Tips on Buying a Mexican Hammock

Mexico is famous for its hammocks and in particular Maya hammocks are some of the best in the world. I took lessons on hammock making and here are my best tips on buying a hammock in Merida Mexico.

Who knew that hammocks were so complex?  Here in the Yucatan hammocks are a work of art, but you have to make sure to ask the right questions when you purchase a hammock, not to mention using a hammock is far more complex than I ever realized. It’s important to get a good quality hammock not a cheap one of the street vendors so here are some tips on buying a hammock in Mexico.

How to buy the best hammock in Mexico

 Tips for buying a hammock in Merida Mexico

You will see many styles of hammocks here in the Yucatan.  There are several things to consider when buying a hammock. Usually, here in Mexico, you will see nylon, cotton, and some from henequen which is a rope type cord.  Both nylon and cotton are very comfortable, henequen not so much as it can be quite fibrous.

Cotton hammocks are perfect for indoor use and generally speaking will come in either an unbleached cream shade or pale muted colours. However, cotton can stretch out and become misshapen and some tell me that they are too hot for summer use.

beautiful Mexican hammocks on the beach of the Yucatan

Nylon hammocks will come in very bright shiny colours and many hammocks in nylon are multicoloured or if they are two threads woven they will incorporate complementary colours like blue and green so they will be a beautiful addition to your terrace or back yard.

how to sleep in a hammock

Some of the best hammocks can be bought at Cielo Hammocks which is a great coop in Mexico that makes all hand-made hammocks.

What to look for when buying a Mexican hammock 

First of all, a hammock in Mexico is called a hammaca or hamaca, this is Spanish for hammock. There are some things you should know before you spend any money on a hammock – and don’t just go for the first one you see or the cheapest.

Don’t be fooled into buying a hammock with the wooden spreader bars, this is a very North American style but it doesn’t make a great hammock for napping or sleeping in although you will see them here in the Yucatan.

end strings of hammocks from Mexico, really bright braided strings of colour

Try to purchase a real hand-made Mayan hammock and understand that these can take up to 100 hours or more to create and can be true works of art.

#1. Check the weave, pull the hammock out to its full dimensions and make sure the colour is even and that there are no knots throughout the surface of the hammock.  The only knots you should see are those at the ends rather than in the middle.

#2. You should not be able to push your fingers through the body of the hammock if you are just holding the hammock in your hand and are testing how tightly woven the body is. I know it sounds stupid but bundle the hammock up and hold it to see if you can push your fingers through, it is a great test.

Hammocks made by hand in Mexico

#3. You also need to consider the size of the hammock.  My first hammock lesson taught me that North Americans do not use hammocks correctly as we tend to get in them and lay from end to end creating a nasty curve that can hurt your back.  When you get into your hammock you start by standing beside the hammock with your back to it, take the farthest side and bring it up over your shoulders like a blanket, then you pull the side closest to you under your legs and sit down like in a chair.  Once in the hammock adjust your body so that you are lying diagonally as in a 45-degree angle so that your head and feet are supported fully.

#4. You can also purchase special mosquito nets to use with the hammock called mosquitera.

#5. Don’t be dismayed when a seller asks you what size of hammock you want.  Single sizes are around 3 feet wide and perfectly suitable for a single person and for packing to go travelling.  You can also buy a matrimonial size which runs to around 5 feet wide and king size which goes up to 6 feet wide.

#6. Look for the hammocks made by the indigenous Mayan people; these are hand-woven on simple looms by women in many of the Mayan villages that dot the area.

Try to find some reputable hammock sellers, which are not necessarily the guys wandering the various markets or on the beaches.  There are several reputable stores in Merida where you can buy your hammock. These are 6 top tips to buying a hammock in Merida.

Buying a Hammock in Mexico all the beautiful colours available

The best hammocks are not usually purchased from the guys wandering the Plaza Grande in Merida and probably not on the beach in Progreso either. But you can pick up a cheap hammock that should not cost you more than around $400 pesos (bargain hard). There are some good places for buying hammocks, one is the prison in Ebtun and El Aguacate in Merida.

