Hacienda Sotuta de Peón – Yucatán
Hacienda Sotuta de Peón was built in the late 1800’s in a little town in Yucatán. It is now a fully restored “living Hacienda”. It’s a magical Journey into the Yucatan History. You can go for a day-tour or even better stay the night – either way you are in for a treat!
The Hacienda takes pride in showing visitors how henequén – Green Fibre – is extracted from agave leaves and made into an organic fibre used to make rope. At one time Yucatán was known worldwide for its henequén. At the beginning of the 21st century the Yucatán had around 200 henequén processing factories and was producing more than 200,000 tons a year. The Haciendas of the Yucatan are testament to that era of “Green Gold”.
Sotuta de Peón has tours each day to demonstrate how the henequén is processed. Each guest has the opportunity to purchase a handmade souvenir from the Sotuta boutique where Lidia smiles and convinces you to take home a purse, or a hat, or another beautiful gifts made of the natural henequen fibre, processed before your eyes!
The Tour visit begins at the “Casa Grande”: the Main Hacienda building which has been converted into a museum. Sotuta de Peón is filled with gorgeous antique, period furniture and decor. The original ceramic tiles were brought from France in the empty ships as ballast after delivering their henequén fibre to Europe. The Hacienda’s setting is reminiscent of the 1800’s, almost intact and telling the story of the centuries long passed.
Visiting Hacienda Sotuta de Peón is magical! My favorite part was taking the ride on the “Truck” pulled by a mule on a special tour to the cenote The truck runs on the original rails found throughout the Hacienda property.
Before arriving to the cenote we visited “Don Antonio”. An old, wise Maya Elder who explains how the ancient Maya built their houses. Don Antonio explains how the Agave is planted. It takes seven years before the first harvest of leaves from which the fibre is extracted. He then proceeds to say “Good Bye” in at least 20 different languages. Amazing!
The landscape is covered with the green hues of henequén as far as the eye can see. While the land’s surface is a rocky soil and looks very dry, beneath the surface of earth are the healing waters of the pristine cenotes, the final destination of the truck ride.
I was incredible lucky to have a full moon shining the night I arrived for my stay in Sotuta. The moon lit the agave fields at night with a cool and warm light that embraced the grounds and filled my artist’s heart with fantasy and emotions. After a great night’s sleep, awakening the next morning to a concert of birds all welcoming the morning sunrise with a fabulous display of Nature’s beauty!
All the rooms at Hacienda Sotuta de Peón are like little villas. They have a fresh, tropical feeling: palapa roofs, hand painted ceramic floors. Some rooms even have private plunge pools – a gift after a full day on the hot Yucatan sun!
From breakfast to dinner the food was a feast of amazing flavors and traditional Yucatan taste! Traditional Maya cuisine lunch is provided for the daily visitors. Hand made maize or fresh corn tortillas and an amazing Yucatecán Buffet awaits guests returning from the tour, thirsty for the fresh natural juices or “Aguas Frescas”. Of course there is always the optional “Naranja Agria Margaritas”
The beautiful chapel in the Hacienda and Sotuta de Peón, large enough to a wedding or corporate event. We are looking forward to joining efforts to create something very special! From wedding ceremonies to workshops and retreats the possibilities are endless. #ExperienciasInfinitas
Photos and text by Sol Tamargo
