Xcaret Park is one of the most popular destinations in the Riviera Maya with approximately one-third of all vacationers to this area spending at least one day, if not more, visiting its vast 200 acre grounds.  Xcaret Park is located just south of Playa del Carmen (a 45-50 min. ride south of the Cancun airport) and has great road signage–you cannot miss the exit off the main road if you are renting a car.  I visited the park when I was a guest at Hotel Xcaret Mexico with the resort’s “All Fun Inclusive” plan; in translation, this means that I didn’t have to pay anything extra to enter the park since my hotel stay already included the price of admission.  There is even a separate entrance to the park for Hotel Xcaret guests.

Xcaret Park entrance for Hotel Xcaret resort guests

Once you are in, grab a map from the post and you are good to go.  Here’s where it starts to get tricky–you have to have a plan when you visit this park.  If you don’t, you are doomed to waste precious vacation time wandering around sweating bullets praying that the nearest water feature is massive and that it’s right around the corner for you to dive in.   Believe me I know; the first day I went to the park I was not a happy camper (high temperatures with no relief makes me excessively grouchy), while the second day I came with a plan and enjoyed every feature I came to see.  Well, I still had my moments of grouchiness but at least I knew where I was going.  The simplest way to understand the park’s layout is to notice that the paths and the map are color coded.  Once you meander through the gift shop to actually reach the important features of the park, look down and you will see what looks to be stonework which resembles a sundial; this is where the color coding begins.  If the pathway is marked with a blue line, look for the blue line on your map to see where you are and where you are going–there are also corresponding numbers posted on the map and on the walkway.  Most people continue on straight ahead once they reach the “sundial” (this takes you to the underground rivers), while those coming to the evening show (Mexico Espectacular) should go left to the stadium.

Start of the color coding

After spending two days at the park, here’s what I found to be most interesting and worth my time:

• underground rivers.  This activity involves part swimming, part floating, some of which is done in a cave-like environment.  Those with claustrophobia should skip this activity.  Before you get in line to access the rivers you will have to store your gear–see the lockers and tables with life vests, etc., on the right hand side.  Guests of Hotel Xcaret get their own separate bag with the resort’s logo, a number on the bag, and a key.  Put your gear in, lock the bag, take the key with you, and give the bag over to the attendant.  Your belongings will be transported to the end of the underground river activity where you can retrieve them.  You will also get a life vest which you must wear.  FYI:  As you are standing in line waiting to get into the entrance area, there is a notification sign similar to those in most American amusement parks–you can’t participate in this activity if…..You will have to sign a statement to the fact that you do not suffer any of those maladies prior to entry.  For those who don’t want to actually get into the water and swim/float, there is an alternative raft ride.

This is where you get into the water at the underground rivers activity

Floating peacefully along in the underground rivers

• aviary.  I loved everything about the aviary with the exception of the territorial pelicans (I think they were pelicans).  Trying to cross the bridge where they were located was reminiscent of a scene from Lord of the Rings when Gandalf said “You shall not pass!”.  No marks from the nip, thankfully.

Waterfalls in the aviary

Those darn birds

• don’t miss the Mexican cemetery.  It’s a very colorful and interesting exhibit.
• don’t miss the sea turtle exhibit, wonderful to see so many swimming in one place.

Sea turtle exhibit

• natural pools.  You can only access them when the waves aren’t excessive.  A very cool feature.  Best to do this when you finish the underground rivers.

Natural pools

• snorkeling area.  Snorkelers get an opportunity to do their thing in a separate setting.

Separate snorkeling area

Other complimentary things to see and do at Xcaret Park include Children’s World for those under age 12.  I walked around this area and there are several activities which require children to be out of sight of their parents–I heard very young children crying, so it might be a good idea for your kids to be able to separate from you as a parent without issue to be able to have a fun time here.  The park also showcases various animals around the grounds and also offers an aquarium which was small but had some nice exhibits.  Small archaeological sites and replicas of Mayan villages round out some of the additional things to see–some Mayan huts also offered participation in the making of various crafts which younger children seemed to like.

In addition to all the amenities included in the admission price, there are things to do at an extra cost.  Snuba diving, Sea Trek helmet experiences, dolphin encounters, and a thrilling speed boat ride are also available if you have the time and the money.

Guests of Hotel Xcaret Mexico are entitled to a free lunch (no complimentary alcohol, however); I ate at Dos Playas buffet restaurant with a great ocean view.

Xcaret Park offers a dinner and show in the evenings called Mexico Espectacular (you can just see the show without any extra cost other than what you’ve already incurred).  It lasts 2.5 hrs. and the dinner includes multiple courses; people start arriving around 6 p.m. to claim their seats if they have not ordered the food.  The show consists of several parts showcasing Mexican culture; Aztec games of “pok ta’ pok” (hip ball) and “Uarhukua” (fire ball) are played, the brutal Spanish conquest and resultant oppression of Mexico’s indigenous people are re-enacted, and the final part of the production focuses on music and dance of Mexico through the years.  I skipped the performance this time around, but I plan on seeing it at a later date.

Take a couple of minutes to look at the rest of my pictures from Xcaret Park.  Just click on any of the thumbnails to get a larger pic.  Have you ever gone to this park, and if so, what were your favorite things to do?