6 Best Things to Do in Sisal, Yucatán, México + Must-Know Tips

Thinking of traveling to the charming fishing village of Sisal, México? This Sisal travel guide includes the best things to do in Sisal and must-know tips so you can plan the perfect trip!

Nestled into the Gulf side of the Yucatán Peninsula, the colorful “Pueblo Mágico” of Sisal is rich with coastal Yucatecan culture, abundant wildlife, and beautiful beaches.

Known worldwide for exporting an agave-based fabric now known as “sisal,” this small fishing village has a surprising amount to offer travelers seeking a slow-paced, authentic Mexican beach vacation.

As emerald waters meet Sisal’s pristine white-sand shores, take your pick between kayaking through Sisal’s wetlands to spot flamingos; eating delicious fresh-caught seafood; visiting historic sites like the Fort of Santiago; or lazing under a palapa at the beach.

While living as a digital nomad in Mexico, I spent one month traveling in the Yucatán to amazing places like Sisal. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know for a perfect trip to Sisal, whether you’re visiting on a day trip or staying for a beach holiday.

Let’s dive into the best things to do in Sisal, how to get there, and other must-know tips!

Is Sisal, Yucatán Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! I thought that Sisal was well worth a visit for its beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, authentic Yucatecan beach culture, deliciously fresh seafood, and endless opportunities to relax.

Not to mention, the opportunity to spot pink flamingo colonies! And the fact that this town is well off the beaten path.

But let’s talk about Sisal’s historic charm for a second. Have you ever heard of henequén (known as sisal worldwide)? This stuff is why Sisal is on the map in the first place!

Starting in the 16th century, the port of Sisal exported this agave-based textile all over the world. Thanks to this “green gold”, Sisal quickly became a bustling port town full of life, color, and culture. It also became the only (legal) point of entry into the Yucatán state; even Empress Carlota of México (Princess Charlotte of Belgium) arrived here in 1865.

And Sisal thrived… That is, until the nearby port town of Progreso was built to cut down on ships’ travel time.

With this era bygone, Sisal has transformed itself into a sleepy, lovely fishing village, which the Mexican government now recognizes as a “Pueblo Mágico” – or a “magical town” with unique cultural and historical significance.

So yes, you should visit Sisal. I think the question is actually whether you should visit on a day trip from Mérida, or if you should book a beachfront vacation rental for a longer stay to relax to the max.

Best Things to Do in Sisal, Mexico

Even though it’s just a small fishing town on the Gulf, there are plenty of things to do in Sisal to keep you interested. Let’s dive into them now!

1. Hang Out at Playa Sisal

Of course, one of the best things to do in Sisal is spend a day basking in the sun, where emerald waters meet white sandy shores.

The main beach, Playa Sisal, is home to all sorts of palapas serving ice-cold beer, micheladas, ceviche, guacamole, tacos, and more.

Indulge a little, why don’t you? (The prices here are very budget-friendly, by the way.)

P.S. The visit pictured above fell during a stormy time in September. On sunny days, the beaches look 10x more beautiful. Plus, the further you head away from the pier, the higher the chances of having a sandy spot all to yourself!

2. Roam the Colorful Streets

The town of Sisal is tiny, but the relaxed vibe (that you’ll feel throughout the Yucatán!), colorful streets, and the sound of distant guitars playing will pull you to explore.

There aren’t too many souvenir shops or boutiques to explore (yet!), but there are a few vibrant murals, lovely old buildings, and restaurants to check out as you stroll.

3. See the Historic Sites

As you roam around, soak in the village’s historic charm. Keep your eye out for these historic sites, perfect for photo ops!

• Muelle Sisal: Countless tons of henequen were shipped worldwide from the historic pier between the 16th and 20th centuries. Local fishermen love to fish from this pier.
• Casa de la Emperatriz: You can admire the red exterior of Empress Carlota’s house along the main street in Sisal as you walk around.
• Fuerte de Santiago: When the Spanish colonized the area, they built the Fort of Santiago to protect the port from pirate attacks.
• Faro de Sisal: In 1845, the cute red and white Sisal Lighthouse was added to the fort.
• Parque de Sisal: The main park, which backs up to the Fort of Santiago, features centuries-old cannons, the Yucatán’s iconic white “confidant chairs,” a cute gazebo, and lots of trees.

