4 Best Sights in Mexico

Take a small collection of Maya ruins and build a mammoth theme park around them, and you have Xcaret, one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most popular destinations. Among its most-visited attractions are the Paradise River raft tour that takes you on a winding, watery journey through the jungle; the Butterfly Garden, 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 also has a wild-bird breeding aviary, nurseries for 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 Maya village includes a colorful cemetery with catacomb-like caverns underneath; traditional music and dance ceremonies (including performances by the famed Voladores de Papantla, or Flying Birdmen of Papantla) are performed here at night. But the star performance is the evening "Xcaret Mexico Espectacular," 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 climb a 240-foot tower that offers a spectacular view of the park.

The entrance fee covers only access to the grounds and the exhibits; some other activities and equipment—from sea treks and dolphin tours to lockers and swim gear—are extra. The 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. You can also book slightly discounted tickets through Xcaret's website.

Chankanaab, translated as "small sea," consists of a saltwater lagoon, an archaeological park, and a botanical garden, with reproductions of a Maya village and Olmec, Toltec, Aztec, and Maya stone carvings scattered throughout. You can swim at the beach, and there's plenty for snorkelers and divers to see beneath the surface, including underwater caverns, a sunken ship, crusty old cannons and anchors, a sculpture of the Virgen del Mar (Virgin of the Sea), and parrot fish and sergeant majors galore. Note, though, that to preserve the ecosystem, rules forbid touching the reef or feeding the fish. A seal show is included in the admission, and you'll find dive shops, restaurants, gift shops, a snack stand, and dressing rooms with lockers and showers right on the sand. Chankanaab also has a Dolphin Discovery facility where you can swim with the much-loved marine mammals.

This Maya-owned and -operated eco-park has cenotes and a few beautiful underground caverns that are great for snorkeling and diving, as well as some small Maya ruins. It offers you a choice of three different experiences. The place is low-key—a nice break from the crowds. Bring natural mosquito repellent.

Designed for thrill seekers, this 125-acre park features underground rafting in stalactite-studded water caves and cenotes. Swim in a stalactite river, ride in an amphibious vehicle, or soar across the park on 14 of the longest zip lines in Mexico. Daytime admission (valid 8:30 am to 6 pm) includes all food, drink, and equipment. A separate evening admission from 5:30 to 11:00 pm includes "Xplor Fuego" activities, which include similar things but with a nighttime theme. Mix-and-match packages can be purchased online to include both day and evening admission and entry to Xcaret next door.