Mexico’s Riviera Maya is a dream excursion spot. This 90-mile stretch of shoreline offers countless possibilities for scuba diving, shopping, journeying ruins, mendacity on the seashore, and consuming all the tacos you could take care of. A number of the amusing things to do round Cancun and Playa del Carmen is journeying a set of eco-parks and points of interest–all of them begin with “X”–that introduce visitors to the character and subculture of Mexico. The most famous parks are Xcaret and Xel-Ha. Preferably, each could be on your list. But in case your time is limited, how do you choose between Xel Ha vs Xcaret park?
Right here’s a look at the parks to help you determine.
Xel Ha vs Xcaret Park: A evaluation
There are big differences between Xcaret and Xel-Ha park, from the bodily placing of the parks to the location to the variety of activities to be had. What else makes the reports at Xel Ha or Xcaret particular? That is an in depth have a look at what there's to do and see at these different eco-parks.
Journeying Xcaret Eco Park
Men hanging and spinning on ropes
The Papantla flyers’ ritual has been diagnosed through UNESCO for its cultural significance
The sheer length of Xcaret (esh-ka-ret) is a bit overwhelming. At 2 hundred acres, this park competitors the dimensions of the Disney properties – not something you assume to see inside the center of the Riviera Maya. And but each inch of the grounds is complete of a laugh or educational things to do for everyone for your family.
Buy discounted tickets to Xcaret and Xel-Ha right here.
What's Xcaret Park?
Xcaret (Parque Xcaret, in Spanish) payments itself an eco-subject matter park. I would describe it extra as a giant playground…if playgrounds blanketed underground rivers, top-notch enjoyment, animals, records, and cultural shows. The park is designed to highlight the colors, attractions, sounds, and tastes of the distinct areas of Mexico, instructing traffic and exciting them along the way.
Orchids in an indoor rainforest
Xcaret subject matter park is domestic to over 100 species of orchids
What's there to do at Xcaret?
As an eco park, Xcaret functions a big range of animal- and nature-associated sights. Its spectacular aquarium has over 500 coral reef structures and 5000 marine organisms – visitors can even interact with some of them.
Just outdoor the aquarium is the home of one of the Xcaret’s largest points of interest–the ocean turtles. Right here, turtles of all sizes are stored as part of the park’s academic and conservation efforts. Many will in the end be launched into the ocean as soon as they are large enough to have an amazing risk of surviving on their very own. (For an even closer experience, you could snorkel with sea turtles inside the ocean just a 1/2-hour away in Akumal.)
Indoor waterfall
Waterfalls make contributions to the habitats within the aviary
Non-marine birds and animals additionally get lots of attention. The humidity of the big aviary hits you the instant you input. This is intentional, though. Its more than one degrees have extraordinary “environments” to be proper homes to the over 50 species of animals who stay right here.
Nearby is the butterfly pavilion (no longer pretty as humid), the largest butterfly facility in Mexico, that's teeming with brightly-colored local species. For the duration of the park, there are also reveals inclusive of spider monkeys, jaguars, flamingos, bats, and different animals. When you’re performed with the animals, don’t pass over the orchid museum, that's domestic to 140 unique species of this lovely flower.
Chapel with a tree trunk decoration at the wall
The Chapel of Guadalupe
Across the park, there also are websites to teach site visitors extra about Mexican lifestyle. The big colonial residence, Hacienda Henequenera, is absolutely furnished with 19th-century antiques. Its adjoining Chapel of Guadalupe is designed to seem like a geographical region chapel devoted to Our woman of Guadalupe. Pictures of her enhance the chapel, along with one carved into a 39-foot-tall tree trunk that hangs at the the front.
You can go to the Mayan ruins on the property or forestall by using the replica Mayan village, that is entire with a colourful cemetery or even an artisan making clean tortillas.
Human beings in lifejackets swimming in an underground river
Entering one of the comfortable underground rivers
If you’ve gotten a piece heat taking walks around the park, there are lots of ways to chill off at Xcaret. There are numerous swimming regions, consisting of a lagoon and natural pools.
My favored swimming locations had been the underground rivers–Blue River, Maya River, and Manatee River. Grasp a existence vest and some snorkel system and flow your way through the tunnels and rock formations. Though the lengths vary, all the rivers are around 600 meters long with numerous points to exist along the way, if you desire.