How to hang and sleep in a Hammock 

When it comes time to hang your hammock you may have noticed those rings and hooks in many of the houses here in the Yucatan – that is what they are for.  They are called hamaquero and most Yucatecan homes have several both inside and out.

To attach your hammock to your hamaquero, you need two things: the special length and configuration of rope, called sogas para hamaca (ropes for a hammock) and the hooks which attach the rope loops to the hammock hooks and are called ganchos para hamacas or eses (for the “S” shape that they come in). The sogas are usually sold in pairs, because you need one for each side, and come in colours to match (or not!) your hammock. Usually, these are available from where you bought your hammaca or in the local ferreratia or hardware store.

beautiful bright coloured hammocks folded up and for sale at Ebtun Mexico

Yes, you can wash your hammock and this should be done at least a few times a year.  Do not attempt to machine wash them as those strings will get totally wrapped around your machine and become almost impossible to disentangle.  Simply use a large bucket filled with water and a little bit of soap, make sure you rinse it well and then hang up to dry ensuring that it is spread out to its widest point so all the strings dry.

hammocks on the beach of Mexico as the sunsets across the waters

Ebtun is where there is a prison selling hammocks handmade by their prisoners; this town is just outside of Valladolid.  The hamacas have a great reputation and are known for their quality.  They are nylon made, very tightly woven and double-stranded.  The colours are quite amazing and they do come in 3 sizes: single, matrimonial and king size.  Prices are non-negotiable and interestingly each hamaca comes with the name of the prisoner who made it, the cost is around $90 US for a double and around $50 US for a single. This is the place that folks who know hammocks recommend buying a hammock from.

In some areas, you can also learn how to make hammocks.  In Chuburna Puerto for $100 pesos and the cost of materials, you can learn to make a hammock and practice your Spanish. It takes around 100 hours in total.  You can check out this page on FB for Chuburna Puerto information do a search on hammocks and you will see the information these photos are from that FB page.

The shop Aguacate on Calle 58, in Merida, has a great reputation for their hammocks, if you get a chance find it and drop by to buy your hammocks from true craftspeople.

how to buy a hammock in mexico

Have you bought a Mexican hammock?

Author

  • Faith was born in Ireland raised in Canada and has lived in over 10 countries in Europe including England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Northern Ireland, Wales, along with Mexico, Antigua, the US and has slow travelled to over 40 countries around the world. Graduating with a degree in Anthropology and Women's Studies Faith is a student of history, culture, community and food and has written about these topics for over 40 years.

12 thoughts on “How to buy the best hammock in Mexico”

  1. Hey there 🙂
    I have been to Mexico once before, and there I saw the most beautiful and creatively made hammocks I have ever seen in my life. I even bought one that I still use till today! (for six years now) In Mexico, you can never go wrong when it comes to buying a hammock.
    Anyway, I really enjoyed this post. It’s amazing! Thank you 🙂

      1. Just a note of caution – we went to Ebutan and there is a vendor claiming to be associated with the prison (with a sign!) be he is not. The only prison hammocks are right next to the entry gate and not beside the facility. It’s a good cause as the money goes to the prisoners’ families. Thanks for the tip!

  2. Oh ! these hammocks are amazing.Mexico is one of the best country for making hammock.I love hammocks.I think for this hammock 400 pesos is a good price.I am shocked how can 4 peoples lay in a hammock together.Anyway,thanks for writing dear.

  3. Hello, I really liked your article about hammocks, I congratulate you, I invite you to visit us in Cielo hammocks, we have very good quality, good prices, customers can try all the hammocks and we are the only hammock with fair trade certificate…and we have much more variety and quality than ebtun and el Aguacate..in other hand couple of photos that you use I took them, were 4 people laying on a hammock is me with some friends and the weaver with a virgin she is part of cielo team .. feel free to use them is an honor , regards Constantino

  4. I find cotton body hammocks to be the best year round. Hammocks should never be left out in the weather. I generally lie in it sideways, and have even used it while camping in winter.
    Thanks for the tips on navigating Merida!
    I would also make a plea for fair trade; a hammock is a lot of work and those that weave them deserve a decent return for their labor.

  5. Would love to visit Mexico one day in my life. Loving the vibes from images! A hammock is best to be stressful for a while.

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