Ejido 20 de Noviembre has a lot to offer visitors who want to experience the Maya culture of yesterday and today. One can stay overnight in a caba�a, eat an authentic Mayan dinner, and visit archaeological ruins deep in the forest. As an ejido that is 100% Mayan, the richest local resource could be considered the Mayan culture itself, with the history, language, and customs that have survived over a 1000 years.
Ejido 20 de Noviembre has caba�as looking out onto the mountainous, forest landscape (at left) or hidden beneath the forest canopy (below).
Fall asleep in your hammock to the many forest sounds in a remote part of the jungle and wake up to a delicious authentic Mayan breakfast.
This is a Mayan dish called "Brazo de Reina" (The Queen's Arm). The leaf of the Chaya plant (believed to have medicinal value) is cut up and mixed with the maza (corn meal) and made into a large tortilla on top of a banana leaf. Ground pumpkin seeds, tomato sauce, and scrambled eggs are added before it is rolled-up and cooked. A culinary experience you don't want to miss!
The Maya Forest has many features that make it an ideal ecotourist destination; one of these attractions are the magnificent Mayan ruins. Although there are many archaeological ruins within the region, four archaeological sites are located within 20 de Noviembre: El Ramonal, Okolhuitz, Orquidia, and the well-known site on the Mundo Maya circuit, Rio Bec. Even these smaller ruins on or near community lands can be developed into markets for the more adventuresome tourist.
El Ramonal was named after the Ramon tree (Brusimun Alicastrum) that was once covering the area and used in the Mayan culture (edible fruits and resin with medicinal properties).
ABOVE PHOTO CREDIT: CARLY VOIGHT
No excavations have been made but because many of the stones
have retained their red color (red symbolized sacrifices and other religious ceremonies),
El Ramonal is
believed to have been a ceremonial center and was most likely the
principle temple at the head of a large plaza.
"Okol"
-
over, "witz"
-mountain
or hill. Okolhuitz
means, "Over the mountain", as the third and largest ruin is accessed over a small
ridge. Okolhuitz consists of 3 principal structures.
The first ruin is
about 60 meters (~200 ft) into the jungle from the main road leading into the ejido; the second ruin is another
90 meters (~300 ft) away along a
small path through dense forest vegetation; and the final and largest ruin is located
another 30 meters (~100 ft) over a small
ridge.
As you make your way through the dense jungle and come across ruins still covered with vegetation, you feel as if you are one of the first ones to discover these mysteries. This pre-classical ruin is also believed to have been a ceremonial center, as the color red can be seen on many of the stones. The Mayan rain god Yum Chac can be seen on the top of the third ruin. On the second ruin, one can decipher the remains of a small plaza. This second major ruin depicts numerous symbols, including Mayan numbers and a figure with a snake head and jaguar arms. One can also see arced walls which indicated a "chaza" or small house, and small hallow vaults where valuables were most likely kept.
Orqu�deaOrqu�dea
Rio Bec in Maya means "River of Roble Trees" and includes 17 small sites (at last count) located 12 km (7.5 miles) down a dirt road from the ejido.
Rio Bec also gave its name to the prevalent architectural style of the region, characterized by long, low buildings with matching towers on each side and rounded corners.
Rio Bec is on the Mundo Maya route and today is the only reason why visitors drive through 20 de Noviembre
Arts and crafts, including hand-woven Mayan fabrics with their bright colors and intricate patterns, play a big role for women in ecotourism.
Crafts including the "Huipil", the traditional Mayan dress, hammocks, and wooden handicrafts can be purchased as a memento of this exotic culture.
