FAQs

When you speak with our palapa hosts, you can ask questions and feel fully prepared for the trip. These calls also give hosts peace of mind that our guests are ready to embrace the adventures of Chonchos.

Chonchos is a remote, off-grid community. It is not a typical beachfront getaway, and it is not for everyone. We highly recommend our guests be in good physical health and have a familiarity with and reverence for remote and off grid environments.

 Like you, we want to ensure you have a wonderful time during your stay in Chonchos. To ensure that happens, we rent our palapas with an eye toward our Guiding Principles.

Necessities

• Pesos:  Bring pesos! Bring more than you think you will need. We cannot stress this enough. There are no nearby ATMs, and if you only have US or Canadian dollars, your exchange rate will be terrible. It is not easy for people in Chimo to exchange different currencies.
• Biodegradable/non-sulfate toiletry products: Los Chonchos is an eco-preserve.  Do not introduce products that are harmful to the environment. That would defeat the purpose. 
• Flashlight/headlamp: Each person needs their own! Don’t depend on your mobile device’s light. Our trails and pathways are not lit, and it is pitch-black at night. Headlamps and flashlights also act as backup in case the solar system experiences trouble. Remember to bring back-up batteries or chargers.
• Backpack and dry bags: Use a backpack to pack trip essentials. Put your electronic devices in a dry bag before jumping on the water taxi. Do not plan to use rolling or heavy suitcases, as they are difficult to carry across the beach and to the palapas.
• Flip flops, sandals, hiking boots and socks: Flip flops are good for going to the beach and on boat adventures. Sandals with straps are good for hiking around the property. Closed-toe hiking boots and socks are recommended for longer jungle hikes, including into Chimo. These help protect you from rocks as well as biting insects or animals on the ground.
• Medications: If you are on daily medications, be sure to bring them with you.
• A sense of adventure!  Keep in mind that Los Chonchos is not a fancy hotel or a 5-star resort, but rather an off-grid vacation community located in the jungle.

Suggested Items

• Quick-dry clothing: Lightweight pants and a long-sleeved shirt (for cooler nights or bug protection).
• Water bottle: To refill and hydrate, and cut down on plastic waste.
• Bathing suit: To enjoy the sea.
• Sunblock: Because the sun is strong!
• Sunglasses/hat: Extra sun protection is good!
• Bug spray: The bugs in the rainforest are not as bad as people imagine, However, some people are more susceptible to bites than others. Bring bug spray if you are one of these people.
• Book: Lounging in a hammock just isn’t the same without one. 
• Electronic devices: If planning on using WiFi and connecting with the outside world, please bring a device to log in on.
• Chargers/batteries: Bring back-ups! Phone and device chargers are hard to come by! 
• Water shoes: We recommend bringing water shoes if you are planning on exploring the rocky shoreline past the beach.  
• Games/cards: To pass the time in the palapa or in the event of rain.
• Food/snacks: Pack in the food you want during your stay.  Alternatively, you can hike to Chimo for provisions.  We do recommend bringing anything that you know you’ll want, as availability in Chimo is not guaranteed.
• Fishing and snorkel gear: Some palapas provide fishing and snorkel gear, and some do not. If you want to fish or snorkel, it’s best to bring the gear with you!
• Remember:  If you pack it in, pack it out!  Don’t leave things you don’t use for other visitors.  Too often, it adds to Chonchos garbage, which we need to keep to a minimum.

Due to our eco-preserve status and the remoteness of Los Chonchos, waste management is complex and important.  As much as possible, please use  a pack-it-in, pack-it-out mindset.

When you do generate waste, please separate recyclables from garbage. Refrain from bringing glass or packaging of new items, as much as possible. DO NOT PUT GLASS OR FOOD IN THE GARBAGE. Food waste should be composted outside of your palapa or near the ocean along the rocks. Follow specific guidelines provided by the palapa’s host.

Most palapas offer WiFi, some do not.  Sometimes the WiFi connection experiences trouble and may not be available.

You can hike to the nearest town (Chimo) and access WiFi at the restaurants in town.

There are no emergency services available. Basic first aid kits are available in each palapa.  However, there are no doctors, no cars, no nurse and no emergency services in Los Chonchos.  If there is an emergency, there is likely someone on the property that can help you find a boat back to civilization, but this is not a guarantee.  If no one is available on the property, hike to Chimo or wait for the next water taxi.

The palapas are open air which means they are accessible to some animals.  Most animals are more afraid of humans than we are of them.  It is unlikely one will enter your palapa.  If they do, help guide them out gently.  Be aware when on trails for snakes (mostly boa constrictors) and other creatures and insects, especially scorpions.

This is a good article about scorpions in Mexico. Follow these steps to avoid them.  If you get stung, it is likely not fatal, However it’s vital to take every precaution.  Before you leave, ask your host if they stock the antivenom in the palapa. If not, follow these steps immediately.  Make plans to leave Chonchos and seek medical attention.

Mosquitoes and other biting insects are much more prevalent when it rains.  Late May through October are the rainy months and insects abound.  Make sure you close your mosquito net well.  Wear light long sleeve shirts and pants, as well as socks if biting bugs are attracted to you.

Mice will try to eat your food and your soap bars.  Make sure everything that is edible, plus the soap is tightly sealed in containers.  Just closing a bag of something isn’t enough.  Seal it in something they cannot open or chew through.

During late Spring and Summer months, land crabs migrate from the jungle hills to the beach.  They will not harm you.  If they come in your palapa, they will eat anything that is on the floor, so watch where you leave your clothes, towels, sheets, etc.  You can use a broom to sweep a crab over the side, or a barbeque tong to pick it up and throw it back outside.

The hike to Chimo is about 2.2km (1.6 miles) and moderately strenuous. At an easy pace, it takes 40-50 minutes. The path is steep in some places, and you will cross a stream.  We recommend you ask the staff for specific directions and path conditions before heading out on  your hike.

Eat well before you head out. Wear good shoes. Bring water. Take breaks along the way if you need. Tranquila! The views are stunning as you stop to sip from your water bottle.

This is a general overview of how to rent a palapa. Please be sure to visit our policies page for more details about cancellations and property rules.

• To rent a palapa, choose the one you want to rent from the [PALAPAS page](https://chonchosecopreserve.com/palapas/). Follow the booking steps from there.
• Each rental at Los Chonchos is privately owned. As such, reservations are not transferable from palapa to palapa.
• There is a 3-night minimum for all rentals.
• Each rental at Los Chonchos has different amenities and different sleeping capacities, occupancy maximums, electricity availability, etc.
• All reserving parties must be 25 years of age or older. All minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian or adult upon check-in.
• The cardholder/reserving party is responsible for sharing and distributing all reservation information, rules, tips, and pointers to additional members in their reservation party. Please forward or share all information received with other members of the party for appropriate planning.

No, once you send a request to rent a palapa, the host will contact you directly before accepting payment and confirming your reservation. If you have stayed in Los Chonchos previously, please include that as a comment when you request your reservation.

Different people and regions use different terms related to “eco…”.  

According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, Ecotourism is “the business of organizing holidays to places of of natural beauty in a way that help local people and does not damage the environment.“

When the master lease was established between Los Chonchos and the Comunidad Indígena, our location was deemed an ecotourist location.  

Here are some of the things that designation includes:

• Impermanent Structures
• Solar Power
• No motorized vehicles
• No planting of non native species
• No cutting trees
• No burning
• No molesting the wildlife
• No commercial activity in common spaces

We are always striving to be better.  We also implemented recycling and separating organics (food) from garbage. A couple of things we are currently focused on improving are our garbage management and introducing non sulfate cleaners and soaps.