Xel-Há


Useful Information

Location: Located at the coastal road Carretera Chetumal (307) between Chacalal and Tulum.
Open: All year daily 8:30-18.
[2008]
Fee: Adult MXN 900, Children MXN 600.
[2008]
Classification: KarstCenote
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Xel-Há, KM 240 Carretera Chetumal, Puerto Juarez 77780, Tel: +52-998-883-3293.
Customer Service, Tel: +52-998-884-7165. E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History


Description

Xel-Há is the Mayan World for heaven. What is named heaven is a patch of land, some 600 m wide, along 800 m of Yucatan coast. But it is not average beach, it is an inlet caused by karstification, with numerous cenotes and caves, with brakish channels, and a wealth of animals. The so called Xel-ha river is a narrow channel, obviously the collapsed and roofless remains of a cave. There are dolphins, iguanas and parrots, actually it is a sort of nature theme park.

One sight is El Dorado Cavern a small cave with a beautiful blue-green pool inside. Here the high amount of fossils in the coral limestone is easily visible. The wall shows a wealth of petrified reef life. Another small cave, accessible to the visitors, is Mayan Cave, which is located across Chula Vista restaurant. It is, like always, a water filled cavern, with numerous cracks in the ceiling allowing sunlight to shine in, which is used for bathing. And finally there are two rather unspectacular cenotes at the southern rim of the park, called Cenote Paraíso and Cenote Aventura. They may be reached on jungle paths. Because of their wealth of wildlife, several endangered species of fish and birds, they are off limits to swimmers.

The theme park has its name from a Mayan settlement, located on the same road Carretera Chetumal, just a few hundred meters to the south and on the other side. It is possible to visit the ancient ruins, and from here a path leads to the true Xel-Há cenote. Actually there are two cenotes, close together, and the second is called Cenote Azul. They are both undeveloped and not part of the park.