Xcaret, Maya archaeological site in Solidaridad, Mexico
Xcaret is a Maya archaeological site in Solidaridad, Mexico, located along the coast of Quintana Roo and featuring stone structures, cenotes, and underground rivers. The structures spread across several terraces that descend from the jungle to the shoreline, with pathways leading to natural pools and caves filled with freshwater.
The settlement served as a Maya port and trading hub between 1400 and 1517, connecting maritime routes along the eastern coast. The arrival of Spanish ships in the early 16th century led to the decline of trading activities and the eventual abandonment of the harbor.
The name means "little inlet" in Maya, referring to the protected cove that allowed canoes to dock safely during storms. The ceremonial platforms near the water suggest that merchants performed offerings before departing on trading voyages across the sea.
Access to the archaeological zones is available through guided tours that include transport from nearby hotels in Playa del Carmen. Comfortable shoes are recommended as paths between structures can be uneven and pass through forested terrain.
The natural harbor contains a protected inlet where ancient Maya vessels anchored, making it one of the few preserved maritime trade points. Archaeologists found ceramic fragments near the harbor from regions as far as Guatemala and Honduras, revealing the extent of the trading network.
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