About
history
Los Chonchos was created through a long-term land lease negotiated with the Comunidad Indígena known as El Refugio de Suchitlán. The vision was to create a community where eco-minded people could connect with mother nature, immerse themselves in rural Mexican culture and disconnect from their everyday lives. We are all able to visit this paradise because of the graciousness of this community who are our hosts.
Guiding principles
(Conservation, Stewardship, Community)
01.
Conservation
Los Chonchos is an eco-preserve. It consists of 25 acres of jungle along the coast. Wildlife, sea creatures, birds and butterflies abound. Fresh water is precious; please use it conservatively. Solar systems generate our electricity. Use them carefully. Keep noise to a minimum. Stick to trails. Respect nature and enjoy all of its abundance.
02.
Stewardship
All of us who visit or hold long-term leases in Los Chonchos are stewards of the land, the ocean, the creatures and the community. We take this responsibility seriously and expect our guests to do the same. Remote beachfront locations with very few people are becoming more and more difficult to find. In order to preserve our access to Los Chonchos, we must behave in a way that ensures we protect it.
03.
Community
All of the Cabo Corrientes region and especially the nearby pueblito of Chimo is our community. The people in Chimo have welcomed us since the inception of Los Chonchos. They built the palapas, greet us when we arrive, provide all the information we need to learn more about our surroundings and basically look after us. Our relations with the community are very important. Please remember that during your stay and with all of your interactions. We are in Chonchos at their invitation. This is their home, and we are their guests.
The Team at Los Chonchos
Josafat and the team will greet you and assist you during your stay. They are revered members of our community. Their main responsibility is to keep all of Chonchos in good working order. They also assist guests when needed. They are not hotel staff–they are stewards of Los Chonchos. They do not hold office hours, and they do not need to speak English. They are there to help if you need it, but please do not over-tax them with minor requests. If something is missing from your palapa, let them know. They will remedy it if they can. If not, they will notify the appropriate host and that host will remedy the situation, though likely not during your stay. Be sure to provide generous gratuities and leave your palapa as you found it. Make their jobs easy and be gracious.
Infrastructure
Water, Septic, Solar, Waste Management
01.
Water
Water comes from springs in the mountains and supplies our gravity-fed water tank system. There are miles of pipe that feed our water tanks. There are sometimes water outages due to pipe leaks. There is also less water available during the late months of spring, before the rainy season begins. Please use water efficiently. Five-gallon drinking water dispensers are provided in each palapa.
02.
Septic system
Our septic systems are basic and fragile. It is imperative that you treat them with care. Do not flush often and do not flush anything other than human waste, not even toilet paper. Use the receptacles in the bathroom to discard used toilet paper. Use only biodegradable soaps, shampoos, etc. What you put in the sink goes into the jungle. No sulfates should be used in Los Chonchos.
03.
Solar
Electricity is generated through solar systems. We’ve done our best to design systems that work day and night. Weather and the salt air can degrade the solar systems over time. Ultimately, you’re running on batteries, so use electricity sparingly. For example, know what you want before you open the refrigerator; don’t open it and think about what you want. Turn off lights and fans when not in use. Don’t leave electronic devices plugged in once they are charged. Be prepared to enjoy your palapa without electricity.
04.
Waste management
- DO NOT PUT FOOD IN THE GARBAGE. Based on different locations, each palapa has different organic waste approaches. Ask your palapa host how to dispose of organic waste.
- Keep recyclables separate from garbage, and keep them to a minimum. Refrain from bringing glass or packaging of new items, as much as possible. DO NOT PUT GLASS IN THE GARBAGE.
- Have a pack it in pack it out mentality. Do not leave unused things you think other guests can use - not suntan lotion, shampoo, spices, etc. It inevitably turns into garbage that needs to be handled as described above. Pack it out.
