10 of the Best Things to Do at Xcaret
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Xcaret Park is a fantastic place with many activities to enjoy, especially in the Park in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I’ve created a list of the Best Things to Do While Visiting Xcaret that caters to those visitors that love Archeology, Mayan history, water parks, and tropical beach resorts. There is something for everyone at Xcaret.
You’ll benefit from the information below that is 100% based on an Mexico expert’s (that’s me) many Xcaret visits, which inspired me to create an Xcaret Travel Guide! Below, this guide lists the best things to do at Xcaret. It’s a completely experience-based and real info that you’ll benefit from an expert Xcaret Park visitor. Since I have dual citizenship, I get a significant discount on the annual pass. And yes, this is me bragging just a smidge. 😅
The many available and diverse activities at Xcaret can be stunningly overwhelming when it comes to choosing what to experience! Take it from me, since I am a person who is a “frequent flyer” at Xcaret. Read my expert list below to enjoy Xcaret to the max!
Introduction to Xcaret
Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, Xcaret offers countless activities for every traveler. Even before starting to create a loose itinerary of the best things to do at Xcaret, you’ll want to take advantage of the available discounts to access. Once you’ve decided to visit Xcaret in Playa del Carmen, the first and most important thing to do is book flights
Have you ever wondered if there is a place in Mexico that has a deep cultural value, connects you to the natural environment, and is a very fun and safe place to explore as a solo-female traveler?
I’m what most folks would consider an Xcaret Park expert. It has everything you need to have a wonderful and enriching experience, especially with so many things to do at Xcaret as options! In this post you will find the top ten activities you definitely don’t want to miss when you visit this natural wonder.
To truly enjoy the wide range of things to do at Xcaret, I absolutely recommend staying at one of their seven hotels in Xcaret park.There are so many choices! Plus, staying on-site at Xcaret Park will put you right next to all the best things to do in Xcaret.
Click Here to see the best hotels in Xcaret and receive my discount.
From historical explorations to wildlife encounters, the things to do at Xcaret are diverse and unforgettable.
When you visit, you’ll discover countless things to do at Xcaret that will enhance your experience, improve your ability to relieve your stress, and give you a glimpse into how Mayans lived.
Whether you are drawn to the cultural experiences or the natural beauty, Xcaret’s activities will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.
It has been my personal objective to get to know the most authentic experiences a country like Mexico has to offer. Many people had told me the park is a “must-visit” place. I am happy to say they were right! There are so many things to do at Xcaret that it genuinely takes more than 1 day of visiting just to see a small percentage of the park.
Click Here to buy the type of tickets or combination of tickets for individual things to do at Xcaret.
Keep reading to see why this trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to know some of the most unique aspects of many Mexican regions and deeply understand everything this country has to offer through its rich historic and cultural background. If you’re a history buff like me, then you’ll love the protected Mayan Ruins. Yet another unique thing to do at Xcaret!
Each day at Xcaret, you can immerse yourself in new activities that celebrate the richness of Mexican culture.
Witnessing these magnificent birds is one of many captivating things to do at Xcaret.
The incredible conservation efforts at Xcaret highlight the many things to do there that focus on sustainability and wildlife protection.
Exploring the grounds and experiencing the local wildlife is among the many things to do at Xcaret that will give you a deeper connection with nature.
The stunning view of the jungle as you traverse the park is just one of the breathtaking things to do at Xcaret.
Don’t forget to bring binoculars to enhance your experience as you discover all the things to do at Xcaret.
Don’t miss out on trying the exciting things to do at Xcaret, like the magnificent shows that celebrate Mayan traditions.
1. Pink Flamingos and Macaws: More than just an Iconic Thing to Do at Xcaret
As soon as I arrived at Xcaret, besides being greeted by the great staff and personnel at the gate, I was mesmerized by these majestic birds casually perched at the entrance; it seemed they were posing for pictures with their vibrant colors and loving all the tourists’ attention. The truth is, they are animals who live in captivity; some macaws are even born there, and Xcaret has a remarkable conservation program that helps increase the number of wild macaws in the region.
Xcaret currently holds the Guinness Book of World Records for having a program that reintroduces the most endangered species, red macaws, back into the wild.
Secret event #1 that takes place every day at exactly 10 am: you can actually walk with the flamingos in an unforgettable flamingo parade that exits one of the restaurants, “La Isla.” All you need to do is arrive 5 minutes before 10:00 am and ask the staff to let you walk with the flamingos all the way to the main Plaza.
If you’re lucky, they’ll allow you to carry the flamingo bell, which the flamingos follow as if they were trained animals! I didn’t get this chance to lead the pack of flamingos, but merely walking with them was such a nice experience that is still very vivid for me.
