Grupo Xcaret is the name of the Mexican company that owns and operates some of the best tourist attractions in the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Currently, the company operates 8 amusement parks, 4 tours and 3 luxury all-inclusive hotels. Xcaret— This is not only the name of the entire company, it is also the name of one of the hotels and one of the amusement parks. Letter «X» in the name of the parks it is pronounced «s» or «w», but not «ix». Some pronounce «Ishkaret», others — «Shkaret».
From the names of all Xcaret parks:
- Xcaret,
- Xel-Ha,
- Xplor,
- Xplor Fuego,
- Xavage,
- Xenses,
- Xoximilco,
- Xibalba (opening soon).
Grupo Xcaret additionally offers 4 tours to the key attractions of the Riviera Maya:
- Xichen— in Chichen Itza,
- Tulum— in Tulum,
- Coba— to Coba,
- Xenotes — in Saint fromy.
And 3 luxury fromels:
- Hotel Xcaret,
- Hotel Xcaret Arte (adults only),
- La Casa de la Playa (adults only).
Amusement Parks Xcaret is designed so that you will be satisfied with every visit. The rich tropical nature of the Caribbean coast of Mexico adds a special sophistication to all the entertainment that awaits you there. And the entertainment itself is always large-scale — This includes immersion in Mexican culture, unique outdoor activities, and simply contemplation of natural beauty. Outdoor activities include rafting, zip lining, snorkeling, underground river exploration, sailing, monster ATV racing and more. In the Xcaret parks you also have the opportunity to enjoy gourmet Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch or dinner and attend unique entertainment shows.
How much are entrance tickets to Xcaret parks?
Ticket prices for Xcaret parks depend on the park and whether you are a foreign traveler or a resident of the state of Quintana Roo. As of 2022, when purchased online, entry ticket prices for overseas tourists were as follows:
- Xcaret Entry = $109.99
- Xel-Ha Entry = $99.99
- Xplor Entry = $129.99
- Xplor Fuego Entry = $109.99
- Xavage Entry = $149.99
- Xenses Entry = $69.99
- Xoximilco Entry = $99.99
- Entry to Xenotes = $129.99.
Please note that Xcaret packages come in two types: basic entry (prices shown above) and all-inclusive entry. Basic entry offers a limited amount of entertainment, while «all inclusive» offers unlimited access to all entertainment and sometimes free food and drinks. Booking in advance also offers lower prices: 10% discount when purchasing tickets 7-20 days in advance, 15% — when purchasing tickets at least 21 days before the visit. If you buy tickets to several parks at once, Xcaret will also offer you a discount: 15% when buying tickets to two parks and two excursions, 20% — three or more parks and excursions.
There are almost never any promotions and sales for foreign travelers, but for residents of the state of Quintana Roo, ticket prices are lower, and promotions and discounts are not uncommon. To purchase a ticket as a resident, you must present an ID (for Mexicans) or a resident card (for resident aliens).
Children under 4 years old have the opportunity to visit the parks without paying with their parents, and children from 5 to 11 years old pay half price for tickets. Tickets can be purchased on the company's main website, the website of each park, and also from numerous agents.
Check if your ticket includes food and drinks! Xcaret is renowned for offering its guests first-class food and drink, but this varies from park to park. Let's say Xcaret Park Mexico doesn't automatically include food and drinks in its packages - you have to add them to your purchase. Xel-Ha always offers a continental breakfast, lunch buffet, snack bar and indoor bar, including alcohol. Other Xcaret parks are able to offer a lunch buffet, unlimited snacks and soft drinks. Despite the fact that most restaurants serve a buffet, the food is still very tasty.
All Xcaret parks will definitely have: breathing areas, changing rooms, lockers, toilets and showers, Wi-Fi, an ATM and free parking. Near the entrance there are traditionally souvenir shops where you can purchase various souvenirs and equipment, in particular water shoes.
When visiting parks, you may not always be able to use your own camera or phone. Let's say this is prohibited on water slides from a safety point of view, and in the water you will need protection for your device. But when purchasing, you have the opportunity to add a Photo Pass to your entrance package, which applies to all group photos of up to 10 people. This is a rather expensive service. The from-tracking scanner is built into your helmet or bracelet, for this reason the from-cameras you move past will take a photo of you. Photos, which they call "xelphies", can be viewed from view at the end of the day and picked up printed in the gift shop.
How to get to Xcaret parks
All Xcaret parks are located in one way or another along the Cancún-Chetumal federal highway, so getting to them even on your own will not be difficult. In principle, all the main parks of Xcaret are located close to each other and from the city of the same name. Xcaret, Xplor and Xenses are located south of Playa del Carmen, while Xel-Ha is closer to Tulum, and Xavage and Xoximilco — closer to Cancún.
