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The Maya christened the area Xel-Ha. Xel
for source or spring, and ha for water, so the name roughly
translates 'where the water is born' or 'source of the water'.
The Maya availed themselves of its perfect location during
pre-Hispanic times and used it as a port and safe harbor when
navigating these coasts.
Legend says the Mayan gods pooled their wisdom, dreams and
love of beauty to create a place where the best of the Caribbean
could be gathered.
They called it Xel-Ha and were so pleased with their work,
they decided to let in the mortals, but not before appointing
the macaw, the iguana and the parrotfish as the "Guardians
of Xel-Ha", keepers of the sky, land and sea respectively.
Nowadays Xel-Ha is a marvelous creation of nature that anyone
can enjoy, a collection of coves, lagoons, cenotes and caves
where sea water merges with the sweet water of the Yucatan's
underground rivers.
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