The original name of this site in Mayan language is not known. The name of El Meco was probably given by the owner of an old coconut plantation that existed where the ruins are located. The place was of importance for the navigation of the Maya. It was a brand for coastal navigation and for the interior of the adjacent lagoon. In addition, due to its strategic location in front of Isla Mujeres, it is most likely that El Meco has been the port of connection with the island. The first settlement here was probably a small fishing village, perhaps under the influence of the city of Coba....

The original name of this site in Mayan language is not known. The name of El Meco was probably given by the owner of an old coconut plantation that existed where the ruins are located. The place was of importance for the navigation of the Maya. It was a brand for coastal navigation and for the interior of the adjacent lagoon. In addition, due to its strategic location in front of Isla Mujeres, it is most likely that El Meco has been the port of connection with the island. The first settlement here was probably a small fishing village, perhaps under the influence of the city of Coba. Around year 600 it was abandoned and remained desert until 1000 or 1100. After the re-colonization in the postclassic period (900-1500 AD) it is more likely that there would be a close relationship with Chichen Itza, and later with Mayapán. From 1200 coastal trade developed at the same time that relationship with the main cities of the interior of the Yucatan Peninsula was lost. El Meco benefited from its strategic situation as a control point for trade with Isla Mujeres. This allowed this city to develop both economically and politically. During the archaeological excavations fourteen structures were found with a main temple. The Castle is a five-level pyramid with a height of 17 meters, the largest Mayan building in the coastal region. The buildings are part of the religious area of El Meco. They are mostly in good condition. Within the coastal commercial network El Meco was one of the most active ports on the Caribbean coast. Other important ports in the south were Xcaret, Xel Ha, Tulum, Tankah (located four kilometers from Tulum) and Muyil. In addition to its position as a shopping center, it also developed as a religious center. After the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, the site was abandoned by the Maya. El Meco is associated with the place called Belma by Francisco de Montejo. This is a place that was mentioned as the site of one of the Spanish settlements along the first explorations of the peninsula. It is not clear, however, that it is the same place.