Hacienda Selva Maya
Mexico is full of haciendas, as they’re an important part of the country’s history. In most of them, you can see what they used to make and how people used to live and work there. Hacienda Selva Maya is a bit different, though. Not only you can see that, but you can swim in a cenote, too, and do other things that most definitely weren’t available for those who lived here.
Where is Hacienda Selva Maya?
Unlike many tourist attractions in this city in Yucatan, Hacienda Selva Maya is some way away from downtown Valladolid, on the outskirts of the city. Though, that only means a 5-minute drive along highway 180.
Access options at Hacienda Selva Maya
You have a couple of entry options. Either you can pay around USD 8 (depending on the season) and get access to everything, including the buffet; or just USD 4 if you’re only interested in the cenote.
Saamal Cenote
Without a doubt, this is the feature in Hacienda Selva Maya that attracts the most visitors, and with good reason, as Saamal is quite an impressive cenote.
An open cenote, first you need to descend a long stairway, as the pool is a large crater, buried deep underground. Along the way, you’ll find a couple of platforms from where visitors can jump into the water. There’s also the gentler option of reaching the platform below, at the edge of the water.
The pool has a couple of ropes from which swimmers can cling and a waterfall is constantly flowing from the surface.
If you choose to pay for the complete package, you’ll get a locker where you can leave your stuff, and the obligatory lifejacket, as this is quite a deep cenote.
The other activities at Hacienda Selva Maya
Besides the cenote, Hacienda Selva Maya also features a zip line circuit and bike rides, and trekking around the jungle.
We’ve already mentioned visitors also have access to a buffet. It serves traditional Mexican dishes of the region and elsewhere. The only thing not included with your entry ticket is the drinks, and you’ll have to pay extra for those.
In sum, Hacienda Selva Maya has everything necessary to have a complete, fun day.
