Discover the Yucatan's traditional Haciendas

Located in southeastern Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatan Channel. The peninsula, which comprises the Mexican states of Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo, lies east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a northwestern geographic partition that divides the region of Central America and the rest of North America. Apart from its lovely beaches, amazing landscape and picturesque towns, The Yucatan Peninsula is also known for its lovely and traditional haciendas, worth visiting if you have the chance of travelling to the Yucatan.

One of these haciendas is Hacienda Chichen & Yaxkin Spa, in Chichen Itza, The Yucatan's oldest hacienda. Now a four star hotel with rooms in separate cottages, this cozy hacienda has pool, restaurant and new Yaxkin spa. It is quite close to the back entry of Chichen Itza, but the hacienda is charming all by itself.

Another option is staying at Hacienda Xcanatun, in Merida, which is an independently owned and beautifully restored hacienda, now a hotel and gourmet restaurant. Close enough to Merida to go for dinner, but situated in a little town and surrounded by harmony and silent. Among its main facilities and services, the hacienda features a deluxe health spa.

Lovers of these traditional haciendas will also enjoy visiting the Hacienda Yaxcopoil, in Merida. This is a hacienda that has been well conserved but not reconditioned. Stepping inside is like stepping back in time. The place features original furniture and tile floors, and has been the site of many photo shoots. The Casa de Maquinas in the back part is a great example of the kind of machinery that was used back in the day.

Other alternative is Hacienda Ochil. This hacienda is not a hotel, but has many interesting things to offer. It is lovingly renewed by the same architect that restored some of the most outstanding haciendas in the Starwood chain. The hacienda features workshops of local artisans who sell their work, and it also has a "demo" hacienda railway, a little henequen fields, a tiny hacienda museum and a real cenote that you don't have to climb up or down ladders to see. Furthermore, there is a great gift shop and a restaurant that serves authentic Yucatecan food and drinks. A great place to stop for lunch!

If you are travelling to the Yucatan Peninsula, you will also enjoy staying at the Hacienda Temozon. This is a great place to stay in, although rooms are not as secluded as at other Starwood haciendas. The hotel claims to have the best pool in the Yucatan. This is a great place to go for breakfast.

In the case that you are travelling with your beloved one, you will definitely enjoy Hacienda Santa Rosa, which is probably the most romantic hacienda. Quiet, modest and stylish... very much out of the way. It is the perfect place to go and stay for a few days.

In Hacienda Teya your vacation will be really memorable. This hacienda has made quite a business out of hosting events. It features a ballroom to die for, and a chic restaurant that serves authentic Yucatecan food. Besides, it is close to Merida, and features a convenience stop if you are driving towards Cancun. This hacienda is quite famous for its lovely restaurant. Hacienda Teya Restaurant was inaugurated in September, 1995, with the aim of offering its clients genuine, savory Yucatecan dishes, affectionately prepared by patient Mayan hands and served on original stone platters. The restaurant has a seating capacity for almost 300 guests, distributed among 5 different air conditioned rooms.

At Hacienda Uayalceh, an almost-completely-abandoned hacienda that must have been wonderfully attractive in its heyday, one can easily walk around. Located in a small town up the road a bit from Hacienda Temozon, this is one of the few abandoned haciendas in the area.

Options don’t end up here. Chunchucmil has a beautiful chapel, still used by the local Mayan community. It is attached to a magnificent Casa Principal, with gorgeous tiles and frescos still perceptible. The casa Maquina is open for the general public. If you happen to visit it on a weekend morning, you might be able to catch a local soccer or baseball game in front of the Casa Principal. This place is quite fun to take photos.

Last but not least, a hacienda worth mentioning is Hacienda Tekit de Regil. This is one of the most fine-looking and most elegantly repaired haciendas. It is not exactly open to the public. You might be able to talk a local caretaker into letting you inside, but even if you can’t go in, it is worth looking through the gates. The chapel looks like something out of Rome. And the mural painted in the hall in the front of the Casa Principal is a masterpiece.

V.T.