What to see and do at Xaman-Ha, Mexico

Xaman-Ha in Mexico was a center for the worship of the Mayan goddess Ixchel, who was associated with fertility, childbirth, and weaving

The site was an important center of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, and was occupied from approximately 600 AD to 1200 AD. The city was a trading center and a hub for maritime commerce, with access to both the Caribbean Sea and inland waterways.

In Playacar, there are two sets of Mayan ruins. The ruins of Xaman-Ha are located in a small park area directly beside the beach. A few blocks south of Xaman-Ha is the Groupo Eyf archeological ruins which contains about 5 small Mayan pyramids.

While walking form Playacar to downtown Playa del Carmen, we visited both the Xaman-Ha and the Groupo Eyf archeological ruins on 2/16/2021.

The name Xaman Ha means "waters of the north" in the Mayan language. In historical times, Xaman-Ha was a part of the Mayan principality of Ecab. From here, Maya pilgrims departed by canoe to the sanctuaries of the goddess of fertility named Ixchel in Cozumel.

Today, visitors to Xaman-Ha can see the remains of the ancient city, including the foundations of buildings and a large plaza. The site is particularly well-known for its well-preserved ball court, which was used for the traditional Mesoamerican ballgame. The ballgame was a ritualistic sport played throughout ancient Mesoamerica, with religious and political significance.

In addition to the archaeological site, Xaman-Ha is also the name of a popular beach and resort area in Playa del Carmen, which is located nearby. This area offers visitors the chance to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy a variety of water sports, as well as to explore the history and culture of the region.

Looking for a place to stay? Click here for options.

Looking for things to do? Viator offers numerous tours in the Playa del Carmen area. Click here for details.

Pictures from Xaman-Ha

Xaman-Ha archeological ruins.

Groupo Eyf archeological ruins.