Xcaret – Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
What is it - Xcaret is located just 15 minutes south of Playa del Carmen on the Mayan Riviera along the Yucatan peninsula. Xcaret is a unique ecological theme park with 250 acres of tranquil beaches rivers, a Spanish hacienda, restaurants, and stage shows with performances of Mayan traditions. The park also includes displays of many animals in their natural habitats, including jaguars, flamingos, butterflies, deer, wild boar, and exotic birds.
Some of the most enjoyable activities for adults and kids are to float with a life preserver through the resort on an underground river that meanders through dark caves and openings to the bright sky above, or to ride on a raft through the jungle on an above ground river. In addition to folk dances, the stage shows at Xcaret features Mayan warriors known as flyers who dive from a revolving pole with a rope attached to their ankle and are then carried in a circle like a merry ground high above the ground. There is also a Mayan village and cemetery which provide a general orientation to the traditional life and culture of these proud people.
The attractions at Xcaret have enough variety to keep everyone interested for a full day excursion. The beach and swimming areas are directly adjacent to the attractions so you can move back and forth from activity to relaxation to dining throughout the day. The waterfront also features boat rides and opportunities to swim with or observe dolphins.
Interesting facts - A complementary attraction in the area are the lagoons at nearby Xel-ha where you can swim with brightly colored tropical fish of all sizes using snorkels and fins.
How to get there- The Yucatan peninsula was lightly settled for hundreds of years with few economic links to the rest of Mexico. The success of the government planned resort district of Cancun and the popularity of nearby archaeological attractions such as Chichen Itza and Coba led to the development of a large international airport and more resorts in the region. Aero Mexico as well as major US carriers such as Delta, United, American, Southwest, and JetBlue now service Cancun. Once you arrive, Xcaret can be easily reached in about an hour by car or shuttle. There are also local flights and ferry service available from the popular diving resorts at the island of Cozumel.
When to Go – There is a tropical climate at Cancun and Playa del Carmen which provides excellent weather throughout most of the year. The rainy season is from August to October. The tropical storms which can occur from June to October cause high winds and rainfall and close most attractions.
Where to Stay – The 900 room Hotel Xcaret Mexico is located close to the park. It offers a high-quality experience of traditional hotel rooms and suites along with shuttle services and unlimited access to Xcaret and several related attractions operated by the hotel. In addition, there are a total of 85,000 hotel rooms available throughout the region including numerous five-star resorts between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.