Come and explore this sacred paradise in the heart of the Riviera Maya. See how much you can pack into one day when you visit the botanical garden, aviary, aquarium, stables, butterfly farm and Mayan ruins at this spectacular eco park. You can also swim in the lagoon, snorkel and ride the underground rivers.
A sacred paradise is in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Xcaret (pronounced eesh-carette) is one of the loveliest and most unusual venues in the area. It is said that this was the ancient port of Pole and that the Maya used to come here to bathe in its waters to purify their minds and bodies before sailing to the nearby island of Cozumel to worship the goddess of fertility, Ixchel.
Mans ingenuity combined with natures splendor has formed a very interesting park with a variety of attractions. The park has focused on the area's natural flora, fauna and landscape and used these to create a mini-wonderland. There are some small Maya ruins, a botanical garden, aviary, aquarium, stables and butterfly farm. There is an exhibition with scale models of all the major archaeological sites of the Yucatan.
There is also an inlet with clear waters for snorkeling, a lagoon for swimming and a beach for relaxing either in the sun or in the shade of the palapas. Or perhaps you would prefer a siesta in a hammock? But the most unique feature of Xcaret is its underground river, which passes through caverns and underground channels, put on a life vest and let the current take you slowly and safely along while you marvel at the beauty of nature.
You'll return at 6:00pm, unless you wish to stay for the magical night show, where you'll see the story of the Mayan come to life! This option is included in the tour price, and you'll return by ferry at 9:00pm. If you wish to stay on, please advise your tour guide a the beginning of the tour.
This is a great place. You can truly spend all day here. There are a bunch of extra activities to purchase and do, dolphin swim, nurse shark swim, fish therapy, adreneline boat rides, snorkling, sea trek, snuba, etc. You arrive around 9am after the tour guide gives you a bunch of information about the park. You will not be able to use your sunscreen, but you can trade it in for individual packets of natural sunscreen and get your sunscreen back when you leave the park. We ended up buying a bug spray with SPF 15 in it from the gift shop. I think we paid 8 or so, not too bad. We started out floating/swimming in the underground river since someone had told us that the earlier you do it the less crowded it was. You get a locker to put your things in and they give you a huge bag iwth a lock, if you want it, to put things in that you want when you get out of the river on the other side of the park. You pick up a lifejacket and you can get fins if you want them. Personally, if you can swim there really is no need for fins plus it is a bit crowded.
Review by: Debra B, May 2017
Beware. When booking online, You have to book before knowing if they can pick you up. Hoever, I did go to Xcaret not through Viator and loved it.
Review by: Jefhreen L, August 2015
The setting is beautiful. I've never seen so many trees in a park. Also if you do run out of things to do, you can just chill out on the beach which is part of the park. I also thought it was convenient to rent a locker for just 5.I had a great time.
Review by: Brenda N, March 2014
Overall, it was a great day and we are glad that we took the trip. The "tour" however, it a bit misleading so read the fine print. We paid $257us for 2 people for the basic package which included resort pick-up and drop-off , a "tour" and a map. The tour was really a verbal walk-through of the park map. This was helpful and appreciated - but it is not a tour. Since the normal admission for our trip was $99us per person, the extra $59us was a good value, however. We did not pay the extra $60us for the buffet lunch and instead had a wonderful lunch on the water overlooking the dolphin pens and the peninsula (#30 on the map). The total was $40us including 2 drinks and the tip.
Review by: Lara L, February 2014
A must see attraction! Difficult to pack everything into one day, but doable. Staying for the night show is a must!
Review by: Victoria P, December 2013
The pickup by the bus was horrible. We sat on the bus for more than an hour at one hotel while the guide went to find a few other tourists. _br/_
Xcaret is fantastic--the Mexican restaurant buffet, the not-to-be-missed two night spectaculars, etc.
Review by: Ddallas, January 2013
The bus ride from our hotel to Xcaret was quick and professional. This is a nice day trip thing to do. All of the wildlife that is available for viewing is pretty amazing - especially the large sea turtles. The food/drinks are excellent and the access to a variety of beaches is ample.
Review by: vero3110, September 2012
Very nice
Review by: A Chay S, March 2012
Great place to spend the day. Needed more time to see all of the park, particularly if you attended the dinner show. The dinner show was good. We ate dinner at the show and the food was excellent. The Mexican lunch buffet was also good with a lot of food choices. We really enjoyed the underground river, hammocka, butterfly exhibit, and the Mayan and horse shows..
Review by: A Chay S, March 2012
Great place to spend the day. Needed more time to see all of the park, particularly if you attended the dinner show. The dinner show was good. We ate dinner at the show and the food was excellent. The Mexican lunch buffet was also good with a lot of food choices. We really enjoyed the underground river, hammocka, butterfly exhibit, and the Mayan and horse shows..
Review by: A Chay S, March 2012
Great place to spend the day. Needed more time to see all of the park, particularly if you attended the dinner show. The dinner show was good. We ate dinner at the show and the food was excellent. The Mexican lunch buffet was also good with a lot of food choices. We really enjoyed the underground river, hammocka, butterfly exhibit, and the Mayan and horse shows..
Review by: A Chay S, March 2012
Great place to spend the day. Needed more time to see all of the park, particularly if you attended the dinner show. The dinner show was good. We ate dinner at the show and the food was excellent. The Mexican lunch buffet was also good with a lot of food choices. We really enjoyed the underground river, hammocka, butterfly exhibit, and the Mayan and horse shows..
Review by: A Chay S, March 2012
Great place to spend the day. Needed more time to see all of the park, particularly if you attended the dinner show. The dinner show was good. We ate dinner at the show and the food was excellent. The Mexican lunch buffet was also good with a lot of food choices. We really enjoyed the underground river, hammocka, butterfly exhibit, and the Mayan and horse shows..
Review by: A Chay S, March 2012
Great place to spend the day. Needed more time to see all of the park, particularly if you attended the dinner show. The dinner show was good. We ate dinner at the show and the food was excellent. The Mexican lunch buffet was also good with a lot of food choices. We really enjoyed the underground river, hammocka, butterfly exhibit, and the Mayan and horse shows..
Review by: A Chay S, March 2012
Great place to spend the day. Needed more time to see all of the park, particularly if you attended the dinner show. The dinner show was good. We ate dinner at the show and the food was excellent. The Mexican lunch buffet was also good with a lot of food choices. We really enjoyed the underground river, hammocka, butterfly exhibit, and the Mayan and horse shows..
Review by: Jennifer K, November 2011
Beautiful and fun day trip. I have already recommended this trip to several friends and family members. Great show at the end of the day, too.
Review by: Roger N, September 2010
had a really nice day at xcaret stayed for the night show it was brilliant.only drawback was the food in the buffet resturant
Review by: , July 2010
The underground river was unique. The program at the end of the day is a must to see. You will need all day to see the park.
Review by: Frank M, July 2010
The underground river was unique. The program at the end of the day is a must to see. You will need all day to see the park.
Review by: Anonymous, July 2010
The underground river was unique. The program at the end of the day is a must to see. You will need all day to see the park.
Review by: Anonymous, March 2010
The underground river was unique. The program at the end of the day is a must to see. You will need all day to see the park.
Review by: Frank M, March 2010
The underground river was unique. The program at the end of the day is a must to see. You will need all day to see the park.
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