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

In the Mayan language, "Xel-Ha" means "water entrance". Indeed, this part of the coastline is characterised 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 nowadays it is a somewhat peculiar amusement park.

The clean waters, cenotes and underground rivers are the perfect setting for a range of outdoor activities: zip lines, jungle walks, rope play and much more. It's not exactly one of Cancun's attractions, as it's a few kilometres to the south, but it's a must on every Riviera Maya holiday.

An all-inclusive ticket costs approximately 90 €. For children, the entrance fee is reduced to around €45. Although this may seem a lot, bear in mind that this amount includes a few extras:

• Open buffet with both international and Mexican food.
• Open bar
• Access to bathrooms and changing rooms
• Life jacket
• Bicycle rental
• Snorkelling tube
• Luggage room

In any case, this is the price of the "simple" ticket, but the park also offers a number of other possibilities. You can find 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 of the options below guarantee free admission for children under 4 years old.

Xel-Ha 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:

• Snorkelling in rivers and cenotes
• Jungle walks
• Ziplines
• Lighthouse climbing
• 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 lifejacket and snorkelling equipment.

You don't have to worry about meals either: you are entitled to a continental breakfast (from 9.30am to 11.30am), an open bar with soft drinks and a buffet lunch (from 11.30am to 5.30pm).

Xel-Ha Total

This pack is the enhanced version of the "All Inclusive" formula. It includes all of the above plus an activity in the Riviera Maya. The cost is around 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 sports boat. The maximum capacity is 35 people and the opening hours are from 11:00 to 14:30.
• Snuba Caleta, snorkelling with an individual air tank. You will also be given a mask, fins and a weight belt. There is a lot of life in these waters, such as manta rays, barracudas, marlin, schools of moon snapper and more species. It lasts 1 hour and is available from 10:00 to 16:00.

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

Xel-Ha - Tulum

Are you only 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 of about 12 hours, but 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 Mayans, it was a very important trading port and the buildings still standing show its former splendour.

Your guide will explain the history of the Temple of the Descending God, the palace and the other attractions. The Tulum stage 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 Coba, an ancient Mayan city that became the most important in the north of the Yucatan.

Its power was linked to its privileged position and the immense agricultural areas that surrounded it. Eventually, 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 at 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 for Xel-Ha Park are included in two tourist passes:

• Go City. There are two options - All Inclusive and Explorer - and both include entry to this splendid natural park. Altogether, it includes about 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 in Cancun for a week (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 people 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 holiday; children have a dedicated area: Kids' 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:

• Unlimitedsnorkelling
• Trepachanga, a rope net that you will have to use to cross a river. Fun is guaranteed
• Floating bridge, connecting the cove with the sea.
• Pink Snail Sanctuary. The Lobatus gigas or pink snail is an endangered mollusc. The Caribbean is its natural habitat, yet it has disappeared from many coastlines. Xel-Há Park is carrying out an environmental education programme for its conservation.
• Flight of the Chuck Kay. Grab a rope, throw yourself off and feel like Tarzan. You'll fall into the turquoise waters of a river.
• Cenotes, water reservoirs 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 excursions to Chichen Itza.
• Salpichanga, zip lines that end in the water. Pure adrenaline
• Bay of Caprichos
• 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-Há 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 journey. Travelling there without a ticket exposes you to the double risk of being sold out or having to wait in line for a long time.

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

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

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

Yes, as long as the 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 point: 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-Há 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 the tropical waters of half the world. It is indigo blue in colour and feeds mainly on plankton. The character Dori ("Nemo" movie) is a surgeonfish.
• Sergeant Major: you will recognise 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 thick grey 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, helping to maintain the well-being of this habitat. They are characterised by bright colours all over their bodies.
• Pink snail: also known as the botuto or shovel snail. Mexico has included it among the protected species, as it is fished for its meat and for the beauty of its shell. It lives throughout the Caribbean, especially on 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 snorkelling 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 offering a typical Mexican buffet. Open from 11:00 to 17:00, the speciality is cochinita pibil (shredded pork marinated in achiote).
• La Terraza, specialising in fast food. The opening hours are slightly different: from 11:30 to 17:00. I recommend ordering a hamburger
• Xula Vista, famous for its splendid views over the water and delicious coriander fish. Lunches are served from 11:30 to 17:30. You can also have breakfast from 9:30am to 11:30am.
• Jardín Corona, known for its juicy ribs. Serves (mostly) grilled meats from 11:30 to 17:00.

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.