Rally de las Haciendas 2026: Dates, Route & Visitor Guide

The Rally de las Haciendas is a new motoring event from the team behind Rally Maya México, linking Mérida with the old hacienda country of Yucatán and the roads toward Campeche.

Its first edition runs from 24 to 27 September 2026, with the competitive driving concentrated into two stages on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September.

There is an important difference from the better-known Rally Maya México. This is not primarily a procession of pre-war and mid-century classics. Rally de las Haciendas is built around modern Grand Touring cars, sports cars and show cars, with only 20 crews admitted.

For travelers, the appeal is less about outright speed and more about the setting: historic haciendas, small Yucatecan roads, Campeche, henequén country and a compact field of interesting cars moving through the peninsula.

The event is worth keeping an eye on if you are already in Mérida in late September, but it is not currently being promoted as a large public spectator festival. The organizer has published detailed information for competitors, while public viewing areas and spectator schedules have not yet been announced.

Rally de las Haciendas 2026 at a glance

The official event notice can be checked directly on the Rally Maya México Rally de las Haciendas page.

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Confirmed 2026 program

The published schedule is centered on Hacienda Xcanatún on the northern edge of Mérida.

Thursday 24 September

Competitors arrive at Hacienda Xcanatún.

Vehicle and crew inspections begin from 15:00. Cars are checked for mechanical condition, tires, lights, rally branding and required safety equipment.

A welcome dinner for registered competitors is also scheduled for Thursday evening.

This part of the event is aimed at crews rather than general visitors. Do not assume the hotel or scrutineering area will be open to spectators unless the organizer announces public access.

Friday 25 September

The first car is scheduled to leave Hacienda Xcanatún at 10:00.

This is the long stage:

Mérida → Campeche → Hacienda San Pedro Ochil → Mérida

The complete stage covers approximately 467 km.

The organizer has confirmed the major destinations but has not published the complete road book, individual control locations or detailed public arrival times.

Saturday 26 September

The second stage leaves Mérida again and travels east toward:

Mérida → Hacienda San José Kanan → Mérida

The route covers approximately 246 km.

Cars return to Hacienda Xcanatún for the final finish.

A closing dinner and awards ceremony follows that evening.

Sunday 27 September

The official accommodation package runs through 27 September, although the competitive rally finishes on Saturday.

Modern Porsche on a Yucatán hacienda road during the Rally de las Haciendas

What kind of rally is this?

Rally de las Haciendas is a regularity rally, not a conventional race where the fastest car simply wins.

Crews are given target speeds and times for particular sections of road. The challenge is to arrive at timing points as close as possible to the prescribed time.

Being too fast can be just as damaging as being too slow.

That puts much of the work on the relationship between driver and navigator. The navigator follows the road book, distances and timings while the driver tries to maintain the required pace.

For 2026, organizers say around 70% of the 713 km route will form part of regularity competition, equivalent to roughly 499 km.

Timing is being handled with systems including MiRally Crono GPS and Rabbit 2.0.

For spectators, this means the event may look calmer than a stage rally. Cars are not supposed to charge through villages at maximum speed.

Hacienda Xcanatún: the Mérida base

Hacienda Xcanatún near Mérida

The rally begins and ends at Hacienda Xcanatún, Angsana Heritage Collection, north of central Mérida.

Xcanatún was once part of Yucatán's hacienda economy and has been restored as a high-end hotel surrounded by gardens and mature trees.

It is a fitting headquarters for an event built around the connection between touring cars and old estates.

From Mérida Centro, allow roughly 25–35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. From the northern hotel districts around Paseo de Montejo, Prolongación Montejo and Altabrisa, the journey is generally easier.

If public access to the start is announced, using Uber, DiDi or a taxi would make more sense than trying to park close to the hacienda.

The property itself is private. Staying nearby does not automatically give access to rally areas.

See Hacienda Xcanatún's official hotel website.

GuideHacienda Xcanatún: Complete Guide to Staying Near MéridaHacienda Xcanatún is an eighteenth-century henequen estate turned luxury stay north of Mérida. This practical guide explains the setting, rooms, transport, day trips, dining decisions, and who should choose it.Open →

Stage 1: Mérida to Campeche and San Pedro Ochil

The first stage is the more ambitious of the two.