2. Jaguars and Pumas: Guardians of the Ancient World
One of my favorite spots after seeing the red macaws fly was climbing on the suspension bridge right at the end of the white Mayan road. This is one of the most popular things to do at Xcaret. I did not expect to encounter actual jaguars with their young in this location, but it was a wonderful sight to behold.
The jaguars were so confident, but they appeared to be very hot since they weren’t moving much. Yet, there they were, right in front of me, with their majestic black spots and deep gaze. Jaguars are common in this area, and once they were considered guardians of the jungle by the Mayan culture.
Because of the many Jaguars that I saw in Xcaret, I planned to make a website dedicated to the importance of the majestic large feline, but I’ve yet to make it happen. I would prefer to sell it to anyone who would love to own it and use it positively.
But let’s return to the Jaguars at Xcaret. I was even more astounded when I found a standing pair of binoculars where people took turns to admire their solemn beauty with an up-close and personal view. I’d recommend bringing your own set of decent binoculars so you can search for these animals plus other rare sightings of monkeys, javelina, deer and many more animals that live in the jungle
3. Xcaret’s Passport Stamp Booklet: You’ll get a Surprise!
One of the most interactive things to do at Xcaret is to get an Xcaret passport at one of the stores in the park. This item is a little Passport-like booklet that costs around $3 USD. The objective is to fill the booklet with collected stamps after completing an activity or event. You can ask the staff for a stamp to put in your booklet.
If you’re similar to me, you’ll enjoy each attraction and collecting the whimsical stamp, but with a gamified approach. Add this activity to the list of other interesting things to do at Xcaret!
And like in every good game, there is a reward waiting for you if you manage to collect all twenty-five stamps scattered around the park. This challenge is a rather difficult quest, since the park is HUGE and you’ll probably need to be there for more than one day.
If you stay in one of the hotels at Xcaret Park in Playa del Carmen, you can get a 50% off discount if you buy a second-day ticket. But if you manage to get all the stamps, you get a wonderful t-shirt from the park for free! I got a beautiful black one with all the animals from the park, a really lovely shirt of high-quality cotton that I still wear to this day, if you ask me.
4. The Butterfly Pavilion and Aviary: Another Great Thing to do at Xcaret Park
Experiencing the turtle exhibition is among the heartwarming things to do at Xcaret that connect you with marine life.
Whether it’s the baby turtles or the majestic adults, the turtle encounters are one of the many delightful things to do at Xcaret. Staying at the hotel, you will find the Aviary of Xcaret right next to it. Its enthralling roads will take you to a majestic realm of free-flying birds that include pelicans, macaws, regional ducks, and even royal eagles!
Participating in sea turtle liberations is one of the most rewarding activities at Xcaret, especially for families. Engaging in hands-on activities is among the many fun things to do at Xcaret that kids will love!
One species that surprised me was the new-born quills, which happened to be in a transparent incubator, in which you could literally watch them hatching from their eggs! They were exceedingly cute and tiny; I spent well over fifteen minutes simply observing them.
The butterfly pavilion had a nine-foot-long mesmerizing stained-glass mural that will also leave you contemplating the wonderful experience of seeing live butterflies dancing softly in the wind. You can’t miss them! I felt like a real-life fairy with them flying around me.
5. Food at Xcaret: One of the Greatest Things to do at Xcaret
With so many options available, you’ll find plenty of exciting things to do at Xcaret to keep your itinerary full!
After watching all these incredible animals, I was famished after having walked so much. One thing I must tell you: bring comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk, since the park is huge and the distances between one spot and the next can be daunting.
My sense of smell picked up on some strong roasted garlic, or something alike, so I decided to follow it. Since my Xcaret pass included a buffet meal, I decided to check out the closest restaurant, and it was quite an experience! I was ready for what was next.
Roast beef, pizza, pasta, sushi, a luscious salad bar with all kinds of cheeses and greens, aguas frescas of the seasonal fruits, and Mexican dishes full of delicious aromas and all kinds of wonders were awaiting me at the Oaxaca restaurant.
The quality of the food was impeccable, the staff was very attentive, and my favorite part? The desserts, of course! Tiny cupcakes and jello made me smile, and I even got an ice cream cone to go; it was truly wonderful.
Each restaurant offers a different variety, so there’s one if you prefer seafood over an international buffet, but I guarantee it will leave you with a full, happy belly. If you come to the park and don’t buy the Xcaret plus ticket, you can also find high-quality foods at the snack bars and cafeterias around the main roads.
