Zamas Offers New Tour of "Maya Culture Today" in Tulum, Mexico

TULUM, MEXICO, February 22, 2011 (Press-News.org) Since its inception, ZAMAS Hotel in Tulum, Mexico has been committed to hiring local staff. Ramon Tuz Caamal, the previous manager of 14 years, is from one of the founding Maya families of Tulum, Mexico. Although the mix of local and visitor can be challenging at times from a management perspective, the rewards to both staff and their tourist clientele are immense. For many young Mayan men and women the concept of tourism is first generation for them - their parents did not participate in this aspect of progress and now rely on their children to bridge the gap.

An exceptionally smart and personable man in his 30s,Tuz Caamal is in a unique position to introduce tourists to some of the customs of traditional times. Having worked in the tourist industry since he was 17, he is fluent in English and understands the customary comforts and standards required by the typical tourist. At the same time, he grew up in a close knit traditional Maya family and is very connected to the Maya community of which he is part. Having seen his parents struggle, he is also dedicated to helping those Maya who live a traditional life amidst a growing, progress-oriented zone. "It is hard for these people," says Tuz Caamal. "They live off the land and do not have the skills necessary to enter easily into the tourist economy." He will lead this tour of Tulum Pueblo and a local small community of farmers, demonstrating such traditions as making tortillas and hammocks and of agriculture at local farms known as milpas.

Tuz Caamal and ZAMAS owners Daniel Vallejo McGettigan and Susan Bohlken became very good friends during the time of his tenure at ZAMAS. "Ramon is such an exceptionally honest and trustworthy individual. He has become like family to us," says Bohlken. "We think the world of him." Sharing this amistad between them and wanting to teach tourists about the "real" Maya community and to help this community at the same time is a great opportunity for everyone. "We hope this tour will give some insight into the Maya community. From our experience of having moved from urban United States to what felt like the Maya wild-west, we learned so much about the community, about living different lifestyles and about resiliency. This community has had a lot of hardship and continues to be strong." This tour is a glimpse into the remnants of an ancient history. It will also help the local community because contributions from proceeds will be made by the tour operators and crafts and simple foods will be available for sale by the community members. It is an excellent compliment to visiting the Mayan Ruins and it's as close as you'll get to the Ancient Maya in our times.

Other Tours and Packages offered by ZAMAS are the Tropical Romance package (with private beach picnics and off-shore viewing of the Tulum ruins, remember the movie Against All Odds?) and the Maya Adventure package (climb the tallest pyramid in the area and explore the elaborate cavern-covered maze of an underground river).

ABOUT ZAMAS HOTEL
ZAMAS is a small beach cabana hotel situated on a strip of the Caribbean coast in Tulum, Mexico. The combination of thatch roofs, stucco walls in beach-worn hues and vibrant tile decor exudes tropical culture. Brightly colored hammocks sway softly to the rhythm of the sea breeze and mosquito net-dressed beds with polished cement bases add to the hotel's rustic chic allure. Further adding to the surreal are muy fuerte margaritas, fresh-off-the-boat fish of the day and wood-fired pizzas served at the open air, beachfront restaurant in Tulum, Que Fresco! It is the place to meet and mingle, mixing colorful urban roots with laid back local culture.

See also: our list of things to do in Tulum & Zamas's Facebook.

ZAMAS (Tulum, Mexico) hotel is a small beach cabana hotel with thatch roofs and colorful tile decor located in Tulum Mexico. For further information visit http://www.zamas.com or email us.