At approximately 467 km, it takes competitors from Mérida into Campeche before returning toward one of Yucatán's best-known restored henequén estates.

The broad route is:

Hacienda Xcanatún → Campeche → Hacienda San Pedro Ochil → Mérida

The complete sequence of roads has not been publicly released.

That is important if you are thinking about following the rally. Do not try to reconstruct the competitive route and chase the cars from checkpoint to checkpoint. Apart from being impractical, regularity sections work best when normal traffic around competitors is kept predictable.

A better approach is to choose one confirmed public destination and stay there.

Campeche

Colorful colonial façades in the historic center of Campeche

Campeche gives Stage 1 its longest reach.

The fortified historic center is one of the most distinctive cities on the peninsula, with pastel streets, surviving bastions, sections of defensive wall and the Gulf waterfront nearby.

The rally announcement confirms that the route passes through the city of Campeche, but no public display location or confirmed arrival time has yet been published.

If an official stop is later announced in the historic center, this could become one of the easiest places for visitors to see the cars. Campeche has large public spaces, restaurants and plenty to do while waiting.

Do not drive from Mérida to Campeche purely in the hope of seeing the rally unless a viewing location has been confirmed.

If you already wanted to visit Campeche, however, the rally makes that weekend more interesting.

Hacienda San Pedro Ochil

Historic entrance to Hacienda San Pedro Ochil

The return leg brings the rally to Hacienda San Pedro Ochil, south of Mérida on the road toward Uxmal.

Ochil is one of the more visually striking haciendas in this part of Yucatán. The property developed as part of the henequén economy and retains old industrial structures, stonework, arches, gardens and sections of former rail track.

Its position also makes it a natural gateway to the Puuc region.

Old stone arches and water at Hacienda San Pedro Ochil

The rally announcement identifies San Pedro Ochil as a principal destination on Stage 1.

Again, this does not mean general access to the hacienda is guaranteed during the rally.

If you are traveling independently, check current opening arrangements before making the drive. Private events can affect access to restored haciendas.

Outside rally weekend, this area combines naturally with Uxmal, making it one of the easiest parts of the rally route to turn into a separate heritage day trip.

Stage 2: Hacienda San José Kanan

Saturday's second stage is shorter at approximately 246 km.

The principal destination is Hacienda San José Kanan, east of Mérida in the Izamal area.

Hacienda San José Kanan near Izamal

San José Kanan sits along the Izamal–Tekal de Venegas road.

The hacienda has previously been used by Rally Maya México. During the 2023 rally, competitors visited the estate as part of the Yucatán section of the event.

The 2026 Rally de las Haciendas returns to the same general landscape.

For travelers, the useful reference point is Izamal, roughly 70 km east of Mérida. It is far easier to build a day around Izamal than around the private hacienda itself.

If an official public rally stop is announced nearby, arrive early, park away from the route and walk to the viewing area where possible.

Gardens at Hacienda San José Kanan

Can visitors watch the Rally de las Haciendas?

Probably, at least in some form, but the organizer has not yet published a spectator guide for the September 2026 event.

As of 1 September, the official convocatoria contains competitor information, route destinations and the 10:00 Friday start, but it does not provide dedicated public viewing zones.

That means there are three things not to assume:

• Do not assume you can enter Hacienda Xcanatún simply to watch the start.
• Do not assume Hacienda San Pedro Ochil or San José Kanan will admit non-participants during rally activities.
• Do not stop on narrow rural roads or regularity sections to wait for passing cars.

Rally Maya México has organized public stops during previous events, so more visitor information may still appear closer to the date.

If that happens, a town square or announced static display is usually much easier than trying to follow an active stage.

The easiest plan for spectators

If you mainly want to see the cars, the simplest strategy is to keep your plans flexible until the organizer releases more detail.

Option 1: Watch the start in Mérida

If Hacienda Xcanatún confirms public access, Friday morning would be the most concentrated opportunity to see the full 20-car field.

The first car leaves at 10:00.

You would want to arrive well before that rather than appearing at the stated departure time.

Option 2: Wait for an announced town stop

This is usually the most practical option.

A public square or city checkpoint gives you somewhere safe to stand and normally produces better photographs than watching cars pass at road speed.

Campeche is the obvious location to watch for announcements on Friday.

Option 3: Build your own hacienda day

If no public spectator information appears, use the rally as inspiration rather than trying to follow it.

