We just returned from a four night stay at Eco Paraiso. Although many of the previous reviews on this website (and the hotel's own website) made Eco sound blissful, we most definitely did not find it so . True, the beach was, without a doubt, the most unspoiled beach we have ever been on (we have traveled throughout the Caribbean and Europe), but the water on the Gulf is just not inviting for a swim. There were a few days where our kids would not venture into the water , since it looked so uninviting. It was murky and still. Yet, that being said.... for beachcombers, this beach is sheer paradise. There are miles of totally unspoiled beach to walk on. Shells galore! (though Eco asks guests to leave shells where they found them- --ON the beach).

The huge drawback of this place is the mosquitoes. After reading several reviews that mentioned the bug problem, I called the hotel ahead of our stay to to see if I could get an honest report, including tips for managing the issue. I was told that mosquitoes do not pose a problem in December. Imagine my dismay when our "welcome chat" was basically a "How-To" guide on deallng with the mosquito problem. A lot of humor was injected into Jaime's welcoming remarks, but the fact remained -- guests should be prepared for battle. Beds are equipped with mosquito netting, and the staff does their best to set these up for you every evening. Nonetheless, two of our party of four emerged each morning, covered in bites. THe beach was also a zone where bugs were an issue. The sunsets were lovely to behold, but staying on the beach was not possible after 4Pm, when the sand flies, gnats, etc became a real nuisance.

As for meals.... well, I most definitely do not agree with any reviewer who rated the food as good. Breakfasts were lovely... fresh fruit and toast. LUnches were edible. But, the dinner fare is a notch or two below high school cafeteria fare. Although we paid (in advnace) for the full meal plan, we forfeited 3 dinners. OUr first dinner was truly inedible. We agreed that dinner was so depressing (the dining room is also empty and sad) that we would have our remaining dinners in town.

Perhaps one of the oddest aspects to this place is the "Happy Hour' (or as our sons described it "Unhappy Hour". "Happy Hour runs from 5-6PM. THen, the bar closes down and dinner is served at 7:30. This peculiar schedule does a lot to dampen the mood traditionally set at a Happy Hour that leads into dinner. After our first "Happy Hour", we came back (RAN BACK to avoid getting bitten by bugs) to our bungalows and waited an hour and a half for dinner.

If you are a beachcomber, or love idle time on a lovely beach Eco Paraiso is indeed paradise. But, be warned, mosquitoes can really ruin this lovely spot. Plan to leave the premises for dinner. THe final meal of the day is remarkably bad.

Eco Paraiso was splendid. Excellent service and who can complain about several miles of beach shared with a few dozen guests.
For the Resort component, the meals were fantastic and we would recommend doing the full service including dinner if you are only there for a few days. Each day was a different menu and the chefs would even slightly modify the dishes if you had a preference. They bake their own multigrain bread daily.
The beach and pool were quiet and relaxing and close to the bar/restaurant which was always open and staffed.
They know how to make great drinks, which are refreshing after a hike or day of swimming on the beach. This public space also has pool and ping-pong tables.
The rooms are clean and spacious with beautiful bathrooms. These are palapa (thatched) huts, so keep in mind that you will occasionally see a gecko in the room, but they feel warm and comfortable at the end of a long day of sun and activity and are outfitted with two ceiling fans (at least in our room). Each hut has hammocks put up on the front porch when you arrive, which we used liberally.

Regarding the Eco component. They conserve/recycle water and will show you how water is recycled. They bring in bottled water for consumption, which you can refill at the bar anytime. For power they are on a generator that flickered once or twice. We always had enough hot water for showers. The beds are outfitted with mosquito netting, but the screens were excellent and we didn't have a problem, even with the windows open at night for the breeze. The maids come every afternoon to tuck the netting around your bed. For tours we did the Inlet tour and Moonlight Safari. Our guide was a naturalist at the reserve and he knew the how to give an excellent informative tour. He knew his ecology, birds, crocodiles, spiders etc and spoke excellent English. Mosquitos were present but not horrible, except on one of the interpretive trails. Not sure how bad the mosquito's would be in the summer.

One hint. We arrived by bus from Merida and called the resort for pickup in Celestun. This town is only a 10 minute drive from the resort but their driver had an errand to run so it took over an hour. Not a problem, just go to the La Palapa restaurant/bar (or any one of several nice spots) and relax, look at the beach, have a snack or drink and then call for pick-up. Think Mexico time! They do not typically take this long for pickup and the management was quite apologetic and very timely getting us everywhere else we needed to be, including all tours and back into Celestun for our bus back to Merida.

Xixim is a unique hotel located (roughly) on the opposite corner to Cancún on the Yucatán peninsula. It is a truly beautiful place. My friends, mother and I were amazed at the extent of the beach, which is not as clean from plants etc. as beaches in large resort but is all for you to enjoy. Kayaking in the afternoon, only sharing the space with the birds while watching the beautiful sky is an experience you can't forget.

The food is good, there is a vegetarian option always and the chef is clearly well educated. If possible get an all inclusive package as there's definitely nowhere else to buy food or drinks and it isn't cheap at the hotel, given transportation and preservation costs. Neither I nor anyone else get sick on my 10+ day stay.

In those days, I witnessed the following wildlife: thousands of mosquitoes (come in winter and skip them, they're awful), Yucatan racoons, a fox, a boa constrictor, at least 40 species of birds, dozens of iguanas, a coatí (medium-sized mammal), and some others. In this place, you get into the sea and feel fish patting your leg while swimming around. I found two sea stars. The shore is full of countless shells, some very beautiful.

Be sure to go to as many expeditions as possible, at least to see the flamingos. Alex, the guide, is a very experienced ornithologist with studies at Cornell who will delight you with his detailed explanations. It's the first time in my life I was showed around all that nature.

Now, this hotel is truly ecological and some people do not understand the sacrifices it entails. Since piped water does not exist there, the hotel uses its own well but the water is slightly saline everywhere: shower, pool, etc. (not drinking water, that's bottled obviously). No electricity lines means the hotel makes its own electricity, meaning no A/C in the sweltering 40°C Yucatán heat. However, the fans make the rooms comfortable enough, or else beg for a little rain. The hotel recycles and cleans its wastewater and follows very strict ecological guidelines: it is not so much a for-profit venture as a true environmental project to which you'll collaborate.

The staff is very agreeable and will fetch you at Mérida airport. It's really not worth it to rent a car, except to explore the rest of the peninsula (very highly recommended) before or after this hotel.

Disadvantages? Well, there came a point where I couldn't bear with the disadvantages. All that saltwater, the heat... There's little choice in the restaurant since food has to be ferried and there's little guests. But when you can see every single star in the sky the way you do there, unlike anywhere else I've ever been, you wish you could live there.

We had a delightful stay at Eco Paraiso. We found it to be a restful hotel with a mision in conservation. The rooms are simple but well thought, the restaurant serves tasty meals and the cook was very willing to accomodate requests. The staff was eager to constantly be of help. The visit to the nature reserve most instructive, (do not miss it). The mosquitoes are abundant in the evening, but all the beds had mosquito nets which protected us well. The beach was empty, (what a luxury), and we had a great time enjoying it by ourselves.
To reach the hotel, one goes through unpaved roads, in keeping with the idea of an ecological establishment, and it is worth the trip. Our family had a wonderful stay and look forward to returning.