Xel-Ha.....is it worth a trip?
 

hi all. going to mexico in 2 weeks and wanted to snorkel. where should i go?

Where are you going to be in Mexico? That would make a difference!<BR><BR>I've never been to Xel-Ha, but I like Cozumel for snorkeling.

Hello Chris,<BR>Don't recommend Xel Ha unless you have small kids. Over-priced, over-crowded, but above all - NO FISH! My husband and I still joke about the total lack of any fish the whole time.<BR>If staying in Cancun, take the Fury catamaran snorkel cruise.<BR>Otherwise, as the other poster mentiomed, snorkeling in Cozumel, just about anywhere on the island (Chankanaab is great) is excellent.

thanks for the info. have read other reports about there being a lot of fish. maybe they're all gone now :( thanks again.

When I went to Xel ha there were loads of fish, but lots of tourists. If you got there first thing in the morning before the bus loads arrived it was great. however, it was about 1997, so things may have changed.

Went to Xel-Ha last week. Plenty of fish to see - beautiful grounds - lots o' people. It is a great place to visit and floating down the river is beautiful. If you go make sure to walk out to the lighthouse - very secluded and wonderful views.

I enjoyed Xel-Ha. I am sure it won't compare to other places you could snorkle, but it does have beautiful grounds, and it was a good change of pace to spend the whole day floating around in peaceful cool waters in the sweltering heat of June. We went first thing in the morning (the first visitors there). The waters were murky at times, but we saw fish all day long.

I should have noted that I went in 1998. It is entirely possible that things have changed, since even then I read about decreases in the number of fish.

we were just there in april, and loved it -- snorkeling there was better than out on the ocean over the reef; and the float was really nice. pretty, enjoyable, even though crowded, not oppressive (and it was spring break). we thought it was well worth it (and we don't have small kids, but rather 2 teens).

Went to Xel-Ha in January, the fish were not what they used to be, but there were some. Very attractive area, nice pathways and plenty of access to the water. There were some neat parrot fish. Very peaceful and relaxing and the floating bridge was fun. Worth the trip. Tres Rios was also fun, but no fish. (Don't take credit cards to pay for access, snorkle gear, etc, they aren't that modernized yet.)