Drive the roads around the Puuc region, visit Uxmal and explore accessible hacienda sites on another day.

Or spend a full day in Izamal and the surrounding countryside.

You get most of the landscape and history without spending hours trying to intercept a moving event.

Do you need a car?

For following any significant part of the rally route, yes.

Public transport can take you between Mérida, Campeche and Izamal, but it is not practical for following an automobile event whose detailed timings may change.

A rental car gives you the most flexibility.

A private driver is the easier option if you want to visit haciendas, stop for photographs and avoid dealing with parking or navigation.

For Hacienda Xcanatún alone, Uber or DiDi from Mérida is sufficient.

Do not hire a driver expecting them to chase the competitive field. Pick one or two destinations instead.

If you want help building a hacienda route around the rally weekend, Yucatán Guide's free WhatsApp assistant can help with quick planning questions. For a more complicated private itinerary, Human Trip Support or a private driver can make the day considerably easier.

Driving during rally weekend

Most of the route uses ordinary roads.

Expect the possibility of brief traffic control around starts, timing points or official stops.

A few practical points:

• Leave extra time if your trip crosses the announced route.
• Do not overtake a rally car aggressively simply because it is maintaining a prescribed regularity speed.
• Follow police and marshal instructions.
• Never park partly on a rural carriageway to take photographs.
• Be particularly careful around villages, where pedestrians and motorcycles frequently use the road edge.
• Expect heavy tropical rain to change driving conditions quickly in September.

This is a regularity event, not a closed-road high-speed rally.

September weather

Late September remains firmly within Yucatán's hot and wet season.

Expect heat, humidity, strong sun and a realistic possibility of heavy afternoon rain.

For spectators, shade matters more than it initially seems.

Bring:

• water
• sunscreen
• a hat
• light clothing
• insect repellent
• a compact umbrella or rain layer
• a waterproof cover for cameras or electronics

If thunderstorms develop, do not stand beside isolated trees, open roads or exposed viewing points just to keep watching the rally.

Is the event family-friendly?

Potentially, yes.

A static car display or organized town stop can work very well with children. The field is small enough that they can actually look at individual cars rather than watching an endless procession.

Roadside spectating is different.

Heat, traffic, limited shade and uncertain waiting times make remote road sections less suitable for young children.

For families, wait for an official public stop.

Photography tips

The setting should make Rally de las Haciendas particularly good for photography.

Hacienda walls, henequén, colonial streets and modern Grand Touring cars give it a different visual character from a circuit event.

For easier photographs:

• choose a public stop rather than a fast road section
• keep the sun behind or beside you when possible
• use continuous autofocus for moving cars
• leave enough space around the vehicle to show the setting
• avoid standing in driveways, junctions or marshal areas
• never move into the road for a cleaner angle

The most useful photographs will probably be the ones that show the cars within Yucatán, rather than tight shots that could have been taken anywhere.

Why the haciendas matter

Traditional henequén fiber processing in Yucatán

The hacienda theme is more than decorative branding.

For much of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, estates shaped the economy and physical landscape of Yucatán.

Many were involved in the cultivation and processing of henequén, the agave fiber sometimes described historically as Yucatán's "green gold."

The industry produced enormous wealth and connected Yucatán to international markets.

It also has a more difficult social history.

The prosperity associated with the hacienda era depended on highly unequal systems of land ownership and labor, including debt peonage and severe exploitation of Maya workers.

Today, former estates have followed very different paths. Some are ruins. Others remain agricultural properties. Several have become hotels, museums, restaurants or event venues.

Driving between them gives travelers a useful way to understand how much of rural Yucatán's modern landscape was shaped during this period.

The architecture is worth seeing, but it makes more sense when the economic and human history is not stripped away.

Can you enter the rally?

Yes, although this is a small and relatively expensive event.

The organizer limits the first edition to 20 cars.

Eligible vehicles fall into a single category covering approved:

• modern Grand Touring cars
• sports cars
• show cars

Acceptance is ultimately at the discretion of the organizing committee.

This is another major difference from the classic-car Rally Maya México.