Actors performing in a Mayan village
An complicated afternoon performance within the Mayan village
What's the leisure?
There are indicates and demonstrations all day lengthy. At appointed instances, you can see the Papantla Flyers hoist themselves several memories into the air and come spinning lower back to earth. You may additionally watch the evening equestrian show in which riders display off their acrobatic abilties on horseback (bonus in case you’re looking with a drink and a snack from the patio at l. A. Cocina).
Every afternoon brings pre-Hispanic dances within the Mayan Village telling memories from Mexican mythology. Actually walking around the park, you’re probably to come upon dancers, parades, and other Xcaret suggests and performances on the way to forestall you on your tracks.
Man in an complex owl dress with feathers
The owl is just one of many excellent costumes that bring performances to existence
By means of a ways the largest display–and the only maximum visitors sit up for all day–is the nightly Xcaret Mexico Espectacular (with night time admission). The show starts offevolved with fireplace and legend as performers on a Mayan ball courtroom play an ancient recreation to honor the hearth God. It’s difficult not to be mesmerized by means of the great display that sucks you in proper from the start.
The show also brings key activities in Mexican history to lifestyles, inclusive of the Spanish conquest and the peoples’ pressured conversion to Christianity, in a clean and attractive manner. As the performances preserve, greater than 300 actors in problematic costumes take you on a tour of the track, dance, and other way of life aspects of the areas of Mexico.
Whilst you’re identifying whether to visit Xel-Ha or Xcaret, in case you want this type of enjoyment and shows, pick out Xcaret.
Dancers in traditional Mexican costumes perform
Dancers perform during the Xcaret Mexico Espectacular, the 2-hour show that happens each night time
Day of the dead
Day of the useless at Xcaret Park (Dios de los Muertos) is full of tune, costumes, celebrations, and first-rate meals. Everywhere you appearance, there may be some thing new to peer.
Every yr, the park focuses on a extraordinary Mexican state, highlighting their food, their lifestyle, and their Day of the Day customs. There are special performances and a ton of unique food at very cheap charges this is all genuine, made via citizens of that kingdom inside the nearby grocery store.
Lady wearing skeleton face paint
Personnel and site visitors arrive in full makeup and gown for Day of the useless
During Xcaret Eco Park, there are decorations and people—each personnel and traffic—dressed in all variety of costumes, many with their faces fantastically painted for the pageant. There are altars decorated with marigolds, candy skulls, and objects that the deceased cherished in life, all supposed to lure them to the sector of the living, even quickly.
Journeying at some stage in the Day of the dead party (Oct. 30-Nov. 2 every yr) is to peer the park completely converted within the most magical manner.
Is Xcaret all-inclusive?
The primary entry Xcaret tickets consist of use of life jackets, inner tubes, and access to 50 attractions and sports, but it’s not all-inclusive. Meals, beverages, and snorkeling device may be delivered as a bundle in advance or paid for a los angeles carte along the manner. There are 10 restaurants across the park that serve various forms of foods and drinks.
Additional sports which includes Sea Trek, snuba, spa offerings, and numerous different animal encounters are to be had for extra costs.
Swimming turtles
The turtle vicinity is one of the park’s most famous attractions
Conservation on the park
Part of Xcaret’s efforts are devoted to caring for inclined and endangered species of animals and flora. The park’s paintings in sea turtle breeding and safety has helped heaps of turtles enter the wild over the last 20+ years. In the aviary, Xcaret raises sure hen species and prepares them for launch into their natural habitats.
Conservation efforts even increase to organisms like coral–80% of the coral within the aquarium has been rescued after a storm and partly transplanted or propagated on the park’s laboratories.
Is it suitable for kids?
Yes, Xcaret is perfect for children. Due to the fact maximum of the sports aren't water-related, it even works properly for infants, who can be entertained by means of the animals and the shows. As an advantage, kids a while 4 and under have free admission, and kids 5-eleven are admitted at 50% off the cost of an person ticket. Strollers are available on-web site for younger youngsters.
In terms of choosing Xcaret vs Xel-Ha, we endorse Xcaret when you have younger youngsters or youngsters who aren't confident swimmers.