4. Go on a Nature & Wildlife Tour

From the Ciénega de Sisal (wetlands/mangroves) to the Ojo de Agua (freshwater spring), there is SO much flora and fauna to discover in Sisal and the El Palmar State Reserve. It’s a nature lover’s paradise!

On a kayaking, boating, or SUPing tour exploring these magnificent wetlands, you can spot flamingos, cormorants, pelicans, 15+ species of ducks, endangered Hawksbill sea turtles, crocodiles, and many other creatures.

As soon as you arrive, I’m sure that at least one captain will approach you to offer you a boat tour of the mangroves. But as always in Mexico, don’t be afraid to haggle – or just say “no gracias” if the price sounds too high.

You can head to the tourism office at the Edificio de la Aduana (old customs office) to explore all of the tour options and pricing available.

If you want to take an easy guided day trip from Mérida, you can book this tour, which includes a kayaking trip through the mangroves and estuary. Click here to book it.

Hot tip: If you don’t want to go on a kayak tour, but you do want to catch a glimpse of the mangroves, then stop by the Mirador Charcas de Sisal. From this wooden boardwalk, you can spot many bird species and maybe even a crocodile.

Note: The flamingo and crocodile photos above were actually shot in the Ríá Lagartos Biosphere Reserve in the Yucatán, which is home to a very similar ecosystem as El Palmar Nature Reserve. I went on a boat tour through the mangroves there the weekend before, after visiting Valladolid, so I decided not to here.

5. Embark on an Adventure Tour

Looking for more adventure? You can head to the port’s old customs building, the Edificio de la Aduana, which is now a tourist information center.

There, you can find information about other available tours to go snorkeling, fishing, bird watching, kite surfing, horseback riding, and more. You can also book a nighttime crocodile tour!

It’s also worth mentioning that – if you choose to stay a while in a Sisal vacation rental and book a rental car – there are plenty of cenotes (natural sinkholes for swimming), Mayan ruins (like Uxmal, Mayapán, and Chichen Itzá), and other amazing cities and towns (like Mérida, Valladolid, Izamal, Progreso, and Celestún) within a day trip’s distance!

6. Eat Delicious Seafood

My favorite thing about Sisal is the authentic, affordable, and fresh seafood. In fact, one of the most memorable meals I had during my one-month Yucatán trip was at Restaurante “La Brisa del Mar”.

We sat at a table out on the street in the balmy Gulf breeze – as a local guitarist serenaded us with lovely música – and savored a delicious fresh-caught fish ceviche over micheladas.

But not just any micheladas – because these ones were muddled with the fruit of our choice… Like mango or passionfruit.

Trust me, having a michelada here is one of the best things to do in Sisal. The typical sour-sweet-salty michelada flavors were only amplified by the tropical fruit flavors. Beyond AMAZING.

Best Restaurants in Sisal

Other high-rated local seafood restaurants to add to your list include:

• Rinconcito de Sisal
• La Palapa de Soco
• Tanda de Mar
• Restaurante Muelle de Sisal
• Zamá Restaurante
• Restaurante “La Brisa del Mar” (mentioned above)

Plus, there are plenty of palapas on the sand (that you won’t find online!) where you can kick back, enjoy the beach, and enjoy beers and fresh seafood! Take your pick.

Not to mention, as you walk around, you’ll pass by plenty of street food vendors selling all sorts of delicious snacks.

How to Get to Sisal (From Mérida)

Getting here from Mérida is super easy. The journey takes about 1 hour. Here are the best ways to get to Sisal.

Drive Yourself (Best + Cheapest Option!)

During our month of living in Mérida, we rented a car every weekend to explore the Yucatán. I highly recommend that you rent a car for your trip to Sisal too. Why? It’s convenient, and it’s cheap. (We’d typically spend about $30 USD/day for our rental and mandatory Mexican insurance.) Plus, driving around Yucatán state is very safe and straightforward.

