Landmark 15 km east of Coatepec
Santa Anna's country hacienda on the old royal road, now a museum with period rooms, a chapel and wide gardens.
El Lencero is one of the oldest estates in the Xalapa region. Its story begins in 1525, when the land was granted to Juan Lencero, one of Hernán Cortés's soldiers, who set up an inn beside the new royal road between the port of Veracruz and Mexico City. Over the following centuries it became a working hacienda that grew sugarcane, raised cattle, and later produced coffee, bricks, and tiles.
Its most famous owner was Antonio López de Santa Anna, who bought it in 1842 and expanded it. Santa Anna, who served as president of Mexico again and again, liked to retreat here from the capital, and in April 1847 he gathered troops at El Lencero to face the US invasion before the battle of Cerro Gordo.
The Veracruz state government bought the property in 1981 and turned it into a museum. Today you walk through rooms furnished with 19th-century pieces, visit the chapel, and stroll the large gardens and grounds, which make it a calm half-day trip.
What to see and do
Tour the main house and its rooms furnished in 19th-century style.
Visit the hacienda's chapel.
Walk the gardens and grounds around the house.
Pair it with lunch in Xalapa or back in Coatepec.
Getting there
El Lencero is in the municipality of Emiliano Zapata, just off the highway from Xalapa to Veracruz, about 12 km east of Xalapa. From Coatepec it is around 30 to 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic around Xalapa. The museum has usually opened Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm with a small entry fee; check before you go.
15 km east of Coatepec
Directions from Coatepec on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Ex Hacienda El Lencero shares the climate of Coatepec, 15 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Make Coatepec your base
Ex Hacienda El Lencero is an easy trip from Coatepec, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
Also close to
- Naolinco · 20 km away
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.