All about Reserva Ecológica Cuxtal in Mérida (2025 Guide)

The Reserva Ecológica Cuxtal is a large ecological reserve dedicated to conservation and environmental protection. It is officially recognized as a nature reserve and managed by the city of Mérida.

While not a tourist destination in the traditional sense, it is home to over 1,000 species of flora and fauna, making it an interesting spot for dedicated nature enthusiasts.

The reserve plays an important role for Mérida, helping to maintain air quality, acting as a buffer against extreme weather events, and supplying nearly 50 percent of the city’s freshwater.

There are no guided tours or visitor facilities, so don’t expect marked trails or organized activities. However, if you are looking for a quiet escape into nature, it gives you a chance to experience Yucatán’s natural landscape away from the urban sprawl.

The Area

The reserve begins on the southern outskirts of Mérida and covers a total area of 11,894 hectares (one hectare is equivalent to 10,000 square meters).

The nature reserve borders the small villages of Yaxnic and Texán Cámara to the south, the municipality of Kanasín to the east and the small villages of San José Tzal and Ticimul (close to the Hacienda Santa Cruz) to the west.

Calle 50, which begins at the Parque de la Plancha in the center of Mérida, leads south through Mérida, beyond the outskirts of the city and almost through the entire reserve to the small village of Xmatkuil.

Tips for a Trip

You will need a car to get there, as there is no public transportation available to the reserve. One of the main access points is through Hacienda Dzoyaxché (you can easily find it on Google Maps.)

At Hacienda Dzoyaxché you will find two swimming pools available for a small fee, some picnic tables, and a small, somewhat worn playground for kids. It is a nice place for a short break, but beyond that, the reserve itself remains largely undeveloped.

Former Henequen Production

The Reserva Ecológica Cuxtal is home to several former henequen haciendas, which once played a key role in Yucatán’s fiber production. These estates were dedicated to harvesting and processing henequen, a strong natural fiber extracted from agave plants.

Over time, as the henequen industry declined, many of these plantations were abandoned, and today, much of the land has been reclaimed by nature.

The henequen industry took off in the late 19th century and reached its peak between the early and mid-20th century. The most prosperous period was from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, when Yucatán was one of the leading producers of henequen fiber.

I’d say visiting a hacienda is a must when you're in Yucatán. At Hacienda Sotuta de Peón, for example, you can still see the old machines still in operation.

Archaeological Sites

The extensive area has numerous vestiges of human occupation of pre-Hispanic origin from the late Preclassic period (300 BC to AD 300), linked to the region's Maya past.

The Reserva Ecológica Cuxtal is home to 28 archaeological sites, though most are in poor condition. In many cases, only scattered piles of stones remain.

The World of Archaeology

The Yucatán Peninsula is a paradise for archaeology enthusiasts, with its countless ancient Maya cities hidden in the jungle, beneath farmland, or even right in the middle of modern towns.

Sites like Chichén Itzá and Uxmal are world-famous, but there are also lesser-known ruins waiting to be explored, such as Ek Balam or the vast Puuc region.

Archaeologists continue to uncover new findings, from intricate carvings to entire underground chambers, shedding light on the daily lives, rituals, and engineering skills of the Maya civilization.

On the page "Mayan Archaeological Sites on the Yucatan Peninsula" you'll find further information.

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