Hat town of Becal

The Hat town of Becal is a cheerful town with the typical image of the towns of Mayan tradition. Here, constructions with a strong neoclassical influence combine with the usual oval-shaped Mayan huts with two entrances and the sympathetic expressions of modern architecture. All of it sprinkled with a great popular sense.

Hat town of Becal: What to expect

The town has a pleasant square in the center of which rises, as a monument, a cute fountain of three hats. The symbol of the handicraft activity of the place.

The famous “jipi” or “panamás” hats are from here. The Becal weavers work in subterranean caves that abound in the backyards of the houses.

The hats and their secrets

To make the famous “sombreros de jipi”, first they cut the buds of the palm. They later pound them to open the leaves. Then they grate them with a needle to separate them. This process is the “partida” (splitting), the more splitting, the finer the material and therefore the finer the hat; the one made with one split leaf takes three days to weave and the one made with four split leaves takes three weeks. Hence the difference in price.

Be sure to ask questions

When you go to the local craft stores, you can also ask about the process of making hats, be sure that the artisans will gladly explain and even give you a tour of the caves where they make them.

In the town you can find several stores with artisans who offer their products, hats vary in price, ranging from $150, $250 to $1500 pesos.

Currently, these hats are very well priced in local, national and foreign markets, they are even considered fine and elegant for both men and women.

Hat town of Becal: How to get there?

The town of Bécal in the municipality of Calkiní in the state of Campeche is located next to the highway that connects the city of Campeche with Mérida, Yucatán; it is the last town between the border of the states of Campeche and Yucatán. It is bordered to the south by Halachó, Yucatán and is north of Calkiní Campeche.