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Xcaret question

M

melody

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We will be at GM Riviera Maya next week. I read a lot posts recommending Xcaret. I went to their web site, saw a line of fine print saying that you need to purchase tickets three day prior your visit. Is that true?
Another question about the park. Do you have to purchase the snorkeling tour in order to snorkel, can we just rent the equipment and do it on our own?
 
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We went to XCaret in February. We got a package deal from our resort - I think it was $129. which covered the snorkeling gear/towel/locker/lunch buffet and some tickets for free softdrinks/snacks. Well worth every penny, it was wonderful. We snorkeled in the underground river, and then went out to the lagoon which was very interesting. If you go - stay for the nighttime show, it was fantastic!!
 
We just returned and no, you wouldn't need to purchase ahead of time. Our day ticket was $59. The two day was $89. That didn't include the night time show which I understand is well worth the price. You can snorkel without purchasing their equipment; however, the caveat is you have to have a vest to go to the underground river...we had our own snorkeling gear and so went snorkeling in the lagoon area over by the dolphins. Also ate at the restaurant there which was nice. Study the map before heading off to things though...we did lots and lots of extra walking that wasn't necessary. Have fun!
 
Just noticed your question more carefully..no you don't have to purchase the snorkeling tour...just need the vest on as I mentioned to go to the underground river.
 
Thank you for the info. wammie 53, Where did you get the vest from? Do they provide them, or you need to have your own?
 
I have been twice and stioll have not seen everything there...lots of fun.
 
As someone mentioned def study the map. We also did way too much extra walking. Don't make the mistake we did. My littlest daughter go scared 1/2 thru the underground river. My older daughter went the rest of the way with another adult who was with us. I got out with the little one and had to walk to the end of the river - carrying her snoreling stuff and mine = without shoes.

Enjoy Xcaret. There is so much to see.
 
We are also going to be at Grand Myan soon (Nov 10th for us).
About the underground river, when you are snorkeling thru there what do you see (ie are there fish there also or is it the formations that are interesting?)
Also, in the lagoon are there a lot of fish to see?
We are trying to sort out our snorkeling options. We have our own snokeling equip. but would have to rent the vest for the river I guess. I have looked at a snorkeling trip out of Cozumel that goes to 2 reefs out there.
Anyone know if any of the trips from Cozumel or from Pueoto Moreles are beginner friendly. I feel relatively comfortable but my wife would like to go with someone that sort of takes care of you well. We went in the Bahamas and took a trip where they took you right to a pretty shallow reef and had one of the guys from the boat in the water with the group.
Anyway didn't mean to hijack this thread but also had the question about the underground river at Xcaret.
thanks
 
The under ground river is a change of pace but not much fish there.The lagoons however were loaded with fish.
 
The underground river is kind of a caving experience. I tend to be claustrophobic and it was not a problem because there were plenty of lights, exits relatively frequently, and I could see other people ahead of me so I wasn't going into the unknown. However my 10 y/o daughter felt claustrophobic and had to exit after a little while.
 
http://www.xel-ha.com/?gclid=CLnZ9674ro8CFTaoGgodXA7gSA

A lot of people go to Xel Ha to just snorkel. We visited Xcaret because there was more to do. There are no fish to view in the cave. Water is really cold but I went with DH and after much protest about swimming in really cold water and had a lot of fun. There is also a lazy river tha you can float down. We rented the vests and snorkel gear. It's very long but there are exit points along the way and a few guards to assist you.
There are dolphins, snorkel area with BOB Snuba rentals, a small beach area with changing stations, tropical birds, a lookout rotating tower, the Folkloric and the Mayan show. It is worth seeing,plan on a full day. We took a tour that picked us up at the Royal resorts. It costs extra to rent the snuba or snorkel gear or swim with the dolphins. There are a few places to eat including burgers.

If going on a tour the buses will leave without you if you are not there at the assigned time. Ours left 2 elderly ladies after waiting 15 minutes extra. I was amazed they left them. We were staying in Cancun not the Mayan Riveria area.
 
Regarding the vests: We didn't have ours so we did the snorkeling with our own gear in the lagoon. I'm not sure if you can just rent the vest or not. There were some people doing that underground helmet thing that looked neat in the lagoon. The snorkeling trip involved a boat taking you out to a reef but again we just snorkeled in the little lagoon with lots of fish. Previous notes about the river being more of a caving experience.

Regarding snorkeling question: There are some great reviews for tuggers with snorkeling places near Playa and also Cozumel. There are also great reviews about CENOTES(Riviera Maya) which are the underground caves on this site if you want to "search" that. Near Mayan Riviera is Puerto Muerolos which has a reef that was listed as much "cleaner" than Cozumel. It's only about 15 minutes away but we didn't get a chance to see it this time...also described on the tugger site...hope this helps.
 
wammie53 said:
Regarding the vests: We didn't have ours so we did the snorkeling with our own gear in the lagoon. I'm not sure if you can just rent the vest or not. There were some people doing that underground helmet thing that looked neat in the lagoon. The snorkeling trip involved a boat taking you out to a reef but again we just snorkeled in the little lagoon with lots of fish. Previous notes about the river being more of a caving experience.

