In 1984, architect Miguel Quintana Pali purchased 12 acres in the Mayan Riviera, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo where he was going to build his house. However, when he started to clean the land he discovered natural sinkholes known as cenotes and beautiful underground rivers. He then decided to create a park where everybody could access the natural wonders of the region. Along with Oscar, Marcos and Carlos Constandse, Miguel Quintana Pali brought to life Xcaret Park.
Xcaret was opened in December 1990 as an eco-archeological park where visitors from all over the world can enjoy the splendor of Mexico’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. Due to its great success the park has been preserved with an environmental management system.
Today the use of sun tan lotions is controlled by offering visitors over 250 samples of eco-friendly sun block lotion every day. More than 108 gallons of water are daily reused for irrigation throughout the park and each month Xcaret produces 160 tons of compost which is used to fertilize green areas and the plant nursery.
Xcaret is also dedicated to promote marine turtle conservation of two species that arrives every year to Quintana Roo’s coastline to nest: loggerhead and green sea turtle. To know more about their migratory routes turtles travel through their life cycle, Xcaret uses an auto grafting technique in some hatchlings so they can be identified when they return to nest.
During the months of May and November Xcaret carries out two grand events to strengthen the cultural identity of Quintana Roo’s communities: The Sacred Mayan Journey and The Death and Life Traditions Festival. For consecutive years, Xcaret has been named a Socially Responsible Company by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy.
“Xcaret is a corner in Mexico that touches the soul of thousands of people. This inspires us to work day by day with passion, pride and responsibility. The strategic priorities of the park will continue to be based upon issues related to our country’s natural resources, people and culture. And it will go on this way.” Arq. Miguel Quintana Pali (Social, Cultural and Environmental Balance, 2008).
Snorkel in Xcaret Park’s Underground Rivers
The underground rivers that run through this amazing theme park in Mexico are breathtaking natural wonders where you can swim and snorkel in Xcaret during your Riviera Maya vacation. Normally you need to be an expert diver to undergo these cave challenges, although at Xcaret ecological park you only need a life vest to experience this mysterious underwater world.
Xcaret’s underground rivers are part of a large cave system that forms deep under the surface of the Yucatan peninsula. Snorkel in caves and swim along unique rock formations and marine fossils at Xcaret Park Mexico. The underground rivers at Xcaret are 5 feet deep and they feature exits where you can stop and relax with the warm sun rays. This is one of the top things to do in Cancun during your family vacation in Riviera Maya.
Both Xcaret tickets and Xcaret tours include access to the underground rivers, and you will be provided with a life vest and the use of personal bags for the transportation of your belongings to the river exit. It’s important to know how to swim to enjoy Xcaret’s underground rivers.
Paradise River
Paradise River has become a favorite option for those who want to experience the underground rivers at Xcaret eco theme park without getting wet. The abundant flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula will amaze you while you cruise down the river waters on one of our special rafts.
Xcaret Coral Reef Aquarium, be amazed under the sea
Explore the fascinating coral reef surrounded by a rainbow of tropical fish, hard and soft coral, anemones, sponges, star fish and crustaceans, among many other marine creatures that inhabit the Coral Reef Aquarium in Xcaret.
The Coral Reef Aquarium at Xcaret, the only one of its kind will transport you to the depths of the Caribbean Sea. It exhibits the biodiversity of the ocean’s underwater gardens, with different ecosystems thriving at distinct depths.
Very few aquariums in the world have been able to exhibit long-term healthy samples of these delicate and complex ecosystems. More than 500 corals have been planted successfully at Xcaret’s Coral Reef Aquarium on the artificial reef structures, thanks, in part, to the unfiltered sea water continuous pumping system that allows free flow of plankton directly into the exhibit tanks, along with sponge larvae, corals and mollusks that start natural colonization processes.
Interactive exhibits will allow you to touch some of these wonderful species that inhabit the coral reef in Riviera Maya. The marine exhibit at the Coral Reef Aquarium at Xcaret includes more than 5,000 living organisms including tropical fish such as surgeons, butterfly and angel fish, as well as sea horses, urchins, anemones, crabs, lobsters, nursery sharks and rays.
Archaelogical sites and Mayan culture in Xcaret
Xcaret which means in Maya language “little inlet”, used to be an ancient port that functioned as a very important trade route. Xcaret port city was initially called by the Mayan civilization as Ppole.
