If you are vacationing in Mexico, then a visit to Xcaret with kids should not be missed. According to the website, this eco-archaeological park on the Riviera Maya is a unique combination of nature and culture, but I would rather describe it as a combination of zoo, water park and museum. The park is huge and has more than 50 different attractions including underground rivers, a butterfly garden, an aquarium, a turtle program and several Mayan Ruins. In this blog, we list all the information you need to visit the park Xcaret with the family.
Best travel time Xcaret with kids
To visit Xcaret with kids, you don’t have to consider the weather or the time of year. In the dry season, from November to April, there is less chance of rain, but at the same time these are the busiest and most expensive months of the year. We visited the park in July, which turned out to be one of the quieter times in the park, so you almost don’t have to stand in line.
A great advantage of a large park, such as Xcaret, is that they are prepared for all weather conditions. So even when there is a downpour, there are plenty of places to slip inside and do something fun there.
Transportation to and in Xcaret
The park is one of the region’s biggest tourist attractions, which makes Xcaret easy to visit with kids. There are several (paid) parking lots around the park if you visit the park by rental car. Many families land at Cancun airport and go from there to explore the Yucatan region with the family.
You can very easily rent a car at the Cancun airport through Sunny Cars. So check online for car rental options at Cancun airport through this organization.
It is also possible to travel to Xcaret by ADO bus. In addition, there are plenty of cabs waiting at the park exit to take everyone back to the hotel in Playa del Carmen, for example. Next to this cab stand is a large sign with the cab fares, so fortunately you don’t have to negotiate the price.
In the park there are, literally, several trails for hiking. By sticking to the red, black or green lines, you can easily walk from one attraction or landmark to another. By the way, the park also has a good working app, where you can plan your hiking route in advance. This works especially well if you are visiting Xcaret with kids, because then you can be sure not to take too many steps in the already large park.
Children’s Activities Xcaret
#1 Underground Rivers
The most beautiful and special attractions in Xcaret are the underground rivers. These natural waterways were created over the past few thousand years, thanks to erosion in the limestone. The waters of these rivers are impressively blue and the natural caves and tunnels are almost magical.
There are three rivers in the park, namely the Blue River, Maya River and Manatee River, and all three are worth visiting. According to the rules, five-year-old kids can enter the river accompanied by a parent, but an exception is made for parents with lots of swimming experience, which is why we were able to take our three-year-old daughter as well. Of course, a life jacket is mandatory and a snorkel is also recommended.
The constant water temperature of about 24°C will keep you warm even if you swim a little slower. For safety, there are several exits and rest points, but if you like to swim or snorkel, a round trip in these rivers is very doable.
Should you get a little tough halfway through, hang in there. Just before the terminus of these waterways, you swim past beautiful flamingos and pass a stretch of jungle with monkeys. And that’s fun for young and old alike!
#2 Snorkeling Tour
For the older kids in the family, Xcaret’s Snorkeling Tour is an unforgettable adventure. In a guided tour in a protected inlet of the Caribbean Sea, as a novice snorkeler, you will learn to handle the snorkel and mask in a very special environment. According to instructions, kids as young as 8 can participate, but younger kids with swimming certificates can also join. Of course, the tour starts with a brief instruction on the use of snorkeling equipment and safety procedures.
What makes it really fun is that the guides are trained to work with children and provide a success experience for these kids. Once you enter the water, you can’t miss the tropical fish, sea turtles and coral formations. The shallow and calm water will keep you snorkeling confidently and without fear.
For safety, there are additional floating platforms where kids can rest. After the tour ends, you will automatically enter the aquarium, where you can learn much more about the fish and other animals. The snorkeling tour is not included as standard with the entrance ticket, but costs $29.99 per person. This also includes the rental of the snorkel set. You can continue to use the snorkel set throughout the day.
#3 Children’s World
For the youngest visitors, Children’s World in Xcaret is a fine place to let off steam. It is specially designed for this target group, keeping in mind the safety and needs of small kids. Nowhere in the park is as colorful and cozy as here. In the center of the square is a playground with spouting fountains and tipping buckets.
Next to it is a small cenote, including a waterfall, where the kids can swim. As in all areas where there are water activities, you can grab life jackets of all sizes here. Even for babies (size 62-68), there are plenty of life jackets available in this section.
There is also a kind of adventure playground for climbing frames, lianas, ropes and water slides, where the little adventurers can go wild. Here, wearing a life jacket is mandatory and there are plenty of lifeguards on hand to intervene. For creative kids, there is an art corner where they can draw, paint and craft with natural materials.
