Xel-Ha Park - Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Xel-Ha is a natural aquarium and park in Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico. At this beautiful tropical place, you can snorkel, tube through caves, swim with dolphins, zipline, jump and dive off cliffs, explore the bay and saltwater mangrove forests, and ride the slow-moving river on inner tubes.

Photo from www.amstardmc.com, Photo by Dorte Nielsen

Ever since I first heard of this place, I have wanted to go there. Don't know if it will ever happen, but it's on my bucket list.

So you can know about the local history and legend, here is information from the Xel-Ha website:

"The ancient Mayas baptized this wonderful site with the name of Xel-Há, which in Mayan language means 'Where the water is born.'

Due to its privileged position, during the pre-Hispanic times Xel-Há served as an inner port, trading center, place of pilgrimage and shelter for sailors; besides being a food reserve during bad weather.

According to legend, Maya gods joined their wisdom, illusions and love for beauty, to create a place that would bring together the best of nature in one place, and that place was called Xel-Há. Once created, the gods were so pleased with this heavenly place, they decided to allow entry to all mortals.

To take care of it and the elements that surround it, the gods appointed three guardians: 'Huh', the iguana, Guardian of the land, 'Chuc Kay', the Pelican, Guardian of the Air, and 'Kay Op', the Parrotfish, Guardian of water. It is said that these guardians still protect and care for the Park and everyone who comes to visit.

We're heading on a cruise to Mexico, Honduras and Belize in December. You can bet if we are anywhere near this place I'll be wanting to take the shore excursion.  It's located by Cancun and our cruise ship stops in Cozumel. I'll be taking a look at the map.

Travel Bug out.