To get to each Xcaret park yourself, you can take the ADO bus and ask the driver to stop at the next park, and then follow the signs a little. If you are coming by car, there is free parking in the parks.
When purchasing tickets on the Xcaret website, you have the right to add to them a transfer from Cancúna or Playa del Carmen, there and back. The transfer fee depends on the park, but is usually around US$30 per person. It is important to know that it is possible to add a transfer only when purchasing a ticket. If your hotel is not on the list of authorized companies, you will be provided with a list of meeting points where official Xcaret transport will pick you up.
Xcaret Park
This is the main and largest park of Grupo Xcaret. It focuses on the culture and heritage of the state and is considered one of the best parks to visit in all of Mexico. On its vast territory it has 50 attractions. The wide range of activities at Xcaret makes it an ideal choice for the whole family. Spend the day exploring jungle trails, swimming in underground rivers, exploring caves and frolicking on beaches or in natural pools. Stroll through the indoor enclosures, butterfly pavilion, and coral reef aquarium. History buffs will love the Mayan ruins and the Museum of Mexican Folk Art.
In the evening, don't miss the 300-strong cast whose production Xcaret Mexico Espectacular tops the list of entertainment in the Riviera Maya! The Xcaret show is a dive into history, but fun and very colorful, with many pre-Hispanic dances and magical rituals.
Our tips for visiting Xcaret Park in one day can be found in this publications.
Loading
The Xplor and Xenses parks are nearby.
Xel-Ha Park
The park is famous for its water activities, advantageous location in a bay on the Caribbean coast and successful sequential placement of attractions. Boardwalks and a jungle train connect all the saints, caves, hidden beaches and gardens with hammocks. In the center there is a vast “basin”, where red flags mark areas rich in marine life. The basis of entertainment — swimming and snorkeling. But Xel-Ha Waterpark is not just a large natural aquarium. Artificial slides, high jumps and water ziplines make the park even larger. The park provides a mask and snorkel for snorkeling.
The route on an inflatable boat down the river is more than a kilometer long and passes among picturesque rocks, adorned with natural tropical vines. Visit a manatee sanctuary and the ruins of a Mayan port city. Be sure to climb the picturesque Mayk to admire panoramic views of the park and surrounding area!
Xel-Ha is the only Xcaret park where the alcohol supply is unlimited. For this reason, this is one of the best parks for adults if you want to have fun with friends.
Loading
Xplor Park
Xplor is a park for active recreation. It offers zip-lining rides over the jungle, swimming in underground caves and the thrill of quad biking. Xplor will take you deep into the jungle of the Mayan Riviera, where natural gorges are hidden in the dense forest, successfully equipped with attractions. The high-profile zipline course is what propelled Xplor into the list of “best adventure parks in Mexico.” You glide along a cable above the treetops and admire the surrounding views. Some of the highest ziplines end in a sharp drop into the sun, so be sure to get wet!
Start by traveling through the park in an amphibious vehicle through jungles and flooded caves. A walking expedition will take you along an underground river through ancient, mysterious caves.
Loading
Xplor Fuego Park
Park Xplor Fuego — night version of Xplor. This is an "extreme night adventure" park. When sunset comes, the flickering of torches and the crackling of fires transform the park into a dramatic and mysterious place. The same ziplines now take place under the starry sky, the tropical forest becomes scary and mysterious, and underground rivers are illuminated only by fiery torches. The evening ends with a hearty barbecue buffet. The park closes at 23:00.
Loading
Xavage Park
Xavage Park is for those who love active entertainment. It is considered the best in terms of the acuteness of the sensations received. Each of the attractions is named after a living creature: ropes course (Howler Monkey), Superman-themed zipline (Hawk), rafting (Barracuda), monster truck riding (Puma), kayaking (Crocodile), speedboat ride (Dragonfly), and kiddie pool (Snake). Rafting and monster truck racing are probably some of the most unique experiences you'll find at the Xcaret theme parks.
Loading
Xoximilco Park is nearby.
Xenses Park
As you can tell from the title, Xenses challenges your senses - nothing is as it seems. The park is trying to make you believe in the reality of the unreal. The unusual world is replete with sensory deceptions, starting with a huge boulder supported only by a stream of water at the entrance.
The charming streetscapes of Town at Xenses seem like an uphill climb, but in fact they slope downhill. Streams of water are not capable of running upward, but it seems to you that they are running upward. Xensatorium takes you through forest, desert and savannah — you will have to leave all your feelings and trust the sensations created artificially. And all this in complete darkness.
You'll fly on Bird Flight's horizontal zipline before muddy rivers carry you through stalactite-studded caves.
Don't forget about crazy ffrom sessions! Photograph a drinking fountain with clean water installed inside the toilet.
