25 of the Best Things to do in Xel-Ha Park, Mexico

After visiting Xcaret Park and writing about it in our blog post here, we were excited to explore one of Xcaret’s other eco-parks, Xel-Ha. Dedicated to the natural rivers, mangroves and jungle environment you’ll find in Mexico’s Riviera Maya region, Xel-Ha is a natural water park with plenty of fun outdoor attractions.

Located just north of Tulum and south of Playa del Carmen, Xel-Ha is a great place to visit for the full day for anyone who likes water activities such as snorkelling, swimming and tubing. It also suits those that just want to walk around beautiful nature trails and relax on a hammock with a nice view.

In our guide, we’ll share 25 of the top things to do in Xel-Ha, Mexico. We’ll explore every corner of the eco-park, from the gardens, lagoons and cenotes, to some epic over-water ziplines, and the main attraction, a river tubing experience that takes you through mangroves and onward to a lagoon.

We hope you find our guide useful and can use it to help plan your trip to this top-rated natural theme park.

Adventure World water ziplines

The Adventure World zip lines are one of the most popular activities at Xel-Ha. They’re also the most exhilarating! Choose from a series of different zip line courses and have fun whizzing over the water holding onto a handlebar. The lines aren’t too high up in the air so you can jump off whenever you like.

We had fun trying out all the zip lines on offer and highly recommend making this attraction a priority during your visit.

Adventure World rope crossing

Alongside the over-water ziplines there’s a small rope crossing activity. Suspended over the water, this narrow rope walk challenges you to get from one side to the other without falling into the water. It’s a fun activity to try yourself, or you can enjoy watching others fall off as they try to cross.

Cliff of Courage

Another exhilarating water activity at Xel-Ha is the Cliff of Courage, a duo of cliff jumping spots. Jump from a height of 5m into the depths of the water below and land with a splash. The Cliff of Courage is one of the most nerve-wracking things to do in Xel-Ha but it’s a lot of fun. The activity is managed by a lifeguard and the water below is deep so it feels very safe for a cliff jump.

Floating bridge

The floating bridge is a fun way to get from the south of Xel-Ha Park to the north. It crosses the snorkelling lagoon, leading you directly to some beautiful forest trails and a Mayan Cave. The floating bridge is made up of floating plastic containers so it wobbles and bobs and you try to walk. Can you cross without falling off the edge? The floating bridge is a great place to take photos of the lagoon.

Mayan Cave

Reach the end of the floating bridge and you’ll find a Mayan Cave. It’s a typical representation of an underground Mexican cenote, featuring hidden chambers, a small lagoon where you can swim, and a passageway that leads to the forest. It’s one of the coolest places to visit in Xel-Ha! Swim through the cave at one end, get up close to the rock formations and emerge at the roof of the cave, into the jungle. There are openings in the base of the forest where you can see people swimming beneath you in the cave.

Home River Journey tubing

The river tubing experience is the number one thing to do in Xel-Ha Park. The attraction takes you on a journey through the park’s natural mangroves and river inlet on an inflatable raft. The current passes downstream, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy looking at the mangroves and natural jungle environment as you glide across the water.

If you fancy a more exhilarating experience of the river, you can ditch the inflatable tube and swim downstream yourself with a snorkel.

Mangroves

You can see the vast mangroves of Xel-Ha on the river tubing experience. However, there’s also a small trail where you can see the beauty of these overwater trees and shrubs up close. The mangrove viewpoint is worth a quick stop whilst exploring the park. It also gives you direct access to the snorkelling inlet.

Vivero Plant Nursery

The plant nursery is one of our favourite places to visit in Xel-Ha Park. This beautiful botanical garden is home to over 270 species of tropical plants, many of which are threatened by deforestation. The garden has several walking trails and garden areas, each offering a different collection of plant exhibits. Many of the plants that are grown here are relocated to the vast jungles of Xel-Ha once they reach a certain height.

In addition to the gardens, you’ll find pedestals with colourful parrots and a recreation of a traditional Mayan village.

