We conserve the traditions. But I have a remote control for my TV and a microwave. Iliana Rodriguez, an Xcaret spokeswoman, says this village is as close as visitors will get to Mayan culture. Others are finding it is, however. Owners of Alltournative tours in Playa del Carmen were looking for a spot to stage a soft-adventure tour when they came across Pak Chen, a jungle enclave of 25 families about 50 miles inland from Tulum.
Local men act as guides.
Others sell honey and embroidery in a hut built by the tour company. A portion of the profits is divided among participating villagers, Alltournative's Raul Mora says. They don't even have electricity. Farther up the coast, transplanted Ohioan Sandra Dayton leads tours to a community of about 25 who live 12 miles inland from her home in Puerto Morelos. She supplied them with treadle sewing machines so they can sell embroidered goods to tourists.