Maya Communities Appeal Court Ruling Against Grupo Xcaret Over Heritage Symbols

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Maya communities from ceremonial centers have appealed a federal judge’s ruling against Grupo Xcaret over the use of patrimonial symbols, according to court documents.

The appeal, filed by members of the ceremonial centers as third-party interested parties, challenges the sentence issued by a federal judge in Mexico City. The case is registered under docket number 1649/2024 in the Sixteenth District Court on Administrative Matters in Mexico City.

“In their capacity as third-party interested parties, they file a review appeal against the sentence issued in this trial… Process the appeal, for which purpose notify the other parties with a copy of the brief of grievances,” reads the judicial order issued Thursday, April 23.

The appeal is now before the Seventeenth Collegiate Court on Administrative Matters, also in the capital, under docket number 245/2026, signaling that the legal battle over Xcaret’s use of Maya heritage symbols will continue.

However, the company will proceed without the benefit of using the patrimonial symbols, following the adverse ruling by the Supreme Court. According to a review of the definitive suspension incident resolution file 4/2025, the company has not yet been notified of the effects of the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

Sunday marked one month since the controversial session of the Supreme Court justices, which already had its first effect with the cancellation of the Sacred Maya Journey, an event scheduled for May 15. The cancellation has sparked a wave of criticism, mainly from the business sector.