Xcaret Park
Mexico'S Best Known Eco Theme Park, Built Round Underground Rivers, Caves, A Maya Ruin Site And A Coastal Inlet, With Swimming In The Rivers, A Sea Turtle And Manatee Programme, A Wildlife Park, A Folk Arts Night Show (Mexico Espectacular) And An Expensive Full Day Ticket. Very Busy And Priced For Tourists, With A Lot Of Day Tours And Packages From Cancun And The Riviera Maya · Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Xcaret is the best-known eco-archaeological theme park on the Riviera Maya, about 6 km south of Playa del Carmen and roughly 70 km from Cancun airport. It is built around natural underground rivers, caves and a coastal inlet, with a small Maya site, a wildlife area with jaguars, macaws, flamingos, manatees and turtles, and a long swim along an underground river. In the evening it stages Mexico Espectacular, a large show of Mexican music, dance and the Maya ball game. It is honest to say the park is commercial, priced for tourists and very crowded in high season, with queues at midday and tickets that cost far more than a normal attraction. It suits families, first-time visitors to the coast and people who want one long day of swimming, shows and food in a single place. It does not suit those who dislike crowds or who want a quiet cultural visit. Buy online ahead for a discount, and arrive at opening.
Parque Xcaret, an eco-archaeological theme park on the Caribbean coast about 6 km south of Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya highway; coordinates approximate, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
The park opens in the morning and runs to the early evening for the daytime ticket, and the night show begins after dark for those with the plus-night ticket. Exact times shift by season, so confirm on the day. Some attractions, such as the underground river swim, the dolphin areas and parts of the wildlife park, close earlier than the main gate or may be CLOSED for maintenance or weather. There is no FREE entry for adults, and the beach outside the gate is not part of the park. Most tickets are date-specific, so changes need to be made ahead.