About Xcalak

Xcalak is the quintessential sleepy fishing village, off the beaten track, untouched by development and remote in the best sense of the word. Everyone here was originally drawn to XTC because of its peaceful, “surrounded by nature” feel and we work hard to look after its unique ecosystems, both underwater and above. You will find that philosophy in everything we do, from our facilities to our excursions and our instruction.

Xcalak is on the tip of a peninsula that borders the Caribbean Sea to the east and Chetumal Bay to the west, which are part of a unique, extremely connected and bio-diverse eco-system made up of coral reefs (over 20km of protected reef), mangroves, rivers, lagoons and bays that make for a nature lover’s paradise.

Xcalak is at the center of the Great Maya Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world. Scuba Diving around Xcalak is incredibly diverse with dive sites offering deep and shallow walls, unique geographical formations, vast canyons, swim-throughs, caverns, and an exotic array of Caribbean marine reef creatures. There really is something for everyone!

More than a decade ago, the locals requested the Federal Government to declare Xcalak a National Park in order to protect it from the development happening to the north of here, where there now is a cruise ship pier. This means that Xcalak is one of the few Marine Reserves that were protected well before there was any development. The Xcalak Reef National Park is a Federal Marine Park with strict environmental regulations in and out of the water. It has been a focal point in the study of natural resource management and a priority area for the Federal Government, the World Bank´s World Wildlife Fund and for many other researchers and naturalists.

Life in Xcalak is very simple… You will find that your cell phone doesn`t work here, internet access is limited, and most lodging options are small beach inns. There are only a few restaurant options and a handful of local shops selling basic necessities. A veggie truck comes around a few times a week bringing fresh supplies, but otherwise getting hold of “non-essentials” can be tricky. Try to bring what you need with you! This remoteness and the ability to “disconnect to reconnect” really allows our guests to enjoy a truly memorable experience in a very special place.