Xplor vs Xcaret

They sit across the highway from each other, are run by the same company and both have underground rivers, so the question comes up in every Riviera Maya itinerary. The short answer: Xplor is for adrenaline, Xcaret is for culture, animals and shows.

Side by side

Which one should you choose?

Pick Xplor if you want your heart rate up: 14 ziplines, driving amphibious vehicles through caves, swimming underground. It suits teens, couples and active families, and because food is included, the price is close to the total cost of the day. Pick Xcaret for young children, older travelers or anyone who wants to float, snorkel, see jaguars, flamingos and a Maya village, and stay for the evening show of Mexican music and dance. Its basic ticket looks cheaper, but lunch is extra. If price is the deciding factor, Xplor is usually the better value for a full day of activity; Xcaret gives you a longer day.

Is Xplor part of Xcaret?

Both belong to Grupo Xcaret, but they are separate parks with separate tickets: an Xcaret ticket does not get you into Xplor. Doing both? Buy the official multi-park packages, which include a discount, or book two separate days. Doing both on the same day is not realistic, since both parks fill a whole day. Official packages also combine Xcaret with an evening at Xplor Fuego.

Why are these parks so expensive?

Both are large, fully staffed parks with food, gear and safety teams included, and prices are set in dollars for international visitors. Early-booking discounts of 10 to 15 percent on the official site, and free cancellation on Viator, are the two tools that make them more manageable; see Xplor prices for the details.