ACTIVITIES IN XCARET PARK
Mayan Village
The Mayan Village offers an opportunity to travel back in time. Although the center of ancient cities were lined with palaces and temples, the common people lived in the outskirts in houses built of wood and chord (metal was not yet discovered) whose elliptical shape kept their interior fresh all year round. Their roofs (palapa) were thatched with palm fronds, which must be cut by the light of the full moon so the sap reaches the tip of the frond making the roof waterproof for up to 20-25 years. Beside each house, the Mayans planted vegetables and aromatic herbs in raised plots to protect them from small herbivorous creatures.
Aquarium
In XCARET’s aquarium, you’ll be able to appreciate even the smallest details of beautiful coral reefs, one of the planet’s richest ecosystems. Every effort has been made to reproduce the natural habitat of reefs and the atmosphere of these delicate ecological areas. Our tanks are fed by seawater, which flows directly and freely from the ocean, bringing with it a variety of marine organisms.
Dolphins
Our visitors interact with the dolphin’s world by listening to an audiocassette about the physical and behavioral characteristics of the bottlenose dolphin. After swimming with them and realizing how strong and powerful they are, the dolphins use their rostrums to “foot-push” them. In the last activity, the visitors get a thrill as the dolphins propel themselves over the spectators. (Swimming with the dolphins is available, and at an additional cost).
Turtles
Get a close-up look at three of the seven species found in Mexico (green turtles, loggerhead and kemp turtles). You’ll have the opportunity to see turtles at every stage of their lives, from tiny newborns to full-grown adults swimming around in our natural tanks. Since 1996, Xcaret has actively participated in their protection and preservation through research coordinated with government institutions, as well as national and international investigation centers.
Lagoons (cenotes)
Between the jungle and the beach lies a peaceful lagoon dotted with small islands that are home to several species of birds. The lagoon’s channels, caves, and coves are unparalleled for exploring translucent waters full of multi-colored fish.
Orchid Farm
Located in the heart of the Botanical Garden, the orchid farm not only allows you to admire famously beautiful orchids, but also learn about their cultivation process. In our laboratory, you can see the various steps of orchid development from a seed developed in vitro, to just before it is transplanted to the greenhouse. Currently, we have succeeded in growing 89 of the 105 orchid species indigenous to the region.
Butterflies
The Butterfly Pavilion in XCARET is considered one of the largest in the world, as well as the only one of its kind as it is self-sufficient in the reproduction of butterflies. Our goal is to repopulate the area with endangered local species and work on the propagation of the plants needed to guarantee their survival.
Wild Bird Aviary
The Wild Bird Breeding Aviary is located behind the museum and displays a great number of birds mostly from the southeastern region of Mexico, many of which are in danger of extinction. Xcaret is home to more than 44 species, among the visitor favorites are macaws, toucans and flamingos.