The village of Xcalak is on the tail end of the Yucatan Peninsula and just 6 miles from Belize. This place is less developed than the other resorts and tourist towns on the Yucatan Peninsula. In many ways, it’s like a trip back to a simpler time on the coast. It feels like a fishing village, it looks like a fishing village, and it is a fishing village. It’s one of those locations that Jimmy Buffett would sing about or where Ernest Hemingway would go for inspiration. Xcalak gets its name from the Mayan ruins, which bear the same name and are located just a few miles from the village today. Those ruins that date back far before the arrival of the Spanish on the continent marked the beginning of human life in Xcalak.
Mayan Origins
Xcalak, meaning ‘The Twins’ in Mayan, was first settled due to its unique geographical features. ‘The Twins’ refers to the two significant gaps in the Meso-American Barrier Reef that protect the waters off Xcalak and separate them from the Caribbean Sea. This Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world, provides a calm environment and abundant marine life, making it a key trading point and fishing village for the Mayans as they navigated the Caribbean in their dugout canoes.
A Unique Port
Following Mexico’s conquest by The Conquistadors and the rise of piracy in the Caribbean, the region became a no man’s land between the warring Spanish and British Empires. Pirates and Mayan Rebels would hide out here, forcing the Spanish to build a later abandoned fort because it was too far away to affect the situation. Over the next century, the British took over Xcalak and later signed it to Mexico once Mexico won independence. Following this period, the Mexican Navy would set up base there, and the town would become a busy and growing economic port thanks to its unique location. Unfortunately, in 1955, a massive hurricane devastated the region and destroyed all major infrastructure. After this tragedy, the area began to rebuild into the vibrant fishing community it is today.
Returning to Xcalak’s Fishing Roots
This is thanks to the incredible fishery that the region provides due to the Meso-American Reef. The Reef, which is protected and a national park, ensures the health of the reed and those species that call it home. A vibrant ecosystem has survived and maintained itself due to these protections. As far as your eyes can see, there are beautiful blue waters full of fantastic fish like Permit, Snook, Bonefish, and Tarpon, to name a few. These waters are also home to just some unique fly fishing environments. From the flats to the reefs and mangroves, there are plenty of opportunities to get one of these fish on the line. With the pure beauty of the environment and the plentiful opportunities for fish, it’s not hard to imagine why the Mayans set up camp here so many years ago. So, if you want to experience what they experienced, some of the most beautiful waters in the world, and a storied location, contact us now, and we can start planning your Xcalak adventure.