Xel-Há Park Cancun Tickets: how to buy and prices

In the Mayan language, "Xel-Há" means "water entrance". Indeed, this part of the coastline is characterized by a river that ends in a natural inlet that, in turn, communicates with the open sea. In the past it was an important commercial port, while today it is a somewhat peculiar amusement park.

The clean waters, cenotes and subway rivers are the perfect setting for a number of outdoor activities: zip lines, jungle rides, rope games and much more. It is not properly one of Cancun's attractions, as it is a few kilometers to the south, but it is a must on every Riviera Maya vacation.

A ticket with the "All Inclusive" formula has an approximate price of 90 €. In the case of children, the entrance fee is reduced to about 45 €. Although it may seem a lot, keep in mind that this amount includes a few extras:

• Open buffet with both international and Mexican food.
• Open bar
• Access to bathrooms and dressing rooms
• Life jacket
• Bicycle rental
• Snorkeling tube
• Luggage storage

In any case, this is the price of the "simple" entrance ticket, but the park also offers some other possibilities. Check all the information about tickets on the park's official website.

Like all self-respecting adventure parks, Xel-Ha also has different entrance tickets and packages. All the options below guarantee free admission for children under 4 years old.

Xel-Há All Inclusive

If you are staying 3 days in Cancun you should book this ticket without thinking twice. The price is around 90 € and includes all available activities:

• Snorkeling in rivers and cenotes
• Jungle walks
• Zip lines
• Climbing to the lighthouse
• River rafting
• Children's area "Mundo de los Niños" (Children's World)
• Bicycle rental
• Meliponarium
• Nursery
• Relaxation areas with hammocks

In addition, the price will entitle you to a locker, a towel, a vest and snorkeling equipment.

You don't have to worry about meals either: you are entitled to a continental breakfast (from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.), open bar of soft drinks and a buffet lunch (from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.).

Xel-Ha Total

This pack is the improved version of the "All Inclusive" formula. It includes everything mentioned above plus an activity in the Riviera Maya. The cost is about 150 € and you can choose between three options:

• Sea Trek, a real underwater tour. Thanks to a peculiar diving suit you will be able to walk on the bottom of the sea. It can be done from 10:00 to 16:30 and lasts about half an hour.
• Adrenaline, a marine race in a sport boat. The maximum capacity is 35 people and the schedule is from 11:00 to 14:30.
• Snuba Caleta, snorkeling with an individual air tank. You will also be given a mask, fins and a weight belt. In these waters there is a lot of life, such as manta rays, barracudas, needlefish, schools of moon snapper and more species. It lasts 1 hour and is available from 10:00 to 16:00.

If you are thinking about choosing the latter, maybe you should read the post about the best Snorkeling experiences in Cancun.

Xel-Ha - Tulum

Are you staying a few days in the Riviera Maya and want to make the most of it? Then you should take a look at this offer. It is a long excursion, about 12 hours, but it combines an archaeological visit with the entrance to the park.

In the morning you visit the ruins of Tulum, while in the afternoon you will enjoy the crystal clear waters of Xel-Ha (all inclusive).

Tulum was a fortified city overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Before the arrival of the Spanish and the subsequent decline of the Maya, it was a very important commercial port and the buildings that are still standing demonstrate its former splendor.

The guide will explain the history of the temple of the Descending God, the palace and the other attractions. The tour in Tulum usually lasts an hour and a half. The price of this package is around 130 €.

Xel-Ha - Coba

As in the previous option, but visiting another archaeological site. In this case you will see Cobá, an ancient Mayan city that became the most important in northern Yucatán.

Its power was linked to its privileged position and the immense agricultural areas that surrounded it. Finally, it came into conflict with Chichén Itzá, which won the war.

This package is priced at approximately 130 € and entitles you to an expert guide, bike rental in the ruins of Cobá and bottles of water throughout the visit. And don't forget that in the afternoon you will be able to enjoy the Xel-Ha park.

Yes, tickets to Xel-Ha Park are included in two tourist passes:

• Go City. There are two options - All Inclusive and Explorer - and both include entrance to this splendid natural park. Altogether, it includes some 40 attractions and activities and you can choose, at most, 10
• Cancun Pass, a card with discounts on more than 100 activities.

The added value of both is the convenience: everything is managed through an app and the instructions are very simple. If you're staying a week in Cancun (or more), I recommend getting one of them.

Not unless you are Mexican. Generally there are three types of discounted rates: one for citizens of the country, one for citizens of Quintana Roo and one for those over 60 years of age (INAPAM credentials are required).

Of course there are. The youngest members of the family pay less than adults. A children's ticket costs approximately 45 €. Xel-Ha is perfect for a family vacation; children have a dedicated area: Children's World.

This area has a playground with slides, climbing ropes, slides, tunnels and much more. For more information, I recommend you read the post about the 10 things to see and do in Cancun with kids.

