XCARET, A Mayan Park, Nature and Culture dedicated to "HANDS ON and FEET IN" Experience
Written: Jul 01 '03 (Updated Aug 04 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Everything about it. Great learning, great fun, great relaxing, Fantastic Show!!
Cons: Can be pretty pricey and busy.
The Bottom Line: This park has it all. All you need is time and money.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Xcaret |
Having been to many Theme Parks, National Parks and State Parks, Disney World, Sea World and the like I have to say that Xcaret has been one of my very TOP experiences.
X WHAT??
The first time I saw the spelling I was at a loss of pronunciation. I didn't know that the X takes on a "ish" sound. After my wife enlightened me I then knew it was pronounced as Ish-car-et. "My wife is always learning dis guy sumpin new".
As part of a vacation to the Yucatan Peninsula that took us to a few of the ancient ruins of indigenous peoples, we visited Chichen Itza, a beautifully restored ancient site. We stayed at the Hotel Mayaland that was right on some of the excavation of Chichen-Itza. It was perfect. We then visited two other sites as side trips from the Allegro Resort in Play del Carmen. We went to the ancient city on the water named Tulum. We had gone inland from the coast to the recently partially excavated Coba. These ancient grounds are just 10% excavated. There is still so much for the archeologists to still discover. My wife and I strolled some of the streets of Playa del Carmen and got a touch of the local customs and culture. Our visit to Xcaret was a perfect way to bring all these experiences together.
Let me tell you first that Mexicans can sure do it right. Not to be disrespectful, but, being a proud American Gringo, I always think of our superiority in many ways to our southern friends. Well let me tell you, these wonderful people know how to design and run a park properly and with extras!!
WHAT TO BRING
Be sure, however, to bring your American dollars or whatever currency you use. You will need it. Admission is $49.00 per person and kids rates are $25.00. Yes most places do take American dollars. You do have to know your exchange rate.
Be prepared for swimming and snorkeling. Bring your own equipment or you can rent it there. They have horseback riding so be prepared for that also at an extra charge. Food though expensive is very available and good at the many places that serve on the grounds. Suntan lotion is a must along with a hat. Try not to bring anything of value. Leave watches home unless they are water proof.
Once again about $$$$. Your credit card can get you in, however, we had to pay cash for Swimming with the Dolphins. It was $70.00 per person at the time not quite three years ago. I read it is now $80.00
SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS
My wife and one of my daughters wanted to do this. It's important to arrive early and sign up immediately. This is a very popular thing to do.
The park opens at 8:30AM and closes 10:00PM I strongly suggest being there at opening or even waiting at the gates.
We stayed in Playa del Carmen in a place called The Allegro Resort Playacar It was great for the kids. We simply grabbed cabs from our hotel to Xcaret. It is six miles south of town. Many people do Xcaret from Cancun. There are signs all over the coast reminding you not to miss this experience. I agree with the signs.
There is a huge parking lot for those driving on their own. From the gates walk into the huge "Visitors Center" It was built to have a Mayan feel to it. There is a museum, gift shop and restaurant in it. Sign up for the Dolphins here. There were plenty of clean rest rooms throughout the park, no extra charge.
My wife and daughter had the time of their lives. They had some "personal time" meeting the Dolphins. Later they were in a large pool swimming with them and it ended with the dolphins doing a sort of show, jumping over the people in the pool.
It really was terrific and we took many pictures. The place also takes a nice souvenir picture for your purchasing pleasure.
Do watch personal belongings. My daughter had put her sandals down to the side when going in to the Dolphin area. They were gone later when she went to pick them up. More on this interesting story later.
THE UNDERGROUND RIVER
We had heard about this interesting feature of the park, but, were not prepared for how much fun it would be. This is not an extra fee.
You go to the entrance of the river. This is a busy place with many people trying to get in and many employees moving you along. Everyone is issued a life vest. You are given a locking canvas sack that you put any personal gear into. The bag is given back to you at the end of the river run. I had no problems doing that. Everything was there at the end. If you have your snorkel gear you can take it here but I suggest using the gear later.
Anyone, even non-swimmers can do the underground river. You are in, for the most part, five feet of water. The river takes you into the caves that have light inside. You just drift along letting the river take you. There are places to get out or just explore. The caves and formations were interesting. You even get a peek at where the night show will be. It did get crowded in bunches and then opened up again. You can go at your own pace.We were in it maybe a half hour. It was cool and refreshing when we went a second time later in the hot part of the day.
