Mindy1

What is the best way to tour Xel Ha from Playa del Carmen? Do we take public transportation and just pay the entrance fee or should we do a tour or all inclusive? There are six of us so would like the most cost effective way that we will get the most out of. Is Xel Ha a better place to snorkel or would we be better of taking a snorkeling tour for 3 hours? I am concerned somewhat with seasickness if it is a small boat. Thanks.

Scott2Markettos

Xel-Ha is great for snorkelling! Don't all pay the all-inclusive fee. If any of you have snorkel gear bring it. The all inclusive gets you a locker, your gear, towels, food and drinks. My fiance got AI and I didn't. We shared his locker, he got us each a towel (they didn't enforce any restrictions) and I brought my own snorkel gear. I don't eat much so I just bought what I wanted. He was still able to get me an ice cream cone on his AI pass - they never ask who it's for!
I would say (depending where you are staying) that a taxi or collectivo to get there and paying the entrace fee (AI or not) would be a better deal than going with a tour. The tour just drops you off anyhow - they don't tell you or show you anything.
Also, bring biodegradable sunscreen. They will take away your non biodegradable and the stuff there costs a fortune so look to buy a bottle before you leave.
Megg

Diana

I respectfully disagree with the previous poster that Xel Ha is great for snorkeling.

HOWEVER, if most of you are brand new at snorkeling, or if you have any children with you between the ages of 6 to 12, I would say that Xel Ha would be a fine choice.

But, if most of you are experinced snorkelers, or you are all adults, I would most definitely suggest taking the 45 minute ferry trip over to Cozumel for a day of snorkeling at Chankanaab Park. The snorkeling is without a doubt much better on Cozumel.

In my opinion only, Xel Ha is an over-crowded, Disney-esque experience. We were there for hours, and did not see a single fish, and the place was overrun with screaming kids and hordes of day-trippers. But some folks say they think it is great, so I guess it's up to the individual.

Bottom line, if kids are along or if you love Disney, it would probably work for you.
If you want to kick back on the beach with chairs, shade palapas, and a beer, and get into the water once in awhile for excellent snorkeling, then I'd suggest Chankanaab.

Mindy1

Thanks for your tips. We are all 15 years to 54 years old. Four teenagers have never snorkeled, I have only gone once in Hawaii, and my husband is an experienced diver. The only problem we might have is seasickness on the ferry to Cozumel. I am prone to it, but I plan to try to get a patch from my doctor before I go.

Diana

The ferry from PDC to Coz is a large, high-speed very comfortable boat with air conditioning and nice bus-type seats.
Or you can sit outside under a canopy on the top and have great views. (But you do get some fumes at the start and end if you sit outside, so inside is probably better.)
My husband is prone to seasickness, and he has never had any problems on the ferry during 30+ trips - even when the water was very choppy.
Another plus for Cozumel is that the ferry dock is right downtown, and you could do a little shoppping or exploring before/after your snorkel trip.

Mariarosa

I agree with Diana 100%. The snorkeling in Xel-Ha was just OK. There are big fish by the bridge and some schools of colorful fish by the rocks on the side, and some rays on the sandy part (we saw 3), but there is no coral. We only snorkeled for 1 hour. Plus, the whole place was *mobbed* and the logistics are somewhat complicated - you pick up different equipment in different places and you have to leave a deposit of an ID or ca$h, and at the end of the day you're picking up stuff from booths scattered all over the place!

The food at the Mexican restaurant was surprisingly good. Its small and fills up quickly, so if you're set on going to Xel-ha, be there when it opens. Ceviche was great.

If you really want to snorkel, take a boat tour to a reef, either in Cozumel or in the mainland. We thought the Inna reef was great, but its accessible only by boat.