What to look for and where to pick up the perfect hammock
Even the thought of hammocks is enough to get one in a relaxed mood. Hammocks have become synonymous in much of the world with exotic holidays, naps in the sun, and cocktails with those tiny umbrellas in them.
But for folks in the Yucatán,they are much less exotic, especially for those in pueblos who sleep in them almost exclusively. This is not to say that they love them any less, as talk of “patear pared” (to kick the wall to gently swoon oneself to sleep) and “súbelo a tu hamaca” (get him in to your hammock) are commonly said with a grin, seriously or not.
It used to be believed that hammocks first came to Yucatán in the time of the conquest, likely from the Caribbean. But recent discoveries seem to suggest the ancient Maya were well aware of the virtues of the hammock at least a millennia ago.
When in Yucatán finding a hammock for sale is no problem, as when in parks or plazas,vendors will eagerly present you with their wares. Not to say these hammocks are not good, but they tend to be a little more expensive when compared to buying directly from hammock artisans themselves.
Hammock pricings can vary dramatically depending on their size, material, and quality. For one thing, you want to ensure that that hammock is knit nicely and tight. The material you should choose depends on how you want to use your hammock.
Depending on the size of the hammock you can fit one to three or four people in each. Just make sure you get the correct one!
Hammocks made out of 100% cotton are extremely comfortable and perfect for indoor use, but polyester hammocks are much more resistant and better at weathering the elements. That said, it’s not a good idea to leave your hammock outside when it rains and then let it dry off. This may be fine a few times, but eventually, the strings break and when you get in you will be in for a tumble.
A really good but counterintuitive place to pick up a quality hammock is outside of a prison. This may sound a little odd at first, but it makes sense as prisoners often craft them inside of their cells and have their family members sell them on the outside to help make ends meet.
Of all the towns in Yucatán, Tixkokob is best known for its hammock production. Within a few blocks in and around the downtown area you will be able to find several shops where the hammocks are made and sold.
On the left-hand side of the main square, Hamacas La Golondrina offers a wide variety of hammocks, hammock chairs, hammock benches, and just about anything you could imagine. The advantage of shops like this is that prices are posted, so there is no need to haggle or worry about overpaying.
Ok now that you have your perfect hammock, assuming it’s of the traditional kind, you are going to need a way to hang it. If you are at the beach or don’t live in Yucatán you may choose to tie the end to trees in your backyard.
But the true Yucatecan way involves installing hamaqueros, picking a couple “eses” (so-called because of their shape) and a sturdy hammock rope, which will allow you to adjust the height and tightness of our hammock.
So if you have not already, get yourself a hammock and install hamaqueros all over. You never know when you will have visitors and need the room!
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer, adventure leader, and PhD candidate. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
