"San Nicolás" is Spanish for the patron saint of the chapel, Nicholas of Tolentino[3] and "Dzoyaxché" is derived from the Mayan language.

[3] On 28 June 1993 the Cuxtal Ecological Reserve was designated to protect the history of the 7 large haciendas, their adjoining pueblos, 12 minor archaeological sites, 6 cenotes and one of Mérida's important water supply stations.

[6] Within the reserve are the following protected haciendas:[6] The property currently allows tours, private events, and offers horseback riding, bicycle paths, swimming in the cenote and picnic grounds for nominal fees.

[3][8] All of the henequen plantations ceased to exist as autonomous communities with the agrarian land reform implemented by President Lazaro Cardenas in 1937.

After 1937, figures indicate those living in the community, as the remaining Hacienda San Nicolás Dzoyaxché houses only the owner's immediate family.