Umán

Umán is a small town within the greater Mérida metropolitan area. It was long a sleepy suburb, but with the opening of the Tren Maya, it quickly grew into a main stop for people heading to the Yucatan Riviera. That extends from Sisal up the coast to the principle port of the state at Progreso. The town is sometimes thought of as a collection of old haciendas. Some of them are beyond striking. 

Yaxcopoil, some 20 minutes to the south, is basically a small town all on its own. The former hacienda estate is today one of the best places to learn about the henequén industry and the lifestyles of the former hacienda owners and operators. Today there is a museum housing some of the ancient artifacts found on the estate, and a guest house. Some of the 19th-century industrial equipment is also preserved. The famous Cenotes of Xbatun and Dzombacal are just a little southwest of Yaxcopoil and these constitute some of the most important attractions in the area.

People visit Umán to stroll the central town square. The municipal market is just to the south and presents dozens of places to eat and showcases of the local artisan trade. The Casa Ejidal Umán is right next to the market, and while it may seem like just an extension of the market, it also operates as a community center, too. 

Visitors stay in and all around the little town of Umán. The former haciendas that today serve as hotels and guest houses are often rather sprawling. But in town, there are also a whole variety of inns and smaller hotels. 

People traditionally got to the little town direct from the center of Mérida, and of course that is still possible and even preferable for many. But today the Tren Maya station is a mere ten minutes from the center of town, and the Mérida airport is but 20 minutes to the northeast. Most bus lines will still prefer to leave you in Mérida, but with distances like these, the trip is not too ponderous. Sisal is just about one hour north and west to the coast. The drive is dreamy, and the route is covered by local buses.