The Community

The community of Xcalak is 422 Km from Cancun. The nearest city is Chetumal, 196 Km to the south. From Chetumal driving, you can take highway 307 north to the Cafetal-Xcalak turn off and follow signs; expect a bit more than two hours. Or take a bus from Chetumal to Xcalak, a three hour trip.

Xcalak today has approximately 360 inhabitants and was founded May 19th, 1900. In the early 1900s, Xcalak was one of the most important ports of the Mexican Caribbean coast but, since then, it has seen its copra industry destroyed by hurricane.

The principal economic activity of Xcalak residents derives from the sea, primarily fishing as well as harvesting lobster and caracol. The local fishing cooperative (named "Andres Quintana Roo") consists of Xcalak residents and the coop buys and sells their harvests. The season for lobster runs from July to February and from November to April for caracol. These fisheries have been diminished due to excessive exploitation.

A segment of the population has decided to dedicate effort to developing tourism within the community to diversify income sources and provide income during periods when fishing is not permitted. Some fishermen are now guides in catch-and-release fishing, diving, snorkeling, bird observation and natural history. All are committed to protecting the local natural resources. Others continue fishing within the cooperative and in the lobster and caracol off-season dedicate themselves to tourism. They have become Bahia Blanca's captains and guides.