Xcaret rose to the height of its power in the late Post Classic Period (1400-1517 AD) of the Mayan culture. Archaeologists tell us that Xcaret was also a major ceremonial center, where Maya from all over the Yucatan peninsula would go to purify both body and soul in the baths located in the city’s sacred wells before sailing for Cozumel Island, a sanctuary for the Moon goddess, Ixchel.
Ppole was strategically situated in one of the main maritime routes of the Maya which extended from the Yucatan Peninsula coastline south Belize and Honduras, and featured temples and monumental structures which can be admired today at Xcaret’s archaeological sites. The inlet was a natural safe harbor for large canoes sailed by brave oarsmen who transported over 40 passengers and heavy loads. Xcaret was also a very important site where feathers, gold, jade, honey and cotton cloth were traded.
Ppole was also the first place where the Itzaes landed to invade the rest of the Mayan world, finally settling at Chichen Itza in 918 AD. Some of the ancient Mayan vestiges of Xcaret feature 500 residential structures and over 60 temples which are scattered throughout the surrounding jungle, which remain as living testimonies in stone of Ppole’s past glory. Learn more about Mayan culture at Xcaret’s archaeological sites.
Vino de México Wine Cellar, house of Mexican wine
Discover the culture and history of Mexican wine framed by a unique and extraordinary place: our spectacular underground Vino de México Wine Cellar at Xcaret.
Learn about artisanal wines and even about the most traditional wine-producing companies in Mexico, through a unique and incomparable exhibition that brings together passion and senses.
The Vino de México Wine Cellar was firmly created to promote the culture and history of Mexican wine. Here, more than 413 years of history – from the first wine-producing company in Mexico to the oldest in America – are collected.
In this majestic site you’ll find over 157 Mexican wine labels, with unique and peculiar characteristics according to their place of origin, and you’ll also admire our great production and tasting items collection at our Vino de México Wine Cellar at Xcaret.
In this Mexican wine embassy, our expert Sommelier takes you to a wonderful trip and provides you with the best tips to have these delicious wines tickling your senses.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience our unique Cava: Mexican Wine Tasting at Xcaret (enjoy activity for additional cost).
Marine Turtles Area in Xcaret, a cycle of life
As contemporaries of dinosaurs, turtles have a long and exciting story to tell. A story that mostly takes place in Mexico where six out of seven marine turtles that exist in the world visit the Mexican coastline during nesting season and four of them visit Quintana Roo.
Unfortunately, human activity is linked to the drastic reduction in the population of marine turtles in Mexico and worldwide. Sea turtles have complex life cycles and they have come so far throughout history by evolving, that they have also become an extremely fragile species.
Xcaret carries out a Marine Turtle Conservation Program in Riviera Maya that includes rescue, rehabilitation, marking and release operations. Sea turtles in Xcaret that are protected under this program arrive from Xcacel beach, one of the most important nesting areas for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and loggerheads (Caretta caretta).
Come and visit our unique exhibition of Sea Turtles at Xcaret that allows you to get close to these fabulous creatures of the sea and learn more about the major problem that is affecting sea turtle populations.
Xcaret promotes environmentally friendly practices that are making a difference in the world. Visit Xcaret’s Marine Turtles Area located just steps away from the Coral Reef Aquarium and join us in our efforts for sea turtle conservation in Riviera Maya, Mexico and worldwide.
Flamingos in Xcaret, conservation program
At Xcaret Park we have a special program to protect flamingos in Mexico (Phoenicopterus ruber) which is renowned for its extraordinary breeding success in the park’s facilities.
Flamingos in Mexico are very social birds that live in large communities, allowing them to take care of each other and protect themselves from the dangers of the environment.
Inside the reproduction area at Xcaret eco theme park, flamingos engage in loud mating rituals and build their nests within a natural environment provided for their comfort. Since the beginning of the breeding program we have had 72 births out of a population of approximately 118 adult flamingos.
Their gleaming pink bodies, long and curved beaks, small heads, long legs and pronounced necks make them one of the most interesting and amazing creatures in Xcaret Park Cancun. Come and enjoy the impressive ritualized flamingo displays of Caribbean flamingos in Xcaret.
Flamingos are migratory birds and a vulnerable species in Quintana Roo. Each year they travel long distances to make their nests and have their babies in one of the most important nesting zones of flamingos in Mexico located at Río Lagartos in the Yucatan peninsula.
Admire the bright color, amazing postures and the loud noises of the flamingos at Xcaret.
For more information or to book a visit contact your hotel Concierge or visit www.Xcaret.com
