In the morning you float on your back through a limestone tunnel, with daylight falling through holes in the rock. In the evening you watch a ball game played with a ball that’s on fire.
Xcaret Park is the best-known day out on the Mexican Caribbean, and for many families it’s the one excursion they plan before anything else. Parque Xcaret sits on the coast of the Riviera Maya, just south of Playa del Carmen, and it mixes swimming, wildlife and Mexican culture into a kind of fun no ordinary theme park offers. You can swim through underground rivers, watch sea turtles and jaguars, walk through a replica Mayan village and finish the day at a huge evening show.
In this guide you’ll find what Xcaret is, where it is, how to get there from Cancun and Playa del Carmen, what’s inside, how long to stay and which hotels make the trip easiest. If you’re planning a longer trip around the Yucatán Peninsula, our guides to things to do in Tulum and Chichén Itzá will help you fill the other days.
💰 Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya - a good-value aparthotel near Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen.
🏨 Sandos Playacar All Inclusive - an all-inclusive beach resort in Playacar, close to Xcaret.
💎 Hotel Xcaret México - the family resort next to the park with park access and transfers included.
What is Xcaret Park?
Xcaret is an eco-archaeological park built around a natural inlet, cenotes and real Maya ruins. It opened in 1990 and covers around 81 hectares of jungle and coastline. The park is run by Grupo Xcaret, the company behind several other parks and tours in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
It’s often called a water park or a theme park, but neither label really fits. Xcaret has more than 50 natural and cultural attractions, from rivers and beaches to an aquarium, an aviary and traditional dances. There are no roller coasters and no big slides. The fun comes from swimming, exploring and learning about Mexican culture, which is why it suits the whole family and is so different from other parks in Mexico.
What does Xcaret mean?
Xcaret means “small inlet” in the Maya language. The name comes from the sheltered bay at the heart of the park, which was once an important trading port. The Maya called the settlement Polé, and it was one of the busiest ports on this stretch of coast. Its oldest buildings date back well over a thousand years, and you can still see some of them inside the park.
Where is Xcaret Park located?
Xcaret Park is in the state of Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, in the far east of the country. It lies at km 282 of the Carretera Chetumal - Puerto Juárez, the main coastal highway, about 6 km south of Playa del Carmen. Heading south, the next resorts are Puerto Aventuras and Tulum, so the park sits right in the middle of the Riviera Maya.
That central location is the reason Xcaret is so easy to reach. It’s about 74 km south of Cancun International Airport, 15 to 20 minutes by car from Playa del Carmen and around 45 minutes from Tulum. If you’re wondering whether Xcaret is in Cancun or the Riviera Maya, the answer is the Riviera Maya, although most tours sell it as one of the parks in Cancun.
How to get to Xcaret from Cancun
There are three main ways to get to Xcaret from Cancun, and the right one depends on where you’re staying and how much freedom you want.
By car
Driving is the most flexible option. From Cancun, follow the highway south towards Playa del Carmen and Tulum, and take the Xcaret exit just after Playa del Carmen. From the airport the drive takes about an hour, while from the Hotel Zone you should allow around an hour and a half. There is free parking at the park. A hire car also makes it easy to add Tulum, cenotes or Chichén Itzá to your holiday.
Round trip transportation from your hotel
Grupo Xcaret offers round trip transportation from many hotels in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, which you add to your ticket. The bus collects you from your hotel lobby or a nearby pickup point and brings you back after the show. It’s the easiest option if you don’t want to drive at night, but the pickups take time, so you’ll need to keep to your assigned time. If you’re staying at Hotel Xcaret México, transport to the parks is already included.
By ADO bus
ADO buses leave from the main bus terminal in downtown Cancun, on Avenida Tulum. Direct buses to the park exist, but there are only a few a day. A more reliable plan is to take a bus to Playa del Carmen, then a short taxi ride to Xcaret. From Playa del Carmen, taxis wait near the ADO terminal on Fifth Avenue.
The underground rivers
The underground rivers are the reason many visitors come to Xcaret Park. You swim or float along channels that run around 5 metres below ground, through limestone caves with stalactites and open sections where the jungle hangs over the water. Each route is roughly 600 metres long, with an average depth of about 1.5 metres, and life jackets are compulsory, so you don’t need to be a strong swimmer.