Lagoon snorkelling inlet

The snorkelling lagoon is one of the top things to do at Xel-Ha. Stretching the full length of the park, this tropical snorkelling inlet is full of tropical fish, coral and underwater plants. You can access the lagoon from various areas of the park, and snorkelling equipment is included as part of admission.

Have fun swimming around with snorkel on, seeing what colourful fish you can find. Alternatively, grab an inflatable tube and bob along on the water. The snorkelling lagoon is essentially a giant swimming pool!

Ixchel Grotto

Ixchel Grotto is a narrow opening between two rock faces that leads to a beautiful cenote. This unique natural attraction takes you between the rock faces and into the water as you swim down the narrow stream. It features fossils of an ancient reef on its walls and transparent, refreshing water.

Ixchel Grotto is hidden away in a tiny corner of the jungle so it can be easy to miss. Be sure to highlight it on your map.

Adventure Cenote & Paradise Cenote

Xel-Ha has two cenotes hidden amongst its vast jungle terrain. These natural, freshwater pools have formed over thousands of years and can be seen throughout this region of Mexico. They’re beautiful to look at, but they’re also a great place to cool down and swim.

Adventure Cenote is accessible from the Ixchel Grotto attraction we’ve just mentioned. It’s a narrow, shallow pool surrounded by tree vines and set against the side of a rock. Go for a swim in the refreshing water or have fun swinging and jumping into the natural pool with the rope swing.

The second cenote at Xel-Ha is Paradise Cenote, which is the most picturesque of the two. It overlooks a bridge and is surrounded by tropical wildlife, plants and flowers. You can’t swim in this cenote but it’s a great place to take photos. In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful places in Xel-Ha Park.

Seaside viewpoint and kite flying

One of the most overlooked places to visit in Xel-Ha is the coastal area of the park. Crashing waves, rock pools and several viewpoints make this area a nice place to relax and listen to the sound of the sea. In addition to seeing the nice scenery in this area, you can take part in a kite-flying activity. It’s a popular thing to do in Xel-Ha for families or anyone that fancies flying a colourful kite in the wind.

The Scenic Lighthouse spiral slide

The Scenic Lighthouse is one of Xel-Ha’s newest attractions. Unlike the many other activities that have been created using the natural rivers and jungle terrain, the lighthouse is a man-made slide built for thrill seekers. It serves as a viewing platform, giving you excellent panoramic views of the entire park. It’s also a water slide.

Climb up to the top of the 30m lighthouse and descend back to the bottom on one of the four water slides. It’s a fast, thrilling and scenic ride to the base!

Jungle walking trails

Aside from many of the fun attractions we’ve mentioned, a major draw to Xel-Ha Park is its beautiful jungle setting. One of the best things to do at Xel-Ha is to simply wander around its many paved jungle trails, marvelling at the tropical plants, crossing bridges and looking out for wildlife.

Pinpoint a few of the trails on your map, including a key walking route, The Path of Consciousness. Enjoy getting lost in nature!

Land of Kuh bike trail

We’ve already told you about the many forest walking trails at Xel-Ha. There’s also a bike trail. This jungle path connects the park entrance with the start of the river experience, taking you along a dirt road and amongst lush tropical scenery as you ride.

There are plenty of bikes available and we found this activity to be very quiet during our visit. It can be tough work in the Riviera Maya heat but it’s a great way to get some exercise and see the park at a leisurely pace.

Jungle train

If you don’t fancy riding a bike to reach the river experience, you can hop aboard the fast and frequent jungle train. This scenic tram has two stops; one near the entrance of the park and another at the start of the river journey and water activity area. The jungle train is a great way to get from A to B and save some energy. It’s also an attraction in itself! Enjoy the jungle views as you ride along the dirt road.

Children’s World

If you’re visiting Xel-Ha Park with children, this attraction is a must-see! Children’s World is a corner of the park that’s dedicated to younger visitors. Featuring a cool jungle play area with slides, bridges and climbing frames, it’ll keep kids entertained for hours. The playground has been designed so it appears as part of the natural jungle environment.

