The Xcaret Parks are world-famous for offering the ultimate adventure park experience in Mexico, drawing hundreds of thousands of local and international visitors each year.
With five unique adventure parks under the Xcaret umbrella, choosing the right one for your trip to the Riviera Maya can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re short on time and working with a budget.
In this detailed guide, we’ll be comparing two of the most popular parks within the Xcaret umbrella—Xcaret or Xplor—and covering which adventure park offers the best experience for your money. Plus, we’ve got exclusive discount coupons to help you save even more!
Photo Op at Xplor Park
What The Xcaret Parks Are Like
Xcaret Parks are a collection of adventure parks and experiences, with Xcaret Park being the flagship attraction.
All of these parks are located within Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, and each one highlights something unique about the region. For example, Xplor Park lets you zip line over the vast Mayan jungle, while Xel-Há is all about exploring cenotes and a massive ocean inlet.
While some features overlap, each park offers a distinct experience, so it’s important to understand their differences when choosing the best one for you.
Ziplines at Xplor Park
Ziplines at Xel-Ha Park
When it comes to quality and value for money, there’s a reason Xcaret Parks are so popular. Their facilities, food, and service are top-notch, comparable to adventure parks in the U.S.
Many people call them the “Disney World of Mexico,” and we’d agree—though they feel far less artificial, focusing instead on the region’s stunning natural landscapes.
One more thing to keep in mind: all of the parks are outdoors and include water attractions, so you’ll get to experience the crystal-clear cenotes that are unique to the Yucatán Peninsula.
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What Is Xcaret Park Like
As mentioned, Xcaret Park is the flagship attraction of the Xcaret umbrella, and also the biggest and most visited of the five distinct parks.
Xcaret Park offers over 50 activities with your tickets, as well as some premium paid activities, such as parasailing and their awesome underwater walking tour. Xcaret is the perfect mix of adventure and culture.
Paradise River at Xcaret Park
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You’ll spend most of the day enjoying the various water and nature activities, such as the river swim, the private beach and the butterfly pavilion.
As the sun starts to set, you’ll see more of the cultural experiences come to life, like the traditional Mayan performance, the horse exhibition, Papantla flying men.
Papantla Flyers at Xcaret Park
After dark, you’ll get to experience one of the most incredible performances we’ve ever seen – Mexico Espectacular.
This mind-blowing show features over 300 performers and shares the history of Mexico. You can expect to see dazzling costumes, epic dances and fascinating cultural displays – this show is definitely one of the main highlights of Xcaret Park.
Between Xcaret and Xplor, Xcaret is the better choice for families with young kids and for anyone who prefers a more relaxed experience without heights or adrenaline-filled activities.
Xcaret Mexico Espectacular / Courtesy of Xcaret Park
Xcaret Mayan Warrior
Which Activities Are Available at Xcaret Park
Xcaret Park is the largest park under the Xcaret brand, offering over 50 included activities plus optional add-ons. We’ve visited multiple times and still haven’t seen everything—the park is massive, and it’s nearly impossible to do it all in one visit.
Some of the most popular activities included with your entrance ticket are:
- Swimming or floating through three different underground rivers (life jackets provided).
- Relaxing on the beautiful private beach, inlet, and natural pools.
- Visiting the Butterfly Pavilion, Coral Reef Aquarium, and Aviary.
- Letting kids explore ‘Children’s World,’ a dedicated area just for them.
- Watching cultural performances like the horse exhibition, Papantla flying men, and pre-Hispanic dances.
- Walking the tropical jungle trail.
- And most importantly, experiencing Mexico Espectacular—the greatest show ever created about Mexico’s history!
Inlet Beach at Xcaret Park
Natural Pools at Xcaret Park
If that’s not enough, you can also add on some extra-special activities, like:
- Adrenalina – a high-speed boat ride through the stunning Caribbean Sea, reaching up to 90 km/h!
- Paraxute – a parasailing adventure along the Caribbean coast. The views of the vast Mayan jungle and turquoise ocean are unbeatable. Geovanny and I did this on our first visit to Xcaret, and it was amazing!
- Sea Trek – a unique underwater walk where you’ll wear a large, clear helmet that lets you breathe easily while exploring the ocean floor. I first did this in South Africa, and it’s one of the best ways to experience marine life, especially if you’re not a confident swimmer.
