Hacienda Sotuta De Peon
Not far from Mérida is the only Hacienda that still produces Sisal, also known as Henequén - a product made from a cactus plant and used to make rope and other products. It was this industry that brought great wealth to the Yucatan in the past. Unfortunately someone invented nylon for rope-making and sisal became less popular and less profitable to produce.
The beautiful Hacienda of Sotuta de Peon dates from the 1800s and is the only one left in the area that still produces it commercially. You can spend a very interesting day there visiting the beautiful Hacienda and watching the whole process from the plant to the finished product.
The tour includes a welcome drink and a swim in a beautiful underground lake (called a cenote).
It is open from 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday and they collect you around 9am in an air-conditioned minibus from Mérida and return you afterwards. The trip is around 45 minutes each way and you will be back home around 4.30pm.
For more information see their website www.haciendatour.com or call (999)9418639 when in Mexico.
See Also Hacienda Yaxcopoil - Although it does not produce Sisal anymore it is not far from Mérida and is well worth a visit since it has remained almost as it was at its height with lots of the original furnishings. Go to the website for more information.
www.yaxcopoil.com
I took these photos of Sotuta de Peon on my visit there in February 2007.
Henequén Plantation
Processing the Henequén
BACK TO TOP OF PAGE