Mayan hammocks are bright, hand made hammocks rated as the most comfortable hammocks in the world. They are a little different from other types of garden hammocks in their style of hanging and they also have a low center of gravity, which makes the hammock experience more relaxing. The thin fibres used for weaving give them the appearance of delicacy but in actual fact they are quite sturdy and durable. Mayan hammocks are hand woven in the Yucatan Peninsula and Quintana Roo in Mexico. Merida is called the hammock capital of Mexico, and 60% of the area is devoted to hammock weaving production. This area has villages full of skilled artisans, mostly women, who weave these hammocks using generations’ old techniques, with vertical rather than horizontal looms. The woven fabric can stretch upto two miles, and remains soft and smooth to touch. While being shaped into hammocks, additional attractions include fringes with beads and knots to enhance the beauty of the colorful fabric .It is a major source of livelihood for the rural folk of the region. The weaving helps the hammock to cushion any body shape and provide total comfort.

The Mayan region was part of the Mexico of today. Long ago the Mayans were conquered and were made part of Mexico and the Spanish Mexican culture by the Europeans who led the invasion. The traditional art of weaving Mayan hammocks was picked up by the Mexicans and the new products were called Mexican hammocks. Mayan hammocks would still be hand woven in the Yucatan region while Mexican ones could be made anywhere, even by Europeans, but with the same technique. Both, coming out of the same country, are called Mexican hammocks.

Often, a diamond weave is adopted for weaving these hammocks. The intertwined sprang weaving pattern is unique to the Yucatan region, and each craftsman leaves his/her fingerprint on her creation. This differentiates the hammocks from machine made ones, as no two hammocks can be identical. Sprang weaving is the art of inter-locking parallel cords to produce very strong fabric. The width is fixed and the length goes on increasing. Not using a loom, the weaving can be done between two trees. This also allows the air to circulate and penetrate from below, enhancing the fresh and cool feeling. Without being aided by a spreader bar the hammocks are designed to take the shape of the body reclining in them. They fit in places where rope hammocks cannot be accommodated.

The use of nylon thread improves the strength and durability of the hammock. These are recommended for outdoors, while pure cotton ones are ideal for indoor fitting. Mayan hammocks come in various sizes and are extremely safe for babies as well. Thick string hammocks are suitable for patios and terraces. Framed hammocks enhance portability and can be placed anywhere. Hammock chairs provide comfort to the occupant and elegance to the area where they are hung.

The nylon Mayan hammocks are ideal for trekkers and back packers, mountain climbers and campers, who need light, compact hammocks. They are strong enough to hold huge amounts of weight without giving way. These open style hammocks can even be used for storage and hung from the ceiling when running out of floor space.

It is easy to find Mexican or Mayan hammocks in retail outlets or on multiple online stores and websites, which give freebies, multiple choices, guarantees, and even home deliver them. Colors, sizes and designs can be selected while placing the order, and the sites also accommodate special requests for specifications to customize hammocks. The Mayan hammock is the answer to everyone’s need for comfort.

Even though there are 3 main materials used to make hammocks, there are a wider variety of styles available to today. Some of most popular include the Mayan, Brazilian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan and the ever popular travel or camping hammock. Each style is different and has it’s own set of pros and cons. But they will all come in a variety of colours and sizes, ranging from a 1 person hammock that can hold up to 350lbs to a 2 or even 3 person hammock, which could easily hold up to 600lbs.
The most common design for a hammock is the spreader bar type which is easily recognisable by pieces of wood at each end of the hammock. These types of hammock make it easier to climb in and out of and they also help to spread your weight more evenly and because of the bars at each end the hammock will not close in around you once you sink into it. These are probably the most popular types of hammock for a garden. But they are not recommended to sleep in , they can also have a tendency to flip quiet easily.
Ever hammock will work on the basic principle and many can seem quite similar but each type will have a slightly different purpose, and will be made with slightly different materials and build in a slightly different way.
The Brazilian Hammock is made from cotton and tend to be one of the more durable types of hammock, they do not use the bars at each end so the hammock can have a tendency to wrap around you. Probably not recommended if you are a sun worshipper and are trying to get a sun tan, but they are perfect for a relaxing day in your back garden.
Mayan and Nicaraguan hammocks are woven from cotton or nylon. When buying one of these hammocks it is important to look at the quality and closeness of the weaver, the closer the weave the more supportive the hammock will be. These types of hammocks will not have the wooden bar at the end so they will tend to wrap in around you.
Venezuelan hammocks also known as jungle hammocks are a very durable and long lasting, they now tend to be made for synthetic materials like polyester or nylon. Many of the higher quality Venezuelan hammocks will use a material called Dacron for the suspension ropes. These hammocks are the best kind to use for sleeping in as you sleep length ways in the hammock instead of many of the larger hammocks where in essence you will lay sideways on the hammock.
Travel or camping hammock. These have become very popular as they are very fast and easy to set up all you really need is 2 trees at a suitable distance apart from each other and if you know some strong knots it will ensure a peaceful night’s sleep. If you are a camping in warmer climes all you will really need in addition to a camping hammock is  canopy which can be erected in much the same way. Many of the better quality camping hammock like Hennessy hammocks will come with a canopy built in to the design of the hammock.
So if you are choosing a garden hammock to spend a weekend lazing in the sun or one to take camping with the choice and variety is quiet something, but there are a few recognised quality brands like Hanteres or hennessy hammocks.