🌴 Heading to Xcaret, here’s 7 things you can’t miss!
Speed Boat (Adrenalina) at Xavage Park
How Much Is a Ticket to Xcaret, and What is Included
Entrance to Xcaret depends on the package you choose – regular Xcaret, Xcaret Plus or Xcaret Total. Additionally, prices seem to fluctuate slightly throughout the year, and there are also add-ons which will determine what you pay.
We’re sharing more on each of the different ticket options, as well as some of the add-ons we suggest (transport + photos):
Regular Xcaret Entrance
✔︎ Price: US$128 (*approximatley)
✔︎ Included: 50 activities, Mexico Espectacular, showers & changing rooms
✔︎ Not included: Buffet lunch, lockers, snorkel gear, additional activities
Xcaret Plus Admission
✔︎ Price: US$157 (*approximately)
✔︎ Included: 50 activities, Mexico Espectacular show, showers & changing rooms
✔︎ Additional inclusions: Buffet lunch, Access to Plus area (w/ lockers), snorkel gear
Xcaret Total
✔︎ Price: US$207 (*approximately)
✔︎ Included: 50 activities, Mexico Espectacular show, showers & changing rooms
✔︎ Additional Inclusions: One additional activity (Adrenalina, Stingray Seatrek, Seatrek, Sharks! A Hands On Adventure), Buffet lunch, Access to Plus area (w/ lockers), and snorkel gear
📸 WATCH THE FULL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE
What Is Xplor Park Like
Xplor Park is an absolute must-visit for adrenaline junkies—and it’s probably our favorite park in the Xcaret family! The two main attractions here are the massive zipline course and the brand-new mega slide, both are a ton of fun.
Zipline at Xplor Park
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The seven-part zipline course takes you soaring over the Mayan jungle at thrilling heights and speeds. There are two options:
- Green course – lower and slower, making it the popular choice for families with young kids.
- Red course – higher and faster, taking you to the highest point in the park with breathtaking jungle views. We did the red course and loved the rush!
Aqualanding Zipline at Xplor Park
The other major highlight is the brand-new Taboganxote, a 5-in-1 mega water slide that opened in 2024 and is now the biggest slide in Mexico. We rode it twice and had such a blast that we’re planning a return trip just to ride it again!
Xplor also offers five other thrilling activities, which we’ll cover below. But if you’re looking for heart-pounding fun for older kids and adventure seekers, Xplor Park is the better choice over Xcaret.
Taboganxote at Xplor Park
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Which Activities Are Available at Xplor Park
Xplor Park is smaller than Xcaret, with only seven activities compared to Xcaret’s 50+, but each one takes about 25 to 45 minutes to complete.
We’ve visited twice, and both times we ran out of time before trying everything! So while Xplor may have fewer activities, every single one is action-packed, and you won’t feel like you’re missing out.
The two main attractions at Xplor are the seven-part zipline course and the 5-in-1 mega slide, Taboganxote, but here are the five other exciting activities you can experience:
We’re sharing more on each of the different ticket options, as well as some of the add-ons we suggest (transport + photos):
- Amphibious vehicles – Drive a 4×4 through a bumpy jungle track, crossing swing bridges, splashing through dark caves, and reaching a scenic lookout. It’s a wild, fun ride!
- Underground expedition – Follow a natural trail through caves and underground rivers. Water shoes are a must to protect your feet.
- Underground river – A cold-water river that flows through caves and jungle. You don’t need to be a strong swimmer—your feet can touch the bottom almost the entire time, and life jackets are required, making it accessible for most visitors.
Underground Expedition at Xplor Park
- Underground rafts – Similar to the underground river, but instead of swimming, you’ll paddle a raft through the caves.
- Hammock splash – A fun, family-friendly activity where you sit on a hammock, ride a short zipline, and splash into a refreshing cenote.
How Much is a Ticket to Xplor, and What is Included
Xplor Admission
✔︎ Price: US$135 (*approximately)
✔︎ Included: Access to all seven activities, lockers, unlimited snacks and drinks, and a delicious lunch buffet.
