30 of the Best Things to do in Xcaret Park

Welcome to our guide on the best things to see and do at Xcaret park, Mexico. We’ve visited Xcaret Park a few times and always make it a priority to return when we’re staying in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. It’s an enchanting, cultural and relaxing place to visit, offering something for all interests.

Whether you want to experience Mayan culture and shows, kick back and relax in the sun or try one of the many adventure activities, Xcaret Park will keep you entertained from early morning ‘til late. Tickets may be a little expensive compared to other nearby attractions. However, a lot is included with the entrance ticket, and you could spend 12+ hours exploring everything Xcaret has to offer.

In this guide, we’ve highlighted 30 Xcaret Park attractions you cannot miss. From cultural experiences in a realistic Mayan village to the colourful tropical birds at the aviary, we cover the attractions that are highly rated by everyone that visits. We’ve also included a few of our personal favourites. Discover the best things to do in Xcaret Park and plan your trip with us!

Underground Rivers

The first recommendation on our list of things to do at Xcaret park is to float through one of the three underground rivers (Blue River, Mayan River, and the Manatee River). Each of the rivers gives you a scenic tour of the park’s natural jungle environment. Admire stunning rock formations, swim under waterfalls and navigate your way through mangroves as you follow the path of the stream.

This is widely regarded as the best thing to do at Xcaret Park so arrive early to beat the crowds! We arrived for the park opening and had the entire Mayan River route to ourselves.

Bridge to Paradise (Mexican cemetery)

A large part of Mexican culture is celebrating the lives of the dead, usually through lots of colour, decorations and positive energy. Day of the dead, or ‘día de los Muertos’ in Spanish, is a time where everyone gets together on the 2nd of November to remember lost ancestors. Girls dress up in colourful dresses, and the guys get suited and booted with traditional outfits and skeleton-painted faces.

The bridge to paradise gives you an idea of what a real-life Mexican cemetery might look like. It’s incredibly colourful and has a series of ornate tombstones, crypts and sculptures. Wander around the cemetery and appreciate this rich aspect of Mexican culture.

The Crypt of Sighs

Another must-see attraction in the cemetery area is the Crypt of Sighs. This underground labyrinth of tombs is very easy to miss! It’s hidden down a flight of stairs underneath the cemetery. Venture underground and you’ll find a mesmerising stone chamber with an open roof. Flickering candles light up the walls of the crypt and there are a series of smaller chambers to explore.

Chapel of St Francis of Assisi

The quaint Chapel of St Francis of Assisi is located at one of the highest points in the park. Located right next to the cemetery we’ve just mentioned, the church features pre-Hispanic elements such as a living tree at its entrance, a limestone altar and unique wooden pews.

The hill the church sits on is just as serene and has been built to appear like a traditional Mexican town.

The Mayan Village

If you’re looking to get a taste of traditional Mayan life, walk through Xcaret’s realistic Mayan Village. This diverse neighbourhood has been set up to resemble the huts, decorations and everyday life of the Mayans. It has several shops selling gifts and handmade items. It also has some excellent group craft activities that take place throughout the day. Choose from chocolate, coconut or ceramic workshops and learn some new skills.

The village area is one of the top places to visit in Xcaret to see the natural beauty of the park. The village huts overlook the river and have a series of hanging paper decorations.

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Mayan Village show

Visit the Mayan Village early-evening and you’ll get to experience a traditional show. Watch from the terraces as Mayan performers dance to the beat of the drums and perform an ancient ritual on a platform in the jungle. The costumes, make-up and thrilling visuals of the performance made it one of the highlights of our trip.

The show takes place once a day so be sure to check the schedule. Arrive at the Mayan village 10 minutes before the show to grab a spot with a good view.

Xcaret Aviary

The next stop on our list is probably our favourite attraction in Xcaret. The park’s aviary is like no other we’ve seen, and we’ve been to quite a few aviary attractions around the world. The outdoor aviary is an open jungle paradise with a netted roof. Waterfalls, bridges and a rich jungle setting will make you feel like you’re walking through a hidden spot in the Mayan jungle.

The aviary boasts hundreds of species of birds, from slightly cheeky and loud parrots to the majestic toucan. You’ll see everything from flamingos and pelicans to the imposing king vulture. It’ll take you around 30-40 minutes to explore the entire aviary, depending on how many stops you take along the way.

Hammocks and relaxation areas

The seaside area on the map is one of the top places to visit in Xcaret Park if you want some relaxation. In a park as big as Xcaret, it’s important to pace yourself and take plenty of rest breaks. Visit the secluded cove and you’ll find a series of loungers perched on the cliffside, cabanas, and plenty of shaded hammocks.

This is the quietest and most relaxing area of the park, making it perfect for those that want to take a break.

Natural pools

Right next to the relaxation areas, you’ll find a series of sheltered seawater pools that have formed around the rocks and cliffs of the shoreline. There are 2 freshwater pools to check out, with one of them having a water slide. Adults can kick back on the hammocks with a drink whilst the kids have fun splashing about in the water.