Mangrove rivers, outdoor activities, scenic spots...Xel-Ha Park has a lot to offer. Here are all the attractions:

• Unlimitedsnorkeling
• Trepachanga, a rope net that you will have to use to cross a river. Fun is guaranteed
• Floating bridge, connects the cove with the sea.
• Pink Snail Sanctuary. The Lobatus gigas or pink snail is an endangered mollusk. The Caribbean is its natural habitat, yet it has disappeared from many coastlines. Xel-Ha Park is carrying out an environmental education program for its conservation.
• Flight of the Chuck Kay. Grab a rope, launch yourself and feel like Tarzan. You will fall into the turquoise waters of a river.
• Cenotes, water deposits located in geological depressions. Besides being beautiful, they have great environmental value. The Riviera Maya is known for these natural pools and one of the most famous is the Sacred Cenote of Chichen Itza. For more information, I recommend you to read the article about the excursions to Chichen Itza.
• Salpichanga, zip lines that end in the water. Pure adrenaline
• Caprichos Bay
• Nursery, where endemic plants are preserved. Inside this botanical garden you will also see a replica of a Mayan village.
• Faro Mirador, to enjoy incomparable views. The descent is done in a spiral-shaped slide.
• Descent of the Xel-Ha River by boat.
• Meliponario, a Mayan style beehive. It was a sacred animal and the honey was used in the most important rituals.
• Stone of Courage, to jump from the top of a rock.

Getting to Xel-Ha water park is a 2-hour trip. Traveling there without a ticket exposes you to a double risk: that they are sold out or that you will have to wait in line for a long time.

Generally speaking, you can book some activities on site, but not all of them. Xel-Ha and the Tulum and Zenote Ruins excursions should be purchased in advance.

Xel-Ha Park is not located in Cancun, but about 10 kilometers from the archaeological site of Tulum. The planned city is more than 100 kilometers away. To get to this splendid natural park you have several options:

• Rental car. Both in the city and at Cancun's international airport you will find the main agencies. As for the model, you don't need a specific one. In this area of the country the roads are in good condition. To reach your destination, just take Highway 307 and drive south. The trip takes about 2 hours
• By bus. The ADO company guarantees connections between the two locations. A round-trip ticket costs approximately 200 pesos ( a little more than 10 euros). The station is located at Pino Lote 1 and 2, Supermanzana 23. You can find all the information you need at the official website
• Cab. A comfortable but expensive option. A full ride can cost up to 2000 pesos (around 100 €). In any case, I recommend you to do two things: negotiate the price before departure and trust only authorized companies. You can ask for references at your hotel

Yes, as long as rainfall is moderate. It is true, cloudy skies and a thin layer of rain are not the classic Caribbean picture. However, a bad weather day can have a plus: there are fewer people. Keep in mind that rainfall tends to be more frequent in October and November.

If you don't feel like paying for such an experience, you can wait for the sun to shine on Cancun's best beaches. After a heavy downpour, the good weather returns to the Riviera Maya.

Alternatively, you can go shopping in the malls of the hotel zone or visit the Mayan Museum (Bulevar Kukulc, Km 16.5).

Xel-Ha is a park that cares for the environment. Numerous aquatic species live in its crystalline waters. Below I will tell you which are the main ones:

• Surgeonfish: a constant presence in tropical waters halfway around the world. It is indigo blue and feeds mainly on plankton. Dori's character ("Nemo" movie) is a surgeonfish.
• Sergeant Major: you will recognize it by its black stripes on a silver body with yellow shades. They live in coral reefs and move in large groups.
• Manatee: a large marine mammal with a rounded body and very thick gray skin. It feeds on plants so much that it has earned the nickname "sea cow". It is a gentle animal that is related to elephants.
• Parrotfish: the "gardeners of the reefs". Indeed, they feed on microalgae and small invertebrates, contributing to maintain the well-being of this habitat. It is characterized by bright colors all over its body.
• Pink snail: also known as botuto or shovel snail. Mexico has included it among the protected species, since it is fished for its meat and for the beauty of its shell. It lives throughout the Caribbean, especially in the large sandy bottoms covered with vegetation.
• Barracuda: a solitary and terrifying-looking fish.

Ofcourse there are. The park is very extensive and provides for a number of outdoor activities. After rafting down the river and snorkeling in the turquoise waters, I'm sure you'll get hungry. Luckily there are four restaurants inside the amusement park:

• La Cocina del Pueblo, a restaurant that proposes a typical Mexican buffet. It is open from 11:00 to 17:00 and the specialty is cochinita pibil (shredded pork marinated in achiote).
• La Terraza, specializing in fast food. The opening hours are slightly different: from 11:30 to 17:00. I recommend ordering a hamburger
• Xula Vista, famous for the splendid views over the waters and for the delicious cilantro fish. Lunches are served from 11:30 to 17:30. You can also have breakfast from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
• Jardín Corona, known for its juicy ribs. Serves (mostly) grilled meats from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Yes, although not everywhere. Xel-Há Park has free Wi-Fi access points. You can also connect in the bars and restaurants. The connection is usually faster in the restaurant areas.