Xel-Ha V.S Xcaret??

Question

Please only answer if you've been to BOTH attractions because I want a comparison.

I'm going on a cruise soon and i want to go to one of these but which one?

I know Xcaret has more but Xel-Ha seems nice also.

Answer 1

Although popular, both parks mentioned are very touristy and pretty artificial, to be honest. What is it that you want out of your excursion? Xel-Ha is more geared towards snorkelling and that type of thing, whereas Xcaret is more of a zoo. Both parks are a nice day out for what they are.

There are lots of other places in the area you might want to consider, though. My personal favourite (I live in the RM) is Hidden Worlds Cenotes Park. That's always the first place I take anyone who comes to visit me and they always rave about it. The cenotes located there are the most beautiful I've seen, and by now I've seen a lot. In the underground river at Hidden Worlds you will see natural unspoilt geological formations (stalagmites / stalactites) that are utterly breathtaking. It's low-impact tourism, as opposed to tour bus filled pandemonium! They really care about preserving the natural wonders, whilst still making them available to visitors. As well as cenote snorkelling and diving they have some really cool zip lines, a rappel and a skycycle (a cable bicycle where you cycle through the treetops and get to experience the jungle and all of it's tropical wildlife and lush foliage living and breathing around you - awesome!) They also have 3 rescued domesticated spider monkeys who are very cute and friendly - if you take a few pieces of fruit with you you're sure to make some cheeky monkey friends! It's just a great day out at a very reasonable price - lots of fun, educational too and suitable for everyone. I've taken lots of visitors there, from my toddling nephew to my 20-something year old buddies to my 76 year old Aunt (she even did the zip lines, bless, how cool is she?! :D) - they've all loved it!

And there are lots of other places you should consider too. Check out www.intheroo.com for other activity ideas in Playa del Carmen. Also Trip Advisor is good, because you get to read unbiased real travellers' reviews. You'll find reviews of both Xel Ha and Xcaret on there, as well as Hidden Worlds and others. A new one to look out for is Manzano's Expeditions - they are a new company made up of experienced local guides who take you to some great places (Coba, Ek-Balam, etc.). I still haven't done any of their tours but I know some of the places they go and I've done tours with those guides in the past - they are fab!

Have fun, enjoy and respect this beautiful paradise! :)

Answer 2

They are both cool and lots of fun. The big difference is that Xel-Ha is a natural body of water with ceynotes and beautiful , colorful fish and fun things to do along the way down the river and more of a snorkel park. Closes relatively early...like around 5 or 6 o'clock.

Xcaret is more of a man made attraction. It's not of the same essence that Xel-Ha is. Lots of kids, much more commercial and quite a bit more expensive. Open much later... like around 8 p.m.

Both have showers and places to eat and drink and offer all-inclusive plans for the day. Xel-ha has this beautiful hammock area where you can go take a nap if you want. It's very nice.

Either would be a blast... see which one your cruise ship offers and is timed best with the ship0s departure. That will determine which one you want to take.

Both are fun

Answer 3

They both are beautiful, it worths to go both places xD. Enjoy!

Answer 4

Well these are two of my favorite places out there, so here's the (long) skinny on both. I've been to the Yucatan three times & love it. All three times though, I was traveling via land, not sea. Now, depending on where you're coming from- let's say your cruise ship is docked @ Cozumel, I remember Xcaret being a bit closer to Cozumel, the ruins of Tulum (don't miss) & the local beach town Playa Del Carmen.

Xcaret was beyond all expectations. We climbed down a staircase into a ravine where we floated through an underground river cavern (chilly clear water), came up around 25 minutes later & found ourselves deep inside a jungle paradise. Walked on shaded curved stoned paths as palms, ferns & nature just enveloped us on all sides. There are small separate lagoons, each with a personality all its own. Colorful birds, fish.. all there.

As we walked, we saw a few people relaxing in private areas nestled along these lagoons, some lounging in hammocks, some cooking in small fire pits. We could jump in & swim or walk anywhere we wanted. In addition to the above, I remember there being horseback riding, a donkey cart ride, a square with a fountain we splashed in, watching baby chicks hatch from an incubator, a shelter where a mariachi band was playing & people danced & a big beach that seemed to come out of nowhere, but was packed with people. It had seemed we were all but alone walking through those winding jungle paths.. then there they were & so was this beach w/ watersports! Then, we actually got lost on the pathways looking for the small ruins that dot the site.

All in all, Xcaret was loaded with things to do. It was a well planned out community paradise, very jungle-like in theme. Plan on doing a lot of walking.. AND swimming. Depending on where you take a dip, the water ranges from clear & chilly to very warm & jade colored, to aqua to deep blue and almost hot.

Now Xel Ha was simply naturally gorgeous.. as opposed to a planned out thing. It was more wide open, with a very laid back & easy going atmosphere. We stood on a dock then swam out to the rocks & caves in the (very large) lagoon & big blue fish followed us everywhere hoping we'd feed them!

After that we ate out at the palapa (sun is strong there), had a beer & a burger & just sorta chilled. A warm buzzy just blissful feeling is what I remember most about Xel Ha.. that and a gorgeous snorkle instructor named Dan, but that's another story! ;-) Xel Ha was so relaxed- an equally beautiful, more wide open space & the water there is tepid & light-medium-dark turquoise blue. Comfortable. I remember it being closer to Cancun (where I was staying) than Xcaret, but Xcaret wasn't that much further on down the road to "Paraiso."

I think Xel Ha was less expensive than Xcaret, but it's been a while. I guess it depends on how much you want to spend, who you're with & what you're looking for. I loved them both, & dream about going back. Whichever one you choose, you can't go wrong really.. you'll have a great time.

Wish I were going on that cruise, too!!

Answer 5

hi, girl

it depends on what you want. Look:

Xcaret has a lot of atractions like voladores de papantla (papantla flying people), underground river where you can swim, corals are so beautiful and much more things to do. Night show is very good.

Xel-Ha does not have as much atractions as Xcaret so it's cheaper but it's more natural and its sea is very crystalline. Color fishes make an unforgettable experience.

You can do much more things but those I described are the most Significant.

So, both places are so good. It only depends on what you want. Decision is yours.

have fun, I'm sure you do