As well as the main playground there’s a fun water activity where kids can cross the water by hopping across lily pads. There’s also a relaxation area for the adults.

Lunch buffet restaurants

You’ll be pleased to know that Xel-Ha is an all-inclusive park so all drinks and food is included in your admission. The best place to sample some of the best eats on offer is the buffet! The park has two themed buffets, a Mexican restaurant called La Cocina del Pueblo and an international buffet, Xula Vista. We found the food on offer to be excellent quality and there was a lot to choose from. The drinks are equally as good, ranging from sodas and juices to handcrafted cocktails.

In our opinion, the buffet restaurants and all-inclusive experience at Xel-Ha is a highlight of the park. Take time to enjoy all the food and snacks on offer and plan some rest breaks throughout the day.

La Terraza snack restaurant

Feeling a little hungry after all the swimming and walking? Stop by the snack bar for hot food and snacks at any point during the day. It’s a great place to grab a quick lunch or simply refuel later in the day.

We visited the snack bar once during our stay and enjoyed the relaxing vibe of the outdoor seating area. Arrive outside of the main lunch hours for fewer crowds. Oh, and you have to try the soft-serve ice cream!

Chacah’s Garden and the Garden of Harmony

Amongst its walking trails and water activities, Xel-Ha has a selection of tranquil garden areas. Visit Chacah’s Garden to see a collection of Chacah Trees that were planted to commemorate celebrity visitors and the messages they left. The garden has a unique Mayan background story that you can learn about during your visit.

The Garden of Harmony is the other garden area worth checking out. It has a collection of tropical plants, flower beds and a walking trail that leads underground to a cave shrine. There isn’t a lot to see in the garden areas but they can be a relaxing escape from the busyness of the rest of the park.

Hammock relaxation area

With all the adventure activities and walking you’ll do at Xel-Ha, you’ll want to plan some downtime. The perfect place to relax is the shaded hammock area. It’s a small, sandy corner of the park with plenty of hammocks, loungers and cabanas. As the area is shaded, it’s a great place to take a nap or chill out with a cocktail.

Relaxation areas / hammocks and chairs

Xel-Ha’s relaxation and lounge areas aren’t an attraction, but they’re certainly a place you want to spend some time in during your day at the park. There are several areas where you can relax in a cabana, admire the view of the snorkelling lagoon from a sun lounger or bathe on the sand. Xel-Ha’s relaxation areas are a great place to take a break with a snack or drink.

Jardin Corona bar & restaurant

We’ve already mentioned that Xel-Ha is an all-inclusive park, and that includes alcohol! If you’re tired from all the adventure activities or just want to kick back and enjoy the scenery, the waterside bar is the place to go. It has indoor and outdoor seating, a Mayan-style wooden design and a menu full of interesting drink options. You can get the usual beers, wines and soft drinks, but we highly recommend the signature chilli Margarita.

Optional paid activities

We’ve listed the top free things to do in Xel-Ha Park, but there are also several optional, paid activities. For an additional charge you can swim with stingrays, dolphins or manatees. There’s also an underwater ‘Snuba’ Sea Trek adventure, and an exhilarating speedboat tour. The paid activities can be purchased as add-ons for your admission ticket.

Gift shops

As with any adventure park, you’ll find gift shops spread across Xel-Ha, and a large store at the main entrance. They’re a great place to buy water shoes, sun cream, insect repellent and other items you may have left at home. They’re also full of souvenirs, so you can buy something to remember your visit.

Stop by the gift shop at any time during your visit to see handmade decorations, themed mugs, t-shirts, toys and more.

Thanks for reading our guide on the top things to do in Xel-Ha Park, Mexico. We hope we inspired you with attraction ideas and gave you a good idea of what’s on offer. Xel-Ha appeals to those that want adventures and fun water activities, but also those that just want to sit back and enjoy a cocktail by the lagoon.

We recommend arriving as early as you can and leaving late in order to make the most of your visit. If you have any questions or would like to share your own thoughts, be sure to post a comment below.