Yucatecan haciendas are places steeped in history that date back to when México was known as New Spain and covered much of North and Central America. This history certainly has its ups and downs and countless nuances. What is clear is that today, haciendas stand as remnants of the past, where you can appreciate different aspects of life in Yucatán. Here we present five haciendas offering various activities to enjoy in a magnificent setting.
Hacienda Sotuta de Peón
One of the most well-known haciendas among both Yucatecos and travelers alike, and for good reason, is located in Tecoh, just 45 minutes from Mérida. We’re talking about Sotuta de Peón, a 19th-century gem that, after more than 30 years of abandonment, was rescued, restored, and brought back to life…and also to henequén production! Unlike many other haciendas in the region, Sotuta de Peón still operates as a working producer of the iconic “green gold,” giving it a special historical and cultural value.
Beyond its rich history, what makes Sotuta de Peón truly shine is the wide range of cultural experiences it offers. The most famous is the henequén tour, which begins in the Main House. From the moment you step in, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back to the heyday of the haciendas. Next comes the machine house, where you can see the artisanal process of making henequén ropes. If you’re lucky, you might even get to take one home as a souvenir.
The tour continues through the henequén fields aboard a truk—a mule-pulled platform that runs on rails, just like in the old days. And when the Yucatecan heat kicks in (which it usually does), nothing beats a dip in the Dzul-Há cenote. It’s a family-friendly cenote with stairs and easy access for all ages.
For thrill-seekers, there are ATV tours that include visits and swims in four different cenotes. They also offer child-friendly options and even nighttime tours for those looking for a different kind of adventure. Prefer something more laid-back? Enjoy horseback rides, bike trails, and traditional Maya massages and therapies for a bit of pampering. There’s also a temazcal and a great on–site restaurant.
Want to take your time and enjoy everything at your own pace? You can even stay overnight. Because Sotuta de Peón isn’t just a place you visit, it’s a place you experience. Visit their website to learn more about all the experiences Sotuta de Peón offers and book your favorite.
Hacienda Sotuta de Peón
Tel. 999 941 6431
Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum
If you’re looking for a unique and memorable way to explore the history of Uxmal and its natural surroundings, the Land Rover tour by Mayaland is an experience you won’t want to miss. Now in its ninth year, this adventure takes you aboard a classic 1970s vehicle, lovingly restored by Yucatecan hands, following the path of early explorers who ventured into the Maya jungle in search of its secrets.
Designed for small groups of up to four people, the tour lasts approximately an hour and a half and begins with a warm welcome in Maya, right in the parking area where Don Héctor Arana’s vehicles are still preserved. In the 1950s, Arana—Uxmal’s first official guide, used to drive explorers through these very trails in Land Rovers, introducing them to the natural and cultural treasures of the region.
During the tour, our guide Luis Rex Chan, shares insights on traditional herbal medicine, local history, and the transformation of a former sugar hacienda into a sustainable plantation. There are three main stops: a lookout tower made from sapodilla wood, where you can see the Pyramid of the Magician in the distance—a perfect moment to hear the legend of the Dwarf of Uxmal from Don Luis; the ruins of the old Hacienda Santa Cruz Uxmal, whose foundation stone was laid in 1673; and a Maya village where, depending on the season, you can sample fresh fruits from the orchard. The offerings change throughout the year, but they’re always fresh and delicious.
More than just a scenic ride in a Land Rover that feels straight out of Jurassic Park, this is an agro-tourism experience that connects the region’s past and present. You can also opt for special times like sunrise (5 am) or sunset (4 pm), and if you’re up for it, a nighttime tour with guided stargazing by an astrophysicist is available, so you can rediscover the constellations the way the ancient Maya once did.
The experience starts at $3,440 pesos per vehicle, plus the cost of the guide. Children under six can ride for free if seated with an adult. And if you know how to drive a stick shift, you can even get behind the wheel.
Whether you’re staying at the Hotel Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum or just passing through the archaeological zone, this tour offers an intimate window into the living history, culture, and nature of Yucatán. You can also visit the Héctor Arana Museum inside the hotel, which features a unique collection on the site’s history, the old hacienda, and the notable figures who have visited, ranging from early explorers like John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood to royalty and renowned scholars like Queen Elizabeth II.
To book this experience and learn more about the various tours and corporate events available, visit their website or call 998 147 0676.
Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum
Tel. 998 147 0676
Hacienda Santa Rosa de Lima
From the moment you can cross the entrance of this hacienda, you begin a journey through time where classic Yucatán, relaxation, and exclusivity intertwine. Located next to the town of Santa Rosa, with which it shares its name, the hacienda stands out for its historic architecture, such as the Main House with its light blue façade and elegant arches.