2026 entry fees

The official fees published for the inaugural edition are:

The standard package for driver and navigator includes:

• entry into both regularity stages
• three nights of double-room accommodation from 24–27 September
• breakfast
• welcome kit
• official timing
• rally numbers and decals
• competitor credentials
• Thursday welcome dinner
• Saturday closing dinner and awards
• basic medical service during the event
• finisher medals and recognition

Fuel, vehicle transport, mechanical service, roadside assistance, vehicle insurance and personal expenses are not included.

The organizer's published cancellation terms state that cancellations incur a 100% penalty on payments already received.

Registration enquiries are handled through:

registros@rallymayamexico.com

Rally de las Haciendas vs Rally Maya México

The names are similar, but the concepts are different.

Rally Maya México is established around historic and collectible cars and typically operates as a much larger multi-stage journey through the southeast.

Rally de las Haciendas is a new Rally Maya México project for 2026 using a smaller field of modern Grand Touring and sports cars.

The emphasis remains on regularity competition, travel, food and regional heritage, but the vehicle criteria are very different.

If you are specifically hoping to see vintage Porsches, old Mercedes, pre-war cars and other historic vehicles, do not assume the September Rally de las Haciendas will resemble the traditional Rally Maya field.

One naming confusion to know about

There is also a similarly named event called Rally Haciendas with its own website.

That event currently advertises dates of 5–6 December 2026, a route from Mérida through the Camino Real to Campeche and Champotón, and classic-car categories covering vehicles from 1903 to 1994.

It should not be confused with the Rally de las Haciendas organized by Rally Maya México from 24–27 September 2026, which is the event covered in this guide.

If you find conflicting dates while searching online, check the organizer before making plans.

What to combine with the rally

The route crosses several areas that justify a trip even without the cars.

San Pedro Ochil and Uxmal

Ochil sits along the Mérida–Uxmal corridor.

If you are interested in hacienda history, Maya architecture and photography, this is the strongest part of the route to explore independently.

Go early if you want cooler weather at Uxmal.

Trying to fit Campeche into the same leisure day would make it unnecessarily long.

GuideExploring Uxmal: Ancient Maya CityUxmal is a Puuc‑style Maya archaeological site in the hills southwest of Mérida, Yucatán, best visited as a day trip from the city. The site opens daily from 08:00 to 17:00 with the last entry around 16:00; the combined federal (INAH) and state (CULTUR) ticket costs roughly MXN 500–600 for foreign visitors and must be paid in cash or with an offline card, keeping both receipts. From Mérida the most flexible way to arrive is by car: take highway 261 south toward Muna/Santa Elena and follow the signs to Uxmal, a drive of about 1 hour 15 minutes in light traffic, with a modest parking fee at the entrance. Buses and colectivos also run the route but are slower and less suited to a tight day schedule, while guided tours provide transport, a licensed guide and optional add‑ons such as Kabah or the evening light‑and‑sound show. A typical visit lasts three to four hours, following the suggested circuit of Pyramid of the Magician, Nunnery Quadrangle, Ball Court, Governor’s Palace, House of the Turtles and Dovecote. Climbing is generally prohibited, but the small museum near the gate is included in the ticket price. Visitors should aim to be at the gate at opening to enjoy cooler temperatures and minimal crowds; shade is scarce, so bring a wide‑brimmed hat, high‑SPF sunscreen, at least two liters of water per person and sturdy shoes. Early morning light highlights the Puuc mosaics, while the late‑afternoon sun casts striking shadows on the Dovecote. If attending the night “Ecos de Uxmal” show, bring a light layer, bug spray and a small flashlight. Drones are not allowed and touching carvings is prohibited.Open →

Izamal

The Stage 2 destination, San José Kanan, lies in the Izamal area.

Izamal works well as a half-day or full-day trip from Mérida and is straightforward with a rental car or private driver.

Its yellow historic center, convent and surrounding villages make a much better base for the day than waiting outside a private hacienda for an uncertain arrival time.