The natural pools area suits those that want peace and quiet in the sun. Go for a quick dip to cool down or enjoy a snack under an umbrella.

WATCH OUR VIDEO ON 30 OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT XCARET PARK ON YOUTUBE

Beach

Walk along the coastline and you’ll soon reach Xcaret’s white-sand beach. Located in a small cove next to a marina, the beach is the perfect place to cool down after walking through the jungle. It has plenty of loungers with umbrellas, scenic relaxation spots and some good snack bars.

If you want to do something a bit more exciting than lying on the beach, grab one of the inflatable tubes and drift around the bay. Alternatively, see if you can cross the bay on the rope adventure activity.

The snorkelling inlet

Are you a fan of snorkelling and sea life? Head to the snorkelling inlet, hire a snorkel and mask and proceed to explore the underwater world of Xcaret’s lagoon. Although it’s small and can get crowded later in the day, you’re guaranteed to find colourful fish swimming around the inlet. It’s a fun activity for all levels of swimming experience.

Snorkelling equipment is free for Xcaret Plus Admission ticket holders. If you have a standard ticket, you can rent equipment for a small fee.

Coral Reef Aquarium

The next attraction on our list is Xcaret Park’s Coral Reef aquarium. It’s a place where you’ll be able to get up close and personal to hundreds of species of tropical fish. Enjoy the cooling breeze of the aircon as you wander the dimly lit aquarium floor, marvelling at everything from jellyfish, starfish and eels to vibrant clown fish. We’ve all seen aquariums before, but Xcaret’s is done particularly well.

Meet the turtles

Perfectly paired with a visit to the aquarium, the park’s outdoor turtle encounter attractions are well worth checking out. You can see everything from baby turtles swimming around in small pools, to magnificent, giant sea turtles swimming underneath you in a lagoon.

Ceremony of The Voladores

We’ve already mentioned some excellent Mayan shows on offer at Xcaret Park. Dance of the Flyers, otherwise known as, ‘Danza de los Voladores’ in Spanish, is another that you can’t miss. This traditional Mayan performance is an ancient ceremony that’s said to ask the gods to end a severe draught.

The ‘Voladores’ climb up a pole that’s 30 metres in height, with four out of the five participants tying their feet to the pole itself. They’ll then hang and swing in mid-air whilst the other plays a traditional Mexican instrument. It’s exhilarating to watch!

Butterfly Pavillion

Similar in design to the aviary we’ve already mentioned, the Bufferfly Pavillion is one of the top things to do in Xcaret Park for those that admire these beautiful creatures. Step inside the pavilion and you’ll be surrounded by up to 20 species of butterflies, some more colourful than others. You’ll also learn about the transformation process, from egg to caterpillar and pupae, to the end result, a magnificent butterfly.

The pavilion has a tropical setting, a river and some beautiful walking paths. It’s one of the most serene areas of the park and there’s nothing quite like walking amongst hundreds of butterflies. Be sure to check out the feeding stations to get an up-close look at the colourful wings of the butterflies

Stained glass plaza

Right next to the Butterfly Pavillion attraction you’ll find a spacious indoor atrium. It features a butterfly information viewing gallery, a cool environment to escape the hot sun and an overhead view of the underground river caves. However, the number one thing to see here is the colourful stained-glass ceiling. It depicts the beautiful butterflies of the pavilion flying above you.

Jaguars and pumas

If you want to catch a glimpse of Xcaret Park’s most interesting animals, stop by the jaguar and puma viewing area. Noted for its overhead rope bridge and lush jungle environment, it’s a place that’ll make you feel like you’re traversing the jungles of Borneo. The attraction has multiple water features, walking routes and animal viewing areas.

It can be a little difficult to spot the big cats on the jungle platforms. However, if you’re patient or visit during a cooler period of the day, you’ll see them roaming amongst the trees.

Mayan Archaeological Sites

Not only has Xcaret Park been built around natural rivers and jungle terrain, but it was once the site of a native Mayan community that were dedicated to maritime trade. The park has multiple remnants of the civilization to explore, many of which have been conserved as archaeological sites.

Wander the Mayan ruins of Xcaret Park and you’ll find grand pyramids, stone houses and other remains of Mayan structures.

Meet the animals of Xcaret

You can’t visit Xcaret without seeing the animals! The various animal exhibits are one of the top things to do in Xcaret Park as you wander around the jungle setting. Walk amongst flamingos near the main plaza, catch an iguana hiding under a bridge or watch a monkey eat their lunch. Be sure to note down the location of the animals you want to see using your Xcaret Park map.

Horse Exhibition

Xcaret’s Horse Exhibition is one of the top shows to see in the park. Horses have long been an important part of Mexican culture and the show showcases some excellent riding abilities, ceremonies and folklore. Watch as female mariachi canter around the arena, caballeros show you their lassoing skills and riders use their horses to showcase flags from countries around the world.

