Tixkokob: Hammock-Making Town Guide
What Makes This Special
Tixkokob is Yucatán’s hammock capital: a compact, friendly town where you can watch artisans hand-weave hamacas in backyard workshops, browse colorful stalls near the municipal market, and sample beloved local bites like panuchos and salbutes. Pair the living craft tradition with an easy hop to the lesser-visited Maya site of Aké and you get a day trip that blends culture, food, and archaeology without long transfers.
Unlike bigger destinations, Tixkokob feels personal and slow-paced. You’ll find weavers working on simple wooden frames in open-air spaces, family-run shops with clearly labeled prices, and a central square anchored by the parish church of San Bernardino de Siena. The town is flat, walkable, and welcoming, making it a great low-stress outing from Mérida or Izamal. Come in the morning to catch the market in full swing, see workshops at work, and beat the mid-day heat.
History
The name “Tixkokob” comes from Yucatec Maya and is often translated along the lines of “place of (poisonous) snakes.” Long before modern tourism, the area was part of a dense network of Maya settlements; nearby Aké flourished in the Classic era and is still linked to surrounding towns by ancient stone causeways (sacbeo’ob). In the colonial period and well into the 20th century, the region was shaped by henequén (sisal) agriculture—the so-called “green gold” of Yucatán—which supported haciendas and, eventually, a robust local tradition of hammock weaving that’s still the town’s signature today.
Today, Tixkokob serves as the municipal seat and a craft hub where hundreds of families participate in the production of hammocks and woven chairs. Religious life centers on the parish of San Bernardino de Siena, and annual festivities see the plaza fill with processions, dances, and fair booths.
Practical Information
- Entry/Access: Visiting the town is free; public spaces are always open.
- Typical Hours: Town is open 24/7. Most hammock shops open roughly 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon–Sat). The municipal market is busiest in the morning; many stalls wrap up by early afternoon.
- Payments: Bring cash (MXN). Some larger stores may accept cards, but it’s not universal.
- Facilities: Municipal market eateries, small groceries, pharmacies, and basic services around the plaza. Public restrooms are available at/near the market.
- Accessibility: Streets are mostly flat; sidewalks can be uneven. Mototaxis are plentiful for short hops.
- Recommended Visit Length: 3–5 hours (craft shopping + lunch + short side trip), or a full day if adding Aké.
What to Expect
Hammock workshops & shopping: You’ll see cotton and nylon hammocks in single, matrimonial, and king sizes, plus chairs and swings. Quality varies by thread, weave tightness, and edge finish; priced pieces are common and haggling is typically minimal. Many shops welcome questions and will demonstrate how hammocks are woven or how to size one for your space.
Food scene: Start with breakfast at the market for fresh juices and antojitos. Panuchos with egg are a local specialty, alongside classics like salbutes, relleno negro, and cochinita on weekends. Street stands and small loncherías ring the square; expect simple, tasty, very affordable plates.
Town vibe: The plaza is relaxed with families, bikes, and mototaxis coming and going. Midday heat slows things down; by late afternoon, more shops reopen and the square gets lively again. The parish church of San Bernardino de Siena sits just off the market; step inside to see the gilded retablo and cool off briefly between strolls.
Getting There
From Mérida (25–40 minutes):
- Bus/Colectivo: Frequent buses (Autobuses del Centro/Autocentro) run between Mérida and Tixkokob, taking about 25–35 minutes and costing roughly $27–$40 MXN one way. Ask locally for the current pickup street/stand in Mérida’s center.
- Tren Maya: Tixkokob has a paradero on the Mérida–Izamal segment. Sample standard fares have been listed between nearby stops (e.g., Tixkokob ↔ Mérida Teya ~15 minutes). Check the official timetable and buy tickets in advance when possible.
- Self-drive: From Mérida, take Highway 80 toward Tixkokob; parking is usually available along streets around the main square and near the market.
- Local transport: In-town mototaxis are inexpensive for short hops (e.g., between the plaza, market, and workshops).
