All about Hacienda Mucuyché in Yucatán (2025 Guide)

You know that feeling when you can recommend something with total confidence – and it actually makes you happy to share it? That’s exactly how I feel about this hacienda. I can honestly say it’s worth it – and I think my photos below speak for themselves.

The story of Hacienda Mucuyché on the Yucatán Peninsula takes you back to Mexico's colonial era, where history and tradition come alive. Built in the 17th century, this hacienda was once dedicated to the cultivation and processing of henequen.

Hacienda Mucuyché is one of the most stunning destinations on the Yucatán Peninsula and an ideal day trip from Mérida. You can get there in under an hour by car.

The old buildings of the hacienda remain in their original condition and have not been restored. In addition to the beautiful hacienda, you will also find two cenotes here, one of which is among the most stunning cenotes I have ever seen.

Workers once turned agave into strong threads for ropes and textiles – by hand or with machines. Today, Hacienda Mucuyché keeps that legacy alive, letting you experience the craft that once shaped the region.

During the henequen boom in Yucatán in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many haciendas prospered thanks to the export of henequen fiber. But with the end of the henequen boom, the era of the great haciendas also came to an end.

The former plantation features remarkable original buildings, where Arabic and French-style arches create an atmosphere that feels almost timeless. As you explore (or have a look at my pictures), you will see why I recommend taking the time for a visit.

The cenotes at the hacienda are also a captivating highlight that draws many visitors. These two natural sinkholes, with their crystal-clear waters, provide a serene escape while connecting you to the region’s ancient past.

But what also needs to be said: The entrance fee is comparatively high (but worth the money) and sometimes it can be quite crowded, especially when larger cruise ship groups arrive.

Restauration of the Hacienda

I especially recommend visiting Hacienda Mucuyché if you enjoy places that feel untouched by time. Like the nearby Hacienda Yaxcopoil, its structures are largely original and mostly unrestored, giving it more of a ruin-like atmosphere than a polished site.

The charm of these haciendas lies in their raw beauty and the stories they seem to hold. What you prefer will ultimately depend on what you’re looking for - whether it’s authenticity or a more refined presentation.

Step into the machine room and discover the impressive large engine that once brought the heart of this place to life. This powerful machine drove two enormous belts, essential to the production of henequen, or sisal, which was once the lifeblood of the Yucatán.

Here, raw agave fibers were processed into the ropes and textiles that shaped the region’s history. Standing in this room, you can almost feel the echoes of a time when this engine was the pulse of an industry that connected Mérida to the world.

The special feature of the Hacienda Sotuta de Peon is that the machines there have been carefully restored and brought back to life and you can see the sisal production them in operation (of course only as a short demo).

At Hacienda Mucuyché, however, the rusted machinery stands untouched, a haunting reminder of a time long past, which I find adds a unique and quiet sense of history to the visit.

Cenote Carlota and Azul Maya

Yes, the hacienda is beautiful – but the cenotes are the cherry on top. Honestly, it’s worth the visit for the cenotes alone.

There are two cenotes at hacienda Mucuyché: Cenote Carlota (the first one) is a aboveground cenote in luscious vegetation and - the true star - Cenote Azul Maya is an underground cenote with many great stalactites that reach into the water.

An artificial channel connects the two cenotes, making it easy to explore both during your visit. You can choose to swim or walk between cenote Carlota and cenote Azul Maya.

From my experience, cenote Azul Maya is one of the most stunning and unforgettable cenotes in the area, and I personally think it might be the most breathtaking I have ever encountered.

Azul Maya is a place that feels like stepping into another world. Massive stalactites hang from above, shimmering as light dances across their mineral surfaces, creating a magical atmosphere.

Beneath the water, stalagmites rise like hidden treasures, adding to the sense of mystery. It is a breathtaking spot where nature’s artistry takes center stage. The tour guides ask visitors to keep quiet in the cenote because it is a sacred place for the Maya.

Through an elaborate underwater lighting the cenote is well accentuated. The reddish color is caused by the minerals and can only be seen when the cenote is illuminated (the light is only fully on during a guided tour).

The Guided Tour at Hacienda Mucuyché

The guided tour of the hacienda lasts about 45 minutes and you will learn about the history of the hacienda and the cultivation and production of henequen. Afterwards you can swim in the two cenotes.

Swimming in the cenotes is only possible during the guided tour but you can also come back afterwards, for example to take photos (that’s what I did).

After the tour, you can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant serving Yucatecan specialties – and you’re also welcome to relax and cool off in the hacienda’s spacious pool, complete with a swim-up bar.

Facilities at Hacienda Mucuyché

There’s something magical about those hidden, off-the-beaten-path spots deep in the jungle – they really do have their own charm. But I’m over 50 now, and I’ve learned to appreciate a bit of comfort along the way

So, what does the place have to offer? There’s a big parking lot, a large covered check-in area, lockers (well, big bags with a lock for 30 pesos), bathrooms and showers, a restaurant, and even a huge swimming pool with a bar – not bad, right? 

