Surely on more than one occasion you have heard about the “Experiencias Xcaret” parks and you will wonder; what is the difference between each of them? Well, although they are from the same company, and all of them are suitable for families of all ages, each one has its own concept.
If you are about to visit the Riviera Maya with your family and you are not sure which park you should visit then keep reading, and if in the end, you do not decide on one, then visit all of them! Although if you miss one of them it is also a good excuse to always return to this paradise that is Quintana Roo.
1. Xcaret, a paradise in Riviera Maya
It is an eco-archaeological site and the most famous in the Xcaret group. Visiting Xcaret Park is like visiting a large part of Mexico in one place, and one of the reasons why it has become one of the favorites is because it always tries to enhance the natural and cultural wealth of our country, so you can find details of each one of the states, from dances, food, music to crafts.
Knowing a country in a single day is very difficult, the same thing happens with Xcaret, you will need several visits to be able to do all the activities and get to know this incredible place in depth, but that does not mean that in one or two days you cannot get the most out of it.
You cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy its underground rivers, the beach, its coves and pools, the delicious food served in the restaurant and of course activities such as the Sea Trek, where you walk underwater with a helmet, that allows you to breathe and discover during your walk all the species that inhabit the place, also for the most daring there is swimming with sharks and rays or swimming with the tender dolphins.
One of the most important dates for Xcaret Park is from October 30 to November 2, when the Festival of Life and Death Traditions takes place. During 4 days Xcaret takes us through plays, dances, music, food, workshops and various shows to remember our loved ones and live one of the most important traditions in Mexico: the Day of the Dead.
Tips to visit Xcaret:
- There are many packages to visit Xcaret, entrance only, with/without transportation, with food, etc. I recommend that you look for the best option for you. During the Life and Death Festival the entrance also includes your visit to this incredible event.
- You can start by getting a map of the park, because believe me, you will get lost on more than one occasion, it will also help you save time and do more activities during the day.
- At the park entrance, you can buy your Xcaret passport and in each activity, you do ask to have it stamped, so you will also keep track of everything you have done and when you have it complete you can exchange it for a gift in the park.
- Xcaret sometimes has several additional activities that you can enjoy, such as a ball game workshop, a behind-the-scenes tour, and a beautiful carnival, as well as the traditional “Mexico Espectacular” show that takes place every night in the auditorium.
- The equestrian show, the Papantla flyers, the Mexican cemetery, the aquarium, the butterfly garden, the aviary and the museum of popular Mexican art are places that you cannot miss during your visit, and of course the Mayan Town where you can learn more about this culture with the artisans of the Mayan communities.
- With your Xcaret bracelet you can access the scenic towers of Cancun to have a panoramic view of the Hotel Zone at 80 meters high. You are going to fall in love with the Mexican Caribbean!
- Here you can find more than 40 tips for your visit to Xcaret.
2. Xel-ha, an encounter with nature…
The place where the water is born, that is what Xel-Ha means and it is another ecological park in the Riviera Maya, if what you are looking for is tranquility and being in contact with nature, this is the best option, it is also an all-inclusive park so you can eat and drink as much as you can, the food is also delicious and it is a place that is enjoyed a lot with the family, the little ones will love it.
Xel-Ha Park is a natural cove that was created by a set of cenotes and lagoons where you can snorkel and kayak, there are around 86 hectares to enjoy a day in the jungle, knowing the flora and fauna of the place.
Every year it hosts events such as the famous Xel-Ha Triathlon in which athletes come from all over the world to participate.
Children have a special area where they are going to have fun like never before and although it is an all-inclusive park, there are extra activities that are not included in the package but are very worthwhile, an example are swimming with dolphins, encounters with stingrays and /or manatees, the Sea Trek, the Zip Bike that is a kind of bicycle that crosses the jungle or the fun boat at full speed with 360 ° turns, it is one of the best!
We challenge you to jump from the “Stone of Courage” of about 5 or 6 meters, the adrenaline of jumping into the void to fall into the water is one of the adventures you have to experience during your visit, do you dare?
Tips for a great day in Xel-Ha:
- You have several options to visit Xel-Ha, although it is all-inclusive, only some of the packages include transportation from Cancun or Riviera Maya, so pay special attention to choosing the most suitable one.
- Some tours to Xel-Há can also be accompanied by a visit to the archaeological zone of Tulum since both sites are very close, so you can make the most of your visit to the Riviera Maya.
- Walk through the mangrove and the trails that will take you through paths surrounded by the beautiful nature of the place.