THE BAY
From the river we went directly to the Bay area. there were tons of lounge chairs. Unbelievably, they were all taken later on in the day. The park does get pretty busy! Open to us early were huge inner tubes for just floating around in the bay. They were wonderful They were hard to get later in the day. Many locals come to this beach.
We were able to order food and drinks right from our lounges. It's a bit pricey , but hey, you are on vacation.
THE SANDALS RE-APPEAR
We were all relaxed in our lounge chairs when our oldest daughter, nineteen at the time, sees sandals in front of us that look just like the ones my youngest daughter had "lost". My older daughter went over to say something. The people, who said they did not speak English, said the sandals were theirs. My daughter picked them up and looked at the size on the bottom. One was a 51/2 and the other a 6. How about that? The same sizes my third daughter had on her feet! My two youngest daughters had matching sandals but in two different sizes. They are a year apart. They must have, unknowingly, switched them up earlier and, because of it, we knew we had the "lost" sandals. The people in front of us just got up and left. We kept our sandals.
SO MUCH TO DO
Besides the river and Dolphins we did many other things. They have lagoon alive with fish on a coral reef. Bring your snorkeling gear here. If you have never snorkeled, rent the gear and do it. This is the perfect place for a beginner to learn! My wife spent hours here.
On our walk to the different areas we were always slowed down. There are exhibits all over the place. Ponds with huge turtles in the were fascinating. They hatch their own turtle at this place and release some into sea every day.
There is an area where you can "pet" live sea animals. the kids love that.
Don't forget to check out the worlds largest butterfly area. Here again the park raises endangered butterflies for release in the open areas. They also work at growing the proper plants and flowers these beautiful creatures need to survive.
There is even a bat cave!
MORE TO SEE
The Botanical Gardens also have an area with many different kinds of orchids and even an area that grows mushrooms. It really is amazing how diverse this place is. All is a teaching and learning area. The people there do know their stuff. Ask them about anything and you will have to stop them from talking. they are informative and friendly.
TOO MUCH TO SEE
There just aren't enough hours in the day to completely cover this park. We did see many of the excavations of ancient ruins right on the property. We didn't get to the horseback riding on the beach and jungle trails. I heard they also have a great horse show that you can watch right from the EL Mexicano Restaurant, that serves great food for the family.
We never took the guided walks through the Mayan Village. We did walk through it on our own though. It's very authentic and the people play their parts to the hilt.
This place also offers, for a price, Snuba, scuba, and snorkeling tours.
I forgot to mention the Aquarium. I'm telling you this place has so much, too much! We did enjoy it though. We would relax a while and then head out and adventure somewhere else within the park and then return to our lounge have some refreshment and move out again.
OUR HIGHLIGHT
Though the day offered so much, it was the nights festivities that blew me away. I suppose I wasn't expecting so much and though there were huge numbers of people involved, we were moved from venue to venue in an very organized and entertaining manor.
We saw all different shows at first. An ancient mystic doing his dance in a darkened cave was very cool. We were also taken to a "Ball Court" where we saw and actual competition of the Mayan game where they hit a ball only with their hips and try to get it through hoops on the top of inclines. The hoops are vertical to the ground.
After that was pageantry of dance and song. But wait!! It still wasn't over. We were then brought to a huge outside amphitheatre where were saw a grand show that completely held our interest for another hour and a half.
It really was an amazing mix of cultural acts from the ancients to the contemporaries of Mexico.
THE CURTAIN COMES DOWN
Actually there was no curtain but the show did end. We got our gear and after a bit of a wait grabbed a cab back to the Allegro resort. If you ever get to the Yucatan area get to this place, Xcaret. It really was a perfect day.
A bit more in Mexico
Discovering the Yucatan Peninsula Ancient Ruins, Culture, and Relaxation
CHICHEN-ITZA, the Grand Ancient Site of the Yucatan
Coba, the ancient city A site that is just being excavated.
Tulum, Mayan Temples on the Sea
Xcaret, an Amazing Park dedicated to Nature and Culture
Hotel MayaLand A wonderful, highly recommended, place to stay near Chichen-Itza
Allegro Resort, Playacar A halfway decent all-inclusive in Playa del Carmen. Just six miles from Xcaret.
Other warm weather destination reviews by popsrocks
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St. John, US Virgin Island Now this is paradise!!
Westin Resort, St. John, Virgin Islands The price was right.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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