smschloss

going to Cancun in a month. Is Xel Ha worth it? really want to snorkel. is Xarat fun?which place is better to go to. or...where to snorkel? we are 50 and pretty active. I have never zip lined...

sylvia3

Xel-Ha is a fun, relaxing day; float down the river to the ocean, relax on the beaches/hammocks, snorkel at the hanging bridge and explore the cenote.
Xcaret is a bit more frenetic, more entertainment oriented, esp. the evening shows with loads of entertainers. The float through the "underground rivers" is cool.
They both cost about the same now, but make sure you buy your tickets at the best price (usually online in advance).
But if you want to snorkel,there are many places to do that, like Akumal, Puerto Morelos, etc.

sylvia3

BTW, the all inclusive ($71)at Xel Ha includes meals, drinks, and snorkeling equipment
http://www.xelha.com/tickets_xelha.p...=tickets_xelha

KVR

It depends on what you want to do. They are both very different. Xel-Ha is all about relaxing and swimming. There is some decent snorkeling. We were bored easily.

Xcaret has more things to see and do. Museams, ruins, wildlife area, underground river, etc. They also have a nightshow and dinner with a Mayan ball game. To me, Xcaret was more entertaining.

There is a zip line park outside of Playa del Carmen called X'Plor.

http://www.xplor.travel/xplor-our-visitors.php

Just be cautious of the height, weight and thigh size requirements before booking.

Bitter

I was really impressed by Xcarat. Yes, it is a bit fake, but on a large scale, with lots of things to see.

There is a snorkeling "river" that runs through it. It is enjoyable, but if memory serves, its appeal has more to do with the decor along the way, not the natural experience of snorkeling per se.

For snorkeling, there are any number of tours (we enjoyed the Fat Cat catamaran, but not just snorkeling). You can snorkel from the shore in Akumal and a couple other places (search this forum for other ideas).

jamie99

Have only been to Xel-Ha, a long time ago, it was very nice and back then the all-inclusive was optional, so if you go to Xel-Ha make full day to get your money's worth. We went on a weekend and got there when it opened before the tour buses pull in.
But like sylvia mentioned, if you just want to snorkel you can do it from Puerto Morelos $25pp from a boat, or Akumal (free except cost of food and transport).

sylvia3

p.s. If you go to Yakul Lagoon (Akumal), it will cost ~$10 (might be a bit more now).

emd3

Personally, and I have been to all of those places, I would skip Xelha and Xcaret and go snorkeling at Akumal bay or in a boat a short ways odd of the beach in Puerto Morelos. if snorkeling is what you want to do, it is much better to do it in either of those places, free or little fee, instead of paying up to $90 a person for those organized tourist parks.