Chiminos Island Lodge, History






		Chimino’s Island Lodge was founded 14 years ago by John and Aurora Schmidt, two ecological and archaeological enthusiasts who named the lodge Posada de Mateo, as it was known until recently. The property, located on part of an archaeological site has been a sanctuary for the preservation of the wildlife and jungle in the Petexbatún Region, as well as to protect the remains of this small Mayan Citadel. It is literally an island of jungle in the middle of the inevitable depredation that this region has suffered. Today, the site is taken care of by an ecologically conscious team committed to preserve the jungle and the archaeological site and to provide the tourist a close encounter with these two marvels that blend perfectly together. This is possible thanks to the efforts made to inflict the least possible impact of the Lodge to its environment and to the archaeological site. The beautiful buildings of the lodge, constructed of locally available materials, blend perfectly with their surroundings. The Petexbatun Region has recently received great attention by archaeologists due to its role in the explanation of the collapse of the Mayan Civilization, source of a myriad of hypothesis.It is just recently that investigations by archaeologists Arthur Demarest,

Takeshi Inomata and their colleagues have shed new light to the debate about the disappearance of the Mayas, mainly as a result of their findings in the region

The prestigious National Geographic has sponsored and documented in its February 1993 edition, under the title: “The Violent Saga of the Maya Kingdom”, their discoveries in the region describing the findings on the Mayas of Punta de Chimino and other nearby Mayan cities.

Punta de Chimino’s last inhabitants lived there probably by the late A.D. 900’s after losing the strongly defended island to enemies whose identity is still unknown to us. Although there are vestiges of occupation since 600 B.C., the site flourished in the Terminal Post-Classic Era. It is believed that a royal family from a nearby city settled the island and lived there, built the usual buildings found in Mayan cities: the royal palace, ceremonial pyramids and even a ball court, evidence of this royal heritage. But they also built the impressive defensive edifications, evidence of the conflict between the Mayas in the dawn of their advanced civilization. By visiting us, you contribute to the preservation and protection of this paradise from depredation. All of this rich inheritance is yours to enjoy, in a truly unique and unforgettable eco-archaeological adventure!