Xcaret

A prebooked admission ticket or day tour to Xcaret park makes it easy to access an impressive range of activities, with entry including the opportunity to snorkel with fish in natural lagoons, visit the park's Maya archaeological sites, and and catch the Xcaret Mexico Espectacular light and dance show. Some day-long Xcaret tours have optional upgrades for extras such as a buffet lunch or exclusive changing rooms, while combo tours can be booked to also visit other nearby attractions, such as the Chichen Itza or Xel-Ha ruins or Xplor Park.

While there’s plenty to do within the bounds of a general admission ticket, a plethora of add-on activities are also available. For an extra fee, take a speed boat ride, snorkel atop an offshore coral garden, take in a theatrical interpretation of the origins of Mexican culture over dinner at the Gran Tlachco Theater, or experience the Temascal, a traditional four-part wellness ritual.

• Visitors should bring sunscreen, walking shoes, swimming gear, and lightweight clothing.

• Most tours include round-trip transportation from hotels in Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

• Lockers and snorkel equipment are available for a fee.

• Most of the park is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available for rental for a fee.

• Several add-on animal encounters are available for additional fees. Pet stingrays in a shallow lagoon; go deeper with snuba (an underwater breathing apparatus); nurse sharks; or swim with bottlenose dolphins.

Xcaret is located 47 miles (7 kilometers) from Cancun and six miles (10 kilometers) from Playa del Carmen. Most day tours include round-trip transportation from hotels in both cities. Taxis are available to and from Xcaret, and parking is free for those arriving by car. Public buses run from both Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

The park is open daily from 8:30am to 10:30pm—arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy a full day of fun. Although the weather is tropical year-round, it can be especially hot in the humid wet season from June through October. Peak visitor season is December through April.

Xcaret's cultural attractions include a replica Maya village, a colorful and symbolic Mexican cemetery with a grave for each day of the year, and shows performed by the swinging Papantla Flying Men (Voladores de Papantla). Don’t miss the Maya ruins, the aquarium, the sea turtle nesting site, the walk-through butterfly pavilion, the orchid greenhouse, or the two inland islands with jaguar and puma enclosures.

No, you don’t need to prebook your Xcaret admission tickets: you can buy your pass on the day at the door. However, if you buy tickets online at least seven days before your visit, you’ll get a discount. Plus, prebooking guarantees your entry—as Xcaret has limited capacity—and helps you avoid lines.

No, a standard Xcaret admission ticket doesn’t include food. You’re not allowed to take food inside the park, so you’ll need to budget to eat at Xcaret’s food outlets. An Xcaret Plus ticket includes a buffet lunch, a beer, and non-alcoholic drinks at select park restaurants, plus other perks.

The Xcaret Plus ticket gives you everything standard admission does—including access to 50 Xcaret attractions such as rivers, beaches, pools, and jungle trails— as well as a buffet lunch, a beer, and non-alcoholic drinks at select restaurants, and access to Plus dressing rooms, restrooms, lockers, and snorkeling gear.

Start by floating along Xcaret’s underground rivers, past jungles and caves. Doing this first gives you time to enjoy other activities at your leisure. Perhaps attend a Voladores and Flying Eagles show; view turtles and manatees; visit the beach, pools, and Mayan villages; or watch an Espectacular show.

Two days is ideal. There’s so much to do at Xcaret that squeezing everything into one day is hard without rushing. Two days gives you time to experience the three underground rivers, relax on the beach, see all the wildlife and shows, and explore ancient Mayan sites.

Yes, you can rent lockers at Xcaret. They’re near the entrance and can fit two small-medium backpacks, plus some small belongings. Locker hire is US$5.99 per day, with a returnable US$10 deposit. If you buy an Xcaret Plus admission ticket, day-long locker hire is included.