Going to Cancun: Xelha vs. Xcaret ?!

My husband and I went to Cancun last year for our 1 year anniversary and experienced XELHA. We loved it and of course everyone, literally everyone was like, “but you didn’t go to Xcaret?”

So this past December 2017 we decided to go to Playa Del Carmen and we experienced XCARET! I am going to breakdown price values and what is included first. Because for the most part that is what people want to see. At the end, I’ll tell you my own personal opinion and you can make your decision from there. Of course if you have time & money, then yeah go to both, shoot go to all of the other water parks they have in that case.

First Park, XCARET: 

Online Price for 1 adult admission PLUS: $116.99 + $27.00 For transportation to/from your hotel.

I don’t have kids but if you do, ages 5-11 is half the price

It includes the following:

• Xcaret Park Mexico opens 365 days a year from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Access to Area Plus facilities.
• Use of snorkeling equipment.
• 1 Buffet lunch including 1 beer and unlimited beverages (soft drinks, flavored waters and coffee) while consuming food.
• Shows, exhibitions and cultural tours.
• Water activities in the underground river.
• Access to beaches, bays and natural pools.
• Life jackets and inner tubes.
• Lounge chairs, hammocks and rest areas.
• Safety bag service during the river journey.
• Restrooms, dressing rooms and showers.
• Show “Xcaret Mexico Espectacular”, a musical journey through the history of Mexico.
• THIS DOES not include Dinner at the show; this will be extra if you want to add on!
• Distance from Zona Hotelera is approximately 1 hour and 18 minutes. Keep in mind if you are in a shuttle that this time will be even longer due to all the different stops along the way to drop people off. If you are one of the first stops, then you are lucky!
• NOTE: I bolded what I think is important in the PLUS package, everything else is included with the regular admission.

SECOND Park, XELHA:

Online price for 1 adult admission TOTAL all inclusive:  $122.00 + $25 transportation to/from your hotel.

I don’t have kids but if you do, ages 5-11 is half the price

It includes the following:

• Xelha Park Mexico opens 365 days a year from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Access to 20 natural water activities
• Access to beaches, bays and natural pools.
• Life jackets and inner tubes.
• Lounge chairs, hammocks and rest areas.
• Restrooms, dressing rooms and showers.
• All-inclusive buffet meals with unlimited beverages (both lunch & dinner) 
• The option of one of the following activities: Adrenelina, Sea Trek, and Snuba Caleta.
• Distance from Zona Hotelera is approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes. Keep in mind if you are in a shuttle that this time will be even longer due to all the different stops along the way to drop people off. If you are one of the first stops, then you are lucky!

 

Now those are just the plain facts and you can compare them side by side to see what works for you and the people traveling with you!

MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION: 

My husband and I enjoyed our time at XELHA way more than Xcaret.

The special thing about Xcaret is the show at night which is really amazing but that’s probably what stands out the most.

Lets be real now and breakdown why I chose XELHA:

Xelha had way more adventurous things for us to do all day. And I mean alll day! We jumped off cliffs, went snorkeling in the ocean, ziplined into the water, swam in xenotes, took inner tubes down their main river, and the park is huge.

We probably used the ziplines a million times because you just don’t get tired of it.

AND. WE SWAM WITH THE DOLPHINS. Of course this was extra but something you should experience. They have this at both parks too.

Only downside I would say is the distance as the ride home is so long with all the stops. We would probably take our own taxi next time. Although it might be more expensive, you don’t have to worry about the all the stops and get straight to your hotel. Trust me after a long day in the sun, you just want to get to your hotel.

Xcaret, lacked adventure & activities for my husband and I. We love to be active and it just didn’t have much to offer.

They have these three main rivers that you swim up and that is pretty much it. They have more sight seeing I would say and in retrospect probably easier if you have children. You can take them to see butterfly pavillion, aviary, coral reef aquarium, marine turtles, jaguar island, and more.

But in all honesty, we went to all those areas and we spent maybe like 5 minutes, at maximum 10 minutes. And We went down the rivers several times because that’s really the only thing we could do.

The only plus I would say was the show along with the Dinner we purchased. I think purchasing Dinner was a must. We were guaranteed greats seats, and didn’t have to get there super early to fight for good seats. We also didn’t have to worry about grabbing something to eat before we headed to the show. Dinner was amazing too, like full on 4-5 course meal! The other plus is that Xcaret was very close to our hotel since we stayed in Playa del Carmen. It was literally a 30 minute drive which is great after a long day.

SO IN THE XCARET VS XELHA showdown, the winner is XELHA hands down!

Of course this is my opinion and other people may feel differently.

Have you been to either park? Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite!

If you have any questions about either of the parks or would like to know more details on what I did, please contact me!

Thanks for reading!

It’s been real.

xoxo,

Liz-Laugh-Love