Estancia Del López: Hacienda History and Peanut Culture

Estancia Del López brings together the history of Hacienda de Quesería, a strong craft tradition, and peanut products that also shape the town’s food culture. Visitors who enjoy discovering architecture, local production, and distinctive foods on vacation will find several themes here that can be explored together: the hacienda’s sugarcane history, a festival tradition at the chapel, and products whose making draws on practical experience and knowledge passed down through families.

Hacienda, Architecture, and Festival Tradition

Hacienda de Quesería in Estancia Del López is documented from the 18th century. It appears on a 1776 map of the parish district of Amatlán de Cañas. In the mid-19th century, Ignacio Monroy and his sons bought the hacienda and its associated lands to grow sugarcane. They came from Ciudad Guzmán. Several decades therefore separate the early record from the family’s purchase; sugarcane cultivation marks a later phase in the hacienda’s history.

The single-story building combines white plaster and adobe walls with wooden beams. Its roof slopes in one direction and is covered with clay tiles. These details give the architecture a tangible character: along with the dates, the materials and roof shape define the hacienda’s appearance. Anyone interested in architectural history can explore different aspects through a single building, rather than reading the town’s history only through dates.

Another historical landmark is the Capilla de la Candelaria. The first documented celebration of the Virgen de la Candelaria at this chapel took place on February 2, 1884. Estancia Del López thus offers two different ways to explore the past: the hacienda’s agricultural history and a festive occasion associated with the chapel.

Crafts and Peanut Culture

The milk candies “Huesitos de leche” are made by some women in the kitchens of homes in Estancia Del López. Knowledge acquired through hands-on experience is passed down to the next generations. The candies are sold in town and in the surrounding communities. For travelers who enjoy discovering local foods, this product connects a specific sweet with a tradition of passing on knowledge.

Under the name “Cacahuates La Estancia,” peanuts are prepared in salted, spicy, “macho,” candied, and garlic-seasoned varieties. The range also includes peanut cookies and peanut butter made from one hundred percent peanuts. The craft workshop is located in Felipe Valdivia’s home, where production is carried out together with his family. The products are sold in regional grocery stores and at their home.

Gustavo de Lucio also makes traditional, hand-crafted, coated peanut cookies in Estancia Del López. Their distinctive presentation is considered unique in the town; the cookies are sold in the surrounding region. A peanut factory also represents production methods passed down through generations. During a visit to the factory, visitors sampled a creamy, spicy peanut sauce, as well as sweets candied with honey and sesame seeds. If you would like to visit, check in advance whether tours and tastings are open to the public and offered regularly.

Which Focus Suits Your Stay?

The hacienda and the Capilla de la Candelaria offer a way to explore local history and architecture; the milk candies and peanut products provide a culinary perspective. For families who enjoy talking together about local specialties, the building styles, product names, and different flavors offer specific points of interest. You do not have to limit your stay to a single theme.

When looking for a vacation rental in Estancia Del López, you could first consider which part of the town you would most like to shape your vacation: the history of the hacienda or the local craft food culture. This lets you choose your destination based on the experiences that interest you, without requiring one particular focus to define your entire stay.

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For the main travel overview: Nayarit.