Yucatán's 19th-century wealth was built on henequen (sisal fiber), and its restored haciendas near Mérida-Yaxcopoil and Sotuta de Peón among the best preserved-offer a look at that era through original machinery, mansion interiors, and, at Sotuta de Peón, a working demonstration of raw fiber processing.
Several former henequen haciendas lie within an hour's drive south of Mérida, offering a window into the plantation economy that briefly made Yucatán one of the wealthiest regions in Mexico during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the state's sisal fiber supplied rope and twine to the world. Yaxcopoil, about 30 km south of Mérida along Highway 261, is a self-guided stop preserving the main house's original furniture, the estate chapel, and the rusting remains of the fiber-processing machine house, giving a quiet, unstaged sense of the hacienda's decline after the henequen market collapsed. Sotuta de Peón, a bit further out, takes a more active approach: a working demonstration shows raw henequen leaves being processed into fiber using restored period machinery, followed by a horse-drawn tram ride through the plantation fields and a swim in an on-site underground cenote, usually bundled with a Yucatecan lunch. Both haciendas can be visited independently by rental car in half a day, or combined into a longer outing with a stop at nearby Uxmal given their shared location along the same southbound highway.
Highlights
- Yaxcopoil's preserved mansion and machine house
- Sotuta de Peón fiber-processing demonstration
- Underground cenote swim (Sotuta de Peón)
- Horse-drawn cart plantation ride
- Original 19th-century furnishings
Tips for visiting
- Rent a car for the most flexibility, since public transport to either hacienda is limited and infrequent
- Visit Sotuta de Peón for a hands-on tour with the fiber demonstration, cenote swim, and lunch included
- Visit Yaxcopoil for a quieter, self-guided look at an unrestored hacienda in a more original state
- Combine either hacienda with Uxmal, since both sit along the same southbound highway from Mérida
- Bring a swimsuit if visiting Sotuta de Peón for its underground cenote
When to visit
Morning tours avoid the midday heat, particularly for the outdoor plantation cart ride at Sotuta de Peón.
Accessibility
Yaxcopoil's main house and grounds are mostly flat and walkable; Sotuta de Peón's cenote requires descending stairs into an underground chamber, which is not wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Yaxcopoil and Sotuta de Peón?
Yaxcopoil is a quieter, self-guided hacienda preserved largely as it was left, while Sotuta de Peón offers an active guided tour with a working fiber demonstration, a cenote swim, and lunch.
What was henequen used for?
Henequen, a type of agave, was processed into sisal fiber used for rope and twine, and its export briefly made Yucatán one of Mexico's wealthiest regions.
Can these haciendas be combined with Uxmal in one day?
Yes, both sit along the same highway south of Mérida toward Uxmal, making a hacienda-and-ruins combination practical for one long day.
Is a car necessary to visit the haciendas?
A rental car is strongly recommended, since public transport service to either property is limited.