All about Hacienda San Ildefonso Teya in Mérida (2025)

If you’re anything like me, just hearing the word “hacienda” already kicks off a whole movie in your head – I instantly picture grand courtyards, crumbling stone walls, arched doorways, and the golden light of late afternoon spilling over lush gardens.

Hacienda Teya, located on the eastern outskirts of Mérida, was originally founded as a cattle ranch in 1683, like many other haciendas of that era.

As the henequen industry boomed, the estate became one of Yucatán’s major haciendas. But with synthetic fibers taking over, production fell, and by the 1970s, it was abandoned.

A few years later, new ownership brought a fresh vision, and over the course of two decades of renovation, the hacienda was carefully restored.

Today, the hacienda has found new life – it now hosts weddings and special events and is home to a well-loved restaurant you should definitely check out if places like this spark the same vivid images in your mind.

Teya, Gastronomía Yucateca Viva

Teya, Gastronomía Yucateca Viva is a top spot for authentic Yucatecan food in Mérida. Set in historic Hacienda Teya, it has earned two awards from CANIRAC for its culinary excellence.

If you want to take a piece of Yucatán’s flavors home with you, there’s even a cookbook available on Amazon: Yucatecan Cuisine from Hacienda Teya.

While you're there, make sure to explore the hacienda’s historic buildings and gardens - they add an extra layer of charm to the dining experience.

Restaurants in the City Center

In 2019, the Cárdenas family expanded their culinary presence in Mérida by opening Teya Gastronomía Viva at Paseo 60 (Calle 60 x 35) in the city center.

Shortly after, they launched another branch of Hacienda Teya in Santa Lucía (Calle 60 x Calle 55 and 53), bringing their signature Yucatecan flavors to one of Mérida’s most charming squares.

Hacienda Teya Online

In addition to its own website, you can also find

• Hacienda Teya on Facebook

• Hacienda Teya on Instagram

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 during the industry’s boom. 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

  • As described here. 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

  • 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.

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