- Visit the Xel-Ha Lighthouse which has a viewpoint, perfect for getting a panoramic view of the park.
- Visit the hammock area, one of the favorites to rest and regain energy before continuing with the fun.
- Eat and drink, life is short! Attack the buffet and be sure to try all the delicacies they have in the different restaurants.
3. Xplor, adrenaline and fun in the jungle…
For all adrenaline lovers, Xplor Park is the place you have to visit if extreme sports are your thing, and if not, well, you will surely discover that you are capable of facing all your fears and living an unforgettable moment during your trip to the Riviera Maya.
You can do everything, one of my favorite activities is the zip lines, in Xplor there are two circuits with seven lines to fly over the jungle and enjoy the view, the most important is the one that is 400 meters high and is 700 meters long, there is also another one that ends directly in the water, it will be a relief because of the heat of adrenaline.
Do you know the 4×4 amphibious vehicles? Here you will be able to drive one inside the park, apart from being fun, it will allow you to discover how wonderful nature is and you can even take it inside the caverns that are in the park. Go through the underground rivers in rafts or swimming, they are another very good option, 400 meters inside a cave where you can see the different formations of stalactites and stalagmites. They will fascinate you!
Do you like challenges? There is the Xplor Fuego version, where you can do all the activities at night, it is really impressive, especially because it adds the adrenaline of finding yourself in the middle of the jungle with paths lit by torches. Like other parks, the famous Bravest Race is held here, where all the participants test their resistance and physical condition to face all the obstacles that exist during the event. Sometimes a special edition is made that also allows you to be one of the participants in the Reality Show “La Isla”.
Tips to visit Xplor:
- Learn about all the options to enjoy Xplor, it already includes a buffet, but it is important to take transportation into account.
- All activities are very safe as they have trained personnel and the necessary equipment for your safety. If you suffer from any problem, it is necessary to indicate it to the instructors.
- The minimum age for children is 5 years.
- Xplor Fuego is something really different, it is well worth it.
4. Xenotes, a true Mayan oasis…
Its name says it all, on this tour you will get to know 4 different cenotes, they are pools of crystalline water connected to each other by underground rivers, well known in the Yucatan Peninsula. Who doesn’t like them? They are perfect to forget about the heat and swim for a while, and Xenotes is located within the well-known Ruta de los Cenotes de Puerto Morelos.
Delicious food and activities that will be a perfect complement to fully enjoy each cenote that belongs to an element, water, fire, earth and air, there are open or cavern types and you can do different activities such as rappelling, kayaking and snorkeling, there is everything and the best, for everyone. It is a great opportunity to live a unique experience in the middle of nature, with friends or family. The fun is for everyone.
Tips to get the most out of Xenotes:
- Choose among the different options to visit Xenotes the one that best suits you, whether you are in Cancun or the Riviera Maya, take transportation into account.
- Your visit to Xenotes already includes snorkeling equipment and towels, as well as lockers to leave objects that you cannot get wet.
- Forget your fears and dive into one of the incredible cenotes.
5. Xenses, where nothing is what it seems…
It is one of the newest parks of Experiencias Xcaret and also the most different of all, it is focused on putting all your senses to the test, those who have visited it will agree with me that it is a park where you live a world of sensations. Touch, smell, listen, here you can do everything and let out the little one that we all have inside because it is the only way to fully enjoy it.
One of my favorite activities is the Xensatorium where you go through a path in the dark, this makes all your senses awaken, the sounds, the textures and the emotions will make this an unforgettable moment.
On the other hand, you can also do the bird flight, let yourself go in a riolajante and why not? float in a river of mud or jump off a slide. The Patas pa’ arriba house in the town of Xenses is quite an adventure, do things go from bottom to top or vice versa? You can’t know it, but you have to live it.
Tips to live Xenses:
- Learn about the options to visit Xenses, the packages do not include food, but inside you will find a store to buy snacks.
- It is a half-day park, you can do all the activities in approximately 5 hours.
- When you leave the Xensatorium be sure to try the delicious lemonade that is literally on a tree. Just what you need to quench your thirst.
- Pay close attention to everything around you, you are going to have a great time.
- Take good support for your camera against water or a protector for your cell phone, that way you can record and/or take photos without any problem.
The best part is that all these parks apart from being venues for sporting and cultural events, also have protection programs for endangered species. Visiting the Riviera Maya and not enjoying any of these parks is like not having come because you can enjoy nature to the fullest with your family, which is impressive.
They are perfect to enjoy the beauties of the Mexican Caribbean on your family trip to Mexico!