6. Owl’s Show: THE Thing to do at Xcaret to show You Mayan Tradition
There are several shows you can watch at Xcaret; the one you absolutely cannot miss is the Xcaret Mexico Espectacular, which starts at seven o’clock on the main road, on the Gran Tlachco.
However, if you get a chance to be at the White Route again, in Pueblo Maya, at exactly 4:30 pm you will see some people searching for a place to sit near the stairs and a small stage with some drums and incense.
This show, for me, is one of the best re-enactments of a Mayan tradition in the whole park. I recommend you arrive a few minutes earlier to get a good seat; trust me, you wouldn’t want to miss it.
The show begins with a Mayan-speaking shaman saying he hopes what you will watch will remain forever in your heart. And it is true, since I haven’t forgotten the rhythm of the drums, the dancers who arrive sailing a canoe, and the traditional fire, corn, and rebirth dance.
This show is a must-watch if you like Mayan culture and is a great way to honor pre-Hispanic culture. The beautiful body paint and colorful head plumes make it a vibrant experience to have it in your mind as a long-lasting memory.
7. Turtles, Big and Small
Take time to enjoy the cultural exhibits; they are among the most enlightening things to do at Xcaret.
I got so excited when I saw these turtles! My heart pounded so fast as I strolled around a pond and saw these majestic giants swimming a few meters from me. Xcaret has three types of marine turtles: Green, White and Lora. You can check out the exhibitions dedicated to these wonderful creatures at the aquarium.
Leave room in your schedule for the spectacular evening shows, as they are the perfect way to end a day filled with things to do at Xcaret. If you want to take a free gift home, you can trace a drawing in the turtle room. It’s a great activity for kids or for people with a young heart, like me 🙂.
There is also an exhibition of how these turtles grow, even a realistic egg nest where you can read information about the subject (did you know the gender of turtles depends on the sand temperature?), and most of all, you can see REAL BABY TURTLES in different growth stages throughout several tanks leading to the main turtle area.
It was a calming walk for me, and if you like turtles, I imagine it would be for you too. If you happen to visit in February or March, the park arranges sea turtle liberations, where you or your child can participate in freeing one into the ocean. How wonderful!
8. Extraordinary Activities, check them out!
In case you like extra adventure, Xcaret also has some other activities you can try, like parachuting in the turquoise sea; getting on an adrenaline boat, where they will drive you at crazy speed and then randomly stop (not a great idea for me, who gets a little dizzy easily); or even swimming with sharks! Of course you take a crash course first, but still, it was not for me.
If you are not quite adventurous but still like to do something extra fun, you can swim with dolphins, put on a special helmet that allows you to breathe underwater and explore a submarine museum, and see some rays or even participate in a Temazcal ceremony. All these activities cost extra, but they are a good option if you want to do something special during your visit.
I recommend buying the photo package, which lets you take unlimited pictures around the park with your bracelet. It costs about 50 USD per person, and you can take home all the pictures you take. This is a Significant Value, wouldn’t you agree?
9. Climb to an 80 meter tall Scenic Tower
Not many people know that if you walk towards the brown road, the one that takes you to the main show, before 6:45 pm, you will arrive at the Torre Escénica. This is a high circular structure that will take you upwards in a smooth ride that will allow you to watch an incredible view of the jungle, the Xcaret parks and hotels, and even a little bit of Playa del Carmen. It is an unforgettable sight, even though it only lasts a few minutes.
The best part, for me, after a day of walking in the heat was the AC and lovely music that accompanied the ride. I honestly didn’t want it to finish! But it made me feel so small to be in that gigantic place, a truly humbling experience. There is another one of these towers in Cancun, and you can ride it for free if you keep your bracelet from Xcaret. Even though I haven’t been to that one, I am sure it must be quite a sight.
10. Xcaret Mexico Espectacular: More than Just a Show
Picture this: over 300 performers on stage, traditional costumes sparkling with color, and music echoing through the majestic Gran Tlachco Theater. It’s not just a show—it’s a heartfelt tribute to Mexico’s rich cultural tapestry, from its ancient civilizations to its modern and general traditions.
There was something deeply moving about witnessing this celebration of heritage among hundreds of fellow spectators. Before the show started, there was a little meditation where we lit small candles; it was an invitation to show gratitude, ask for wellness and freedom, and connect with each other.
It made my skin shiver with excitement to do it with almost 2,000 people! The whole show is the perfect combination of history and cultural background to understand and love this beautiful country.
I recommend arriving by 6:30 p.m. so you don’t miss the Pre-Hispanic Welcome—a parade of ancient warriors and mystics that sets the tone for the night. Take photos, soak in the ancestral energy, and let yourself be transported through time.
