At Hacienda Xcanatun, discoveries range from Sikil P'aak, a sauce made from roasted pumpkin seeds, to the history of the Henequen haciendas. Cuisine, garden landscapes and nature experiences offer different ways to shape a stay in Xcanatún. Which interests you most can help guide your choice of activities.
Yucatecan Cuisine and Cooking Classes
The Hacienda's cooking classes include making Sikil P'aak. The sauce is made with cooked tomatoes, roasted and ground pumpkin seeds, and chives; it is served with freshly roasted Totopos or Tlayudas from Oaxaca. In another experience, local chili peppers from the on-site garden are made into Mexican salsa. The various cooking classes offer different insights into ingredients and preparation, and do not all have to focus on the same things.
Cochinita Pibil is also on the program: visitors can watch the dish being prepared in a rustic Pib oven. Cochinita Pibil comes from the pre-Hispanic culinary tradition and is typical of the Yucatán Peninsula. Other offerings include tequila and mezcal tastings, as well as the chance to discover a local craft beer brewed in the community of Xcanatún. The beer is mentioned as something to discover, not as a guaranteed part of a tasting. The Hacienda's restaurant combines local ingredients with French techniques; restaurant details may change, so please check them before your visit.
Gardens, Eco-Tour, Spa and Pool
Hacienda Xcanatun is surrounded by expansive private gardens and lush vegetation. It occupies 2.5 acres and offers a guided eco-tour where you can discover local plant and animal life. A wild family of coatis is part of the landscape and its ecological balance. Their presence may vary.
For a spa experience, Angsana Spa offers an exclusive range of Asian therapies. All treatments require a reservation and incur an additional fee. The publicly accessible Lol-Ha Pool Club offers something different: visitors can use the pools and facilities with a special Xcanatun Day package; a consumption fee applies in the restaurant-bar area. These details help distinguish the nature tour, a spa treatment and a pool visit as separate options, rather than treating them as a single offering.
Henequen History and Getting There
Hacienda Xcanatún was one of the region's most important Henequen haciendas in the 18th century. You can also experience the area's history through seasonal chamber music concerts in the Hacienda's intimate chapel. Since the concerts take place seasonally, it is a good idea to check the dates before your trip.
Xcanatún is accessible via the Mérida–Progreso highway. At the Parque de Industrias No Contaminantes, a turnoff to the northeast leads into the town. This gives you a specific landmark to help find your way, while the Hacienda's activities each offer their own potential focus for your stay.
Mérida in the Broader Context
The wider destination of Mérida offers its own historical and culinary context. Mérida's historic zone was declared a Zona de Monumentos Históricos in 1982. It covers 8,795 km² and is spread across 659 city blocks; it contains 3,906 historically valuable buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th century. Mérida has also been a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2019. Paseo de Montejo also illustrates the heyday of the Henequen industry in Yucatán and was inaugurated in 1888. These references apply to Mérida; the Hacienda's Henequen history is a distinct connection to Xcanatún.
Discover more destinations: Muna, Hoctun, Chicxulub, Cheumán, Santa Cruz Xixin, Temozon, Abalá, El Cuyo.
For the broader travel overview: Yucatán.
