Best Things to Do in Sisal

The perfect beach getaway: White coral sand, gentle waves, a light breeze – and endless beaches. Sisal, Yucatan, is the right place to be if you want to spend a relaxing beach holiday away from the tourist crowds without having to miss out on amenities. The surrounding nature reserve with its mangroves is a paradise for bird lovers. Although a Magical Town (Pueblo Mágico) since 2020, the small fishing village on the Gulf of Mexico with just around 2,000 inhabitants is still one of the less crowded seaside resorts. At peak times in June/August and over public holidays, the village tends to double in size. At all other times, especially during the week, you can experience a pleasantly relaxed stay here. So if you want to get to know the Yucatan Peninsula away from Cancún and Playa del Carmen, come to Sisal!

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At a Glance: Sisal’s TOP 5 Highlights

1. Spend the day at the beach
2. Enjoy Sisal’s beautiful sunsets
3. Discover Sisal’s nature
4. Eat at Sisal’s seafood restaurants
5. Discover Sisal’s history

1. Spend the Day at the Beach

Certainly, the main reason for most visitors – Mexicans and foreigners alike – to come to Sisal is the beautiful beach with its white coral sand. Take a long walk to either side of the pier and collect seashells, or enjoy a sunbath on loungers or in hammocks that are run mostly by the surrounding restaurants. The beach is also suitable for children as the sea is quite shallow. You pay a fee of around 200 pesos, and you can order food and drinks. Or simply bring your food and drinks from the supermarket around the corner (for alcoholic beverages, go to one of the Six shops, or for wine, go to Super Dima). A note: Not all beach rentals have a bathroom directly at the beach. However, there is a public clean toilet right around the corner and it only costs 5-10 pesos (0.30-0.60 USD) to use (10-15 pesos for using the showers). The only beach rental with its bathrooms directly at the beach is the first one to the right of the pier.

2. Enjoy Sisal’s Beautiful Sunsets

You’re in one of the best places to enjoy beautiful sunsets. Take your camera and head to the pier, or enjoy the view from a rooftop terrace and let the sunset wash over you. Savor the moment, take a deep breath, and if you want to stay longer, lie down in the sand and enjoy the stars.

3. Discover Sisal’s Nature

Located in between two nature reserves, Reserva Estatal el Palmar and Reserve de Cienagas y Manglares de la Costa Norte de Yucatán, Sisal is a delight for nature lovers and bird watchers. The wetlands and islets offer the perfect breeding spot for migratory water birds. There are also flamingos that – as one guide put it – “sleep in Sisal and eat in Progreso”. Roughly 5% of the locals live from tourism, and you can find many tour providers close to the pier and the beaches. Some of the tours you can enjoy include the following:

4. Eat at Sisal’s Seafood Restaurants

With the majority of the inhabitants living from fishing, you have access to the freshest fish. Try out the catch of the day, enjoy prawn, squid, and lobster, or the local specialty of “pan de cazón” – tortillas stacked on top of each other with a filling of tope shark in tomato sauce. Wash it down with refreshing coconut water. Check out my recommendations for restaurants.

5. Discover Sisal’s History

Upon the remnants of a Mayan fishing settlement, the Spanish conquistadors built a port in 1585 under the name Santa María de Zizal. Initially, it was of little importance as Campeche had long been the economically important port for the Yucatan Peninsula. It was not until 1811 that Sisal replaced Campeche due to its geographical proximity to Mérida. At this time, the trade in henequen, an agave fiber, increased, which helped the Yucatan Peninsula achieve great economic prosperity during the 19th century. So Sisal was used as a loading point for henequén. Since the name of the port of origin, Sisal was written on the cargo, soon this name was used instead of henequén for the ropes made from the agave. However, the port didn’t last long; when the port of Progreso was founded in 1844, Sisal soon lost its importance. Progreso was closer to Mérida and you didn’t have to make an arduous journey through swampland. In addition, over time, Progreso received a much longer pier (6.5 km long), so that larger and heavier ships could be easily loaded and unloaded – which was difficult in Sisal due to the short pier and the shallow waters.

…What Else Can You Do in Sisal?

Stroll through Sisal’s streets and enjoy the atmosphere, along with discovering its street paintings (murals); for example, in Calle 16 at the beach, you find a mural that depicts the pilgrimage of the black Christ (Cristo Negro), also called Senior de Sisal (Lord of Sisal), that takes place every year in August. The statue is being brought from Hunucmá to the port of Sisal where it stays for 3 weeks. The day before it is returned to Hunucmá, hundreds of fishermen carry the statue on their boats on a pilgrimage on the sea to ask for a successful fishing season and favorable weather.

