Xcaret! Imagine a place where you can swim through ancient underground rivers, be part of vibrant cultural performances, and explore a natural paradise, all in one day. Honestly, Xcaret really surpassed our expectations and it’s somewhere you HAVE to visit if you’re travelling on the Mexican Riviera.
A first time visit to the natural theme park Xcaret can feel just a bit overwhelming, what should you do first? What are the must do things? Which ticket should I get? Well, this Xcaret guide is designed to help you navigate the park like a pro and fully make the most of your day out in this must-visit place on the Riviera Maya.
How do you pronounce Xcaret?
I know this is a bit of a silly heading maybe, but we were seriously wondering this while researching so why not make it a heading? The name “Xcaret” is pronounced as “ish-ka-ret.” This pronunciation reflects its Mayan origin, emphasizing a soft “sh” sound at the beginning, followed by “ka” and ending with “ret”.
What is Xcaret?
Xcaret is like stepping into a living, breathing postcard of Mexico, tucked away in the Riviera Maya, just a stone’s throw from Cancun. Imagine this: crystal-clear waters inviting you to explore underground rivers winding through ancient caves, and the chance to come face-to-face with the kind of wildlife you’ve only ever seen in documentaries.
At Xcaret, history isn’t just something you read about; it’s something you walk through, touch, and feel. With little archaeological treasures dotted around, you get a real sense of the Mayan civilization that once flourished here. And it’s not just about looking and learning; it’s about diving in—quite literally into natural pools and lagoons, basking on secluded beaches, and snorkelling in waters teeming with life.
And when the sun dips below the horizon, the park doesn’t wind down—it lights up. “Xcaret México Espectacular” is a night show unlike any other, with over 300 artists bringing the history of Mexico to life right before your eyes.
In a nutshell, Xcaret isn’t just a park. It’s a celebration of everything that makes Mexico magical.
Where is Xcaret?
Xcaret is located along the Riviera Maya just outside of Playa del Carmen and around 75 kilometres south of Cancún. This makes it easily accessible if you stay in places like Cancún, Cozumel, Tulum, Puerto Morelos (where we were staying!), etc.
How to get to Xcaret?
Travelling to Xcaret Park is pretty straightforward. Multiple transportation options are available from key locations in the Riviera Maya, such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Puerto Morelos.
From Cancún:
- By Car: The journey takes about an hour driving south on Highway 307 towards Playa del Carmen. Signs will guide you directly to Xcaret.
- By Bus: Regular ADO buses to Playa del Carmen are available, from where a short taxi or shuttle ride will get you to Xcaret.
From Playa del Carmen:
- By Car: A quick 15-minute drive south on Highway 307.
- By Taxi: Easily available for a direct ride to the park.
- By Colectivo: Shared vans travel frequently along Highway 307, dropping you close to Xcaret.
From Tulum:
- By Car: Approximately a 45-minute drive north on Highway 307.
- By Bus: Frequent buses run to Playa del Carmen, where you can continue to Xcaret by taxi.
From Puerto Morelos:
- By Car: It takes about 30-35 minutes heading south on Highway 307.
- By Colectivo: An economical option is to take a colectivo to Playa del Carmen and then another towards Tulum, alighting at Xcaret.
Tours:
- There are a lot of tours available to Xcaret which will include your transportation and ticket price, such as this one which includes a priority access ticket (which I’d recommend!) and transfer from Cancun.
Welcome to the Xcaret Guide: The Jewel of Mexico’s Riviera Maya
From the moment you step into Xcaret, you’re entering a world brimming with beauty and history. But to truly soak it all in, here’s our first golden rule: Go for opening and stay for closing! It’s a bit of a marathon day, but the serene morning and the spectacular closing show are worth every minute.
Guide to Maximising Your Day at Xcaret
- Dive into the Underground Rivers Early: With three unique rivers to choose from, start one at opening, dip into another around lunchtime, and catch your final swim around 5pm. They’re blissfully quiet at these times, offering a serene escape into nature’s embrace.
- Xcaret Plus Ticket – A Must: An extra $40 gives you the Plus ticket, which is worth its weight in gold. With a locker to stash your stuff and a buffet lunch that’s genuinely delicious, it’s the ultimate convenience package.
- Morning Splashes to Afternoon Explorations: Tackle the water activities in the AM—from snorkelling to serene swims in the natural pools. Post-lunch, dry off and set off to explore Xcaret’s dry land treasures. Fancy another dip? The rivers welcome you for a refreshing round two.
My Top Tips for Making the Most of Xcaret
- Save Your Pennies for Pure Enjoyment: Xcaret is bursting with activities, many at no extra cost. While the allure of swimming with sharks or stingrays is there, you’ll find the included experiences keep you more than entertained especially if you only have one day in the park.
- Stay Hydrated: The park is dotted with water refill stations, and the canopy provides ample shade. Remember, outside food might be a no-no, but water is always a yes.
- Eco-Friendly Sun Protection: Help preserve the beauty of Xcaret by using reef-safe sunscreen. Our pick? Maya Solar mineral spf 50, available at local supermarkets, does a splendid job without harming marine life.
- Capture Every Moment: A waterproof phone case is your best friend here. Snap those underwater marvels and river adventures without a worry. Grab one before you arrive to save a bit compared to buying one at the park.
- Navigate Like a Pro with the App: The Xcaret app is a lifesaver, turning the maze of attractions into an easily navigable adventure with its GPS-enabled map.
