Superbly positioned at the Riviera Maya, Maroma Resort and Spa in Mexico is bringing a splash of authentic Mayan culture straight to its guests’ doorstep by recreating an Aldea Maya (Mayan Village) on its grounds. The Aldea Maya will offer keen foodies a very cultural experience by giving them a raffle to sample genuine Mayan cuisine with a view to be produced both traditionally and sustainably.
Located within the shaded gardens of this luxurious resort, central to Aldea Maya is a purpose built hut with a Palapa roof, what guests are invited to delve deep into ancient Mayan culture by sampling a dinner menu based entirely on regional specialties inclusive of black bean stew with sour cactus fruit salsa and banana leaf cooked lion fish with mint and tomatillo.
Traditional Mayan methods of cooking foods over an open fire in clay pans can be used to create the exotic Mayan flavourings and 100% of the ingredients might be sourced locally from organic farmers and likewise from the hotel’s own milpa style farm. Milpa farming is a technique of crop growing used throughout Mesoamerica and most extensively within the Yucatan peninsula which involves farmers planting a dozen crops immediately, all of that are nutritionally and environmentally friendly.
Demonstrating Maroma’s commitment to supporting local communities and protecting our surroundings, a part of the Aldea Maya proceeds can be used to support ecological and academic programmes for you to directly benefit the local Mayan communities.
General Manager Federico Echaiz says “Our daily contact with the Mayan people has given us the chance to take part within the economic, social, cultural and ecological development of the communities in a responsible and respectful manner.”