Don’t forget to take a look at the local market (Mercado Municipal) in street Calle 3 Ote. 23; it is small but offers fresh fruit and vegetables. Sisal doesn’t have a party scene, but some bars open at night where you can enjoy a drink and some botanas (snacks) – for example, Loco Flamingo on the main street.

To get around town, rent a bike from the tour provider at the pier (left to the K LU’UM Restaurant), or take a ride in a motorcycle taxi (moto-taxi). Especially if you want to head east out of town, the street is a dirt road with lots of potholes which might put a strain on your car.

If you get bored of Sisal, take a 30-minute ride by car or bus to visit the next town, Hunucmá. You can enjoy the bustle of the main square (Plaza Principal) which is mainly due to the moto-taxis that are the main vehicle of transport for the locals. There’s also a church, the Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís. Check out the local market (Mercado Municipal Hunucmá) and try out the local specialties, either there or in the well-frequented typical restaurant “El Maya” which is known for its Sope con Queso de Bola.

Where to Eat in Sisal

For such a small town, there are quite a few restaurants to choose from with delicious food.

La Palapa de Soco

As the name suggests, this restaurant is located in a palapa (the roof is made of dried palm leaves). The restaurant is family run and the service is very friendly. We recommend the fish dishes and the coconut water.

La Brisa del Mar

This restaurant also operates palapas with loungers and hammocks on the beach, just ask and they will take you there. The service is very friendly and accommodating. The food is delicious, we recommend the fish and prawn dishes with coriander cream sauce, garlic sauce, or coconut breading. To drink, try the coconut water and the pina colada. You can also have breakfast here (my favorite: fried eggs with rice and fried banana).

Zamá

This restaurant is located next to the Hotel La Casona de Sisal. It’s a bit more expensive, but they also serve other dishes than just seafood, which is a plus if you need a change during a longer stay. We also liked the ambience with relaxing instrumental music being played in the background. We can recommend the roast pork with mashed potatoes, the tacos with Lechón Negro and the cheesecake. Be sure to check its opening hours, during the week they close already in the afternoon, so it’s better to arrive a bit earlier. You can also have breakfast here.

Where to Stay in Sisal

There are many Airbnb offers and some hotels in Sisal.

Casa Kinich Sisal

A ten-minute walk to the city center and a short walk to the beach: Casa Kinich is a high-ranked place to stay. It’s got a pool, garden, and terrace. Equipped with a kitchenette to prepare your own breakfast. There’s also a restaurant nearby, La Palapa del Mauro, but check its opening hours.

La Casona de Sisal Hotel

This four-star hotel’s location is perfect: Close to the beach, in the city center, with a restaurant, and a supermarket with a cash machine directly across the street. The latter you might need, as the restaurant didn’t accept credit cards during our stay. The hotel has its own pool and a terrace.

Cocolitos

Here you rent the whole apartment with 2 double beds (no queen or king size, though). There’s a small garden with a terrace and pool and a fully equipped kitchen. It’s about 1 km from the city center, by foot you need around 15 minutes, or you rent a bike at Cocolitos. It’s only one block from the ocean.

How to Get to Sisal

The nearest international airports are in Mérida and Cancún. You can also fly in via Mexico City and then book an onward flight to Mérida.

From Mérida, Sisal is just about an hour’s drive away; you can travel by public transport or rental car. The Autobuses Oriente leave from the Mérida Noreste stop to Sisal. Anyway, all roads lead through Hunucmá – a town where you can stock up on supplies if needed. You can also book a tour from Mérida if you just want to stay for a day.

So…Is it for Me?

If you like less frequented towns that – though small – offer you what you need for a relaxing day at the beach, then it’s a definite “yes”. Also, if you love nature, bird-watching, going on tours, or when you’re staying in Mérida during the hot season and long to take a swim in the sea – Sisal is the place for you to be. However, if you’re a party lover, love to go out at night, enjoy fancy restaurants, or just need the bustle of the city and the activity of a huge beach town – you’d probably be better off in a bigger beach town. Also, as a digital nomad, the internet might be too unreliable or weak to work; but if you’re in for a digital detox, it’s not a problem.

For us, all together, it was so worthwhile! We could relax here and enjoy our stay. Sisal belongs definitely to my top 5 places in Mexico that I’d be returning to for a relaxed beach holiday.

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