Xcaret, Playa del Carmen

This is not so much a "theme park" as I would say a nature preserve. Lots of bizarre animals in natural settings, not caged, but contained. Creatively.

For $80US in 1999 I swam with dolphins. This is not Hawaii where you have goggles and you tell them to do tricks and watch them underwater, this is 3 dolphins to every human, 20 minutes just hanging out in the pool with them, surrounded ! Touching them, kissing them, talking to them, whatever you like. Plus!!! You line up and they all jump over you...AND at the end of your little visit, you lay on your stomach with your arms in the air and all of the sudden, there are 2 noses tickling the arches of your feet. Then, off you go, at dolphin speed, flying through the air (well, half air, half water) like Superman! A fabulous end to a fabulous visit with some fabulous creatures.

They have GREAT "froofy" drinks at the cabana bar and surprisingly bountiful snorkeling as well. There are hammocks along the ocean to relax in when you need a break, a natural underwater lazy river and..... well, I could keep going, but you wouldn't have any surprises, so, GO. Enjoy.

This is not so much a "theme park" I would say as it is a nature preserve. Lots of bizarre animals in natural settings, not caged, but contained. Creatively.

For $80US in 1999 I swam with dolphins. This is not Hawaii where you have goggles and you tell them to do tricks and watch underwater, this is 3 dolphins to every human, 20 minutes just hanging out in the pool with them, surrounded ! Touching them, kissing them, talking to them, whatever you like. Plus!!! You line up and they all jump over you...AND at the end of your little visit, you lay on your stomach with your arms in the air and all of the sudden, there are 2 noses tickling the arches of your feet. Then, off you go, at dolphin speed, flying through the air (well, half air, half water) like Superman! A fabulous end to a fabulous visit with some fabulous creatures.

They have GREAT "froofy" drinks at the cabana bar and surprisingly bountiful snorkeling as well.

There are hammocks along the ocean to relax in when you need a break, and..... well, I could keep going, but you wouldn't have any surprises, so, go. Enjoy.

Xcaret is an amazing place. About 50 dollars to get in there, so plan to spend all day.
You want to get an idea of the ruins in the Yucatan? They have models.
See a Mayan village? You're in the right place.
Want to swim with the dolfins? You can do that too (for an added fee).
Float down an underground river? Yup, it's there. (bring your swimsuit)
See Rays, turtles, an aquarium? They have it.
They breed the green and white turtles which are indiginus to the area. They have hundreds!
Just want to lay in a hammock? Ok!
Check out how pink Flaminco's are in real life? You will see them in all their glory! Jaguars, makaw parrots....
there is also a wonderful nighttime show which is included in the price. It features the history of the area in music, dance and most impressively, Mayan games! It's probably too long for your kids (if you have them) and it even got a bit long for me. But be sure to check it out, at LEAST for the first half, when you will be amazed by the games played on the Mayan ball courts. You will see Fire Hockey. Which is exactly what it sounds like. The "puck" is on fire. They dim the lights for that. Really, even if you don't stay for the whole show, see the first half.

The Mexican restaurant is great and the prices very reasonable.