The ultimate guide to Xelha ruins | the most underrated Mayan site

The Xelha ruins are located on the Riviera Maya, right in front of the popular Xelha amusement park. This park is actually more famous than the archeological site so much so that when we talk about Xelha we just think about the amusement park (unfortunately, we would add, as we don’t support these kinds of artificial places)

Nowadays the federal highway that connects Cancun to Tulum separates the Xelha ruins on the jungle side from the Xel Ha amusement park on the seaside.

Although Xelha ruins cover a small area, they used to be one of the most powerful ports on the Caribbean coasts, of strategic importance.

The natural surroundings, the murals, and the building details make it a very amusing visit.

Let’s find out more about this precious hidden treasure, the ruins of Xelha archaeological site.

SOME HISTORY OF THE XELHA RUINS MAYAN SETTLEMENT

Xel Há is situated right in front of the precious bay (Caleta de Abrigo) on the Caribbean sea where we’ll find the Xel-ha amusement park.

This bay as much as others on the coast, the present Xcaret or Yal Ku, in the old Mayan times they were used as shelter harbors for boats that would arrive from other countries carrying goods.

In fact, they are perfect places for portal activities.

XelHá was one of the most powerful commercial harbors on the Caribbean coast

Xelha bay. Photo courtesy Xcaret experiences

And its history can be summarized in two main eras.

The first one was in the Early Classic period (250 AD -600AD). Xel Há was the biggest port in the area. It was believed that it belonged to the great reign of Coba which was one of the most powerful on the peninsula.
Xel Há recovered after the year 1200, during the Late Postclassic. At this time it re-emerged with numerous other commercial coastal settlements, such as Tulum.

In the first stage, several beautiful palaces decorated with mural paintings were built, something that we can still appreciate on the city walls nowadays.

In the second heyday period, colorful buildings were erected again, including a wall to defend the city. Only a few ancient Mayan cities have a wall, some examples are Tulum, Ek Balam, and Becán.

CHRONOLOGY: 250 BC – 1550 AD
APOGEE: Middle Preclassic to Late Postclassic 250 BC – 600 BC

phases of the history of the Maya Civilization

Did you know?

In Xel Há ruins we find some of the most outstanding mural paintings on the Caribbean coast. Some recall the impact that Teotihuacán (which is considered the great Rome of Mesoamerica) had on the Mayan culture during the Early Classic period (250 AD -600 AD).

The Mayan architectural style of Xelha Ruins

As well as Tulum and other Mayan cities on the coast, the architectural style of its last period was the Eastern Coast.

Some of its characteristics are the use of miniature temples, small buildings (shrines) within larger ones, palaces with colonnades, and flat roofs that replaced the vaulted roofs characteristic of Mayan buildings of earlier times.

The style is somewhat simpler than others from earlier times such as Puuc or Chenes, to name two.

Meaning of XelHá

Xel-Ha means “water inlet”, in a clear allusion to the geography of the place as we can see in the aerial photo. The Mayan name of the site means xel, “piece or entrance”, and há means “water”.

XELHÁ EXPLORATION HISTORY

The chronicles of the Spanish expedition that toured the coast of Quintana Roo in 1527 speak of a small town called Xalá, and half a league away there was a favorable port to disembark.

It is believed that they speak of Xel Há, which Francisco de Montejo called Salamanca de Xala.

XelHá, like other cities on the coast, was still inhabited when the Spanish arrived. When they arrived it was almost abandoned: some died from the new diseases brought by the Europeans (smallpox, yellow fever, diphtheria, etc.), and others fled from Spanish rule, taking refuge in the interior.

In 1550 the city wall was almost in ruins.

Here is an interesting fact about Xelha that not many know

The most relevant murals are located in two of the main buildings:

The Building of birds – where we can enjoy decorations that remind us of the influence that the great capital Teotihuacán had in the Mayan area.

Jaguar group – where the vivid blue and red colors of different murals and the figure of a jaguar can be seen.

HOW TO GET TO XELHÁ

The entrance to the archaeological zone of Xel Há is located next to the main federal highway that runs along the Caribbean coast. There is a small sign.

However, make sure not to confuse it with Xelhá Park, whose access is located in the eastern sector of the mentioned highway. The Park is indicated in a much more colorful way.

Xelha ruins sign is similar to other archeological sites ones, green or blue with a stylized temple on the side.

The tickets are different, pay attention to that.

