Xcaret, Cancún, Mexico

Visit duration: 8 hours Editorial visit time estimate

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Xcaret

Xcaret Park is a privately owned theme park, resort and self-described ecotourism development on the Riviera Maya coast of Quintana Roo, about 75 kilometres south of Cancún and 6.5 kilometres south of Playa del Carmen along Highway 307. It is named after the nearby Maya archaeological site of Xcaret, some of whose structures lie within the park's 81 hectares. The land was bought in 1984 by a group led by architect Miguel Quintana Pali, who uncovered cenotes while clearing it; the park opened in 1991, and remnants of Maya buildings were rebuilt with the National Institute of Anthropology and History. It belongs to the Xcaret group, which also runs Xel-Há and Xplor, and has three adjacent hotels.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

What's inside

Nature attractions include an underground river through a Mayan village where visitors swim and snorkel with a life vest, a beach with snorkelling and reef activities, swimming with dolphins, a coral reef aquarium, a turtle nesting site and a manatee area. There are also bird and butterfly pavilions, a bat cave, an orchid and bromeliad greenhouse, a jaguar island and a deer shelter. Cultural attractions include a replica Mayan village with working artisans, a Mexican cemetery, a museum, an equestrian show, the Mesoamerican ball game and the Papantla flying men. The Gran Tlachco theatre, seating 6,000, stages the ball game, the meeting of the Mayan and Spanish worlds and Mexican folk dances. The park has 11 restaurants.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source