It’s an ideal option if you’re looking to disconnect from the world and not worry about a thing. It offers a wide range of amenities designed to meet your every need. Among them is the Santa Rosa Restaurant, which features international cuisine and, of course, Yucatecan specialties, as well as a spa with a variety of treatments, from conventional therapies to ancestral practices like sobadas (therapeutic massages) and even energy cleansings, to help you reconnect with your mystical side.
As for spaces, the hacienda features fully equipped swimming pools, perfect for cooling off in the summer, indoor and outdoor lounge areas, vast and refreshing gardens, walking paths, and even a botanical garden with a melipona bee farm, and native plants of the region.
Its exclusive rooms are nestled in a setting of silence, luxury, and privacy, creating the perfect environment for total disconnection. It’s also a pet-friendly place, so you can bring your pets along for an additional fee.
If you want to add a special touch to your stay, the hacienda offers on-site activities: you can explore original unrestored remains, take guided visits through the botanical garden with expert gardeners, go birdwatching, or visit the artisanal workshops of the Haciendas del Mundo Maya Foundation.
These workshops are led by local women who create handmade products from henequén fibers and filigree jewelry. You can find these unique pieces at Taller Maya, a boutique located inside the Main House.
There are countless reasons to visit Hacienda Santa Rosa de Lima. But the best way to discover them is to experience them for yourself. Come visit!
Hacienda Santa Rosa de Lima
Tel. 999 923 1923
www.thehaciendas.com
haciendasreservations@ihg.com
Hacienda San José Cholul
Forty minutes east of Mérida, just a short turn off the Tixkokob-Tekantó highway, lies the majestic Hacienda San José Cholul. This 17th-century hacienda has successfully transformed over time, blending the historic charm of the past with today’s comfort, modernity, and luxury.
In 1999, the hacienda was carefully restored to preserve its colonial essence and iconic features such as the pastel blue of its façades, its imposing arches, and murals that transport you to another era.
Today, Hacienda San José Cholul operates as a distinguished luxury lodging option; staying here invites you to experience the grandeur of the old Yucatecan haciendas. You can choose between two styles of accommodation: restored rooms inside the original building, many with private terraces and jacuzzis, or the charming “Maya Houses”, cabins built with traditional Maya techniques, surrounded by vegetation but with comfort-focused details.
But let’s focus on the activities you can enjoy during your stay at this wonderful hacienda. Of course, there’s the food at the San José Restaurant, located in the Main House. Here you’ll find a culinary concept that reinvents traditional Yucatecan cuisine, prepared with fresh, local ingredients from nearby communities. Another option is to treat yourself to some peace at their spa, where they offer rituals and ceremonies combining ancient Maya wisdom with contemporary techniques, all surrounded by nature.
You can also take part in birdwatching, historical tours of the hacienda, or bicycle rides. If you feel more adventurous, you can explore nearby communities such as Tixkokob or Motul; the latter is one of Yucatán’s seven Magical Towns.
Visit their website for more information about this and other haciendas in Yucatán, or call 981 816 7508 to book your experience at Hacienda San José Cholul.
Hacienda San José Cholul
Tel. 981 816 7508
Hacienda San Lorenzo de Aké
Located in the archaeological zone of Aké, near Tixkokob, San Lorenzo de Aké dates back to the 17th century and is one of the few haciendas in Yucatán that still actively produces henequén. Originally dedicated to cattle ranching, this historic hacienda still has the livestock facilities and the foreman’s office, along with seven internal quarters and a chapel.
Today, the hacienda offers guided tours in Spanish through the facilities, including the henequén defibrating plant and the deer breeding grounds.
During the tours, you’ll see firsthand how henequén is processed for use in various products. Discover the old machinery and learn about the production work currently carried out, from planting and harvesting the plants to turning them into rolls of different calibers of henequén thread. It’s important to note that this is a “living” defibrating plant, meaning the tour is not a setup or simulation but offers direct contact with the authentic henequén industry.
Afterwards, you’ll visit the main house, the hilltop church, nearby buildings, and the deer breeding grounds.
Tours take place Monday to Saturday between 8 am and 4 pm, lasting about 1 hour and 45 minutes and costing $350 pesos per person. For groups larger than 10 people, there is an option for a meal service after the tour for an additional $200 pesos per person. This service includes regional dishes such as cochinita tacos, relleno negro, escabeche, papadzules, and seasonal aguas frescas.
Before or after your tour, take the opportunity to explore the Aké ruins, just steps from the hacienda, to see lesser-known Maya vestiges.
To reach the hacienda, take the Mérida-Cancún highway and at kilometer 40, take the U-turn toward the Aké Ruins, passing the exit to Tahmek.
For more information or to book a tour, you can write to an email or send a message to their Facebook page.
Hacienda San Lorenzo de Aké
Tel. 999 126 4199
FB: Hacienda, Ruinas y Venados de Aké, Yucatán
Written in collaboration by Sara Alba, Sharon Cetina, Carlos Guzmán, and Regina Zumárraga.
First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no. 452, in August 2025.
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