​In 1987 Chaco Canyon was designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. This is a reflection of its extraordinary cultural and physical significance. The purpose of UNESCO designations is to preserve and protect World Heritage Sites for the benefit of humanity. The program's recognition of Chaco Canyon pays respect to the ancient and the Native cultures.

​The designation is not granted lightly; there are only 802 designated UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites in the world. Of those, nine UNESCO designated sites are in the United States and three are in the Southwest. The Southwest designations include Chaco Canyon, Taos Pueblo and Mesa Verde. All three are within a day's drive from our hotel near Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.

​Carlsbad Caverns is one of the few places in the world where on-going geologic processes are most apparent and rare speleothems continue to form. It consists of over 300-limestone caves notable worldwide for their size, mode of origin, and abundance.

​Start your visit at Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces.