Property helps with numerous worthwhile causes
IAN STALKER
Coastal Mexico’s Hotel Maraica San Pancho likes to serve as a best friend to man’s best friend.
The community-involved San Pancho, Nayarit eco-hotel hotel among other things works with area residents who help find permanent homes for stray dogs, hosting an annual fundraiser that includes a banquet and open bar on behalf of a charity that Hotel Maraica manager Maria Castro notes works to provide stray dogs with “shelter, veterinary services and mostly a family to live with.”
But Castro notes that is only one example of her hotel’s altruistic side, with beachfront San Pancho now home to one of the co-founders of the Cirque du Soleil, who lends a helping hand to area children dreaming of circus careers through his Circus of the Children, which helps area youngsters develop skills that may land them circus employment. The hotel hosts circus instructors and teachers, and allows the use of its common areas for exhibitions and an annual festival, with hotel staff taking on a volunteer role for that event.
“We are involved with the Circo de los Niños as we are also involved with San Pancho Animals, Entreamigos, Bodega Teatro,and some other local civil associations because we are part of the community where we live and work,” Castro says.
San Pancho is highlighted by ocean that fronts green landscapes, making it a particularly scenic retreat.
“We are committed to promote in the right way the lovely town where we live and share all the sustainability actions our town has to share with the world,” Castro continues. “San Pancho is a jewel by a beautiful beach that deserves to be known and preserved, and we are proud to be part of this town and be part of the difference we are making as a community.
“San Pancho is the perfect place to be on vacation and also be part of a community that always welcomes you as not as a tourist, but more like you belong to the town, and it has all sorts of activities, such as surfing, hiking, eco-friendly workshops (the Entreamigos association), artistic workshops (Bodega Teatro is a space where you can take all sort of workshops, such as singing, dancing, movement expression, pilates, etc), Circo de los Niños (silk classes, circus classes,) and we also have among the year more than 10 festivals,” she says.
Some of those festivals revolve around music, surfing and art. The Hotel Maraica has a restaurant serving traditional food and a bar. Yoga is offered to guests. Guest rooms have scenic views but don’t have television, while WiFi is only available in certain areas in a hotel that bills itself as an “oasis of relaxation and comfort” and invites guests to “connect with nature, the ocean and mountains.”
The hotel — which has thatched roofs and vegetation throughout — uses solar power and has recycling programs. Weddings can be held on site.
“Being an eco sustainable hotel is our commitment with the town and with the world, we want to make a difference in hospitality by showing what a great experience it is staying in eco-hotels, where your carbon print its close to zero without compromising comfort, actually,” Castro adds. “You will find we are more comfortable than other types of hotels and we are always looking out for the planet and our clients’ welfare.”
More information can be found at www.maraica.mx.
