Historical sites in Playa Del Carmen

1) The ancient city of Xaman-Ha

Xaman-Ha, known today as Playa del Carmen, was the embarkation point for the sacred Island of Cozumel, the site of a shrine dedicated to the goddess Ixchel, the goddess of fertility. Of special note are some temple structures that still stand in Playa del Carmen.

2) Xcaret

Xcaret was a major port of commerce for the Mayan Culture. Small archaeological sites can still be found in the eco-park.

3) Xel-ha

One of Xel-ha's main attractions is undoubtedly its ancient Mayan ruins. Xel-ha was once an important sacred site where a variety of gods were honored with rituals and dances, it was also a key point along an important coastal trade route.

Because of its strategic and sheltered position, during pre-Hispanic times Xel-ha was important as an ocean port, trade center and religious site. It was also a place where stores of food were kept in case of famine. Its appears to have enjoyed two separate long periods of importance during pre-Hispanic times.

Some of the palatial buildings have survived into modern times, including beautiful structures such as the Palace of the Birds whose aesthetic and architectural features show links with the styles of central Mexico and especially with the Teotihuacan Highlands.

One of these is the Bird Group whose main structure is a palace by the same name which although partially destroyed by the construction of a highway during '70s still holds beautiful murals showing a variety of birds and a god named Tlaloc who resembles the mystic rulers of Teotihuacan.

The Palace and Building of the Pilasters are large and imposing structures filled with rooms that contain stone benches indicating that they were used as living quarters.

This cluster is made up of five buildings constructed on a common platform. The most notable of these is the Jaguar House, built in the typical Eastern Coast style and once used for ceremonial activities. The Jaguar Group is complemented by the Building of the Tiles, of a similar style, in which we can see the remains of characteristic twisted tiles used on some of the ceremonial constructions of that era. These buildings sit next to a beautiful sinkhole or cenote as they are known in the region, part of a vast system of subterranean caves and rivers that wind their way to the ocean under Xel-ha and which may have played an important ceremonial role in conjunction with these structures.

Although it has only been partially explored,it is important to mention the Pier Group located very near the inlet from which Xel-ha gets its name. It is made up of the several Eastern Coast style platforms and the wall which defended those buildings against enemy attacks.

4) Tulum

The ancient Mayan port of Tulum overlooks the Caribbean Sea. One of the most historically rich sites in the Mayan World, Tulum, is a walled city that centers around a Plaza or ceremonial center which was used for rituals and ceremonies. El Castillo, the most impressive building in Tulum, offers a breathtaking view of the ocean and the coastline for miles in both directions.

The house of Columns, the Temple of the Descending God and the Temple of the Frescoes contain a number of murals and are among the most important buildings of Tulum.