INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEYS
MEXICO
HACIENDA EXPERIENCE
This reconstruction has revealed the nature and operation of
the hacienda system in Mexico, its serfs, its systems of land
tenure, the workings of its isolated, interdependent society.
Hacienda is a Spanish word for an estate, usually, but not
always, a vast ranch. Some haciendas were plantations,
mines, or even factories. Many haciendas combined these
productive activities.
The hacienda system of, Mexico was a system of large
land-holdings that were an end in themselves as the marks of
status, which produced little for export beyond the hacienda
itself, which aimed for self-sufficiency in everything but luxuries
meant for display, which were destined for the handful of
people in the circle of the patrón.
Haciendas originated in land grants, mostly made to minor
nobles, as the grandees of Spain were not motivated to leave,
and the bourgeoisie had little access to royal dispensation. It
is in Mexico that the hacienda system can be considered to
have its origin in 1529, when the Spanish crown granted to
Hernán Cortés the title of Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca,
which entailed a tract of land that included all of the present
state of Morelos. Significantly, the grant included all the
Indians then living on the land and power of life and death
over every soul on his domains. There was no court of
appeals governing a hacienda. The unusually large and
profitable Jesuit hacienda Santa Lucia near Mexico,
established in 1576 and lasting to the expulsion in 1767, has
been reconstructed by Herman W. Konrad (1980) from
archival sources.
In Mexico, the owner of a hacienda was called the hacendado
or patrón. Aside from the small circle at the top of the
hacienda society, the remainder were peones (serfs),
campesinos (peasants), or mounted ranch hands variously
called vaqueros, gauchos, etc. The peones worked land that
belonged to the patrón. The campesinos worked small
holdings, and owed a portion to the patrón. The economy of
the eighteenth century was largely a barter system, with little
specie circulated on the hacienda.
Stock raising was central to the ranching haciendas. Where
the hacienda included working mines, as in Mexico, the
patrón might be immensely wealthy.
In South America, the hacienda remained after the collapse of
the colonial system in the early nineteenth century. In most of
Latin America the old holdings remained. In Mexico the
haciendas were abolished by law in 1917 during the
revolution, but remnants of the system affect Mexico today.
Many of them were restructured and turned into a boutique
luxury hotels.
It is a suggested itinerary and can be tailored to suit your individual needs, please call us on 02073761950
or e-mail us to [email protected] for your personal quote.
Carte Blanche Travel PO BOX 50465 London W8 9DB
+44 (0)20 7376 1950
[email protected]
INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEYS
You will fly in Business class from London to Mexico City
where they will connect on with the Mexicana flight to
Cancun. Arrival transfer to Ceiba del Mar x 2 nts. No meals.
Puerto Morelos. This hotel has been totally revamped and
refurbished to a much higher standard than before. Now only
featuring 45 rooms, 36 suites and 7 incredible one bedroom
penthouses with Jacuzzi terraces. The hotel has half a mile of
beach right in front and a 200 foot pool. You can walk into
Puerto Morelos, still a small fishing village, in the evening. The
hotel also has a fabulous and extremely professional spa, two
restaurants and two outdoor pools.
Spend a day At leisure.
You will be Transfered by road to Chichen Itza via Tulum for
sightseeing. Hacienda Chichen x 2 nts. No meals
This old Hacienda was used by Prof Thomson as his home
during his initial exploration of Chichen Itza in the 1940’s. The
Carnegie Institute then built the cabins in the gardens for their
students during later excavations. The hotel is now lovely, with
renovated rooms and a pool. The original buildings of the
hacienda have also been restored and now house the
reception, bar, restaurant and library. You must also see the
Chapel.
Today you will met for a sightseeing tour of the archaeological
site of Chichen Itza.
The following day you will be transferred by road to
Hacienda San Jose x 3 nights BB
This exquisite and magical hacienda is on the road to the
famous “yellow city” of Izamal. It only has 15 rooms situated
either in the original building of the 18th century hacienda or
the 4 Mayan style bungalows in the garden.
The hotel has a beautiful library and chapel and some nights
will light a bonfire and serve you coffee and liqueurs outside
under the stars. All rooms here have air conditioning.
One more day At leisure at the Hacienda
Today another sightseeing tour for you of Uxmal & Kabah
including lunch.
Get moving again-a Transfer to Merida airport for flight to
Mexico City.
Spend two nights at Casa Vieja – Inc Continental breakfast
This spectacular and exclusive hotel only has 10 rooms. It
used to be a private house belonging to a Mexican celebrity
and has since been converted into a truly luxurious and
intimate hotel. It is located in the Polanco district, one of the
most up-market in Mexico. The rooms are all lovely with
kitchens, en-suite bathrooms (with a bath that converts into a
steam room) and huge beds! All rooms are equipped with
Satellite TV, videos and stereos. The hotel has a lovely roof
top restaurant and bar.
Today you will be taken on a full day sightseeing tour to
include the highlights of the City and the Pyramids of
Teotihuacan & Shrine of Guadalupe.
This afternoon do not be late for your flight to San Jose Cabo.
Spend nine nights at One & Only Palmilla
This is a gorgeous hotel in San Jose del Cabo.
Few day At leisure. Enjoy the beach, sun and all what Los
Cabos has to offer.
Today you will be taken on a private sailing trip including
snacks and drinks.
Unfortunately, catch a Departure transfer to San Jose Cabo
airport for flight to Mexico City and connecting flight back to
London.
It is a suggested itinerary and can be tailored to suit your individual needs, please call us on 02073761950
or e-mail us to [email protected] for your personal quote.
Carte Blanche Travel PO BOX 50465 London W8 9DB
+44 (0)20 7376 1950
[email protected]