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| Mainland Adventures |
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Xcaret Park |
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Xcaret Beach - The white sandy beach offers comfortable lounge chairs and shade
of the thatched shelters (palapas) as well as a bar and snack service.
Xcaret Lagoon - Between the beach and the jungle lies a lagoon with small islands. The lagoon's channel, caves and cones make for enjoyable snorkeling. On the banks of the lagoon you can explore the jungle or relax in a comfortable hammock.
Wading Pools - Five wading pools are located by the beach and are built in
such a way that the sea fills them and moves the water around like natural jacuzzis. |
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Underground River - The gentle current along this 1,590 foot underground waterway
allows you to drift peacefully through the crystalline waters. Ticket includes
use of life jacket and a pad lock bag for your personal belongings which are
delivered to you at the end of the river.
Maya Village River - Seize the opportunity to swim through these calm waters
which are surrounded by lush vegetation and limestone caves encrusted with fossils.
After passing a beautiful waterfall, the river's current gently takes you past
the Maya village.
Snorkel/Scuba Diving Trips - Open sea enthusiasts can hire boat captains to the nearby coral reefs. Just offshore is one the the best advanced dives known as Xcaret Caves or Barracuda Reef. The sunken ship "Mama Vina" also offers experienced divers an exceptional dive site. Dolphinarium - Xcaret offers the opportunity to interact with these intelligent creatures. Tickets are limited and reservations are recommended immediately upon arrival at the park. This activity is not included in the price of your entrance fee.
Jaguar and Cougar Islands - Above the waterfall, you can watch the jaguars and
pumas bath in their own lagoon or peacefully doze in the leafy trees. Xcaret's in-capitivity
breeding program has had magnificent results for these endangered species. |
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Archeological Sites - The site includes 60 structures which are comprised of 8 groups of buildings: the Inlet, the Platforms, the Temple, the Cliff, the Wall and various groups. They are mainly from the Post Classic period (1400-1517) when the Spanish arrived in Mexico. In pre-historic times the area was known as the ancient Maya port of Pole, an important commercial center for the sailor with coastal trade routes as far south as Honduras. |
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Exhibits - Museum, Wild Breeding Aviary, Flamingos, Traditional Mexican Ranch,
Botanical Garden, Nursery and Chicle (gum) Camp, Orchid Farm, Mushroom Farm, Coral
Reef Aquarium, Sea Turtles, Crocodiles, Bat Cave, Butterfly Pavilion, Mammal Islands,
and the Papantla Flyers.
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Xcaret at Night - The sound of mariachis begin this fiesta, followed by a parade of charros and adelitas (horsewomen) performing amazing equestrian feats. The ancient Maya journey begins through underground passageways and visiting the Maya Village. The village comes alive with a performance of the New Fire Ceremony. In the jungle you'll hear the rhythm of pre-Hispanic drums and see the pyramids by candelight with ceremonies that evoke the ancient gods. Soon you'll walk by the deep cenotes to watch one of the most beautiful folkloric shows by open-air in the hand-carved theater.
Located 7 km (4.3 miles) south of Akumal on Highway 307 or |
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Sian Ka'an, "where the sky is born", is a 1.3 million acre reserve of internationally
protected land which has freshwater and coastal lagoons, mangrove swamps, watery cays,
savannahs, tropical forests, and a barrier reef. Hundreds of species of local and
migratory birds, marine fish, other animals and around 1,000 local Maya residents share
this area. The local population with the help of local scientists make a living through
fishing, lobster harvests, and some farming. It also receives support from low-impact
tourism, biological research and development programs. The main goal of the reserve
is maintaining and preserving the ecological diversity of these areas while educating
the local people.
There are approximately 27 ruins (none excavated) linked by a unique canal system. Guided
tours by a non-profit Amigos de Sian Ka'an organization is highly recommended, located in
Cancun, (98-84-95-83).
Located 6 km (3.7 miles) south of Tulum on Boca Paila Road.
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Xel-Ha
Xel-Ha, "where water is born", has a river which forms a natural spring that flows out to meet the saltwater. This natural aquarium made from coves, inlets, and lagoons cut out of a limestone shoreline creates a natural habitat for tropical marine life. The park has a few scattered Maya ruins including Na Balaam, known for a yellow jaguar painted on one of its walls. Along the trails are wooden bridges and spots to rest and swim. You can swim far out or explore one the underwater caves or cenotes deep in the jungle. The park has a souvenir shop, food stands, and a small museum. Bring your towel and snorkel gear.
Located 12.9 km (8 miles) south of Akumal |
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Xel-Ha Archeological Site - Structures are believed to be from the Late
Pre-Classic until the late Post-Classic period. Don't miss the Maya sacbe (road)
and mural paintings in the Jaguar House near a tranquil deep cenote at the north
end of the ruins.
Located across the road from Xel-Ha. See map. |
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Perched on a cliff 40 ft. above the Caribbean Sea, Tulum is the largest fortified Maya site on the Quintana Roo coast. Built in the 10th century, Tulum functioned as a seaport and is the only Maya city known to have been inhabited when the conquistadors arrived. Writings of Diego de Landa, the third bishop of Yucatan, reveal that the city was inhabited by about 600 people who supervised the trade traffic from Honduras to the Yucatan. Though the site is enclosed by a sturdy stone wall, 10 to 17 ft. high and about 6 ft. thick, most of the inhabitants probably lived outside the walls, leaving the interior for the priestly hierarchy and religious ceremonies.
Tulum, meaning "wall" in Maya, is entered through a low limestone gateway in a crumbling 3,600 ft. wall which wraps around the site's 60-acre grass fields. Within its confines, 60 well-preserved structures reveal an impressive history. The first significant structure is the two story Temple of Frescoes. With its vaulted roof and corbeled arch, it exemplifies the Classic Maya architecture. 13th century wall paintings inside the temple represent the rain god, Chaac and Ixchel, the goddess of fertility. If you stand a slight distance from the building you will see the eyes, nose, mouth and chin of the rain god in the cornice of this temple. Faint traces of blue-green frescoes outlined in black on the inner and outer walls refer to ancient Maya beliefs. The frescoes depict the three worlds of the Maya and their major deities, and are decorated with stellar and serpentine patterns, rosettes, and ears of maize and other offerings to the gods. Notice the remains of red painted stucco on this building and imagine that at one time all the buildings were painted bright red. |
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El Castillo (castle) is the site's most impressive structure. It looms at the edge of a 40 ft. limestone cliff with a most dramatic view of the blue-green Caribbean Sea. Atop the castle, at the end of a broad stairway sits a temple with stucco ornamentation on the outside and traces of fine frescoes inside the two chambers. The front wall of Castillo has faint drawings of the Descending God and columns depicting the plumed serpent, Kukulcan, who was introduced to the Maya by the Toltecs. To the left of the Castillo is the Temple of the Descending God. The carving of a winged God plummeting to the earth over the doorway is the same deity seen in stucco masks in the corners, and is thought either to be the bee god or the diving god. |
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Tulum Center houses a restaurant, restrooms, museum, bookstore and ticket office for
the Inter-Playa bus which brings visitors from Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
At the entrance you can catch a shuttle to the ruins or take a 10 minute walk. Hiring
a guide from the Licensed Guide Organization is another option.
Located 7 km (4.3 miles) south of Akumal on highway 307 (80 miles south of Cancun). See
map.
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