traveldk.com

This winding stream of clear turquoise water allows you to swim and snorkel all the way through the park and the Mayan village to the beach, via rocky canyons, pools, and caverns lit by shafts of daylight.

Xcaret has two pools by the beach where visitors can swim with friendly dolphins. It’s an extremely popular activity, and only a few people are allowed into the pools each day, so pre-book or try to reserve a slot as soon as you arrive at the park.

A fabulous guided walk – not swim – right along the seabed, using weights to keep you from floating upwards and simple breathing apparatus. You don’t need to be a great swimmer to enjoy this, and on the way you see all kinds of wonderful sea life from below.

Fine places for easy swimming. La Caleta (“the Inlet”) was the main harbor of Mayan Polé and is now a favorite snorkeling spot, with coral and tropical fish just below the surface. The Blue Lagoon is a big, ultra-relaxing clearwater pool behind the beach, with islands of thick vegetation inviting exploration.

Reached via atmospheric passageways, the village endeavors to represent some of the life of the ancient Mayan world. This includes a reconstruction of a Mayan ball court, where a modern interpretation of the mysterious, long-lost ball game (see The Ball Game) is played each afternoon. There’s also a well-presented museum by the park entrance.

Ball Court

One of the most spectacular parts of Xcaret, the mariposario is the largest butterfly garden in the world, part-hidden in a steep ravine beneath a giant net of a roof. Bursting with all manner of exuberant tropical flowers and vegetation, the garden is alive with an astonishing variety of colorful butterflies. Mornings are best.

Animal attractions are spread all around the park. Among the birds on view – all native to the Yucatán – are toucans, cute aracaris or “little toucans,” bright green parrots, and very rare birds like the quetzal, whose spectacular tail feathers were once used in the headdresses of Mayan lords. Animals include spider monkeys, bats, and pumas.

Near La Caleta, you can see different kinds of sea turtles – hawksbills, loggerheads, and leather-backs – in every stage of life, from newborns to grumpy-faced ancients with beautiful shells over 1 m (3 ft) long. The pools are part of a repopulation program to preserve this endangered species.

A well-signposted trail helps you explore many other parts of the park, through lush natural forest and passing further attractions, such as beehives, animal enclosures, a mushroom farm, and a wonderful greenhouse with more than 100 magnificent varieties of rare orchid. You can also explore a longer, guided trail on horseback.

Presented nightly, this is a spectacular mix of entertainment spread around the village and theater. It begins with a charrería , or Mexican rodeo, and goes on through “ancient Mayan” rituals to mariachis and vibrant performances of folk music and dances from all over Mexico.