Peto is a small town in the southern region of Yucatán, Mexico, with a rich and diverse history.
Peto was founded in 1549 by Francisco de Berreo, a Spanish conquistador, and was named after the Mayan word for “crown of the moon”.
Peto was an important center of the chicle industry, which extracted gum from the sapodilla trees and exported it to other countries. Peto also had a railway connection to Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, and an airport that transported fruits from the nearby Santa Elena hacienda.
Peto was involved in the Caste War of Yucatán, a long and bloody conflict between the Maya rebels and the Mexican government. The town was besieged and occupied by the Maya leader Jacinto Pat, who lost his son Marcelo Pat in a battle there.
Peto was later recaptured by the government forces, and some priests tried to persuade the Maya to end the war. Peto has several attractions for visitors, such as its colonial church, its colorful houses, its traditional markets, and its surrounding natural beauty.
Peto is also known for its cultural diversity, as it is home to people of Maya, Spanish, Lebanese, and Chinese descent. Peto is a town that preserves its past while looking forward to its future.
TYT Newsroom