Xcaret Park
Parque Xcaret
An ecological and archaeological theme park south of Playa del Carmen, with underground river floats, marine and butterfly exhibits, and a nightly show with more than 300 performers celebrating Mexican culture.
Xcaret (pronounced “shka-ret”) lies about 6 km south of Playa del Carmen. It opened in 1990 on the site of an ancient Maya port. It is the best-known all-inclusive ecological and cultural theme park on the Riviera Maya, and it suits a family visit for a full day. Main attractions include: ① Underground rivers: wearing a mask and life jacket, you float along three underground rivers that flow through limestone caves and open-air canyons. The trip takes about 30 to 40 minutes. ② Marine world: a coral reef aquarium, a sea turtle hatchery, and manatee and dolphin encounters (extra fee). ③ A butterfly house, a jaguar island, Mexican parrots and flamingos. ④ A Maya village, a Mexican cemetery, a display of traditional Oaxacan crafts, and ulama ballgames. ⑤ Beaches and lagoons for snorkeling and relaxing. The park's biggest highlight is the nightly show “Xcaret México Espectacular” in the main amphitheater. More than 300 performers tell the story of Mexico from ancient Maya times to the present, through two hours of song and dance, ulama ballgames, fire performances and mariachi bands. It is a spectacular production. Admission starts at about 130 to 150 US dollars. Packages that include the show and an all-you-can-eat lunch cost more. Buying tickets in advance on the official website usually brings discounts. The same group also operates Xel-Há (all-inclusive snorkeling in a bay), Xplor (zip lines and underground rivers) and Xenses. Opening hours are about 08:30 to 22:30. Getting there: the park runs an official shuttle from the Cancún hotel zone (extra fee). From Playa del Carmen, a taxi takes about 15 minutes. Use only the biodegradable sunscreen provided in the park.
Opening hours
08:30–22:30
Nearby sights
- Xenses Park
- Xplor Park
- Río Secreto
- Parque Fundadores & Portal Maya
- Playa del Carmen Beach (Playa Mamitas)
- Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue), Playa del Carmen
- Puerto Aventuras
- Cenote Azul (Puerto Aventuras)