The owners of this gracious, 17th-century, Spanish colonial estate have restored it exquisitely, respecting its historical and cultural legacy. The original, exterior walls have been painstakingly preserved and the interiors in peach, terra cotta and cornflower blue recall its 400-year-old splendor. Colonial antiques and custom designed furnishings add authentic charm and warmth. The sweet and attentive Mayan staff adds to the feeling of a luxurious, private home.


Hacienda Petac rests on 80, extremely private acres in an ecological reserve just outside the little village of Petac. The estate features lush, tropical gardens and lawns with sculptures, fountains, waterfalls and a beautiful swimming pool. The Hacienda accommodates 10 to 12 guests in five spacious bedrooms. This is a perfect place to enjoy an authentic Mayan and Mexican experience in a stylish, home-like setting.

Hacienda Petac is located approximately 30 minutes from Merida International Airport, which is served by frequent flights from Houston, Miami and Mexico City. From Cancun, the Hacienda is half an hour by plane or a three-hour drive. Complimentary transfers to and from the Merida Airport are provided. For guests who wish to explore the diverse attractions of this region, the beaches and villages on the northern Gulf Coast of the Yucatan are approximately a 90-minute drive from the Hacienda, as are several of the world’s finest Mayan archeological sites.

The Hacienda’s five spacious guest rooms can accommodate 10-12 guests and are located in three buildings surrounding the main house. Air conditioning and ceiling fans adorn each room, but for those guests who prefer, abundant natural breezes through large windows offer a pleasant, natural experience. Each room has soaring ceilings and beautiful native stone bathrooms with shower and tub. The two Master suites hold king-size beds. Two rooms have queen-sized beds, and one room has two double beds. The absence of televisions and telephone in the rooms enhances the Hacienda’s serenity.

Many guests enjoy pleasant day trips exploring the world-renowned Mayan archeological sites of Uxmal and Chichen Itza, which are located nearby. Mayan villages, as well as the colonial cities of Ticul and Izamal, are also attractive diversions. Visits to nature reserves, including Celestun, an intriguing flamingo sanctuary on the Gulf Coast, can be arranged. Or, the capital city of Merida with its broad boulevards and plazas offers fine restaurants, museums, old churches and a variety of shopping experiences.

The Hacienda offers many entertainment options, from board games, ping-pong and billiards in the well-appointed activities room, to bicycle riding and sunrise bird watching with a local naturalist. Informal cooking lessons, or a day spent in a hammock by the Hacienda’s refreshing swimming pool, are also appealing choices. A variety of verandahs and lawns invite reading, napping and contemplation.

The kitchen is the heart of Hacienda Petac. Enticing aromas drift through the Hacienda all day long, and guests wander in and out of the kitchen, as if at home, to visit, to watch, or to nibble. Meals, included in the rates, are served family style at the dining room’s timeworn table or in other charming locations throughout the hacienda. Menus are planned according to guests’ food preferences, and feature a variety of Yucatecan specialties –a delicious and distinctive fusion of Mayan, Spanish and Cuban influences.

The weekly rate for up to 10 persons is $10,500 USD. This includes all meals and nonalcoholic beverages. Also included are a presentation on Mayan culture by an anthropologist, a cooking demonstration, a birding walk on the grounds and an evening serenade by a traditional Yucatecan trio. Gratuities are not included in the rate. Note: Rates for holiday periods are somewhat higher. Stays of fewer than seven nights can be arranged for certain times of the year.