Ancient Landmarks
Embark on an Unforgettable Excursion
Experience the allure of Yucatán’s enchanting treasures with our curated excursions. Immerse yourself in the mystique of ancient Maya archaeological sites, dive into the crystal-clear waters of our unique cenotes, and step into the rich history of our haciendas. Each journey promises a blend of culture, history, and natural wonders, offering an unforgettable exploration of Yucatán’s hidden gems.
Cenotes
The geology of the Yucatán Peninsula is rather interesting. In the entire state of Yucatán there is not a single above ground river or stream. There is flowing water here, but it is all underground. Sometimes this water collects into pools that are accessible through the caves. At other places, water hole appear where the water table is close to the surface and the upper limestone rock has collapsed. We call these cenotes. The ancients viewed these as both portals to the gods and as a year round source of fresh water. Today these are the Maya’s answer to swimming pools. As you descend stairs or a ladder, you go from the bright sunlight of the Maya jungle into the deep, dark shadow of a limestone cave. The water in cenotes stays cool and refreshing, no matter how the surrounding jungle heats up. The Yucatán Peninsula has more of these than anywhere else on the planet. So look around. You may be in for an experience you will never forget.
The Santa Barbara cenotes near Homun are an easy visit from Santa Elena. Here you can ride on a rail cart pulled by a donkey to visit three different cenotes. The water is blue and crystal clear, with great visibility. If you go in the morning, you might even have the whole place to yourself! And if you stay til afternoon, there is a local restaurant where you can enjoy some freshly-made panuchos, a Yucatan specialty. There are also the Cuzama cenotes nearby, and while the two towns are vying for tourist attention, both are beautiful and provide a refreshing stop on a hot day.
Haciendas
Dotted throughout the Yucatan Peninsula are grand structures once built and owned by wealthy landowners to farm henequen, Yucatán’s cash crop of the late 19th Century. Henequen was grown and processed there, producing strong sisal rope, used on ships around the world. Later, that same sisal rope was also used for hay bales and farming, making it an extremely valuable commodity. The wealth from these products built beautiful Merida and surrounding cities that we still enjoy today. When the financial bubble collapsed, many of the haciendas were abandoned.
Hacienda Tabi
Hacienda Yaxche
Every hacienda was built by a private entrepreneur, and every hacienda has its own style. The various buildings had different purposes (a house for the owner, a building for processing, another for storage, a chapel for worship and living quarters for the Maya who worked there). Some haciendas have been renovated and serve as private homes, hotels or restaurants, but a lot of them are still in ruins.
Edznab was part of the hacienda Rancho San Agustin. Most of the hacienda structures at were destroyed during the Caste Wars of the 1800’s, but you can see the remains of an ancient gate, the reconstructed chapel, and some animal pens.
Rancho San Agustin Gate
Near Santa Elena, you can visit a few haciendas that are open to the public. Between Merida and Santa Elena, Hacienda San Pedro Ochil provides a lovely venue for a delicious outdoor meal, and includes a small henequen museum, a gift shop, an orchid garden and a natural outdoor amphitheater sometimes used for theater or musical productions. There is also a small henequen orchard and an example of the kind of trains that were used on henequen plantations for transportation.
Hacienda Temozon is also located between Merida and Santa Elena, and like Hacienda Santa Rosa (west of Santa Elena) it is part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection of hotels. Both have restaurants that are open to the public, featuring local cuisine and beautiful environments for a relaxed meal.
Unveil the Secrets of the Maya Civilization
Explore Timeless Maya Archaeological Sites
