When people think of the Yucatan, they usually think of sunny fun-filled holidays on the beaches. And when they initially entertain the idea of buying real property in the region, for many, the first idea they have is to purchase a beach condo in the same area. But there is so much more. The Yucatan Peninsula is an area rich in history and culture, and haciendas are one way to experience both.

Haciendas were extensive estates originally destined for ranching or cultivation, in some ways similar to plantations in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the Yucatan, these haciendas represent three key periods in mexican history: pre-columbian life, Colonial life and the henequen boom at the end of the 19th century. During Mexico’s infancy, haciendas were established near areas populated by the Spaniards, and in the Yucatan Peninsula it was near the cities of Campeche, Valladolid and Merida, set up mainly as ranches.

In the 19th century, many of these haciendas became henequeras, harvesting the fibers of the henequen plant (a close relative of sisal and hemp) for ropes for the shipbuilding industry. The henequen industry exploded, and ushered in one of the most important agro-industrial developments in Mexico’s history. This bonanza made the haciendas important economic and social centers, and employed peasant labor from the surrounding Mayan villages. The economic changes of the 20th century and the introduction of nylon ropes rendered the henequen economy and the haciendas obsolete, and many fo them fell into ruin, swallowed up by the surrounding jungle.

Today, many have been restored and have been transformed into luxury hotels, museums or residences. The Yucatan State Government lists over 50 hacienda properties, in different degrees of preservation, in the state of Yucatan alone! Hacienda Yaxcopoil near Merida, for example, conducts tours of its houses and grounds. Hacienda Katanchel, also near Merida, is an ultra-luxury and fully-restored hacienda hotel property. With 40 pavillion suites, a full restaurantl lounge, and manicured grounds it represents the full opulence of a hacienda property. But is wasn’t an investment for the timid. Bringing a 16th, 17th or 18th century property back from ruin is not easy or inexpensive, and it takes a special person to pull it off.

And there has been interest. According to Keith Heitke of Hacienda Mexico Realty in Merida, many have been interested. “I’ve gone down that path with so many of them,” says Heitke, where “we do have a lot of folks who are so in love with the dream of a hacienda. Slowly the reality dawns on them that even though they stayed at a lovely Starwood hacienda here and had fabulous service and food, they would need tons of money to duplicate that experience for themselves at their own hacienda.” In the case of Hacienda Katanchel, the Starwood hotel mentioned, that asking price is $10 million U.S., and it is for sale.

While clearly not for everyone, haciendas represent and important part of the country’s past. Investing in the purchase, restoration and maintenance of an historic estate in Mexico might be somethign akin to buying a castle in Europe, with its pros and cons. But for a select few with the wherewithal, vision and drive to do so, a hacienda property as a residence or investment could be the right choice and a labor of love.

Resources:
Image courtesy of David Light Orchard
Hacienda Yacopoil: http://www.yaxcopoil.com
Yucatan Real Estate: Hacienda Mexico http://www.haciendamexico.com
Haciendas in the state of Yucatan (Spanish): http://www.yucatan.gob.mx/estado/turismo/haciendas/fichas_haciendas.htm