✔︎ Not included: Photopass, transportation, souvenir store
Recommended Ticket Add-ons
There are quite a few additional add-ons, but having visited the Xcaret Parks a few times before, we believe these two add-ons are totally worth the extra cost:
Xcaret transportation
The transportation is one of the safest and most convenient ways of getting to and from the parks. Just note that there are specific pick-up locations within Cancun & The Riviera Maya, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Additionally, the Xcaret Transportation may only be purchased when you’re purchasing your park ticket, which is around US$31 per person.
Xcaret Transportation Bus
Xcaret Photopass
Although cameras and phones are allowed on most of the attractions at Xcaret, it’s difficult to get good pictures, especially for the fast-paced attractions (like the ziplines) and the water-based attractions. All of the parks have professional cameras set-up all over the park to take great photos at all kinds of awesome angles.
Plus, there is no limit to the number of photos you can get for the day, so we’d recommend getting your pictures taken at every location you spot! You can see below for examples of the kinds of photos we got at Xplor Park.
The photopackage costs around US$35 for couples, and you can add it on to your online ticket purchase. Or, you can choose to buy your photo package once you’re at the park.
Additionally, you could bring your own water camera 👇
Who is Xcaret Park Best For
Xcaret is the biggest and most visited of the Xcaret Parks, and for good reason. It offers a little bit of everything that makes this region of Mexico special—water activities, stunning natural landscapes, and beautifully performed cultural shows.
If it’s your first time in the Riviera Maya, Xcaret is a great way to experience the highlights all in one place.
It’s also the best choice for families, especially if you’re traveling with young kids or anyone who prefers a more relaxed experience. Compared to the high-adrenaline Xplor Park, Xcaret is much more easygoing and family-friendly.
Macaws at Xcaret Park
💡 Pro Tip: The only thing not included—but absolutely necessary—is a pair of water shoes. The jungle terrain is rough, and you’ll definitely want the extra protection for your feet!
Who is Xplor Park Best For
If you’re traveling with young kids or anyone who prefers a more relaxed experience, Xcaret is the better choice.
But if you’re with older kids or adventure lovers, Xplor is the way to go. It’s the perfect place to experience the cenotes and underground rivers that make this part of Mexico so special. And there’s no better way to take in the vast Mayan jungle than by soaring over the treetops on a zipline!
The only real downside to choosing Xplor over Xcaret is missing out on Mexico Espectacular—and it truly lives up to its name! But if your budget allows, you can get the best of both worlds by spending the day at Xplor (until 5 PM) and then heading to Xcaret for the show, which starts at 7 PM.
Photo Opportunity at Xplor Park
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Which Park is the Best Value For Money? Xcaret or Xplor
To compare Xplor and Xcaret, the Xplor ticket is similar to the Xcaret Plus admission since both include an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. The price difference is small—about $10—with Xcaret being slightly more expensive than Xplor.
It’s hard to say which park offers better value because they’re so different, and it really depends on your preferences. We’d choose Xplor because the attractions—especially the zip lines and the new Taboganxote slide—are incredible and totally worth the price.
However, Xcaret is more well-rounded and offers a lot of variety. The highlight of Xcaret is definitely the Mexico Espectacular show at the end of the day, which makes the ticket worth it.
Zipline at Xplor Park
Mayan Performance at Xcaret Park
How to Get Discounts on The Xcaret Parks
There are a few ways to get discounts at the Xcaret Parks, and who wouldn’t want to save a little, especially since these parks can be as pricey as Disney?
The best and most reliable way to save is by purchasing your Xcaret tickets in advance:
- Buy at least 7 days ahead to get 10% off your tickets.
- Buy at least 21 days ahead to get 15% off your tickets.
You can also take advantage of combo deals, where you can combine two or more parks for a 20% discount on your tickets. It’s a great way to save while enjoying more parks!
Finally, keep an eye on our website for updated discount coupons that come out at different times throughout the year. By clicking on these coupons, you can get cheaper tickets, especially during the slower months.
🎟️ GET YOUR XCARET OR XPLOR TICKETS HERE
Final Thoughts: Xcaret or Xplor?
You really can’t go wrong with either Xcaret or Xplor Park, but as we’ve said, we’re big fans of Xplor for its adrenaline-filled activities, so that’s the park we’d choose. Ultimately, it all comes down to what you’re looking for.
Xcaret Flamingoes
We hope this article helped! Feel free to leave any questions you have in the comments, and don’t forget to share it with a friend!