STATE: Quintana Roo, Mexico

How to get to Xelha ruins by car

The archaeological zone of XelHá is located 113 km south of Cancun, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car, and 19 km north of Tulum, around 15 minutes driving.

Renting a car on the Riviera Maya is something you would want to do if you want to be free to move around and discover all the amazing sites in the region. It’s a relatively safe place to drive, the roads are good and the sites are well marked. Therefore traveling by car is a very good option.

However, remember, if you decide to get a car rental, make sure you include full insurance with 0 deductible so you will drive with no stress.

➣ When renting a car in Mexico we recommend Discover Cars because on their website you can compare different companies and their prices and you can choose between their car insurance or the ones offered by the car rental directly, or both.

How to get to Xelha ruins by local bus

The ADO bus does not make intermediate stops on its way, so you must go by minivan

Mini Van (colectivos): From Cancún, the minivans leave from a parking lot right beside the ADO terminal. You will need to get to Playa del Carmen and from there get another van to Tulum. At the moment they leave from under the bridge of the Carretera federal at the crossroads with the Av. Benito Juarez, but please double-check because they have changed the location for the pandemic and this one is temporary.

Once on the minivan to Tulum let the driver know that you are getting off at the archaeological site

If you are in Tulum already, you can get on a minivan from Tulum’s main road and let the driver know as well.

How to get to Xelha by taxi

Every taxi driver should carry the official price list, therefore it should be easy to get a taxi to the archeological site. Just make sure you know the cost in advance. But pay him after. Ask your driver to pick you up.

XELHÁ MAP

XelHá is made up of five groups of buildings. The tour first takes you to The Group of Birds structures, famous for its wall paintings, and the low platforms known as the Lothrop group followed by the Palace and the Pilasters, used as residences.

A 540-meter path leads us to what is known as Grupo Jaguar, where we can appreciate the other mural paintings. On this road, you will see a cenote close to the structures.

Something we especially love about the archaeological zones is the surrounding thick jungle that has grown through the year and it’s been left untouched despite the excavations.

XELHA RUINS PRACTICAL INFORMATION

XelHá Facilities

Right next to the road is the parking lot and the entrance to Xel Há.

bathrooms at entrance
certified guide service (not always are)

XelHá opening hours

Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

XelHá entrance fee

90 MXN (4 USD) per person

On Sundays, the entrance is free for Mexican and foreigners with permanent residence.

Access to the Mayan ruins is open every day for kids up to 12 ys old, students, teachers, and seniors (must show ID).

FREE ENTRY TO XEL HÁ FOR:
Mexicans •Over 60 years old (with official ID) •Retired and pensioners (with official institution credential) •Teachers and students (with an official credential from the Mexican Educational System) •Children up to 12 years old •Researchers and interns (with INAH permission)

Mexicans and foreigners • People with Disabilities

Tips for visiting XelHá

Use comfortable light clothing and shoes
Sunshades, hats, and insect repellents.
Bring a bottle of water and keep in mind that you cannot walk in with food or alcoholic drinks.
You can hire a certified guide at the entrance.

How much time do you need to visit Xelha?

Calculate an hour and a half to explore the XelHa ruins without rushing.

👉INSIDER TIPS There is a spectacular cenote inside the Xelha walls, along the path to the Jaguar group. You cannot swim in it but it’s a lovely sight! Do not miss it.

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT XELHA

The worst of Xel-ha is that we don’t have much information on the site which would have allowed us to enjoy it even better. That’s what we don’t like about this site.

In reality, it’s mainly what we miss in all the archeological sites, clear historical information, and facts

WHAT WE LOVE THE MOST ABOUT XELHA RUINS

What we love the most about the Xel ha ruins is the tranquillity of the place right beside Parque Xel-ha in the very heart of the Riviera Maya. You can visit without a crowd of people if you go early.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF XELHA RUINS

The absolute highlights of Xelha ruins are the painted murals, which are among the most representative of the Caribbean coast, along with the murals of Tulum.

In the case of Tulum, we cannot see them because they are inside the building, so XelHá is special to be able to see them.

Whenever we see old paintings, it’s like a window to the past.

WHAT YOU CAN VISIT NEARBY XELHÁ

Caleta Tankah 14 km/8.6 miles
Cenote Cristal y Escondido 22.7 km/14 miles
Cenote Corazón 25 km/15.5 miles
Cenote Chikin Ha 24 km/15 miles
Grand Cenote 21.3 km/13 miles
Tulum ruins 24 km/15 miles