  The crystal growth and the structural, transport and magnetic properties of
the magnetically frustrated YbMn$_2$Sb$_2$ single crystals are reported. The
crystals show a trigonal symmetry (space group $P\bar{3}m1$), where corrugated
honeycomb layers of MnSb are separated by Yb atoms. No structural phase
transition was observed down to 22~K. The resistivity measurements show a
predominantly insulating behavior. The combined resistivity, dc susceptibility
and heat capacity measurements confirm successive transitions at 230~K, 116~K
and 27~K, being the transition at $T_N$=116~K due to the Mn$^{+2}$ lattice
antiferromagnetic ordering. Muon spin rotation experiments ($\mu$SR) reveal a
more complicated scenario, with temperature dependence of the magnetic volume
fraction reflecting short range and long range magnetic order, and a strongly
disordered magnetic ground state. The role of spin-lattice coupling and its
relationship with exchange interactions between Mn moments are discussed as
possible cause of the complex magnetic behavior observed.
