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Merida
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Hacienda Sotuta de Peon
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Hacienda Sotuta de Peon

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1,297
#3 of 132 things to do in Merida
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7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Sotuta de Peon, Live Hacienda, is the restoration project of a landmark located in the heart of the ancient henequen zone in the Yucatan state, and gives a true glimpse of what was once a fully operational Henequen Hacienda in the grand style and tradition of this period.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Sotuta de Peon
54
196 ft$$ - $$$ • Mexican
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
1,297 reviews
Excellent
986
Very good
244
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38
Poor
20
Terrible
9
Andrew H
41 contributions
Not to be missed
Aug 2022
For any traveler interested in exploring the history of the Yucatan and seeing the countryside, this tour is not to be missed. Located about an hour from Merida in a rural area, it is a restored Hacienda portraying the era of the golden sisal, or hennequin rope trade of the 19th century, that fueled the wealth of the mansion builders on Paseo de Montejo. The tour includes demonstrations of the complete process from agave plant to final product, using original machinery. It also includes a mule pulled truck ride on rails through the Hacienda to a cenote cave where you can swim. A delightful four course lunch is only $10 per person additional, and I recommend it as there is no where else nearby to eat. Get the 9 AM tour if possible, when it is cooler and less crowded. They require a 50% reservation deposit which can be paid through PayPal. Our tour guide Ivan was very dramatic and kept it interesting. Tips are appreciated by the guides but are not solicited. A very special place.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
janice
2 contributions
A Unique Experience in the Yucatan
Jan 2022
The experience at this special place was above and beyond- The grounds are beautiful and the tour of this restored Hacienda as a living museum is both educational and magical at the same time. The tour guide was fun and lively and ended with a ride on wagons along track pulled by mules with a swim in a pristine Cenote. If you want to stay overnight they have beautiful casitas that are luxuriously appointed and the food was true to the Yucatan area and delicious. The grounds and walking paths are equally pristine
I highly recommend a trip to this wonderful place-
Written February 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike G
Providence, RI4,862 contributions
Interesting activity
Feb 2020 • Couples
About a 35 k drive from Merida (given traffic a little over an hour) this tour is a definite change of pace. Reservations probably help (on line) at a cost of 300 pesos. The tour really has several components. First the tour of the hacienda building itself, then an interesting demonstration of how sisal is produced followed by a demonstration of how sisal is made into rope. After a mule drive ride there is an opportunity to swim in their cave cenote (or relax with a local margarita if you are not so inclined). All together about 3 hours.
Our guide was very good. Before the 1:00 tour we had a light lunch in their nearly empty restaurant.
When you have had enough ruins learn something about the “green gold” that made this part of Mexico rich for 100 years (at this 3000 hectares plantation on the backs of 800 slaves).
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
josebenjamin
Midland, MI3,284 contributions
Natural Beauty - History - Traditions - All in One Place
Mar 2020
Last month, my wife and I enjoyed a full visit to this Living Hacienda. We booked our tour well in ahead of time, but until a couple of days before, we were uncertain whether or not the Hacienda was still open for visitors, since the Covid-19 pandemic was just coming to the region. Fortunately, and after some problems, the hacienda staff confirmed our reservations the day before.

We took a combination tour, Hacienda, Cenote and Lunch. Needless to say, we enjoyed it thoroughly. It was instructive to learn about the history of the Sisal production and rope-making traditions. It was great to watch the machinery involved in the fiber production work at full capacity. My wife received a rope, freshly corded and twisted as a souvenir.

The mule rail ride was amusing, as were the conversations with the workers and our tour guide. It was a marvelous experience to descend to the Cenote, and enjoy the works of nature carving the small cave and lagoon. It is impressive also to observe how some trees on the surface are able to drop their roots through the rock down to the water in the lagoon. Some people in the group enjoyed a dip in its waters.

I would say that the lunch included in the tour was only average in quality and service. But the fish we had was excellently, prepared in a high-cuisine style. My "Azteca Soup" tasted overcooked.