Historic ruins in Mexico
Some of the historic ruins at Xcaret
A way to get right here
Xcaret is located at the coast about 15 mins south of the center of Playa del Carmen on Chetumal – Puerto Juarez Federal motorway. The park is set one hour south of Cancun global Airport.
The easiest way to get to Xcaret is to add roundtrip transportation out of your inn to the park whilst you ebook your tickets online. If you select to power, loose parking is available on-website. From Cancun, a taxi experience is about USD $80-$a hundred one way; a one-manner taxi journey from Playa del Carmen is ready $15.
How a great deal are tickets?
The regular rate of Xcaret park tickets is $a hundred and ten for adults (age 12 and older) and $fifty five for youngsters (age 5 to eleven). Multi-day passes can be purchased and can be a extraordinary price if you have time.
E book your Xcaret bargain tickets right here or see programs which include transportation available from impartial excursion carriers.
Buffet with Mexican vegetable dishes
The scrumptious buffet at la Cocina, my favorite meals within the parks
What need to you bring?
Xcaret is supposed to be a full-day interest starting within the morning and ending inside the middle of the night hours. Be properly-rested and drink plenty of water because you will likely be on foot loads. However, all activities are at your personal pace, and there are plenty of opportunities to forestall and loosen up alongside the manner.
Deliver a washing in shape, dry clothes, precise strolling shoes, and cash for a deposit for the snorkel tools. A credit card or coins for snacks, souvenirs, and snap shots can also be beneficial.
Touring Xel Ha Park
Ocean scene with a boat, palm trees, and rocks
A lot water
In Maya, Xel-Ha (shell-ha) approach “the place in which water is born,” and you may see why nearly from the instant you step through the front gates. There is water pretty much anywhere you appearance. And it is simply heavenly when you’ve spent any quantity of time below the Mexican sun.
What is Xel-Ha Park?
Xel-Ha is a nature park fashioned in which clean water from underground rivers meets the warm salt water of the Caribbean Sea. This aquatic community of rivers, grottos, caves, and inlets is brimming with sea lifestyles, together with over 70 species of fish. Xel-Ha is also domestic to a hundred and twenty species of birds, numerous land animals, and over three hundred species of plants, some of that are endangered.
Humans swimming and playing in a huge river
If swimming isn’t sufficient, there’s lots to do within the river
What are the things to do at Xel-Ha?
Aquatic sports are positive to dominate a while at Xel-Ha. There are lots of snorkeling and swimming options in the river and caves. Snorkeling gadget is covered within the admission fee, so that is a top notch vicinity to offer it a strive if you’ve in no way had the possibility. There are masses of fish to look, and the currents are easy to manage, mainly since a life jacket is required.
Whether you swim down the river or grab a tube and flow alongside, you can stop at systems in the water to attempt out the fun rope bridges. There are cenotes, but traffic can’t swim in them. For that, you’ll need to do a tour of different cenotes.
People in innertubes in river
Seize a tube and bounce in
The water right here is so clear and calm that it has a way of pulling you again in once you suspect you’re finished. One of my favourite sports got here after the river swim when I tried out the zip strains. The ziplines at Xel Ha aren’t the extraordinarily lengthy, high types you might discover over a tree cover or at every other “X park” referred to as Xplor. Instead, they’re distinctly brief and give up with you proper lower back inside the cool water.
If that’s now not pretty your element, you could also take a plunge from the five-meter-high Cliff of courage into the river. It’s better than you observed. Different water-based activities like snuba and a manatee encounter are available for an extra charge.
Iguanas on a trail surrounded by using palm trees
There are numerous animals for the duration of the property
While you’re geared up to stick a touch closer to land, there are extra options. You may discover the trails and bike paths that run through Xel-Ha’s 2 hundred acres of jungle. There, you’re sure to come across iguanas, parrots, and a number of the other animals that call the assets domestic. When you’ve had sufficient journey, seize a hammock and loosen up.
There may be additionally a special place for youngsters. It consists of a wading pool, water slide, and playground, amongst other sports. But, when you have very younger children or kids who aren’t relaxed with water, we might advocate Xcaret in comparison to Xel-Ha.
Is Xel Ha all-inclusive?
All foods and drinks are blanketed. There are 5 eating places and bars with exclusive sorts of delicacies, non-alcoholic beverages, beer, and fruity cocktails open all through the day. All-inclusive doesn’t forestall at meals, even though. The price additionally includes towels, lockers, snorkeling device, life jackets, and internal tubes–pretty a great deal the whole thing you need for the day.
