landmark
Mérida
The cultural capital of the Yucatán with grand colonial mansions along Paseo de Montejo, vibrant markets, and gateway to Maya ruins.
28 km · about 30 min drive
North AmericaMexicoYucatán
Yaxcopoil
Yucatán, Mexico · North America
About Yaxcopoil
Yaxcopoil is worth a stop: 20 minutes from San José Tzal, 30km from Cenotes of the Yucatán.
Yaxcopoil is in Yucatán, Mexico, with about 1,100 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is San José Tzal, about 11 km away.
Hacienda Yaxcopoil (YASH-coh-poh-EEL) is a town and hacienda located near Mérida in the Umán Municipality, Yucatán, Mexico. Hacienda Yaxcopoil dates back to the 17th century, the name Yaxcopoil means "the place of the green alamo trees" in the Yucatec Maya language, one of which still stands in front of the hacienda.Read more
The Hacienda represents the history of three great periods in the Yucatán Peninsula: the pre-Columbian period (there are ruins nearby), the Spanish colonial period, and the boom years of henequen cultivation during the late 19th and early 20th century. Hacienda Yaxcopoil was purchased by Don Donaciano García Rejón and his wife Doña Mónica Galera in 1864, and has been owned by members of the same family since that time.
Hacienda Yaxcopoil was once considered one of the most important rural estates in the Yucatán. The entire property at when it was at its largest covered 22,000 acres (89 km2). It operated first as a cattle ranch and later as a henequen plantation. Over time, due to continuous political, social and economic changes, the estate has been reduced to less than 3% of its original size.
Inside the hacienda, besides many original pieces of furniture, are two oil paintings showing Don Donaciano García Rejón and his wife Doña Mónica Galera. The office contains books, maps, documents, and other collections that form part of the archives of Yaxcopoil. These archives have been preserved faithfully and are available to valid researchers.
The patron saint of the hacienda is San Gerónimo de Yaxcopoil, who is still venerated in the pueblo near the hacienda. In the orchard, the water tanks and original US-made pump still supply water for hacienda, which now operates as a museum and guest house.
In the back of the museum is the "Maya Room." There are numerous pieces of ancient pottery and other archaeological relics of the "classic period" (A.D. 250-900) found in the nearby Mayan ruins of Yaxcopoil. There are numerous unexcavated pyramids with heights that vary from six to twenty meters, a court for ceremonial ball games, and stelae, which are scattered in an area of about eight square kilometers.
Hacienda Yaxcopoil also a well-preserved machine house, or casa de maquina, where the henequen shredding machines (planta desfibradora) were used to render fibers from the henequen plant. The engine room has been maintained in good condition with a 100 hp (75 kW) German diesel motor made by Körting (Hannover) in 1913. The engine was used until 1984, when the production of henequen fiber in the hacienda ended, after more than a century in operation.
Hacienda Yaxcopoil has been preserved but not renovated, and now operates as a museum, as well as a location for photo and film shoots. There is also a guest house on the property that can be rented for overnight stay.
Where to Stay in Yaxcopoil
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Yaxcopoil.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Yaxcopoil.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Yaxcopoil?
Within an hour or so of Yaxcopoil: Mérida (28 km), Cenotes of the Yucatán (30 km), Uxmal (43 km).
Where is Yaxcopoil?
Yaxcopoil is in Yucatán, Mexico, about 11 km from San José Tzal.
Road trip
Drive to Yaxcopoil
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Yaxcopoil. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 1,149
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- Mexico
- Region
- Yucatán
- Timezone
- America/Merida
- Coordinates
- 20.7455, -89.7223
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Mexico
Green Angels (free tourist roadside assistance on federal highways): 078.
Full driving guide for MexicoTags
Worth the detour from Yaxcopoil
3 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Cenotes of the Yucatán
A vast network of thousands of sacred limestone sinkholes connected by underground rivers, revered by the ancient Maya.
30 km · about 35 min drive
ancient ruins
Uxmal
An outstanding example of late Maya architecture in the Puuc style, featuring the ornately decorated Pyramid of the Magician and the elaborate Governor's Palace.
43 km · about 50 min drive
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Yaxcopoil.
Plan a trip around Yaxcopoil
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Yaxcopoil.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.