Why Mayan Hammocks Are Perfect for Everyday Relaxation

Mayan hammocks are synonymous with relaxation, but when it comes to choosing one you might be surprised by the variety out there. The classic image of a hammock features a rope bed held open between two wooden spreader bars. The Mayan hammock, a design passed down for centuries, offers a completely different experience — and for some people, a better one.

So why would you skip the spreader bar and choose a Mayan? A few reasons:

• A deeper lie. Spreader bars hold the bed flat. A Mayan's dense weave conforms to your body instead, so you sink into a soft, supportive cocoon — good for curling up with a book or napping under the stars.
• Room to spread out. Lie across a Mayan diagonally rather than end to end and the weave opens up underneath you, letting you lie flat with your shoulders free. Side sleepers tend to prefer it.
• Packability. No wooden bars means a Mayan is light and compresses down small, which makes it a good choice for an RV, a boat, or a road trip where space counts.
• A traditional look. Hand woven in a distinctive diamond pattern with a graceful arc, a Mayan brings a bohemian feel that a spreader bar hammock doesn't.
• Sleeping soundly. Some people find the Mayan position more comfortable for long stretches, particularly with back pain. The even weight distribution eases pressure points.
• Space saving. A Mayan takes up less room than a spreader bar hammock, not more. Nothing holds it open, so it's narrower in use and narrower still when nobody's in it. That suits porches, balconies and other tight spots.

There are trade-offs. A Mayan hangs in a much deeper U, so it needs height — anchors at least five feet up, or the bed ends up on the grass. It won't fit most stands for the same reason. And because there's nothing holding it open, it looks like a coiled rope when empty rather than reading as a hammock from across the yard.

One thing you'll read elsewhere that isn't true: that a Mayan is harder to get into. Getting into either style takes about the same amount of doing, as long as you've hung it properly. We've covered the whole comparison — how you lie in each, spacing, height, stands — in Mayan vs Spreader Bar Hammock: Which Should You Buy?

The Caribbean Mayan hammock

Then there's the Caribbean Mayan hammock, which keeps everything above but swaps the cotton cord for soft-spun polyester. That changes three things:

• It lives outdoors. Cotton weakens and mildews outside. Polyester doesn't rot, mold or mildew, so the hammock can stay out through sun and rain.
• It's stronger. Soft-spun polyester carries more weight than cotton, whether you're on your own or sharing it.
• It dries fast and cleans easily. No lingering dampness after a rain shower, and no worrying about mold in the weave.

Worth knowing: the rope itself won't mildew, but debris that lands in the weave will, and that mold stains the cord underneath. A shake in passing prevents it. Here's how we clean and store ours.

Related reading

• Mayan vs Spreader Bar Hammock: Which Should You Buy?
• Choosing the Right Size and Style of Mayan Hammock
• How to Care For, Clean & Store Your Hammock For Winter
• Shop Mayan hammocks