Xel-há

How to get there

The Caleta (bay) of Xel-há is 1km/.7mi from the MEX 307. It can be reached from Cancún by travelling 116km/72mi southwards (10km/6mi south of Akumal), and from Chetumal by travelling 263km/163mi northwards (15km/9.3mi from Tulum).

The interesting national park of Xel-há contains within a relatively small area a freshwater lake, a sea bay and Maya ruins. This most attractive area offers walkers, swimmers and snorkellers the opportunity to observe the rich flora and fauna both above and below the water. At the lagoon it is also possible to rent diving equipment. It becomes very crowded at weekends, however, and is best avoided at that time. National park

This area, which is now a popular destination with visitors, was not discovered and made accessible to the general public until 1959 during a coastal expedition organised by the Club de Exploraciones y Deportes Acuáticos de México (CEDAM). To a greater degree than other places in this region which lie along coastal bays, Xel-há (Maya: "where the waters were born") appears to have been an important Maya cult site even in the Classic period. This emerges from the archaeological finds which have been made along the edge of the water.