The park has three rivers: the Blue River, the Pre-Hispanic River and the Manatee River. At the time of writing, the Blue and Pre-Hispanic rivers are open to visitors. Fins are provided at the entrance, and a secure bag service looks after your things. There are intermediate exits if anyone in your group wants to stop early. The rivers usually close in the late afternoon, so do them first.
Animals, the Coral Reef Aquarium and the Butterfly Pavilion
Nature is the other half of the Xcaret experience, and the animal areas are a highlight for younger kids. The Coral Reef Aquarium shows the ecosystems of the Mexican Caribbean by depth, from mangroves and lagoons to the shallow and deep reef. It’s full of tropical fish, and next to it you’ll find the turtle area, where sea turtles swim in a lagoon and baby turtles grow in smaller ponds.
Elsewhere in the jungle you can visit Jaguar Island, the Manatee Lagoon, the aviary, the bat cave and a large Butterfly Pavilion. Plant lovers shouldn’t miss the Living Orchid and Bromeliad Museum. Along the paths you’ll also see flamingos, deer and spider monkeys, so keep your phone ready.
Cultural attractions - The Mayan village and Mexican culture
The cultural attractions are what make Xcaret different from the other theme parks on the coast. You can explore the remains of the original Maya settlement, which the park helped to restore with Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. Not far away there’s a replica Mayan village with craftspeople at work, where pre-Hispanic dances take place during the day.
Other highlights include the Papantla Flyers, who spin down from the top of a tall pole on ropes, a Mexican horse show and a traditional Mexican cemetery. Together they give you a quick, colourful introduction to the art, music and traditions of Mexico, and they’re good places to rest between swims.
Xcaret México Espectacular - The night show
Xcaret México Espectacular is the grand finale of the day and it’s included in the admission. It takes place in the Gran Tlachco Theater, a huge arena inspired by a Maya ball court. More than 300 performers take part, and the show lasts around two hours.
The first part brings the pre-Hispanic past to life, including the Maya ball game, played at one point with a burning ball. The second part travels through Mexican history and the music, costumes and dances of different states. If you want to eat during the show, there’s an optional dinner at an additional cost.
The beach, the inlet and the Caribbean Sea
When the kids need a break from walking, head to the beach and the natural pools around the inlet. Lounge chairs, hammocks, dressing rooms and showers are included, and the water of the Caribbean Sea is usually calm and clear. Children’s World is a play area for little ones.
Some activities cost extra. Sea Trek lets you walk on the seabed wearing a helmet that supplies air, so you don’t need to swim at all. There’s also a snorkelling tour to the reef, a fast boat ride called Adrenalina, parasailing and a nurse shark encounter. All of them require park admission first.
Xcaret Park tickets - What’s included
The basic Xcaret admission covers the underground rivers, the night show, the beach and natural pools, the Coral Reef Aquarium, the Butterfly Pavilion and the aviary. It also includes the Papantla Flyers, the pre-Hispanic dances, life jackets, inner tubes and free parking. Food is not included in the basic ticket.
Xcaret Plus adds a buffet lunch with soft drinks and access to the Plus area, with its own dressing rooms and lockers. Other packages combine the park with transport, dinner during the show or a second park. If you’re visiting at Christmas, Easter or in July and August, it’s best to book your tickets online before you travel.
Opening hours and how much time you need
Xcaret is open every day, usually from 8.30am to 10pm, although times change by season. Individual attractions keep shorter hours, and the underground rivers usually close around 5.30pm. Plan a full day: arrive at opening time, do the rivers and the aquarium in the morning, have lunch and rest on the beach, then see the cultural shows before the evening performance.
If you only have half a day, focus on one underground river, the aquarium and the show. You’ll miss a lot, but you’ll get a good taste of the park.
What to bring and park rules
Pack a swimsuit, water shoes, comfortable clothes, a towel and a full change of clothes for the evening. Only sunscreen with titanium oxide or zinc oxide is allowed in the park, because chemical filters harm the reefs and the rivers. If yours doesn’t qualify, you can swap it at the entrance for a biodegradable sample and collect it again when you leave.
Bring your physical passport, which is the only ID the park accepts, and some cash or a card for souvenirs, photos and optional activities. Insect repellent is useful in the jungle in the late afternoon.
