Have fun exploring in and around Xcalak
Take a day trip from Xcalak and visit nearby Mayan Ruins
There are many Day Trip destinations you can visit near Xcalak.
Chacchoben and Kohunlich are nearby Maya Ruin sites. You can take
boat trips from Xcalak to Chinchorro or San Pedro, Belize. Or visit
the nearby towns of Mahahual, Bacalar, Chetumal, and the Belize
Duty Free Zone...
Chacchoben a newly popular Ruin Site
Visitors walk a circular path around three excavated and restored
pyramids. Excavation is continuing on several mounds which are known
to contain further buildings. Some structures still bear traces
of the red paint with which they were originally coated, shaded
areas are set up to prevent further degradation of this pigment
by the sun. A large stone slab is at the base of the largest pyramid
called a stela with a Mayan hieroglyphic inscriptions. Chacchoben
is one of the more popular ruin sites in southern
Quintana Roo, with regular tourist trips from the port of
Costa Maya (Mahahual).....
Large Ruin Site of the pre-Columbian Maya
The site covers about 21 acres, surrounded by dense sub-tropical
rainforest, and it contains almost 200 mounds, that remain largely
unexcavated. The city was elaborately planned and engineered, with
raised platforms and pyramids, citadels, courtyards and plazas surrounded
with palace platforms, all laid out to channel drainage into a system
of cisterns and an enormous reservoir to collect rainwater.
The road approaches the site from the north and leads into an enormous
central plaza ringed by pyramids and temple platforms. To the north
there is a massive, raised acropolis, or citadel, with a palace
complex around a courtyard to the north-west. Further east there
is the Pyramid of the Masks, built in honor of the sungod, with
6 gigantic stucco masks flanking its central staircase. And south
of the main plaza lies the marvelous, sunken Plaza Mervin, on the
west side of the site, and a small ballcourt further to the east....
on Ambergris Caye the largest Island in Belize
San Pedro town is on the southern part of the island of Ambergris
Caye in Belize. Its inhabitants are known as San Pedranos. The primary
industry in the town is tourism, most notably many visitors are
scuba divers.
San Pedro is rumored to be the inspiration for the song La Isla
Bonita by Madonna. The song's title has become the island and town's
favorite nickname, and still the best song to play at any San Pedro
party...
Dive & Snorkel the Coral Atoll Banco Chinchorro
Chinchorro is 18 miles offshore from Xcalak and is still a must
on most Divers to-do list. A great snorkeling spot too. May soon
be more open to allow Sport-Fishing (catch and release) around this
beautiful Coral Atoll and area.
Where the Cruise Ship Pier is Located
Unfortunately the small fishing village of Mahahual was changed
into a cruise ship port (yeah, don't email me about it) but the
outcome has produced some very nice Hotels and Restaurants. Similar
to what Tulum was like 20 years ago.
Lagoon
of 7 Colors and Cenote Azul
In bright sunlight Laguna Bacalar is hard to believe that a lagoon
could have the vivid blues your eyes are seeing. And with the Cenote
Azul, Bacalar is a must stop if you are nearby. Still a small
village, but changing rapidly, thankfully no junk tourist shops,
bars, and timeshares yet. Go see Bacalar soon and enjoy.
Capital City, with the Museum of Maya Culture
Chetumal is the capital city of the state of Quintana Roo (and
you thought it was Cancun). The Maya Culture Museum in the center
of town is small but has some of the most beautiful artifacts on
display. So if you are in Chetumal don't miss it.
Duty Free Shopping and 3 Casinos, on the border of Mexico and Belize
If you want to try your hand at a little Gambling, the Free Zone
close to Chetumal has 3 Casinos. The Casinos are the main draw for
Tourists but you can purchase Liquor, Cigarettes, Perfume, and more,
at duty free prices.
