All about Hacienda Santa Cruz in Mérida (2025)

One of the first things that came to my mind when thinking of Mexico were the grand old haciendas – and honestly, they still do.

Sure, the days of wealthy landowners are long gone, but many of these stunning estates have been beautifully restored and turned into museums, boutique hotels, or spas. I've visited quite a few around Mérida, and not once have I been disappointed.

Hacienda Santa Cruz is just outside Mérida, only a short drive away (just 30 minutes from the center). Originally built in 1640 as a Franciscan monastery, it has gone through many transformations over the years.

During Yucatán’s henequén boom, known as the era of "Green Gold," the property became a henequén-producing hacienda. It was later restored and transformed into a luxury hotel, restaurant & spa, preserving its historic charm.

The hacienda has kept its original layout, with the old monastery, machine house, and a beautiful chapel still intact. Walking through feels like stepping into a piece of México’s past. And if you enjoy photography, there are plenty of great spots to capture.

Hacienda Santa Cruz is part of the catalogue of historic haciendas protected by INAH, Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History, making it an important cultural landmark in Yucatán.

Day Pass Options

Hacienda Santa Cruz offers three day pass options starting at 480 pesos. All include access to the gardens, two heated pools, an artificial cenote, and a recreated Maya village – so don’t forget your swimsuit and sunscreen.

Oh, and you’ll also get a complimentary welcome drink!

Here’s what they offer:

• Silver Pass: 480 pesos (includes all the basics mentioned above).

• Gold Pass: 700 pesos (plus a chef’s choice main dish included).

• Diamond Pass: 1,150 pesos (plus your own deluxe room for the day).

Kids ages 6 to 12 only pay half, and children under 5 get in for free.

They also offer plenty of outdoor activities – you can hop on a bike and cruise around their private bike trail, or just take a walk. The bike is actually included in the ticket price, by the way – but to be honest, it’s usually too hot for me to pedal around!

Restaurant Valentina

Traditional Mexican and Yucatecan gastronomy is featured at the restaurant Valentina. The Valentina Restaurant is situated on the terrace of the old machinery room, overlooking beautiful gardens and lush trees. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Garden and Pool Area

Set on five hectares of land, Hacienda Santa Cruz offers spacious and beautiful gardens. You can’t miss the huge artificial cenote, as well as the two heated swimming pools.

You probably see where this is going, right? Lazing by the pool, taking a dip now and then, grabbing something to eat or drink in between – that’s pretty much the main activity for most people here.

Your Wellness Oasis – Spa Muyal

At Muyal Spa you will find a variety of professional treatments including therapies, natural and traditional holistic techniques, and cosmetology treatments. The treatments aren’t exactly cheap, but you’ve got to factor in the upscale atmosphere you’re getting with it.

Muyal Spa has something pretty special going on – it’s got the only hydro massage area of its kind in all of Yucatán, as far as I know. You can chill in a private cabin (solo or as a couple) and treat yourself to local and traditional treatments – all wrapped up in a super relaxing vibe.

Spa and Restaurant Opening Hours

The opening times are:

• Muyal Spa: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm

• Valentina Restaurant: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm

That’s the deal from Tuesday to Sunday – just a heads-up, they’re closed on Mondays.

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 were converted into sisal plantations as it became the region’s most profitable industry. However, with the rise of synthetic fibers, the demand for sisal plummeted, leading to the decline of the industry and the abandonment of many haciendas.

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.

Besides Hacienda Santa Cruz, another great one to check out around Mérida is:

• 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

  • 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.

Image Source (hacienda): ©Hacienda Santa Cruz