Back

Visit a historic henequen hacienda

Historic Henequen Hacienda

Discover the surprising substance that made the Yucatán peninsula's fortune in the 19th century – henequén, or sisal.

Find out how a variety of agave plant came to shape the fortunes of a vast region of Mexico on this tour of the Yucatán’s henequén (sisal) plantations. The strong fibres yielded by the plant were found to be the most effective raw material for rope-making – a booming industry in an era of seaborne trade and transportation.

Begin by visiting a working henequén hacienda to see for yourself how the substance is cultivated using centuries-old machinery that recalls the sisal boom years of the 1800s. Ride out on a wooden cart pulled by mules to tour the plantation and stop for a swim in a cenote (a natural sinkhole typical of the peninsula).

Holidays Visit a historic henequen hacienda

From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.

Pool at a hotel in Mexico

Private Journeys

Mexico

Luxury Mexico: Yucatan in style

11 days from £5,300pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Dancers in traditional dress in Mexico

Private Journeys

Mexico

Value Mexico: Mayan Yucatan and coast

8 days from £2,090pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
COL_GuatapeStreetCrop_shutterstock187244789_freewithcredit

Culture, Music, Sport and Festivals

Speak Like a Local: Latin America’s Imaginative Expressions
Learn more
BOL_Isla_del_Sol_shutterstock_90273223_freewithcredit(2)

Destination Guides

Discover Lake Titicaca on an Epic Group Journey Across South America
Learn more
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

Get in touch Meet our experts
  • Carrie
    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

  • Alex
    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

0 1 2 3 4 5