In addition, they can plant vegetables in the “Little Farmer” area and learn about sustainable agriculture. The sanitary facilities in this part of the park are also fully equipped for the family. For example, there are feeding and pumping areas, toilets and sinks in different sizes and special showers for kids.
#4 Paradise River
The park also has a number of attractions that don’t require you to swim yourself to enjoy the water, and one of them is the Paradise River. Especially if you are visiting Xcaret with kids under four, this quiet water attraction is perfect. In this river of over five hundred meters, you sail on a large inflatable boat along the nature in the park.
You’ll see dense jungle with monkeys and colorful birds and pass beautiful waterfalls and Mayan ruins. As in the rest of the park, the water is crystal clear and intensely blue, giving you a good view of the underwater world as well.
Even though the water is a nice temperature and not too deep, everyone is still required to wear a life jacket. There are regular entry and exit points, so you can also use this attraction as a means of transportation in the park. The last cruise on the Paradise River is half an hour before the park closes, though, so keep that in mind in your daily planning.
It would be a shame to miss such a fun attraction in Xcaret with kids.
#5 Horse Exhibition
The Horse Exhibition in Xcaret introduces you to Mexico’s rich horseback riding tradition. This show of about half an hour is given every day. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday it starts at 4 p.m. at the Compass Rose, and on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Mexican Corner Kiosk. The Horse Exhibition is based on the Charrería, a Mexican tradition most similar to rodeo.
Charrería originated in the 16th century, but today it is Mexico’s national sport. It consists of a series of performances, such as catching a horse with a lasso and the female riders performing a spectacular show on the horse’s back.
The men and women wear beautifully decorated and traditional clothing, such as sombreros, colored scarves and striking jackets, each of which has a symbolic meaning. If you are visiting Xcaret with kids, this is the ideal way to learn about Mexico’s history and culture in an approachable way.
Moreover, the entire show is accompanied by the famous Mexican mariachi music, making it an even bigger party. After the show, you can see the horses up close and ask questions of the riders. During our visit, the Horse Exhibition was so crowded that we unfortunately skipped this meet and greet.
It’s smart to head toward the Horse Exhibition early anyway if you want to be up front, because almost all visitors in Xcaret are trying to catch a glimpse of this wonderful show.
Family-friendly restaurant in Xcaret
You can enjoy delicious traditional Mexican food in Xcaret with kids. As in many other major theme parks, it is possible to buy a special ticket that allows you to have lunch and dinner at a number of restaurants. This option is in the Xcaret Plus Package, for which you pay between $100 and $150 per person. This may seem like a lot, but this includes park admission.
This package allows you to eat at La Cocina at no cost. This restaurant serves Mexican dishes such as Pork in Green Sauce, Chicken Mole, Yucatecan Pulled Pork, Pozole and delicious burritos, tacos and quesadillas. You can also choose Dos Playas with delicious Caribbean dishes such as Fish Breaded in Coco, Passionfruit Aguachile, Mixed Seafood Cocktails and Seafood Soup.
Most kids’ favorite restaurant in Xcaret is La Laguna where you can choose from a huge buffet of sushi, pasta, pizza, steaks and salads.
In all restaurants, kids are more than welcome and there is plenty of entertainment on and around the tables. Another big advantage is that you don’t have to wait long for the food, because even though it was very tasty, we of course preferred to dive right back into the park in search of a new adventure.
In the evening, the park hosts the México Espectacular Show and admission to this show is included in the Xcaret Plus Package. If you visit Xcaret with kids, it is definitely recommended to reserve a seat for the dinner&show. You’ll be guaranteed the best seats for the show and you’ll also get a seven-course dinner reserved.
Family-friendly hotel Xcaret
You have plenty of family-friendly accommodations located in the Xcaret area. Playa del Carmen is about a 15-minute drive from Xcaret, and here you have plenty of nice family-friendly accommodations that you can book. We list some of these family-friendly accommodations. Click on the blue link for more information.
Budget accommodation: HotelMariachiby Kavia 5th Av
Mid-range accommodation: MARQUEE Playa Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Riviera Maya Suites
Also, check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Playa de Carmen for other options.
About the author: along with her daughter and partner, Lesley is always looking for new adventures. Thanks to their love of the Spanish language and culture, they are most often found in Spain, Central and South America.
