Hike-in Required
No
Open Year-round
Yes
ADA accessible
No
Guided tours
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Xcacel Sea Turtle Marine Sanctuary is significant because it is a sandy beach that loggerhead and green sea turtles visit to lay their eggs which set in the sand through the spring and summer months until ready to hatch. During these months, the beach is heavily restricted with only small segments open to the public, however visitors still have the chance to look out across a landscape of small mounds in the sand made up of covered eggs.

The sanctuary is watched over by a protective body, who charges a small admission fee to fund their operations. 

The beach itself is beautiful, and perfect meeting of lush green jungle, sugar white sand and Caribbean blue waters and skies. A short trail leads to an open section of beach, and during calm waters, it's possible to snorkel and swim around in the water.

Since Xcacel is not a recreational beach, there are restrictions against music, food and drinks, and shade structures at the beach. 

There are bathrooms and showers at the beach. While there was at one point a cenote that visitors could swim in near the beach, it is now closed for rehabilitation.

Xcacel is open Tuesdays-Sundays (closed Monday) from 10am-4pm. Admission is MX$84 per person.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Admission Fee

Pros

Beautiful.

Cons

Much of the sanctuary has restricted access during nesting periods.

Pets allowed

Not Allowed

Features

Family friendly
Flushing toilets

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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