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The village of Santa Maria de Sisal, an ancient port circa 1080 A.D., is a window into the past. It was founded as a port to trade with indigenous tribes in the Gulf of Mexico as well as other Caribbean nations. When the conquering Spaniards arrived, Sisal eventually grew into one of their greatest ports, with cargoes exceeding those of Campeche.
The main product of Sisal is the fiber that goes by the name of “Henequen” (called green gold in its time). To protect the valuable port and cargo, the Spaniards built a fort there that still stands today and is visited by tourists for its historical value. Other attractions in Sisal are its beaches and “Bocas de Conil” or “ojo de agua” which are fresh water spouts along the beach front.
Because of the growth of the port of Progresso in recent times, Sisal turned into a quaint fishing village. However, the state government is now focusing on returning Sisal to its former glory by developing it as a tourist destination. On December 4 th, the current governor of the state of Yucatan,
Patricio Patron Laviada announced to local officials, who gathered at the main plaza for the dedication of new facilities, that Sisal will become the great tourist center for the area.
“The old maritime customs building, like other old buildings, is being restored to its original conditions”, he said. He also indicated that he will commission a U.S. company to determine the kind of projects required for optimal tourist development. “The analysis will be completed during this term, though due to the short time we have, the project will be developed by the up coming administration”, he announced.
The SCT (Federal Transportation and Communications Commission) approved 3.9 million pesos (approximately $350,000.00 USD) for the rehabilitation of the Sisal Pier, once considered one of the best in the world, where the “Green Gold” was exported. The restoration is currently at 95% and it is estimated that by January 2007 the pier will be fully operational.