Loading
Xoximilco Park
This park is a real floating fiesta. The Xoximilco tour offers a traditional Mexican party aboard small boats, recreating a famous landmark from the Mexico City area. The evening begins with carnival dancing and performances, followed by a scenic cruise on trajineras (flat-bottomed boats). The music of national Mexican performers, mariachi and norteno, will accompany you all the time. The gourmet dinner is the highlight of the entire show. Enjoy ceviche, tamales, Oaxacan chocolate and many other traditional Mexican dishes. In addition, there is a 24-hour bar serving alcoholic and fruit drinks.
Loading
Xibalba Park
The Xibalba Nature Reserve is the latest Xcaret park and is expected to close by the end of 2022. Xibalba is an underground world that you can explore along a special route underground. Representing the Mayan belief in a three-tiered universe, this tour will introduce recreated physical spaces within the Mayan cultural context. Directly from the sacred Ceiba tree you will descend to the 20-meter-deep sanctuaries. You'll learn about Mayan myths, the gods of Xibalba and other ancient beliefs while swimming, snorkeling and exploring the stunning underground caves.
Loading
It is difficult to say which of the Xcaret parks is better or more interesting. All parks are worth visiting at least once and all offer truly unique experiences that are hard to find anywhere else. You must see everything with your own eyes.
If you stay at one of Xcaret's hotels, access to all parks is already included in the price of your stay. This means you get unlimited access to all parks for the duration of your stay. This is a personal option for families if you plan to visit more than one park.
Xcaret Tours
Don't like amusement parks? Then take one of the excursions offered by Xcaret! These tours take you to the most famous archaeological sites of the Riviera Maya, in a comfortable panoramic bus, accompanied by a certified guide.
Xichen Tour
Tour «all inclusive» Xichen by Xcaret takes you from Cancún or the Mayan Riviera to the heart of Mayan culture, to the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza. Walk through the temples and structures of the archaeological complex accompanied by a guide and learn about the mythology of the ancient civilization that built this amazing city. The tour will continue with a stop in Centro for a refreshing swim and a visit to the center of Valladolid. This is a full day trip that will show you both ancient and modern life in Yucatan!
Price of the tour:
- Xichen Clasico — $124.99, covers Chichen Itza tour, swimming in Sainte Xcajum, Valladolid sightseeing tour.
- Xichen Deluxe — $144.99 includes Chichen Itza tour, swimming at Santuario Tsukan, buffet at La Casona de Valladolid.
Tulum Tour
Thisfrom tour will take you to the coast, where you will see the only pre-Hispanic settlement built on the shores of the Caribbean Sea — ancient city of Tulum. We suggest going up to the main building of the archaeological zone, as its location on the top of the rock is ideal for photography! This is one of the most photographed places in the Riviera Maya.
Tour Coba
The ancient Mayan city of Coba, which flourished long before Chichen Itza, is located on a vast territory. Climb to the top of Nohoch Muul, the tallest pyramid in the Mayan Riviera, and see how far the 50 ancient Sac Be paved roads stretch, discovered by archaeologists in this archaeological zone. From the guide's stories you will learn about ancient civilizations, life and beliefs of the people who were once here. Once you've finished exploring the ruins and admiring the surrounding jungle, go for a bike ride and see the smaller pyramids and structures of the archaeological site.
Xenotes Tour
This unique tour from Xcaret takes you through four different towns of the Mayan Riviera along the famous "Ruta de Saint fromes" in Puerto Morelos. All the villages are completely different, access to them is possible only as part of the Xcaret tour, you can’t just come and go. Activities include kayaking, swimming, abseiling and ziplining, allowing you to actively explore the natural wealth of the Mexican Riviera.
At Luum Cenote, a cave village with million-year-old formations, try rappelling down. Ziplines pass over Saint Iik, where you have the right to also jump into the water from a cliff from a height of more than 6 meters. The beautiful semi-indoor sanctuary from Ha with vegetation hanging deep from its walls is very suitable for kayaking. The most beautiful underwater scenery is located in Saint Kaak, an ideal place for swimming and snorkeling.
Tips for visiting Xcaret parks
Get to the park early and plan to stay the whole day to get the most out of your admission price. Leave later. Study the layouts of Xcaret parks, prioritize which activities interest you most. Plan your meal times so that you don't get tired. Some of the most active activities are best not done on a full stomach! If you are used to doing everything spontaneously, relax and don’t think about time. Avoid additional expenses - you may not have time to visit all the places and get all the services for which you pay in advance.
Bring sunscreen and repellent. The parks are located in natural environments, with sunny areas and humid jungles full of insects. For photography, bring a GoPro or waterproof camera to capture your memories.
Wear water shoes: Almost all parks offer water activities, so having these shoes will allow you to comfortably move between water, land and the jungle. In addition, it won't hurt to dry quickly after leaving the water.