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All about Hacienda Yaxcopoil in Yucatán (2025 Travel Guide)

Updated: 

May 30, 2025

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Author: Tobias

Hacienda Yaxcopoil, located about 22 miles (35 km) south of Mérida, was founded in the 17th century and now operates as a private museum showcasing henequén history and Maya artifacts. Admission for foreign adults is 150 MXN (US-$8). The estate retains its original architecture and is usually quiet.

The 17th century Hacienda Yaxcopoil is very much original and the main house is basically a museum of Maya artifacts.
Portrait of Tobias Wellhausen, German travel writer and Mérida expert.
Hi, I’m Tobias – a German travel writer with a home in Mérida and a passion for exploring new places.

For over 20 years, my wife (a local) and I have traveled Mérida, and the Yucatán Peninsula. On this site I share real insights on 200+ places.

Learn more: Our story

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Quick Facts: Address & Details

📍  Address:

Carretera Federal 261, Calle 21 No.500-Kilómetro 220, 97396 Yaxcopoil, Yuc., Mexico

☎️  Phone:

↔️  Distance:

⏳  Travel Time:

🎟️  Admission:

💵  Price Level:

📆  Since:

⭐  Rating:

🕒  Open:

+52 999 900 1193

22 mi (35 km) from Mérida

35min from Mérida

Mex$ 150 (US-$8)

Mid-Priced

17th century

average rating is 4.7 out of 5, based on 1846 votes, Ratings

• Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Sunday: Closed

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First-Hand Insights on Hacienda Yaxcopoil

Hacienda Yaxcopoil is a historic plantation from the 17th century, located about 23 kilometers south of Mérida.


It sits along Federal Highway 261, on the route to Uxmal, roughly halfway between Mérida and the famous Mayan ruins of Uxmal. Nearby, you’ll also find the X'Batun cenote, which is a popular spot for nature lovers.


The name Yaxcopoil comes from the Mayan language and means "place of green álamo trees," named after the nearby Mayan ruins. A large álamo tree still stands in front of the hacienda today.


The hacienda reflects the history of three major periods on the Yucatán Peninsula: the pre-Columbian era, the Spanish colonial period, and the henequen boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.


At its peak, Hacienda Yaxcopoil was one of the most important estates in Yucatán, covering approximately 22,000 hectares. It was originally a cattle ranch before transitioning into a henequen plantation, contributing to the economic rise of the region.


Field of agaves at Hacienda Yaxcopoil
Field of agaves

Facilities


While some haciendas in Yucatán have been transformed into luxurious hotels, Hacienda Yaxcopoil has taken a different approach. It has been partially restored, but much of the property remains in its original state, giving it a authentic charm.


The hacienda and its grounds have often been used as a film set, thanks to its atmospheric mix of history and decay.


There's


  • a guesthouse,

  • a small gift shop,

  • and a snack bar for visitors.


The main house of Hacienda Yaxcopoil functions as a museum, showcasing Maya artifacts and offering an insight into how Mérida's wealthy class once lived.


You can walk through the gardens and grounds and also visit the machine house, which still houses machines that were needed for sisal production. But unlike at Hacienda Sotuta de Peon, they are no longer operational. The old machinery (from 1913) was used until 1984.


The Guest House


You can stay in the guest house, which is furnished with antique furniture, giving it an authentic historical feel. Since there is only one room available, you’ll be the only guest, meaning you’ll have the hacienda all to yourself in the evening.


A night's stay costs around 110 US dollars, including breakfast. If you’d like, you can also book dinner for about 15 US dollars.


A Few Tips


Hacienda Yaxcopoil is a nice spot to visit, and the admission is quite affordable, but I wouldn’t recommend making the trip from Mérida just for the hacienda alone.


It’s a quiet place, and you might even find yourself as the only visitor. That said, it’s worth stopping by if you’re already heading to Uxmal or one of the nearby cenotes.


If you are visiting for example the Mayan archaeological site of Uxmal, Hacienda Yaxcopoil is perfect for a stopover, as it is located right next to Highway 261 on the way to Uxmal.


How to Get to Hacienda Yaxcopoil from Mérida?


Hacienda Yaxcopoil is located about 35 kilometers south of Merida, on Federal Highway 261, at Kilometer 220. Follow the signs to Uxmal on 261 to arrive at Hacienda Yaxcopoil.


You can also take a colectivo to Uman and there take another colectivo to Yaxcopoil. There is also a bus (Autobuses del Mayab) from Mérida to Yaxcopoil.


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 turned into sisal plantations as the crop became Yucatán’s most profitable industry. But with the rise of synthetic fibers, demand collapsed, leading to the industry’s decline 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.


Sisal plantation
Sisal plantation

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

    • 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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General Tips for Getting Around

💡 My quick tips for your day trips:


  1. Fill your tank before you go.

  2. Download offline maps first.

  3. Keep a power bank or car charger.

  4. Pack water, snacks & a small cooler.

  5. Carry small bills for tolls & fees.

  6. Bring printed rental docs & insurance.

  7. Use sunscreen and wear a hat.​​

  8. Pack an umbrella during the rainy season.

  9. Wear long sleeves & repellent.

  10. Use sturdy shoes for uneven paths.

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Frequently Asked Questions

📍 Where is Hacienda Yaxcopoil located?


Hacienda Yaxcopoil is located in the municipality of Umán, Yucatán. The full address is Carretera Federal 261, Calle 21 No. 500–Kilómetro 220, 97396 Yaxcopoil, about 35 kilometers south of Mérida.


⏱️ How far is Hacienda Yaxcopoil from Mérida?


Hacienda Yaxcopoil is around 35 kilometers from Mérida. The drive takes about 35 minutes via Federal Highway 261, passing through the towns of Uman and San Antonio Mulix.


🎟️ What is the entrance fee for Hacienda Yaxcopoil?


The entrance fee for Hacienda Yaxcopoil is Mex$ 150 for foreign adults. Discounts are available for locals, students, and children. The fee includes access to the house, museum rooms, and gardens.


👍 Is Hacienda Yaxcopoil worth visiting?


Yes – Hacienda Yaxcopoil is worth visiting for its authentic architecture, period furnishings, and insight into Yucatán’s henequén history. It’s one of the best-preserved haciendas near Mérida.


🎯 What can you see at Hacienda Yaxcopoil?


Visitors can explore the main house, historic machinery, private chapel, and extensive gardens. The estate also includes Maya ruins and an original 17th–century carved arch.


👥 Is Hacienda Yaxcopoil usually crowded?


No – the site is typically quiet, especially on weekdays. It offers a calm and immersive experience, ideal for photography and cultural exploration without large tour groups.


📆 When was Hacienda Yaxcopoil established?


Hacienda Yaxcopoil was established in the 17th century. It served as both a cattle ranch and a henequén plantation and remains a historical landmark in the Yucatán Peninsula.

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