Other Grupo Xcaret parks and tours
If you enjoy Xcaret, Grupo Xcaret runs several more parks along the coast. Xel-Há is an all-inclusive day of snorkelling and floating in a natural inlet. Xplor is a jungle park with zip lines and underground adventures. Xplor Fuego is its night-time version, with torch-lit adventures and more fun after dark. Xenses Park plays with your senses through sensory experiences, and Xoximilco is a Mexican fiesta on colourful boats.
The group also offers tours, including trips to the cenotes with Xenotes, a visit to the ruins of Chichén Itzá, Tulum with Xel-Há, and the Xcaret Xailing catamaran to Isla Mujeres. Xcaret also sells packages that combine two parks, which is handy if you’re staying a week or more.
Is Xcaret more like a zoo, a water park or a theme park?
Xcaret is a bit of all three, and that’s its charm. If you know the big family parks in Spain, it’s closer to Loro Parque in Tenerife, with its focus on animals and gardens, than to a ride park like PortAventura. And unlike Siam Park, it has no slides, but you swim in real rivers and the sea instead of pools.
Practical information
- Xcaret Park tickets are best bought in advance. You’ll skip the ticket queue at the entrance and avoid the risk of the park selling out on busy days.
- Address: Carretera Chetumal - Puerto Juárez km 282, Int B, Colonia Rancho Xcaret, 77580 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Buy tickets on GetYourGuide
Hotels near Xcaret Park
Playa del Carmen and the Playacar hotel zone are the most convenient bases for Xcaret, just a short drive from the gates. Couples can also look at two adults-only options from the same group: Hotel Xcaret Arte, which welcomes guests aged 16 and over, and La Casa de la Playa, a boutique hotel by the sea. The three below suit families.
💰 Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya
A simple, good-value aparthotel in central Playa del Carmen, a couple of minutes’ walk from Fifth Avenue. The beach is less than ten minutes away on foot, and there’s an outdoor pool with a separate children’s pool. It suits families who want to explore the town in the evenings and take a short taxi or bus ride to Xcaret.
🏨 Sandos Playacar All Inclusive
An all-inclusive beach resort at the southern tip of Playacar, the quiet hotel zone south of central Playa del Carmen. It has direct access to a white sand beach, several pools, a kids’ club for ages 4 to 10 and a teen club. It’s one of the closest beach resorts to Xcaret, and Fifth Avenue is about five minutes away by taxi.
💎 Hotel Xcaret México
The group’s own family resort, right next to the park, with around 900 suites in a contemporary Mexican style. Its All-Fun Inclusive concept includes unlimited access to the Grupo Xcaret parks and round trip transportation to the parks and the airport. It’s the pick if you want to visit several parks without worrying about tickets or transfers.
Xcaret Park FAQ
Is Xcaret Park worth it?
Yes, Xcaret Park is worth it if you stay for the whole day, including the evening show. Few places combine underground rivers, wildlife, Maya ruins and a show of this size in one ticket. If you only have a couple of hours, you won’t get full value from your visit.
How far is Xcaret from Cancun?
Xcaret is about 74 km south of Cancun International Airport, which is roughly an hour by car. From the Hotel Zone, allow around an hour and a half. Playa del Carmen is only 6 km away.
Is Xcaret in Riviera Maya or Cancun?
Xcaret is in the Riviera Maya, just south of Playa del Carmen in the state of Quintana Roo. Many tour operators sell it as one of the parks in Cancun, because it’s an easy day trip from the hotels there.
Are the Xcaret ruins real?
Yes, the Maya ruins at Xcaret are real. They belong to Polé, an ancient Maya trading port, and the park helped to restore them with Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. The Mayan village nearby, however, is a modern replica.
Is Xcaret Park all inclusive?
No, the basic Xcaret admission does not include food. The Xcaret Plus ticket adds a buffet lunch with soft drinks, and the optional dinner during the show is extra. Guests at the group’s hotels, such as Hotel Xcaret México and Hotel Xcaret Arte, get park access as part of their stay.
What are the Xcaret parks?
The Grupo Xcaret parks are Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xenses and Xoximilco. The group also runs tours such as Xenotes, Chichén Itzá, Tulum with Xel-Há and the Xcaret Xailing catamaran to Isla Mujeres.
