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.