European food. The Cat´s Meow, a bakery café run by Canadians, serves excellent cheesecakes. There are also grocery stores where you can stock up on fruit and snacks to store in your room. The town livens up when cruise ships pull in several times a week, filling the streets with vendors.

If using Balamku Inn as a base for exploring the Yucatan, first class busses leave daily from Mahahual's bus station to Chetumal, Bacalar, Felippe Carrilo Puerto, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancun.

the beach

The palapas are all located on the beach, so swimming in the warm waters, sunbathing and kayaking are all on offer.

Bird watching is also good, with orioles, jays, hummingbirds, tanagers, warblers and a variety of sea birds to be spotted.

diving and snorkelling the coral reefs

A 200-metre kayak ride can get you snorkelling amongst the coral and tropical fish nearest the inn, and your hosts will happily advise you about snorkeling and dive tours to the Chinchorro reef, the largest atoll in Mexican waters, which is about one hour away in a fast boat ride over the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

the mayan ruins

Balamku's location means it is best used as a beach break while touring the amazing archaeological sites of the Yucatan, however, for history buffs there are some ruins within reach. The closest is Chacchobean (45 minutes by car) and the largest, Kohunlich, is 2 hours away. The grandest of them all is Calakmul, which is 4 hours away. If you want to visit there, your Balamku hosts will happily arrange an overnight stay.

Larger sites are further afield, and include Tulum (about three hours drive away – best visited on your way from Cancun to the inn if that's your route) and Chichen-Itza (some five or six hours' distance). While Tulum is set above small cliffs on the Caribbean coast – a spectacular setting rich in amazing photo opportunities – Chichen-Itza boasts very well-preserved sculptural details and imposing, majestic pyramides.

Balamku Inn works with many of the area's tour companies, and your hosts Carol and Alan will gladly help you arrange excursions and hire expert guides.

sian ka'an biosphere reserve

The largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean (approximately 1.3 million acres, the reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also contains 23 known archeological sites (with relics dating up to 2,300 years old) and is home to at least 103 known mammal species and 336 bird species. It is also an important nesting site for two endangered sea turtle species. Access to some areas of the reserve is limited to those undertaking scientific research, but many areas are accessible. An entrance fee of approximately of US$4 per person is charged.

other local attractions

A nearby monkey farm cares for rescued monkeys and other animals. A nonprofit refuge, it rehabilitates wild animals that were kept as pets.

insider tips

Sandflies attack at sundown – smothering your legs with baby oil does the trick. Also bring insect repellent.

Sustainability

energy

The inn is entirely powered by solar panels and wind generation, providing guests with 24 hour electricity without use of a generator. The lights and ceiling fans are energy efficient.

water management

All the water from the showers and sinks supports constructed wetlands, providing controlled nutrition to a variety of plants. The toilets are low-flush, reducing water usage, while the waste is filtered into composting units, eliminating septic tanks. This is extremely important when building so close to the sea.

property management

The owners of Balamku commissioned an environmental impact study before building the inn, and its design considered the protection of the many local species of trees and plants. Efforts have been made to protect the endangered trees on the property, which include a variety of palms, zapote (the original source of chewing gum), sea grapes (uvas) and more. The owners are continuously planting hibiscus, bougainvillea, banana, mango, papaya, and lime trees, salvia (aloe vera), cactus and other local species.

Each unit is situated to maximize the natural ventilation as well as the view of the sea.

community

The owners are Canadians who live on the premises and form part of the Mexican and ex-pat community that lives in the area. They participate in community organisatons and help raise funds for local projects. Staff are all local Mexicans who are trained in hospitality and English. Balamku Inn claims to pay the best wages on the beach, and as dinner is not served at the inn, guests are encouraged to support the local Mexican restaurants.

Balamku is actively advocating for Costa Maya to be low impact zone. Balamku has teamed up with other local businesses and residents to stop speed boat and 4 x 4 jeep excursions.

Getting There

by car:

From CANCUN, it's a 4 1/2 hour drive south on Hwy 307 to Balamku. Take this main highway to the Mahahual turn off road.

Watch for the topes (better known as speed bumps) - there are many, especially as you approach Limones, another little town on 307. Just a couple of miles south of Limones, watch for the Mahahual and Xcalak sign where you'll turn left. Follow this new highway for about ½ hour to Mahahual. When you come into the village, go south along the beach road (the sea will be to your left) and follow this bumpy beach road for 5.7 kms. to Balamku.

by bus:

there is new first class bus service with ADO from Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Felippe Carrillo Puerto or Chetumal right to downtown Mahahaul. So bussing here is very easy and, when you leave Mahahual for these destinations, the bus departs three times a day.

You may want to check this web site www.ticketbus.com.mx for more information on bussing in Mexico. Mahahual has not been added as a destination yet. There are other buses from Cancun that stop in Limones and you could take a taxi or combi (small public van) from there to Mahahual if the times for ADO are not convenient.

by air:

Chetumal (1 ½ hours from Mahahual), has a fairly large airport and is expanding to provide more international destinations so watch for new flights here. Daily flights from Mexico City arrive late in the day at this time.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

christmas / new year (15 dec – 6 jan)

• US$100 p/dbl

high season (1 – 15 dec, 7 jan- 30 april)

• US$85 p/dbl

mid season (1 may – 31 aug)

• US$80 p/dbl

low season (1 sep – 30 nov)

• US$75 p/dbl
• Prices are inclusive of taxes and a full breakfast.
• Single rooms are US$80 for high season, US$75 for mid season and US$70 for low season.
• There is a US$15 for an additional person in the room.

booking policies

• A reservation is secured on payment of 15% of the total cost of stay.
• If cancellation is made up until 7 days prior to arrival, a cancellation fee of 15% of the total cost of stay is charged.
• If a cancellation is made between 6 and 1 day prior to arrival then a cancellation fee of 50% of the total cost of stay is charged.
• If a cancellation is made on the day, or there is a 'no show' 100% of the total cost of booking will be charged.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.