Hat Capital of Mexico

Yucatan Panamas

The little know village of Becal, Campeche, Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula is a center for trade in straw hats made from the area's toquilla plant.

The photograph shows yours truly, 20-plus years ago, in the town's zocalo in front of the hat sculpture that adorns the city's center.

I was there learning about and buying hats woven from a straw material that is much like the "panama" material of South America. Descendents of the Maya climb down into moist caverns and weave these hats in this area.

Imagine how surprised I was to discover a sculpture in tribute to hats!