☰Henequen Haciendas

The Yucatan Peninsula was one of the wealthiest places in the Americas at the turn of the 20th century, built on the henequen (sisal) rope trade. Hundreds of haciendas managed the harvest; many were abandoned when synthetic rope destroyed the market. Several have been restored and are open for visits. Hacienda Ochil, about 30 km south of Merida on the road to Uxmal, has a restaurant and demonstrates the henequen-processing machinery. Hacienda Sotuta de Peon, further south, gives a full working demonstration of the old production process with a horse-drawn rail system still in operation.