Caribbean Coast Sights

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Xcaret

Xcaret Review

Among the most popular attractions are the Paradise River raft tour that takes you on a winding, watery journey through the jungle; the Butterfly Pavilion, where thousands of butterflies float dreamily through a botanical garden while New Age music plays in the background; and an ocean-fed aquarium where you can see local sea life drifting through coral heads and sea fans.

The park has a Wild Bird Breeding Aviary, nurseries for both abandoned flamingo eggs and sea turtles, and a series of underwater caverns that you can explore by snorkeling or snuba (a hybrid of snorkeling and scuba). A replica Mayan village includes a colorful cemetery with catacomb-like caverns underneath; traditional music and dance ceremonies (including performances by the famed Voladores de Papantla—the Flying Birdmen of Papantla) are performed here at night. But the star show is the evening "Spectacular Mexico Night Show," which tells the history of Mexico through song and dance.

The list of Xcaret's attractions goes on and on: you can visit a dolphinarium, a bee farm, a manatee lagoon, a bat cave, an orchid and bromeliad greenhouse, an edible-mushroom farm, and a small zoo. You can also visit a scenic tower that takes you 240 feet up in the air for a spectacular view of the park.

Although Xcaret has eight restaurants, many visitors bring their own lunches and take advantage of picnic tables scattered throughout the park.The entrance fee covers only access to the grounds and the exhibits; all other activities and equipment—from sea treks and dolphin tours to lockers and swim gear—are extra. The $99 Plus Pass includes park entrance, lockers, snorkel equipment, food, and drinks. You can buy tickets from any travel agency or major hotel along the coast.

    Contact Information

  • Address: Quintana Roo | Map It
  • Phone: 984/871-5200; 998/883-0470 in Cancun
  • Cost: $69 Basic Pass; $99 Plus Pass
  • Hours: Daily 8:30 am-10 pm
  • Website: www.xcaret.com
  • Location: Xcaret

Member Reviews

  • Hillary_Anne, from Plymouth, MI
    11/23/11

    We had the time of our lives at Xcaret. However, if you are considering going here are my suggestions:

    Buy the 2 day pass (first day full price and second day is half off); 1 day is not nearly enough to see everything

    I would recommend day 1: see the animal enclosures, the shows, the sites and the shops, day 2: swim in the underground caves, snorkel, see the beach, and do any extra activities

    Bring an underwater camera; the fish are beautiful and you can take it in the underground cave as well

    If you eat the Mexican buffet for dinner (which is delicious) you can watch the horse rodeo show as you eat

    If you plan on staying for the night show (and you absolutely should) get there early to make sure you get a good seat

    Do the Xcaret plus package. It includes your snorkel gear, towels, locker and a buffet. It is definitly worth the extra money.

    People will be around taking pictures like at other parks, if you wish to look at them, go to the main entrance before closing time to beat the crowd and find your photos much easier

    Bring handsanitizer, water and flip flops

    You will put your stuff in a locked waterproof bag while you go in the underground caves that they will transport for you to the exit. They say not to put anything other than clothes, shoes and towels but we put our camera and sunglasses in it and they were perfectly fine. Of course this is to your own discretion but the bags are locked and you have the key. If you don't put your camera in the bag, you will be without it until you get back to your lockers on the other side of the park and will miss great photo ops on the walk back.

    Otherwise, I would HIGHLY recommend this park. It was a great experience that combined culture, history, water activities, animal encounters, and more. It is appropriate for all ages. Think zoo meets water park meets excitement. LOVED Xcaret.

    Ratings details: Experience: 5 | Ease: 5 | Value: 5 | Don't Miss: 5
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