Xcaret means "small inlet" in Mayan. Its name comes from its situation next to a small inlet that in the past served as a strategic location for navigation and commerce for the Maya. The original name of the site was p'ole', from the root p'ol that means "merchandise" or "deal of merchants", which gives an idea of the economical relevance of the site.
Xcaret has many reserves that are open to the public. According to the research by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH)[1], the first buildings of the site can be dated to 200 to 600 A.D., but the majority of them are from the period from 1200 to 1550 A.D. The constructions of the Late Post-Classical period are situated along the coast; some of them in strategic positions for surveillance. The site had a wall, but unlike the one in Tulum that was open towards the ocean, the wall at Xcaret defended the site from assaults coming from the sea. The wall may also have served to divide the solid ground of the interior from the swampy ground closer to the coast.
Xcaret
was inhabited at the time of the first stage of the Spanish incursion of Alonso
Dávila and Francisco de
Montejo into the
eastern coast of the Yucatán
Peninsula (1527 to
1529). In 1548, Juan Nunez was
put in charge of Xcaret. At this time, a Spanish chapel was built. This implies
that Xcaret remained an important settlement. The thatched roof of the chapel
has disintegrated, but the walls remain standing. The INAH divides the
architectural formations into several different groups.
Transportation, lunch with drinks, snorkeling equipment plus
towels and lockers.
I will share my thoughts and plenty of pictures. I have been twice, once in 2006 and again in
2012. I still have not had a chance to
experience all of the 40 plus attractions at the park. This park just like other natural attractions
in Mexico is very ecofriendly please be prepared to use biodegradable products
on your body and if you plan on bringing in bottled water hide them in your
bag. Lockers and towels are available
and you will receive a map at the entrance and it is very wise to plan which
attractions you want to see and go to the ones that are closest to each other
first. This way you can make the most of
your time as there is so much to see and do you will easily get sidetracked.
There was some difference in the attractions and the live
evening show between my 2 visits to the park. There were new attractions such
as the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexican Cemetery and the Temazcal to name a few. The
evening show was almost completely different in 2012 from in 2006. I would have opted to leave early if it I had
not been hosting a group and did not want to have them miss out on any of their
experiences. I must say I am happy I stayed
the evening show in 2006 was mainly focus on culture and music. This time in
2012 they included the truth about the Spanish conquistadores and the Goddess Sante
Muerte made an appearance. If you know
anything about Mexican culture or religious practices surely you have heard
about this deity. Sante Muerte is a very
important part of Mexican religious ceremonies. Some of her attributes are
protection, death and rebirth. There is no coincidence that she showed up when
the story of the fall of the Mayan culture declined due to the Spanish invasion
of that time. However the Mayans still live and their story is still being told
and written.
Xcaret Checklist
·
Biodegradable Sunscreen, Deodorant and Lotion
·
Waterproof Camera
·
Waterproof Case for Cash & Credit Cards
·
Swim Shoes
·
Swimsuit
·
Flip Flops
·
Hat or visor
·
Tickets for Entry or order confirmation
·
Beach Bag
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