Some Essential Tips

Depending on the route you take, Hacienda Yaxcopoil (highway 180 and 261) or the Hacienda Sotuta de Peon (via the country roads) is on the way and you can also combine two hacienda visits (if it works with the times of the specific tours).

Hacienda Yaxcopoil and Hacienda Sotuta de Peon are both located about 15-25km (20 min. by car) before Hacienda Mucuyché.

Important: If you want to visit Hacienda Mucuyché, you have to make a reservation in advance. Access to the Hacienda is only possible through a booked tour, not individually.

Here are 3 quick tips for visiting the two cenotes:

1. Wear biodegradable sunscreen to protect the ecosystem.

2. Bring water shoes, because the slippery surfaces can be tricky to walk on.

3. Use a waterproof phone case for capturing photos without risk.

The Very Best Cenote Tour

If you are interested in getting to know the two best places with six cenotes and a 17th century hacienda in a private tour (Santa Barbara Cenotes and Hacienda Mucuyché), you should take a look at this Viator Tour. It's not really cheap, but a memory for life.

How to Get to Hacienda Mucuyché from Mérida?

The easiest way to get there is by car. Take the highway to Uxmal, passing Hacienda San Pedro Ochil. The next pueblo is Abalá, follow the signs to Mucuyché until you arrive at the hacienda.

Or you can take a colectivo to Sacalum at the bus station San Juan Park in Mérida. Sacalum is a few kilometres behind the hacienda, so you have to tell the driver where you want to get off. You can then also make an arrangement for the return journey.

The World of Cenotes

The Maya believed that cenotes were sacred gateways to the underworld, a realm of mystery and transformation. When a king passed away, his journey began through the waters of a cenote.

According to their beliefs, he would face and defeat the lords of the underworld before ascending to the upper world, a paradise beyond life. To me, this idea of cenotes as symbols of reincarnation and the path to paradise makes them even more fascinating.

Cenotes were also the stage for deeply spiritual rituals. The Maya performed fire ceremonies and cave rites at these sites, calling upon their gods for blessings and guidance.

They believed cenotes held great power, demanding offerings – including human sacrifices. In Chichén Itzá, hundreds were given, their remains found in the sacred cenote. This haunting past deepens their mysterious allure.

Here are some interesting figures about cenotes:

More Haciendas in Yucatán

Haciendas in Yucatán were once large estates primarily used for cattle ranching and agriculture. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the demand for sisal, also known as henequén, soared, turning Mérida into one of Mexico’s wealthiest cities.

Many cattle ranches became sisal plantations as it grew into the region’s top industry. But with synthetic fibers on the rise, demand fell, and many haciendas were abandoned.

Another reason was that after the Mexican Revolution, many large estates were expropriated and broken up into smaller plots for small farmers. This made many large ranches unprofitable, and many disappeared altogether.

In the 19th century, there were about 1,170 haciendas on the Yucatán Peninsula, of which around 400 still exist today, although most are in ruins.

About 300 of these haciendas are located in the state of Yucatán. Some haciendas have been restored and turned into hotels, restaurants, or tourist attractions. Here are two recommended haciendas in Mérida I’ve written about:

• Hacienda Santa Cruz

  • Address: Calle 86 S/N, Santa Cruz Palomeque, Yucatán

  • A beautifully restored hacienda that now operates as a boutique hotel and spa with lush gardens. It is located right on the southern outskirts of Mérida.

    
    

• Hacienda San Ildefonso Teya

  • Address: Carretera Mérida - Cancún Km 12.5, Kanasín, Yucatán

  • A former sisal plantation, now a restaurant known for its traditional Yucatecan cuisine. It is located right on the eastern outskirts of Mérida.

And here are the top haciendas just outside Mérida:

• Hacienda Sotuta de Peón

  • Address: Km 45, Carretera Mérida - Campeche, Tecoh, Yucatán

  • This is the best hacienda in my opinion. It is the only working sisal hacienda, offering guided tours with demonstrations of traditional fiber processing, and a cenote for swimming.

    
    

• Hacienda Mucuyché

  • Address: Camino a Mucuyché de Peón, Abalá, Yucatán

  • As described here. If your focus is also especially on cenotes, Hacienda Mucuyché is the best recommendation. The hacienda is famous for its two stunning cenotes, set within the ruins of the historic hacienda.

    
    

• Hacienda Xcanatún

  • Address: Carretera Mérida-Progreso Km 12, Xcanatún, Yucatán

  • A restored 18th-century sisal hacienda, now a luxury hotel and spa with a fine dining restaurant.

    
    

• Hacienda Yaxcopoil

  • Address: Carretera Mérida - Uxmal Km 186, Yaxcopoil, Yucatán

  • A well-preserved 17th-century hacienda, now a museum showcasing the history of sisal production and hacienda life.