This is my favorite website for finding affordable car rentals in Mexico and beyond. Click here to book your rental car.

If you book a rental car, you should always use Google Maps for updated traffic and route details. However, here’s a summary:

From Mérida, hop on the Periférico de Mérida Lic. Manuel Berzunza toward Tetiz. Then, take the YUC 281 highway headed for Hunucmá. Once you’re in the town of Hunucmá, you’ll make a left to stay on the YUC 281. Keep going! When you see emerald sea water, you’ll know you’ve arrived in the “Pueblo Mágico” of Sisal!

Guided Tour (Easiest!)

Booking a guided private tour or a group tour is the easiest way to take a day trip.

Each tour below includes round-trip transportation from Mérida, a kayak trip through the mangroves to spot bird species like pink flamingoes and cormorants, time to explore the colorful and historic town, and a bilingual guide.

• Full-Day Private Sisal + Kayak Tour: Private tour, does not include lunch. Click here to book it.
• Full Day Sisal + Kayak Tour: Group tour, includes lunch. Click here to book it.

Bus (Cheap, Less Convenient)

A local bus company called Oriente offers a couple of different direct Mérida-Sisal and Sisal-Mérida options every day. Find the most up-to-date schedules on their Facebook page.

Uber/Taxi (Most Expensive)

You can take an Uber or taxi from Mérida for roughly 450-650 MXN pesos.

Just note that you may have difficulty catching an Uber back to Mérida due to limited availability. Likely, you’ll have to find another option, like a taxi, bus, or private driver via a tour operator.

Should You Stay Overnight in Sisal?

Wondering whether you should stay overnight in Sisal? My answer is… it depends.

You can easily take a day trip to Sisal from Mérida, especially on a guided tour or if you book a rental car. The short, one-way journey takes just 1 hour. And of course, the village is tiny, so you can see all of Sisal and go on a kayak tour within 1 day.

That said, if you want more time to kick back and enjoy the beautiful beach, then you should spend the night. The next day, you could hang out in Sisal all day, or even squeeze in a visit to Celestún (another popular beach village) which is about 1 hour away.  

Sisal would also be a great destination for a relaxing beach vacation. If you love low-key, quiet, authentic beach towns and don’t want to do much other than laze on the beach, hang at the pool, sip margaritas, and eat seafood, then you could easily stay in Sisal for a week! Plus, there are plenty of day trip opportunities if you book a rental car. If that’s the case, you should book a beachfront vacation rental and bring a group of friends or family.

Where to Stay in Sisal

There aren’t very many hotels or vacation rentals to choose from in this relaxed seaside village, but there are a handful of surprisingly great ones!

Here are the best places to stay in Sisal.

Best Hotels in Sisal

• Casa Kinich Sisal ($$): This cute little hotel is located steps from the beach and is complete with gardens and a pool! The rooms have air conditioning – a must in the Yucatán Peninsula! Click here to book it.
• Club de Patos ($$$): If you’re looking for the most luxurious stay in Sisal, you’ve just found it! This beachfront hotel’s boho-chic guest suites could not be any more beautiful. Click here to book it.

Best Vacation Rentals in Sisal 

Visiting with a larger group for an extended stay? Choose from one of these affordable yet amazing vacation rentals.

• This beautiful beachfront rental, Ocean Villa, sleeps up to 8 people. Click here to book it.
• This rental, Gorgeous Emerald Coast Beachfront Home, is beachfront, features a pool, stunning decor, and sleeps up to 16 people. To me, this is the perfect vacation rental for a beyond-incredible price. Click here to book it.
• This historic, restored hacienda from the 1800s called Sisal Beach is located right on the sand, features a pool, and sleeps up to 7 people. Click here to book it.
• This budget-friendly studio apartment, Cocolitos, offers air conditioning, a pool, and a short walk to the sand. Click here to book it.

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WANT MORE YUCATAN TRAVEL INSPIRATION?

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Sisal, Mexico Travel FAQs

Have you been to Sisal before? Planning to explore the Yucatan and visiting Sisal soon? Have questions? Leave your comments below!

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