What to Bring
- Cash in small bills (for food, mototaxis, small shops)
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle (stay hydrated; shade can be limited at midday)
- Light, breathable clothing and comfy walking shoes
- Tape measure (if you’re buying a hammock for a specific space)
- Daypack or foldable tote for purchases
Tips & Safety
- Come early: Arrive 8:30–10:00 AM to catch the market at its liveliest, see more workshops open, and avoid peak heat.
- How to choose a hammock: Ask about fiber (cotton is softer, nylon is more durable), check the weave tightness and the edge finish (ojillo), and confirm the size/weight rating. Most vendors can show you how to hang and care for it.
- Photography etiquette: Always ask before photographing artisans at work, especially inside private workshops.
- Heat & hydration: Shade is limited; carry water, take breaks, and plan heavier walking for morning or late afternoon.
- Money & phones: ATMs are limited; bring cash. Mobile data works in town but can be spotty inside some shops.
- General safety: Tixkokob is calm; standard precautions (watch your bag, use marked taxis/mototaxis) are sufficient.
Nearby Attractions
- Aké Archaeological Zone (15–25 minutes): Low-crowd Maya site known for its monumental pilaster-topped platform and ancient sacbeo’ob. Combine ruins with the historic San Lorenzo Aké hacienda setting.
- Izamal (“Yellow City”) ~45 minutes: Convent of San Antonio de Padua, pyramid remains, and photogenic ochre streets—good pairing after a Tixkokob morning.
- Mérida (~30 minutes): Museums, markets, and evening trova on the plazas; an easy base for day-tripping to Tixkokob.
- Haciendas & cenotes (various): Boutique stays and pretty grounds at properties in the countryside; ask locally about short rides to nearby cenotes if you want a quick swim after shopping.
Tixkokob: Hammock-Making Town Guide
On This Page
Guide to Tixkokob, Yucatán’s hammock-making town: markets, workshops, Aké ruins, routes by bus or Tren Maya, plus practical tips, best time to go, and what to bring.
Our Take
"Tixkokob hums with hammock looms—watch artisans weave breezy masterpieces, then detour to neighboring cenotes for a cooling swing."
What Makes This Special
Tixkokob is Yucatán’s hammock capital: a compact, friendly town where you can watch artisans hand-weave hamacas in backyard workshops, browse colorful stalls near the municipal market, and sample beloved local bites like panuchos and salbutes. Pair the living craft tradition with an easy hop to the lesser-visited Maya site of Aké and you get a day trip that blends culture, food, and archaeology without long transfers.
Unlike bigger destinations, Tixkokob feels personal and slow-paced. You’ll find weavers working on simple wooden frames in open-air spaces, family-run shops with clearly labeled prices, and a central square anchored by the parish church of San Bernardino de Siena. The town is flat, walkable, and welcoming, making it a great low-stress outing from Mérida or Izamal. Come in the morning to catch the market in full swing, see workshops at work, and beat the mid-day heat.
History
The name “Tixkokob” comes from Yucatec Maya and is often translated along the lines of “place of (poisonous) snakes.” Long before modern tourism, the area was part of a dense network of Maya settlements; nearby Aké flourished in the Classic era and is still linked to surrounding towns by ancient stone causeways (sacbeo’ob). In the colonial period and well into the 20th century, the region was shaped by henequén (sisal) agriculture—the so-called “green gold” of Yucatán—which supported haciendas and, eventually, a robust local tradition of hammock weaving that’s still the town’s signature today.
Today, Tixkokob serves as the municipal seat and a craft hub where hundreds of families participate in the production of hammocks and woven chairs. Religious life centers on the parish of San Bernardino de Siena, and annual festivities see the plaza fill with processions, dances, and fair booths.
Practical Information
- Entry/Access: Visiting the town is free; public spaces are always open.
- Typical Hours: Town is open 24/7. Most hammock shops open roughly 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon–Sat). The municipal market is busiest in the morning; many stalls wrap up by early afternoon.
- Payments: Bring cash (MXN). Some larger stores may accept cards, but it’s not universal.
