National Parks

Tres Rios | Actun Chen | Xpu-Ha | Rio Lagartos | Xel-há | Xcaret

Xcaret

If you are going to Xcaret, plan to stay all day to get your money's worth. Entrance into the eco-archaeological park is pricey ($40 adult, $25 kids), and the park is often crowded, but if you want to do one big spending activity, Xcaret is a good choice. Buses run from Playa del Carmen and Cancun, and there is free parking for your car.

Xcaret used to be a lagoon hidden in the jungle, but developers changed allthat in 1992 by making it into a type of Mayan theme park. Although Xcaret is advertised like a water park, the dry land attractions are actually more interesting. You can snorkel in the lagoon (rent equipment or bring your own). With so many visitors the coral isn't really alive, though it offers some of the best diving on the coast. They feed the fish in the lagoon so there is still plenty to see. Life vests and inner tubes are free.

Above ground things are more interesting, so bring your shoes:

Mayan ruins - Xcaret was a Mayan settlement in the late Post Classic period and the park has excavated a dozen structures.
Aquarium - sort of run down, but a walk through gets you to the sea turtle farm
Sea turtles - turtles are hatched here, tagged, and released after 1 year. This way they are bigger and safer from predators. The turtles are usually released at 11am on the beach.
Aviary and small zoo with jaguars and other local animals. Mushroom and orchid farm, and a botanical garden
Butterfly farm - a peaceful shady place to sit and relax.
Dolphins - swimming with the dolphins costs extra ($80 adults, $55 kids), but is one of Xcaret's big features. If you decide to do this, arrive early and make reservations 1st thing.
Diving - $35 for a one tank dive. The underground river is very crowded and sort of boring since there are no fish and the rock formations aren't stunning, but there are plenty of fish in the lagoons.
Dolphins You can swim with captured dolphins at the park.

Dive with a dolphin $130
Swim with dolphins $80
Interactive experience $55 (30 minutes)
Educational program $30 (15 minutes)

Perhaps the prize of Xcaret is the magnificent night show. Plan to stay for Xcaret at Night. It is worth the wait, and you can nap in the hammocks during the afternoon to rest up for theshow. Xcaret at Night starts at the main entrance with a tour of the reproduction Mayan Village in your choice of a half dozen languages. You walk through a candle lit cave and see an enactment of a Mayan ceremony in the village. Afterwards, everyone goes into the theater for a folklore show. Currently, the show features music and dance from each of Mexico's states.

The restaurants are a little expensive, but the Mexican Restaurant by the horse stables serves good food and in the afternoon you can watch the horse show from your table. Horse rides are extra, of course.

Tres Rios | Actun Chen | Xpu-Ha | Rio Lagartos | Xel-há | Xcaret

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