How To Choose An Xcaret Adventure

Xcaret is both an eco-park and a company. There are six different parks that make up part of the Xcaret branded attractions around Cancun and the Yucatán Peninsula. Each park has a different focus and offers it’s visitors different attractions and experiences.

If you’re travelling to the Yucatán soon and can’t decide which park you should visit, here’s a brief guide to all six of the Xcaret parks to help make your decision easier:

In this post:

XCARET Park

An eco-archeological park with a focus on the natural beauty and culture of Mexico and the Mayan Jungle. The largest of the parks with so much packed into it you could easily spend a few days in this beautiful Oasis.

Activities & Attractions

Underground Rivers
Archaeological Sites
Mayan Village
Hacienda Henequenera
Coral Reef Aquarium
Marine Turtle Sanctuary
Jaguar Island
Manatee Lagoon
Tropical Jungle Trails
The Caribbean Sea
México Espectacular Dinner
Stingray Encounters
Swimming with Sharks and Dolphins

Admission: Tickets start from $89.10 US for a day pass.

Book now: Skip the lines and buy your tickets to Xcaret

Exploring The Underground Rivers of Xcaret

XEL-HA

In Mayan language Xel-Há translates to where water is born. A tropical nature park bringing together the best nature has to offer.

Activities & Attractions

Snorkelling
River Tours
Cliff Jumping
Cave Diving
Zip Lining
Trepachanga
Bay of Caprices
Xel-Há Inlet
Vine Swinging
Grotto Ixchel and El Dorado Grotto
Queen Conch Sanctuary
Animal encounters including dolphins, manatees and stingrays

Admission: Tickets to Xel-Há start at $80.10 US. Image found on the Xel-há website.

Book now: Grab your tickets to Xel-Ha

XENOTES

Spend a day exploring the different cenotes around the Yucatán Peninsula, protected by the aluxes – Mayan spirits from the Yucatán and Guatemala.

Activities & Attractions

The four main cenotes – Fire Xenote K’áak’, Water Xenote Ha’, Earth Xenote Lu’um (pictured above) and Wind Xenote Iik’; as well as kayaking, zip-lining, inner tubes, snorkelling and tours.

Admission: Tickets start from $107.10 to Xenotes Oasis Maya. Image found on the Xenotes website.

Book now: Grab your tickets to Xenotes

XICHEN

Take a tour to the Archaeological Sites of the Mayan people around Quinta Roo and the Riviera Maya, including Chichén Itzá and sacred cenotes.

Activities & Attractions

Tours to your choice of Chichén Itzá, Ik’Kil Cenote, Tulum, Cobá, Zací Cenote, La Casona de Valladolid.

Admission: Prices vary depending on which tour you decide to take. Check out all the different options that visit both Chichén Itzá and Ik’Kil Cenote in one day.

Chichén Itzá and the Mayan Ruins

XOXIMILCO

Take night time cruise on board a trajinera with dinner under the stars and traditional Mexican entertainment.

Activities & Attractions

Dinner with the best of Mexican cuisine, open bar with tequila, beer, fruit flavoured beverages and soda, different ensembles playing traditional live music.

Admission: Prices start from $80.10. Trajinera’s are limited to 20 people per cruise, so make sure you book in advance! Image found on the Xoximilco website.

Book now: Grab your Xoximilco cruise tickets

XPLOR

A park full of jungle adventures and extreme activities.

Activities & Attractions

Zip-lining
Amphibious vehicles
Driving below the Earth
Underground rafting and swimming
Exploring underground rivers
Visit Xplor at night for Xplor Fuego and explore nature by the moonlight

Admission: Tickets start from $107.10 US. Image found on the Xplor website.

Book now: Tickets to Xplor

The Sacred Cenote Ik'Kil

Had we known about these parks when we were booking our trip to Mexico, we definitely would have given ourselves more time here to explore them all. We actually came across pictures of the underground rivers at Xcaret on Pinterest whilst waiting for our plane from New York City to Cancun, such late notice, but we are so thankful we made time for these amazing adventures!

During our short stay in Playa del Carmen we only got to visit Xcaret and Xichen – taking part in a tour to Chichén Itzá and Ik’Kil Cenote. We highly recommend both of these and would go back in a heartbeat.