What to see and do in Xcaret, theme park in Riviera Maya: schedules, prices

Xcaret It is one of the main attractions that can be enjoyed in a tourism trip through the Riviera Maya.

It is well known that the Riviera Maya It is a coastal area of ​​the Yucatan peninsula en Mexico that looks out Caribbean Sea.

The beautiful white sand beaches with palm trees in front of the turquoise waters and the heritage of the ancient Mayan culture are its best-known attractions, which is why the Mayan city of Tulum It is one of the fundamental stages of the journey.

Theme parks in Riviera Maya

But there are also many other places of interest in the area and one of them is the theme parks.

The truth is that they are all very well put together and are truly spectacular.

For example we can mention Xel-há, water park: Xplor, which is dedicated to underworld.

However, the most famous theme park of everyone in the area is Xcaret, which offers an endless amount of attractions of all kinds.

In fact, Xcaret It is so large and varied that you cannot see everything in a single day, and it is the most famous theme park in all of Mexico.

There are those who say that, like all parks of this type, it offers a very sweetened vision of the Mexican culture, but it is also true that it allows you to learn a lot about the country, especially for those who do not know other regions.

Curiosities history of Xcaret park

Xcaret It is located 10 kilometers south of Playa del Carmen and is defined as eco-archaeological park.

They are quite right since in different parts of the park different remains of constructions from the late postclassical period are preserved that have been dated between the years 1200 and 1550.

El original town of Xcaret It was an important Mayan commercial center in ancient times that was known by the name of Pole.

Xcaret In Mayan it means “Little Cove” and the name is a good description of the place because of the entrance to the sea that was formerly used as a port.

The park was founded in 1990 and from the beginning it became one of the main tourist attractions of the Riviera Maya.

What to see and do in Xcaret park in Riviera Maya

As already said, the park is so large that you can hardly see it completely in one day, so, assuming you are only going to pass through a day in Xcaret, it is advisable that the visit is well organized.

Fauna in Xcaret park in Riviera Maya

It is best to arrive as early as possible (it opens every day of the year at 8:30 in the morning) and go directly to the butterfly garden, since it is the time when butterflies are most active.

La fauna It is very abundant in the park, so there is an opportunity to see deer, iguanas, macaws, toucans, turtles and even jaguars.

In this part of the park you have to pay attention to see the saraguatos monkeys that move through the treetops.

Indigenous cultures in Xcaret park in Riviera Maya

But it is also the occasion to learn about the indigenous Mayan culture, Yucatecan mestizo and Mexican In general, visiting various places that reproduce significant elements of Yucatán and the entire country.

One of the most interesting is the hacienda henequenera, whose architecture recalls the golden age of the haciendas who were dedicated to the cultivation of henequen.

Here it is shown how this product was grown, collected and processed, which generated many benefits for the Yucatecan landowners.

En the ranch there mexican folk art museum, with an exhibition and a typical crafts store.

Next to the hacienda appears the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, something that could not be missing on a tour of Mexican culture. Inside there is a collection of images of the Virgin from different parts of the country.

Another interesting visit is to the call Gate of Paradise, a reproduction of a mexican cemetery. Located on an undulation of the terrain, the path that runs through it follows a spiral path to the summit.

The cemetery has 365 tombs and is distributed over seven levels and the total height is climbed with 52 steps. These numbers represent the days of the year and the week and the weeks of the year.

Cultural shows in Xcaret park in Riviera Maya

Among the shows not to be missed are those of the Papantla Flyers, charra party and prehispanic dances.

You have to find out the place and time in which they take place.

An interesting option is to sign up for the different 45-minute guided tours that focus on specific topics such as ecology, archeology or Mayan town.

Water activities in Xcaret park in Riviera Maya

The hottest hours of the day are the best for practice aquatic activities.

Can be done snorkel in the cove or, more original, do the tour of underground rivers, an experience that has probably never been had before.

The geological structure of the Yucatan Peninsula is limestone rock, so water filters and forms underground rivers and deposits (cenotes).

Cenotes in Xcaret park in Riviera Maya

In Xcaret there are two cenotes , which are connected to each other by an underground river.

There are two possibilities for swimming: the so-called Mayan River (which has outdoor parts) and the Underground river, which will take you through two cenotes; There are always ports that allow light to pass through, so there are no problems of any kind.

Both measure around 600 meters, and the current takes you (you have to wear a life jacket) floating.

There are several exits in the middle of the route in case you want to leave at any time. A spectacular experience.

What is Xcaret México Spectacular like?

At the end of the day, at 19 p.m., you must attend the “Xcaret Mexico Spectacular”, included in the ticket price.

With more than 300 artists on stage, it is a journey through the history of the Mexican land based on artistic recreations and a musical show.

From the almost complete prehispanic era highlights the representation of the Dance of the Owls and, above all, those of Ball game.

It is one of the best opportunities to see two representations of the Ball games, and what they do with the ball on fire is frankly surprising.

La colonial period It is represented, among others, by the dances of Old Men from Michoacán, Tabasco drummers, Veracruz sneakers and of course the mariachis from Jalisco.

All this cultural heritage is still alive today in Mexico.

Xcaret Park ticket schedules and prices

The Xaret schedules They are, every day of the year, from 8,30:20,30 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

There are different ticket prices depending on whether it includes meals and certain activities and children under 12 years of age pay a reduced price ticket.

You can also opt for certain discounts depending on how far in advance the ticket is purchased.