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A Grand Culinary Hacienda Holiday in Mexico's Yucatan

(A Luxurious Excursion through the Mundo Maya based near Mérida, Yucatán)

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$2,278 USD *
regular price: $3,798
(Price Per Person, Double Occupancy)
* Plus taxes. Tours sold on an availability basis.
7 days | 6 nights

A Luxurious Yucatán Holiday Themed Tour
Spiced with Mayan Culture & European Influences

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Welcome to the Mundo Maya where ancient history greets you in the colors, flavors and aromas of today's Yucatán. Roll up your sleeves in the unhurried kitchen of Hacienda Petac to cook side-by-side with a talented Maya staff who will prepare the region's best Yucatecan fare daily. Learn the secrets of authentic Yucatecan cooking (a fusion of Cuban, Spanish and Mayan influences) and take home a new vocabulary that easily translates into rave reviews. Your time at the Hacienda emphasizes local ingredients and menus, your itinerary combines workshops in full meal preparation, tropical drinks and table decorating. It also includes excursions to the extraordinary Mayan ruins of Uxmal and other must see highlights of the Yucatán. Mérida and the state of Yucatán have traditionally been isolated from the rest of Mexico by geography, creating a unique culture and independent spirit. The Mundo Maya, as the region is known, boasts some of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in the world. The influence of the Maya on the character of modern Yucatán remains strong. While Spanish is the predominant language, a third of the population of Yucatán still speaks Maya. The state of Yucatán has one of the lowest crime rates anywhere in the country, and for its size, possibly the world. The capital city of Mérida prides itself on this fact, adopting as its motto, Ciudad de Paz - the City of Peace.
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VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note: Tour inclusions can change depending upon seasonality and weather conditions.
6 Nights Suite Accommodations
Round-Trip Mérida Airport Transfers
All Meals, Beer & Margaritas
Traditional Yucatán Cooking Class
Tropical Drink Demonstration Class
Botanas, Salsas and Guacamole Class
Museo de Gastronomia Visit
Mérida Market Tour
Panuchos, Poc Chuc & Tortilla Soup
All Day Trip to Uxmal
Hacienda Muycuche & Cenotes Visit
Farewell Dinner & Trova Serenade
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
Available year-round on specific weeks. Click the Orange Get Rates & Dates button to see featured weeks. Groups of 4 or more can request other dates based availability.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
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Day 1
Merida Airport Transfers | Welcome Cocktails At The Hacienda
At Mérida-Rejon International Airport, you will be cordially greeted upon arrival by a government registered Yucatán guide who will transport you by van to the Hacienda. Along the half hour route he will translate the Maya names of the villages that you will pass through, and tell you a little about the area. At the entrance of the gates of the Hacienda, your driver will dim his lights so that the glow of the candlelit pathway will welcome you to your home for this glorious week of dining, cooking and exploring. Your round-trip transfers from the airport are included in your weeklong package, as are the welcome cocktails waiting for you upon your arrival.
All Meals | Cooking Classes | Excursions & Tours
A full-immersion culinary and cultural experience make up the ingredients of your cooking vacation to the Yucatán. This program is designed to introduce you to authentic Mayan cuisine, and allow you to experience the culture in a way that only locals enjoy. Not only is your round-trip transfer from the Mérida Airport included, but all of your meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), all cooking classes (a total of 6), a mixology class, and all excursions are included in your package. You will enjoy excursions to view the Mayan Ruins in the ancient city of Uxmal, visit an underground lake (cenote), experience the markets of Mérida, dine on exquisite Yucatecan fare, and cook alongside the expert culinary staff of the magical Hacienda.
Day 2
Traditional Yucatán Cooking | Tropical Drink Demonstrations
Each day you will rise to share a leisurely breakfast in a garden within sight of one of the Hacienda’s original wells, now a beautiful swimming pool. Surrounded by Mayan stone, the garden welcomes you into the rich layers of history that the Hacienda reveals at every turn. During your first cooking class, you will learn to make Frijol con Puerco. This traditional Monday Yucatán staple is one of the most popular dishes on the Hacienda’s menu. You will learn to make succulent pork simmered in black beans, saving the wonderful broth to flavor a side dish of rice. You’ll also learn to make a tasty chiltomate (roasted red tomato sauce) to be added later along with other traditional condiments for a simply delicious lunch. While the pork simmers, you will enjoy an introduction to the wonderful world of tropical fruit drinks using coconuts, lime, hibiscus, pitaya and papaya to create a variety of licuados.
Day 3
Botanas, Salsas and Guacamole Culinary Workshop
Late in the afternoon, after you have had your siesta, the expert culinary staff at the Hacienda will teach you how to create an array of Yucatán salsas and dips…as well as their own secret to creating the world’s finest guacamole. You will also be introduced to the distinctive flavors of the Maya with sik il pak: a dip made with ground, toasted calabash seeds mixed with chopped chives and mashed roasted red plum tomatoes. And for those that like it hot…you will whip up a roasted habanero sauce called chile k’ut. For the less adventurous, another Mayan treat called xnipek will be prepared. It is a very versatile salsa, perfect with fresh tortilla chips, or spooned over roasted chicken breasts, fish filets or a base for ceviche. Some of your creations will be served with botanas (snacks) and dinner this evening.
Day 4
Mérida Market Tour | Museo De La Gastronomia Visit
