The Haciendas of Yucatan

Haciendas are Mexico's equivalent to American southern plantations, mid-western ranches, and European land estates. Dating from the late 1600s to the early 1900s, haciendas were built by the wealthy throughout Mexico in the areas where their products were produced or developed. There were agricultural haciendas throughout Mexico, cattle raising haciendas in the northern part of Mexico, tequila producing haciendas in Jalisco, mining haciendas in Hidalgo, sugar producing haciendas in Morelos, lumber haciendas in the state of Mexico, and the Yucatán's henequen or sisal producing haciendas.

Each hacienda has the main house, the machine house, the worker's humble one-room homes, a school, an infirmary, the store, the church, the cemetery, the hydraulics area, the jail, and the stables.

The haciendas of Yucatán saw their heyday in the early 1900s when the local economy was booming due to the sisal fiber that was used to make rope, cord, and twine. The mansions on the Paseo de Montejo and Avenida Colón in Mérida, are the rich homes the "green gold", henequen, helped provide. It was the same owners of these mansions who built haciendas off in the countryside where the henequen was produced.

In the 1940's, with the invention of synthetic fibers, the entire henequen industry went broke, and with it, the hacienda owners saw grey times. With no economical staying power, the haciendas were slowly abandoned and fell into disrepair, a derelict state they remained in until the early 1990s when once again, many of them were brought back to their former state of glory.

Following is a list of some of the haciendas in our region, with services ranging from tours to gourmet dining to spas to deluxe accommodation (both hotel and private rental). All are available for private special events like weddings, etc.

Hacienda Sotuta de Peón
A henequen-producing 19th century hacienda. This is the only working hacienda in Yucatán which offers tours of the entire process. The beautifully restored hacienda also has a restaurant which serves Yucatecan food, and a spectacular cenote for swimming.  www.haciendatour.com

Catherwood Travels
Haciendas Itzincab Cámara, San Antonio Chichí de los Lagos, and Tekik de Regil (for private rental). www.catherwoodtravels.com

Hacienda Chichén Resort
The Hacienda Chichén Resort, "a 16thCentury colonial landmark" is a hop and a skip from the archaeologicalsite of Chichén Itzá. A stately hacienda, nestled in lush gardens, thishotel has modern amenities that include color satellite TV, AC, anexcellent location, restaurant, and pool. Hacienda Chichén also offers YaxkinSpa, a Mayan retreat designed for sanctuary, healing and renewal. Check the website for rates and services. 
www.haciendachichen.com

Hacienda Misné
Built in 1870, this hacienda has recently been restored to its former elegance, and the lush gardens have been surrounded with 50 spacious guest rooms and suites, each one opening directly onto the gardens. Spa, pool, bar, and event facilities are lovely and inviting. The hacienda is a perfect setting for the culinary experience provided by the restaurant La Pitahaya. La Pitahaya is a bright, airy dining room with lovely doorways, skylights, and stained glass windows. The hacienda is located only 15 minutes from downtown Merida, off the road from Cancun to Merida, just west of the Periférico.  www.haciendamisne.com.mx

Hacienda Petac
It was bought in 2000 by the American couple Chuck and Dev Stern. With the help of renowned architect Salvador Reyes, they lovingly restored Hacienda Petac and now offer it in rent as a home. With five buildings housing huge bedrooms and elegant bathrooms, an enormous game-filled game room, a library, bar, chapel, pool, fountains and lush gardens, spa and exercise facilities, this is the perfect place to have an up-scale family vacation with all the trimmings. Sleeps up to 10. www.haciendapetac.com

Hacienda Yaxcopoil
It was built in the 1600's and has been in the Faller Cervera family since 1864. Present day owner, Miguel Faller, is 5th generation. He has opened the hacienda, which is on the way to Uxmal,  as a museum, making it a popular stop for tourists. He has also finished a casita, with a kitchen, that is available to the public. You can also opt for the delicious breakfast and dinner served in the casita. This is a wonderful place at an accessible price where you will surely get the feel of hacienda living.  www.yaxcopoil.com

Hacienda Xcanatun
The closest hacienda to Mérida, Xcanatun is owned and run by Jorge and Cristina Ruz, a couple from Mexico City. His father, Alberto Ruz Lhuillier, is the archeologist who discovered the Royal Tomb of Pacal in Palenque. When the owners were restoring this hacienda, they used the finest materials available and did it with excellent taste and care. Today, The Hacienda Xcanatun, a Star Diamond Award winner for 8 years from The American Academy of Hospitality  Services, also enjoys a  4-Diamond ranking from AAA (The American Automobile Association), is a boutique hotel with 18 luxurious suites, a restaurant that boasts exquisite international and Caribbean cuisine, and a spa where they will surely pamper you. www.xcanatun.com 

Hacienda Santa Cruz
This hacienda was completely restored and is just twenty minutes outside of Mérida, in a lovely, peaceful setting. Owners Robert and Caroline Franck moved from Paris and bought the hacienda in 2007. The hacienda is spacious and laid-back. The food is hearty and delicious. The pool is filled with chemical-free water from the cenote below, and guests are welcome to enjoy it all. The hacienda has two casitas, which easily sleep four people each, and children are especially welcome. The hacienda also has a spa on site. www.haciendasantacruz.com 

Hacienda Teya
Dating to 1683, Hacienda Teya is now a restaurant-hotel-social events place. Owned and run by the Cardenas Sosa family, they have slowly but surely developed a name for having the best Yucatecan food in the area. Lunch is served from noon to 6 PM. The social events parts of the hacienda have a chapel, an elegant staircase (great for pictures), lush gardens, and stained glass windows that make Hacienda Teya a very popular place that is the perfect setting for a wedding.  www.haciendateya.com  

Luxury Collection
One man in particular, Roberto Hernandez, bought several haciendas. Today, these restored haciendas make up The Luxury Collection - Haciendas Temozón, Santa Rosa, and San José, in Yucatán, and Uayamón and Puerta Campeche in Campeche. These hotel haciendas, Grand Tourism establishments that "don't mean to spoil you, but they will", are the ultimate getaway in total luxury.  www.thehaciendas.com

 

Hacienda Sacnicte (accommodation and dining), in Izamal. www.haciendasacnicte.com

Hacienda San Miguel (accommodation and dining), near Valladolid. www.hacienda-sanmiguel.com.mx

Recommended reading:
- Hacienda Route
- Haciendas: History & Elegance Renewed

Maps
- Yucatan Peninsula Map