GuideIzamal: The Yellow City GuideIzamal is a small colonial town painted yellow, located east of Mérida in central Yucatán, about one hour to one hour 15 minutes by road from Mérida Centro and roughly 1½ hours from Valladolid. It is most often visited as a half‑day or full‑day day trip from Mérida, using a rental car, private driver, or the cheapest option—a bus from Mérida’s Noreste/Oriente terminals; a Tren Maya connection exists but the station is not in the main plaza. The essential sights can be covered in 4–6 hours, or a full day if you include a leisurely lunch, extra photography time and a slower pace. Entry to the Convento de San Antonio de Padua is free (donations welcome) and the Kinich Kakmó pyramid can be climbed at no charge; the cost of the visit is therefore limited to transport, meals and any optional guide or carriage hire. Visitors should expect a walkable historic centre with a wide convent atrium, the climb of Kinich Kakmó (uneven stone steps, bring proper shoes and water), and the chance to wander yellow‑washed streets, small markets and craft shops. Early morning (before 10 am) or late afternoon (after 4 pm) offers softer light for photography and cooler temperatures; midday can be very hot and the stone of the pyramid becomes scorching. Dress modestly for the convent, bring a hat for the exposed atrium, and carry cash for meals—restaurants such as Kinich and Zamná serve traditional Yucatecan dishes, while smaller loncherías are cheaper but may not accept cards. Horse‑drawn carriages are available but should be used after checking the animal’s condition. The town’s layered Maya, colonial and modern character makes it a relaxed, family‑friendly alternative to larger archaeological sites.Open →

Campeche

If Stage 1 gives you an excuse to finally visit Campeche, consider staying overnight.

The city deserves more than a quick rally stop.

Walk the fortified center in the late afternoon, stay for dinner and spend the following morning around the bastions, cathedral and waterfront.

Driving Mérida–Campeche–Mérida in one day is perfectly possible, but it leaves less time to enjoy the city.

Is Rally de las Haciendas worth planning a trip around?

For serious motoring enthusiasts, possibly.

It is unusual to see a small Grand Touring field using Yucatán's haciendas and regional roads as the setting for a regularity rally.

For the average traveler, it is better treated as an interesting addition to an existing Yucatán trip rather than the sole reason to travel.

The public program remains too limited to recommend booking flights specifically for spectator access.

If you are already in Mérida from 24–27 September, follow the organizer's announcements and see whether a public start, town display or viewing point is confirmed.

If nothing is announced, use the route as an excuse to explore the hacienda country independently.

Frequently asked questions

When is Rally de las Haciendas 2026?

The inaugural Rally Maya México edition runs from 24 to 27 September 2026. Competitive stages take place on 25 and 26 September.

Where does it start?

The rally is based at Hacienda Xcanatún, Angsana Heritage Collection, north of Mérida.

The first car is scheduled to leave at 10:00 on Friday 25 September.

What is the route?

Stage 1 is approximately 467 km:

Mérida → Campeche → Hacienda San Pedro Ochil → Mérida

Stage 2 is approximately 246 km:

Mérida → Hacienda San José Kanan → Mérida

Are these classic cars?

Not primarily.

The September Rally de las Haciendas is for approved modern Grand Touring cars, sports cars and show cars.

The classic-car event most travelers know is Rally Maya México itself.

Is it free to watch?

No public spectator ticket system has been announced.

The published event information is currently directed mainly at competitors. Wait for confirmation of public viewing locations before traveling to one of the private haciendas.

Can I follow the cars in my rental car?

You could encounter the rally on public roads, but actively chasing the field is not recommended.

Choose a confirmed destination, park safely and wait there.

Is Campeche part of the route?

Yes. The first stage includes a passage through the city of Campeche.

A specific public stop or timetable has not yet been announced.

Does the rally visit Uxmal?

Uxmal is not listed as an official 2026 rally destination in the published route.

Hacienda San Pedro Ochil is nearby, which makes Uxmal an easy place to combine with an independent trip through the area.

How many cars will take part?

The inaugural event has a maximum field of 20 cars.

Practical verdict

Rally de las Haciendas is one of the more interesting additions to Yucatán's 2026 events calendar because it uses the peninsula itself as part of the experience.

The strongest confirmed spectator opportunity is the 10:00 Friday departure from Hacienda Xcanatún, provided public access is authorized. After that, Campeche, San Pedro Ochil and San José Kanan are confirmed route points, but detailed public viewing information is still missing.

Do not organize an entire day around a private hacienda until access is confirmed.

If you are already exploring Yucatán, however, the event provides a good framework for a road trip: Mérida, old henequén estates, the Puuc countryside, Izamal and Campeche are worth understanding with or without a rally car in the foreground.

Information last checked: 1 September 2026. Routes, access arrangements and timings may change. Check the official Rally de las Haciendas convocatoria before traveling.