Mérida is a beautiful city called the Paris of North America for its elegant architecture and broad boulevard, called Paseo Montejo. As you drive to the principal square for a walking tour of downtown, you will pass mansions erected during the booming "Green Gold" henequen era when Mérida had more millionaires per capita than anywhere in the world. Your walking tour begins at the main plaza, home to the oldest cathedral in the Americas. The tree lined plaza also holds the Yucatán Governor's palace where murals by the artist Castro Pacheco depict the history of Mérida and pay homage to the struggles of the Maya. Mérida, claimed by Spanish conquistadors in the 1540's was built on top of the centuries old Maya city of T'ho. On the south side of the square is found the home of Francisco Montejo, the first conquistador who governed Yucatán. The walk of downtown continues to Mérida's vibrant market scene where you will peruse the aisles of colorful stalls to purchase spices and chiles that will be used later in the cooking, including achiote, xcatic, guajillo and a type of local bean called espelon. The Museo De La Gastronomia is a new attraction that has recently opened in downtown Merida. The museum is built like a traditional Mayan town, allowing guests to experience demonstrations of Mayan cooking methods, traditional dishes and the ways of the people. The museum, packs in a plethora of information and examples of traditional cuisine.
Panuchos | Poc Chuc | Tortilla Soup
After relaxing at the Hacienda, you will enjoy a lunch of panuchos. Once you have tasted these Yucatecan treats you’re going to want Rosaura to show you how they are made. Panuchos originated in a barrio of Mérida called Santiago more than a hundred years ago. It was a “to go” meal offered to travelers by a vendor named Don Chucho. They were first known as “pan” (bread) which morphed into pan from Chucho’s…which further morphed into “panuchos.” These delectable “fast food” treats take all morning to prepare, but Rosaura will provide you with the short version. All steps in creating this dish will be demonstrated, and you’ll be given the recipe to take back home. Panuchos will be followed by a cooking class featuring tortilla soup, a Mexico favorite, and Poc Chuc, a Yucatán original, of marinated and grilled pork cutlet.
Day 5
Day Trip to Uxmal | Picnic Lunch | Hacienda Muycuche & Cenotes | Cooking with Quail
Your journey will include a fascinating tour of Uxmal, a world heritage site that is considered one of the most important ancient Mayan cities of the classical period. During your 2-hour tour, a specialist in Mayan culture will guide you through the history, beliefs and architectural phases of this once thriving city of worship and commerce. You will learn why Uxmal is called "thrice built" and why the population of 25,000 rose to prominence, built massive structures to honor the gods…and then abandoned their city and its ceremonial grounds. After a gourmet picnic lunch, your Yucatán tour continues with a stop at Hacienda Muycuche and cenotes. This ex-hacienda, located in Mucuyché , is where where Empress Carlota swam many years ago. Descend the stairs to Cenote Carlota, which is 5 to 7 meters deep, then swim along the canal, which will leave you impressed by its walls of vegetation. Prepare yourself for what's to come, which is a cenote in the form of a cavern, with stalactites in abundance. Its name is "Azul" (blue), because of the spectacular way the light enters and illuminates the space. After returning from this incredible day exploring the history of the Maya, you will help in the preparation of quail in tamarind sauce. In keeping with the Hacienda's Slow Food philosophy, these little treats are sourced from a local, organic quail farm. You will assist with marinating the small birds with homemade sweet-tart tamarind and chile sauce then roasting them over a wood charcoal fire.
Day 6
Day to Explore or Relax | Optional Spa or Tours | Trova Serenade
During your exciting and adventurous culinary excursion, you will appreciate one day just to relax and take advantage of the scenery, or numerous activities available at the Hacienda. Walk the paths of the 250 acre Hacienda Estate to see what's growing in the gardens and orchards, soak in the Jacuzzi, work out in the gym, grab a game of pool or ping-pong, or gather in the game room for cards or chess. You can also schedule a soothing treatment in the Hacienda's private spa (additional charges apply). Why not try a Mayan massage or an aloe vera facial…or possibly a manicure and pedicure? Or, if you would like to see more of the region, the Hacienda staff would be happy to make suggestions for a day trip, and arrange for a driver and guide (additional charges apply). Finally, if you would still like to take more of the Hacienda experience back home with you, the staff will offer a workshop on creating some of the table designs you enjoyed during your stay. As your farewell dinner is slowly cooking underground, a live performance by Los Tres Yucatecos will complete your special week in the Yucatán.
Day 7
Check-Out and Departure
Time flies when you’re having so much fun, but alas…it is time to check out and depart this delicious, “Edible Destination.” After breakfast, you will be delivered to the Merida Airport in accordance with your travel schedule. May your future travels come from sweet dreams, and create tasty memories!
Merida, Mexico
The description, video and photographs were lovely, but they do not do this place justice…" I highly recommend, if you haven't been yet, to organize a tour to experience the great ease, service and pleasure at hand in this beautifully cared for setting…every waterfall, every tree and tropical flower, everything you need or could imagine at your fingertips! And the food, preparation and shared learning experience – delicious, easy and healthy! Each table is beautifully adorned, an absolute visual delight…and we learned how to emulate that beauty as we host guests in our own settings back home. The two (day) trips were a perfect balance and wonderful touchstones for experiencing this area, with a day in Merida and a day in Uxmal with cenote visit.
Anon. Colorado, USA - October 2022
Just came back from Hacienda Petac. Wonderful, the entire experience was great. Loved this trip!
Lisa D. - December 2015
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