River entrance shrouded in mangroves
The river entrance is shrouded in mangroves
Conservation on the park
Xel Ha water park is involved in conservation and environmental safety practices in some of approaches. From presenting guests with biodegradable sunscreen to eliminating straws within the park, Xel-Ha has sought out little and huge changes so that it will make a distinction to the surroundings.
One of the park’s largest projects is a reforestation initiative finished along with its determine business enterprise Experiencias Xcaret institution, which planted extra than 400,000 plant life in 18 months during Cancun and Riviera Maya.
River flowing right into a cae
Take a swim thru the cave to your way to the river
Is Xel-Ha appropriate for youngsters?
Sure, Xel-Ha is suitable for kids of every age. However, your family will in all likelihood have the maximum amusing here (as compared to Xcaret) if all people is at ease with and simply enjoys water sports.
As at Xcaret, children ages 4 and under get in unfastened, and children a long time five-eleven are admitted for 50% off the adult ticket charge.
A way to get right here
Xel-Ha park is located about 15 minutes north of Tulum, Mexico. It is about forty mins south of Playa del Carmen and eighty mins (60 miles) south of Cancun global Airport.
The most handy manner to get to Xel-Ha is to add roundtrip transportation when you purchase your tickets on line. Parking is free, in case you choose to pressure.
How much does it fee?
Everyday Xel Ha costs are $a hundred for adults (age 12 and older) and $50 for children (age five to eleven). The usage of the hyperlinks in this newsletter, you may get tickets at a reduced fee.
Multi-day passes may be bought and may be a notable fee if you have time.
E-book your Xel Ha cut price tickets here or consider programs inclusive of transportation from impartial excursion companies.
What ought to you deliver?
The 3 maximum important things to convey to Xel-Ha park are a bathing match, dry clothes, and coins to provide as a deposit for the snorkel equipment (you’ll get it again when you return the gadget).
You might additionally need to bring a credit score card or cash for souvenirs and the pix which can be taken at some point of the park. An underwater camera would additionally be useful, when you have one.
Xel Ha vs Xcaret basic
Xcaret and Xel-Ha are both extraordinary locations to spend time on a journey to the Riviera Maya. Which park is first-rate for you relies upon to your specific pastimes.
Xcaret offers lots of enjoyment, cultural attractions, exhibits for nature fanatics, and water activities. Its a high-quality preference for families with a wide range of a long time and pastimes and is in particular easy if you’re already close to Playa del Carmen.
The enjoy at Xel-Ha is targeted on swimming, snorkeling, and usually enjoying all things water-associated. With food and drink covered within the admission rate, a go to here is carefree. It’s even easier in case you’re staying near Tulum.
Different Parks
In addition to Xcaret and Xel-ha, there are different parks within the Experiencias Xcaret family. We’ve been fortunate to go to Xplor two times as well as Xenses and Xenotes. For (a good deal) more element, you could read our opinions of the alternative parks in these articles:
Xplor
Xenotes Oasis Maya
Xenses
In which to stay
Round adults-most effective pool with direction to the sea
Herbal pool at the Occidental
Occidental at Xcaret vacation spot — This hotel adjoins Xcaret ecopark and even has a personal park entrance just for visitors. The Occidental offers five swimming pools, eleven eating places, sports centers, a non-public seaside region, and extra. It is also located inside about 5 mins of each Xplor and Xenses and 15 minutes of Xel-Ha. (read evaluations and ebook a room)
Resort Xcaret Mexico — hotel Xcaret Mexico is designed with a watch closer to sustainability and integrating the natural surroundings of the Riviera Maya. It has 10 eating places, a spa, and 3 gyms. Guests have access to an airport travel and transportation to all of the parks and associated tours. (read critiques and ebook a room)
Iberostar Tucan — toward Playa del Carmen, the Iberostar Tucan is a 5-celebrity, all-inclusive lodge. With beachfront property, 4 swimming pools, and spa facilities, there are plenty of places to relax. (study opinions and e book a room)
Experiencias Xcaret, the parks’ determine company, hosted our visit. All reviews of the exciting, interesting, and underwater are our personal.
