Hacienda Yaxcopoil
Hacienda Yaxcopoil came to life in the 17th century. Its name means “place of the green poplars” in the Mayan language. The hacienda brings together in its history the three great periods of the Yucatan of yesteryear. Those are pre-Hispanic life, colonial life and the henequen boom. Today the hacienda has transformed into a museum. It allows you to explore its corridors, rooms and appreciate the furniture of the time. Here are some tips on Hacienda Yaxcopoil.
What to expect
The main house with large halls, high ceilings, and spacious corridors. It is surrounded by extensive gardens with an infinite range of colors and lush vegetation. It still has the original European furniture that gives it the atmosphere of the time.
In the chapel there is an oil painting from the colonial period. The image of its patron saint, San Gerónimo de Yaxcopoil, is a patron saint. The dining room and the kitchen, both with a beautiful and fine furniture. They both reflect the excellent way of domestic and country life.
In the garden we find the swimming pool with its dressing rooms, the irrigation tank and the waterwheel with its engine. Also, American pumps from the beginning of the 20th century. They are are still working extracting water for daily use.
Hacienda Yaxcopoil: Mayan heritage
From the pre-Hispanic period, Yaxcopoil preserves in its hills, Mayan ruins formed by numerous pyramidal structures, having the six main ones a height that varies between 6 and 20 meters, a court for the ball game and smaller stelae that are in an approximate area of 8 square kilometers.
One of the halls, the so-called “Mayan Room”, has been converted into a small museum that gathers numerous vessels, sculptures and other archaeological relics from the classic period (250-900 AD) found in the Mayan ruins of Yaxcopoil.
What to do
You can rent Hacienda Yaxcopoil as a unique location for different productions. In the past, the Hacienda has been an exceptional photo location. For magazine photography, catalogs, video productions. It also served as a location for film productions.
The hacienda has a splendid, beautifully restored “Casa de Visitas” for guests with a spacious room furnished with two double beds, hammocks, air conditioning and electric fans, private bathroom, corridor, patio and parking. With free WiFi service.
Henquen articles, ceramics and other handicrafts are available for sale in the gift store, along with 100% pure Yaxcopoil honey, cards, books and other souvenirs. As well as soft drinks, ice water and snacks.
How to get there
The distance between Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan, and Hacienda Yaxcopoil is approximately 23 kilometers (30 minutes) by car heading southwest.
Proceed to exit No. 1 of the Merida ring road to Carretera Federal 180 towards Campeche Uxmal, near the airport.
At 12 kilometers from Merida, follow the exit signs to Federal Highway 261, towards Chetumal Uxmal and continue for about 11 kilometers until you reach Hacienda Yaxcopoil, where you will find the hacienda at kilometer 220.
Open all year round, Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM.
Sundays closed.