Grab a seat in the stable arena earlier to secure the best view of the Horse Exhibition. You can also choose to dine in the adjoining buffet restaurant during the show for some entertainment as you eat.

Pre-show Mayan performances

As the sun sets and darkness descends on the park, you’ll start to see mysterious Mayan figures. Dressed up in traditional Mayan ceremonial outfits and body paint, the performers give you a realistic insight into Mayan dress.

To see these cool and somewhat scary characters, walk to the entrance of the Xcaret Mexico Espectacular evening show and you’ll see them gazing at you from their pedestals. Fire lanterns flicker and Mayan drummers beat their instruments as you walk towards the arena.

Xcaret Mexico Espectacular evening dinner show

One of the top things to do at Xcaret park in the evening, after a long day of exploring the park, is to watch Xcaret’s Mexico Espectacular show. It’s filled with pre-Hispanic dances, horse exhibition, Mayan sports demonstrations, and many more performances. Be prepared for lots of face paint, colourful costumes and vibrant Mexican music!

The show is included as part of the standard Xcaret Park admission ticket. However, if you’re looking to make your evening one to remember, you can also dine at the show. The 7-course meal is well worth the additional cost! Tickets are limited so be sure to book the dinner show as soon as you arrive at the park, or online the day before.

Main plaza traditional celebration

We stumbled upon a traditional dance and Mexican celebration during our visit and absolutely loved the upbeat atmosphere of this mini parade. Located near the main plaza where you enter the park, the celebration features men and women dressed up in colourful Mexican costumes.

Mariachi music plays as they perform traditional dances and encourage the audience to participate. The show is upbeat, interactive and a lot of fun to experience.

Traditional Hacienda – Mexican Galleries

The south-west corner of Xcaret Park is where you’ll find an authentic-looking rural Mexican hacienda. Made up of stables, two museums and a clocktower, it’s a great place to visit to gain an insight into rural Mexican life. Wander through the museums and you’ll find life-size models of families having dinner, colourful home décor and a small shop. The hacienda is an interesting, cultural attraction in one of the quieter areas of Xcaret Park.

Traditional Mexican church

Alongside the hacienda we’ve just mentioned, there’s a small chapel that’s dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. It’s an active place of worship and you’ll often find visitors praying at the altar. Even if you’re not religious, it’s worth visiting the chapel to see the colourful murals, quaint church design and impressive wooden carving of the Virgin of Guadalupe above the altar.

Enjoy the all-you-can-eat Mexican lunch buffet

Spend a full day at Xcaret Park and you’ll no doubt get hungry! Although there are several places to eat or enjoy a snack in the park, we personally recommend having lunch at Jalisco Restaurant. It’s an all-you-care-to-enjoy Mexican buffet that serves up all the classics you expect.

Fill up on tacos, chicken mole, enchiladas, churros and many more meal and dessert options. We’ve been to Jalisco Restaurant a few times and always appreciate the variety and quality of the food. If you have an Xcaret Plus ticket, this restaurant is included in the package.

Buy a souvenir in Xcaret’s main plaza store

If you fancy a break from the attractions or want to buy something to remember your exhilarating day at Xcaret Park, stop by the main plaza marketplace at any time during the day. Unlike the cheap and tacky gift shops of other theme parks, we found the shop at Xcaret to be very good.

The marketplace is large and diverse. It features everything from t-shirts, water shoes, hats and mugs, to handmade gifts, souvenir tequila and Christmas decorations.

Optional paid activities at Xcaret Park

Whilst most attractions at Xcaret Park are free, there are several optional activities that you can book for an additional cost. There’s no way you can do them all in a single day, so we’ve hand selected some of the most popular options.

• Sea Trek Underwater Adventure – Inspired by the popular ‘Snuba’ activity, Sea Trek is a group tour where you wear a large scuba diving mask and descend to the bottom of a pool. You then proceed to walk amongst some amazing sea life.
• Adrenalina Speed Boat – Perfect for adrenaline junkies, the Adrenalina speed boat ride is a fun group activity. You’ll get strapped into a high-speed stunt boat for a speed boat ride that takes you to speeds of up to 90 km/h.
• Swimming with dolphins – Possibly the most popular experience at Xcaret Park, dolphin encounters are a great way to get up close and learn about the world’s most intelligent creature. The animals appear to be well cared for but swimming with dolphins in captivity may still be a morally questionable activity for many people.
• Stingray encounter – Learn about, pet and swim underwater with stingrays in one of the park’s best marine activities.

View all Xcaret optional paid activities on the official website here.

We hope you enjoyed reading through our list of the best things to do at Xcaret park, Mexico. We’ve included most attractions on offer, so if you’re able to see these during your visit, you won’t be disappointed. What’s your favourite Xcaret Park attraction? Be sure to post a comment down below. We’d love to hear from you!

For more insider information, check out our ‘Top tips for visiting Xcaret Park’ blog post.