- Facilities: Municipal market eateries, small groceries, pharmacies, and basic services around the plaza. Public restrooms are available at/near the market.
- Accessibility: Streets are mostly flat; sidewalks can be uneven. Mototaxis are plentiful for short hops.
- Recommended Visit Length: 3–5 hours (craft shopping + lunch + short side trip), or a full day if adding Aké.
What to Expect
Hammock workshops & shopping: You’ll see cotton and nylon hammocks in single, matrimonial, and king sizes, plus chairs and swings. Quality varies by thread, weave tightness, and edge finish; priced pieces are common and haggling is typically minimal. Many shops welcome questions and will demonstrate how hammocks are woven or how to size one for your space.
Food scene: Start with breakfast at the market for fresh juices and antojitos. Panuchos with egg are a local specialty, alongside classics like salbutes, relleno negro, and cochinita on weekends. Street stands and small loncherías ring the square; expect simple, tasty, very affordable plates.
Town vibe: The plaza is relaxed with families, bikes, and mototaxis coming and going. Midday heat slows things down; by late afternoon, more shops reopen and the square gets lively again. The parish church of San Bernardino de Siena sits just off the market; step inside to see the gilded retablo and cool off briefly between strolls.
Getting There
From Mérida (25–40 minutes):
- Bus/Colectivo: Frequent buses (Autobuses del Centro/Autocentro) run between Mérida and Tixkokob, taking about 25–35 minutes and costing roughly $27–$40 MXN one way. Ask locally for the current pickup street/stand in Mérida’s center.
- Tren Maya: Tixkokob has a paradero on the Mérida–Izamal segment. Sample standard fares have been listed between nearby stops (e.g., Tixkokob ↔ Mérida Teya ~15 minutes). Check the official timetable and buy tickets in advance when possible.
- Self-drive: From Mérida, take Highway 80 toward Tixkokob; parking is usually available along streets around the main square and near the market.
- Local transport: In-town mototaxis are inexpensive for short hops (e.g., between the plaza, market, and workshops).
What to Bring
- Cash in small bills (for food, mototaxis, small shops)
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle (stay hydrated; shade can be limited at midday)
- Light, breathable clothing and comfy walking shoes
- Tape measure (if you’re buying a hammock for a specific space)
- Daypack or foldable tote for purchases
Tips & Safety
- Come early: Arrive 8:30–10:00 AM to catch the market at its liveliest, see more workshops open, and avoid peak heat.
- How to choose a hammock: Ask about fiber (cotton is softer, nylon is more durable), check the weave tightness and the edge finish (ojillo), and confirm the size/weight rating. Most vendors can show you how to hang and care for it.
- Photography etiquette: Always ask before photographing artisans at work, especially inside private workshops.
- Heat & hydration: Shade is limited; carry water, take breaks, and plan heavier walking for morning or late afternoon.
- Money & phones: ATMs are limited; bring cash. Mobile data works in town but can be spotty inside some shops.
- General safety: Tixkokob is calm; standard precautions (watch your bag, use marked taxis/mototaxis) are sufficient.
Nearby Attractions
- Aké Archaeological Zone (15–25 minutes): Low-crowd Maya site known for its monumental pilaster-topped platform and ancient sacbeo’ob. Combine ruins with the historic San Lorenzo Aké hacienda setting.
- Izamal (“Yellow City”) ~45 minutes: Convent of San Antonio de Padua, pyramid remains, and photogenic ochre streets—good pairing after a Tixkokob morning.
- Mérida (~30 minutes): Museums, markets, and evening trova on the plazas; an easy base for day-tripping to Tixkokob.
- Haciendas & cenotes (various): Boutique stays and pretty grounds at properties in the countryside; ask locally about short rides to nearby cenotes if you want a quick swim after shopping.
Location
Plan Your Visit
Cash, hat, sunscreen, water, comfortable shoes, tape measure for hammock shopping
Municipal market eateries, small shops, pharmacies; public restrooms near market
Arrive early, ask before photos, check fiber and weave when buying hammocks