Xcaret

Why it mattersXcaret (ancient Polé) is the walled Postclassic port-temple town on a Caribbean caleta 5 km south of Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, at 8 m. Its coastal cliff houses low limestone temple-pyramids (6m) on the caleta rim that doubled as port shrines and beacons for canoe caravans ferrying pilgrims to Type-site defining regional sequence.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

c.1200–1519 CE port-pyramids; 300–900 CE fishing hamlet

Period

Postclassic (c.1200–1519 CE) East Coast – Mayapan league; Late Classic hamlet antecedents

Culture

Maya (East Coast Coastal)

Builders

Maya (Xcaret–Polé)

Purpose

Mayan Caribbean port-pyramid town and Polé ferry-crossing shrine to Cozumel Ix Chel pilgrims with coastal temple-marinas

Excavation

Partially excavated

1. c.1200–1519 CE port-pyramids; 300–900 CE fishing hamlet

   Initial construction

2. c.800–900 CE

   Major occupation / refurbishment

3. c.1000–1532

   Late horizon / Inca incorporation where applicable

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  Caleta Temple-Mirador (Port Shrine Pyramid)temple6m temple pyramid on caleta cliff rim with beacon niche overlooking ferry landing20.5802° N · 87.1199° W
• 
  Port Warehouse Plaza and Sacbe (Polé Causeway)port150×80m plaza with palisaded warehouses and sacbe inland to Coba road20.5798° N · 87.1201° W