What are Must-See Attractions at Xcaret?
We saw almost everything there is to see without paying a penny over the initial admission fee. In my opinion these are the best things to see in Xcaret:
- Underground rivers: We had time to do all three and I’d say they’re all fantastic so if you only have time for one, you’ll be happy with any. When preparing for the rivers you can pop all your stuff (towel etc) into a bag that will be locked and taken to the end point of the river for you to pick up – being a river it’s of course only one way! If you want to do all three like we did, I’d recommend doing one first thing, one at around lunch time and one just before they close them at 5:30pm. This way you’ll have them almost to yourself the whole way. Each river takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on your speed and they do require some level of swimming, so keep that in mind. You have to wear a life jacket and with your plus ticket you get free flippers which help massively!
- Aviary: Housing over 1,500 birds from 90 different species, the aviary primarily focuses on those native to Mexico, especially the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s meticulously designed to mimic natural habitats, ranging from jungle settings to coastal environments. It’s absolutely gorgeous and you can even watch birds hatching live, what’s not to love!
- Fresh Bread from the Panadería: Ok this is a bit of a rogue recommendation but honestly when I was researching I never saw this mentioned and it baffles me. As you’re wandering around you might see a sign saying “pan calientito”, follow it and you’ll stumble across a humble little bakery making all kinds of fresh bread using Mayan recipes. We got 2 for 20 pesos as an afternoon snack and they were delicious!
- Sea Turtles: Xcaret’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program offers a touching glimpse into the lives of sea turtles as they are rehabilitated and protected within the park. As you walk through the area, you can observe turtles at various life stages—from tiny hatchlings to graceful adults!
- Papantla Flyers: The Papantla Flyers at Xcaret offer a mesmerising show that combines cultural history with aerial acrobatics. This tradition, deeply rooted in Mesoamerican history, showcases performers dressed in colourful costumes ascending a high pole. From there, they leap and spin gracefully downwards, attached by ropes, in a ceremonial dance that honours the heritage of the Totonac people. The show runs a few times a day and is located right next to the plus area, where you’ll find a board with the show times.
- Xcaret México Espectacular: This show at Xcaret Park is a grand celebration of Mexican culture, featuring more than 300 artists on stage. It takes you on a historical and cultural journey through the different regions of Mexico. The show begins at 7:00 PM and lasts for about two hours and as EVERYONE will tell you it’s a must see!
I will add that the beach area and snorkelling facilities are absolutely lovely and if you have time I’d recommend seeing them (especially if you have a plus ticket as your snorkelling gear is included!). However, if you’re staying near a beach in Mexico, chances are you’ll do a lot of snorkelling and beach visits, so if you’re short on time these would be skippable.
What Are the Coloured Routes Around Xcaret?
Navigating Xcaret Park can be a challenge (which is why I absolutely recommend you download the app in advance!). To help make things easier, the park has put together a few different coloured routes that focus on different attractions. These make navigating easy as you simply need to follow the correct colour on the ground once you’re in the park.
We actually did a mixture of all the coloured routes as we wanted to see absolutely all of the included activities, but if you want to stick to a certain theme (or not spend the entire day at the park) you can choose one of the colours below or combine a couple:
- Black Line (Del Rio Route): Upon entering the park, this is the starting point, with all other routes branching off from here. Key attractions include the Underground River, Paradise River, and the Archaeological Site.
- Blue Line (Acuario Route): A dream for marine life enthusiasts, this route features the Coral Reef Aquarium, Sea Turtles, Sharks, and the Open Theater.
- Green Line (Playa Route): This route focuses on beach and snorkelling activities and includes the Snorkeling Inlet, Beach, Sea Trek, and several beach-view restaurants.
- Red Line (Delfines Route): This route offers more ocean-based fun with Natural Pools, Adrenalina Boat Ride, Snuba Reef, and Paraxute. It’s another great option for water lovers.
- White Line (Pueblo Maya Route): Explore the rich Mayan culture and history at attractions like the Mayan Village, Butterfly Pavilion, Jaguar Island, and Mexican Cemetery.
- Brown Line (Mexico Espectacular Route): This route leads towards the evening’s grand performances. It includes the Scenic Tower, Xcaret Mexico Espectacular performances, Pre-Hispanic Welcome, and Horse Maternity Ward.
Xcaret After Dark: Where Nighttime Is the Right Time
As the day winds down, Xcaret doesn’t slow. The park transforms under the night sky, with the Mexico Espectacular show capping off an incredible day. It’s an amazing journey through Mexico’s history, seen through the lens of dance, music, and vibrant storytelling. The show starts around 7pm and lasts for 2 hours, if you’re feeling fancy there’s also a set dinner option you can choose which looked lovely!
If you can, I’d recommend sitting lower down in the auditorium. The show is in Spanish, but there’s a TV hanging down from the ceiling that displays an English translation. We were sat up in the gods, so the TV was partially covered, and we couldn’t read it, but we loved the vibes and what we could understand all the same!
Armed with this guide to Xcaret, your visit is set to be nothing short of magical. From the moment the gates open to the last song of the evening show, every minute is a discovery, an adventure, and a moment to cherish. So, pack your eco-friendly sunscreen, grab your water bottle, and step into the extraordinary world of Xcaret with this guide at your disposal. Adventure awaits!
