The most iconic haciendas in Merida

The haciendas in Merida are must-visit tourist attractions, as they are a clear example of the culture and history of this city.

Therefore, it's not surprising that many tourists decide to take a tour of the main ones, or even stay at those haciendas that have been made into hotels.

Here is a list of the most iconic haciendas in Merida and its surroundings for you to visit on your next trip.

What is a hacienda?

What are their characteristics? What do they look like today?

Haciendas, a system of Spanish origin, are a group of goods located on a very large piece of land, and agriculture or cattle raising are the main economic activities of the owner and workers.

The haciendas are divided into the main house -where the landowner lives-, the workers' houses, the buildings destined for work, the wide land and in some of them you could even find a chapel.

Today many of the haciendas do not work as they once did; some have been converted into hotels and tourist sites where you can learn more about the history of Merida in colonial times.

These are the best haciendas to visit both in the city and in the surrounding area.

1. Hacienda San Ildefonso Teya

One of the favorite haciendas of the locals, also known as Hacienda Teya.

Now converted into a famous tourist destination, this place is perfect for a family getaway.

Originally, this hacienda was dedicated to livestock and agriculture, however it was abandoned for a while, causing all the buildings to deteriorate over time.

In 1974, the hacienda was sold to Jorge Carlos Cárdenas, who began a complete restoration process that lasted about 20 years.

Thanks to all this process, it now has a restaurant serving traditional Yucatecan food, as well as spaces for events.

In fact, if you are about to get married, this is one of the haciendas for weddings in Merida that you can go to.

And where is it located? How can you get there? To get there from downtown Merida, just head east - heading to Kanasin - and follow the Carretera Costera del Golfo for about 13 kilometers.

The opening hours of the restaurant are from 12:00 to 18:00, every day of the week.

2. Hacienda Misné

Do you want to visit Merida but still don't have a place to stay? Do you want to have the same services as a hotel? Then the Hacienda Misné might interest you.

Like many of the haciendas in Merida, before it became a tourist attraction it was dedicated to agriculture and livestock in the 18th century, only to be abandoned for a while afterwards.

It was later bought, and in 2007 the remodeling was completed to adapt it to the hotel that it is today.

Something that is striking about this place is that the rooms are distributed in a beautiful natural oasis.

And what else can it offer you? Here you can find a swimming pool, restaurant, spa, and event services; from weddings, meetings, birthdays, etc.

Hacienda Misné is located to the east of the city, taking the same road as if you were going to San Ildefonso Teya.

This is a privileged location to get around, as you can easily reach the Historic Downtown, the airport and the shopping malls in the north of Merida.

Without a doubt, this hacienda is the ideal choice if you want to live through Merida's history and culture while enjoying your vacation.

3. Hacienda Xcanatún

Do you want a place to rest and that is close to the main tourist points of Merida? Then you have to go to Hacienda Xcanatún.

Actually, there is very little historical data about it; what is known is that it was built around 1800 and that for a long time it was dedicated to the henequen industry.

One of the great advantages of Hacienda Xcanatún is that it is located in the north of Merida, so you have easy access to the shopping malls in the area, restaurants, the Great Museum of the Mayan World and even Progreso beach.

In fact, if you want to get an idea of what it would be like to live in a residential area in Merida, you can stay at this hacienda and experience all its benefits.

And what does it have to offer?

It has several types of very luxurious suites, two swimming pools, a restaurant serving typical Yucatecan food, a children's play area, spacious gardens, a spa, lobby bar, gym, meeting room and even a chapel.

4. Hacienda Temozon Sur

Hacienda Temozón Sur was one of the most important in the Yucatan, as it was dedicated to the cultivation and export of henequen fiber to the United States.

And much of its attraction lies in its colonial-style architecture, and in the conservation of the elements that recall its past as a fiber processor, such as the machine room.

As for the amenities, you can relax in its luxurious rooms, eat in its international food restaurant, visit the library, sit on the terrace or swim in the pool.

If you are looking to get away from the city, feel in touch with nature, relax and at the same time enjoy the amenities, this is one of the best options for you.

5. The Hacienda Sotuta de Peón

Do you want to experience how people lived in the past? At the Hacienda Sotuta de Peón you have the opportunity to do so, as it is one of the few henequen houses that still operates.

The history of this place is well known and very interesting. It was built in the last years of the 19th century and for 15 years -between 1901 and 1916- it was the main producer of hard fibres in the world.

Nowadays they not only continue with their work, but they have added a tour and several types of services, so that people know more about the haciendas, their production process, and have a good day.

And what does this tour consist of? Broadly speaking, the tour route is as follows:

• It starts with a walk on rails, which is done on wooden platforms that are pulled with the help of mules. Thanks to this it is possible to observe the henequenals in all their splendor.
• Then you go to the main building, the Casa Maya, where you are welcomed by a very experienced guide, who tells you very interesting stories and curious facts about the place.
• And then it's time for a visit to the factory, so that you have the opportunity to appreciate both the old and the new machinery, and learn what the process of transformation of the fiber consists of.

And as mentioned in other articles, there are a lot of cenotes near Merida that you can visit, and one of those hidden gems is found in this hacienda.

The cenote Dzul-Há, a closed cenote with crystalline waters that has stalactites, stalagmites, and is fully equipped for swimming.

That's why our recommendation is that you take a swimsuit with you when you go, so you don't miss the opportunity to enjoy it.

The hacienda is located on the outskirts of the city, in the municipality of Tecoh.

What other places should I visit in Merida?

The haciendas in Merida are must-visit places.  However, they are not the only points of interest, since one of the advantages of Merida is that it always has something for every taste; from shopping malls to places for art and culture.

That's why we've listed some of the tourist attractions in Merida that you can visit, in addition to the haciendas:

• The Historic Downtown: Here you can find Plaza Grande -the main park in the city-, along with the Government Palace, the San Ildefonso Cathedral, the Olimpo Cultural Center, several of the museums, different types of shops, restaurants, cafes, etc.
• Paseo Montejo: It is one of the main avenues of Merida, famous for being a place of culture and entertainment, where you can find a great variety of establishments and emblematic historical buildings such as the Palacio Cantón.
• Downtown Parks: Iconic areas of Historic Downtown, where you can spend the afternoon relaxing or visiting some of the restaurants nearby.
• The museums of Merida: Each one with its own personal touch, whether they talk about the Mayas, the history of the city, the local - and national - culture, or art in its different facets. Some examples are the Palace of Music, the Fernando García Ponce Museum, the Museum of Popular Art, the Regional Museum of Anthropology of the Yucatan, and the famous Great Museum of the Mayan World.
• The shopping malls: There are many of them, for all tastes and needs. The biggest and newest are located in the north of the city, like the Gran Plaza, The Harbor, Plaza Galerias, and La Isla Merida.

Of course you don't have to go far to find a place to have a good time, but if you like to get out and explore the surroundings then you are in luck, as all over the Yucatan there are places that will leave you amazed one way or another.

Some examples? The different beaches of Yucatan, the magical town of Izamal, the Celestun reserve, the cenotes, the archeological zone of Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Kabah.

Merida, the perfect place to live

After learning more about the best haciendas and tourist attractions, you surely know why Merida is one of the best cities in the world.

And it's not just about the endless activities, entertainment, services, art, culture, history and education, but also about the security and peace that you can only find in a few cities.

That's why we say that the best way to enjoy all the benefits of Merida is to buy the home of your dreams and move or have a summer home.

If you want to continue falling in love with this city we invite you to read our article on 5 reasons to invest in Merida.