The cost of the tours is considerable, but well worth it. The tour was very well conducted and organized. My wife and I had no qualms about recommending it to anyone coming the Merida area.
Written April 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
abbyglass
Indiana4 contributions
Delightful afternoon out of the city
Feb 2020
Haciend Sotuta de Peon in a tranquil oasis outside of busteling Merida. We took an Uber out there (something very few people do, but it can be done!) and arrived just as our tour was starting. Juan, our guide, was animated, well informed, and very engaging. He was one truely a fabulous guide and made each person in out group of 15 fell like the tour was just for them.
The process of turning the pant into Sisal fibers (and why they are called sisal) was facinating. We saw all the machings run and could poke, and prod, and ask questions.
The highlight was the cenote. Deep underground the water was the perfect temperature on a hot day. the cavern if lit primarily underwater so you can see every rock and old stalagmite int he crystal clear water. That made the swimming eperience more fun as we were less afraid of bashing into rocks. And they even have goggles you can borrow to see what is down there.
The hotel called us a moto-taxi to take us to Tecoh, where we took a combi back to Merida. The Moto-taxi was just icing ont he cake of a fabulous day!
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Georgina R
Toronto, Canada104 contributions
A Most Interesting Day . . .
Jan 2020
and, a great place to start learning about "modern", 1850-1950, Méridian culture. Buy the day package and stay for lunch. After seeing the hacienda the mansions on Paseo de Montejo are even more remarkable. And, if you are really interested in history I recommend a visit to the Mayan Cultural Museum before you go here.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
oakleafgal
Minnesota79 contributions
Wonderful afternoon
Jan 2020 • Family
We booked online at their very easy English website for a same day tour. Google maps will take you to the correct village, but there is no directional signage to the entrada. Never fear, local citizens point the way...and smile and wave and give you the peace sign.
We were assigned an English speaking guide and were only 5 total in our group. The tour included the renovated hacienda home plus demonstrations of the various machines used to process the hennequin in the 1800s. We were fascinated with the entire process.
The mule-pulled train/cart took us around the 5 year old “hotel” bungalows (which are very nice) and then stopped at a replica of a typical Mayan house from this era. An 80+ year old man, speaking Mayan, told us about working at the plantation when he was younger, and welcomed us in such a charming way to see the thatched roof hut.
Then we completed our train ride to the cenote where there are banos and changing rooms available. After a lovely swim, we had a shoulder/ neck massage and enjoyed the hammocks and mescale margarita before jumping back on the train for the ride to the restaurant. We ordered a snack of quesadillas and lime soup, purchased some hennequen loofta sponges and walked back to our car.
We loved the afternoon. Well done to everyone at hacienda sotuta de peon.
We are so grateful that someone restored this historic place and made it available for us to tour.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BCtraveller012
Vancouver, Canada9 contributions
The last functioning Sisal hacienda - well worth it
Feb 2020
This hacienda has been been carefully restored including maintaining and operating Sisal machinery and methods. The historical importance of Sisal to the region of Yucatan is wonderfully well explained. Demonstrations of the machinery to produce Sisal are well done and the trip to the cenote for a swim was a treat. We stayed for lunch at the restaurant and were very pleased with the food and service.
Written April 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marcus D
Atlanta577 contributions
An OSHA nightmare......fingers beware !
Jan 2020
We came here for a tour of the rope making factory. They use the Henequen fiber from the Agave fourcroydes plant—which it, believe it or not, part of the asparagus family. They harvest the large thick leaves, extract the strong fibers and prepare it into rope. It was “thee” rope making material prior to invention of synthetic fibers. The century old machinery is just asking for someone to get an article of clothing or an arm caught in the open gears and belt-driven machinery. This old lady was making colorful baskets from the Henequen fiber and we had to purchase one from her.
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ronald f
Ballwin, MO8 contributions
Excellent Place to Visit
Jan 2020 • Couples
We were extremely impressed with this resort the moment we pulled into the driveway. The grounds are beautiful, the structures are well maintained and the tour on how rope is made was excellent. The trip to the cenote was really cool, via horse-drawn wagons on rails through the agave fields, and the underground cenote swimming experience was the best ever. The tour guides and the staff at this resort are very knowledgeable and helpful, and made you feel right at home. Do try the Sissal margarita at the cenote. My only recommendation is for the waiters at the restaurant to be a be more prompt when your meal has ended. We look forward to staying here on our next visit.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Hacienda Sotuta de Peon (Merida) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Hacienda Sotuta de Peon
Hacienda Sotuta de Peon is open:
  • Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Hacienda Sotuta de Peon tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Hacienda Sotuta de Peon tours on Tripadvisor