Regarding snorkeling question: There are some great reviews for tuggers with snorkeling places near Playa and also Cozumel. There are also great reviews about CENOTES(Riviera Maya) which are the underground caves on this site if you want to "search" that. Near Mayan Riviera is Puerto Muerolos which has a reef that was listed as much "cleaner" than Cozumel. It's only about 15 minutes away but we didn't get a chance to see it this time...also described on the tugger site...hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Please excuse my ignorance, but are you saying we should bring life vests (coast guard approved) if we plan to use our own snorkel gear? We will be renting a car so that wouldn't really be a problem, but I'd hate to bring them in a suitcase if we don't need them. We will be at Grand Mayan the week b4 Xmas and plan to go to Xel Ha as well. Anyone else?
 
janapur said:
Please excuse my ignorance, but are you saying we should bring life vests (coast guard approved) if we plan to use our own snorkel gear? We will be renting a car so that wouldn't really be a problem, but I'd hate to bring them in a suitcase if we don't need them. We will be at Grand Mayan the week b4 Xmas and plan to go to Xel Ha as well. Anyone else?
Click to expand...

They provide mandatory life vests for free for the river swim.
 
wammie53 said:
Are the vests for "free" if you don't rent your snorkeling gear from XCaret?
Click to expand...

yes, and you don't need a mask and snorkel to enjoy the river float.

Also, they have tons of inner tubes to use on the beach for anyone.
 
Think we must have missed the "river float"....that must be different from the underground river where they required the vest. Is the "river float" over by the lagoon?....we did use the free large innertubes in the lagoon which was nice. Thanks for the info.
 
We don't have our own snorkeling gear. Should we buy them if we want to snorkel a few times when we are there? We live in NJ, don't know if we have chance to snorkel again. Do they sell them there if we decide to have our own?
 
wammie53 said:
Regarding snorkeling question: There are some great reviews for tuggers with snorkeling places near Playa and also Cozumel. There are also great reviews about CENOTES(Riviera Maya) which are the underground caves on this site if you want to "search" that. Near Mayan Riviera is Puerto Muerolos which has a reef that was listed as much "cleaner" than Cozumel. It's only about 15 minutes away but we didn't get a chance to see it this time...also described on the tugger site...hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I have looked at the reviews here of Mayan Palace and Grand Mayan but didn't find much on snorkeling Puerto Muerolos or Cozumel. Any idea what I should search on there. thanks again
 
Regarding snorkeling sites- I must have seen the reviews on RCI. Thought I'd go ahead and list the sites I compiled from the differing places:
AKUMAL BAY-Gradual sandy slope & no current-great for beginning snorkelers. Max. depth 12 feet.
HALF MOON BAY-Shallow rocky bottom, max depth 15ft, most doesn't exceed 6 ft, Great snorkeling! Access via La Lunita Restaurant in Hacienda de La Tortuga Condo's. Wear water shoes. Free snorkeling.
YAL KU LAGOON: Past half moon bay at the end of Akumal. Great snorkeling for all levels. No beach area, jump in from the rocky contour. Water averages 14 gt deep, but you can stand in most places. Snorkel toward the mouth of the lagoon to the right of the parking lot and see sting rays, sea turtles, shells in the sandy bottom. Inland, toward the entrance of the lagoon to the left of the parkng lot are plenty of bright colored tropical fish. Daily 8-6, entrance 60 pesos p/p.
PAAMUL: 16 miles south of PDC, closest beach to the hwy, easy walk from hwy stop. Crescent beach, calm water, great snorkeling. Beach club has the best cheladas!
XPU-HA: Between Puerto Aventuras & Akumal. Beach entry is just south of Puerto Aventuras, after Barcelo and before Robinson Club on the south end. XPU-HA Palace in on the north end, and the Copacabana is in the middle of the bay. An exquisitely beautiful beach!

b
CENOTES(Riviera Maya)-reprinted from a review
CHAC MOOL (Claw of the Jaquar)-22 km south of Playa del Carmen. Almost across from Puerto Aventuras. 2 cenotes. Large cavern zone with beautiful views of jungle from inside cavern. Open 10-5 daily.
PONDEROSA (El Eden)-3 km south of Puerto Aventuras. Exceptionally beautiful. Short walk on path takes you to Coral Cenote, which has a large island in the center of it. Open 10-5. Nice overhang with tree that can be scaled to jump into cenote. One of the most popular snorkeling sites. Wide variety of fish, eels, turtles. Fee: $5 US
CHIKIN HA(Points of Direction)-5 km south of Puerto Aventuras just before Xpu-Ha/Across from Barcelo Maya Hotel/H11 on Riviera Maya Map/Long way down bump road. Footpath through jungle will take you to some other cenotes.
KANTUN CHI-just past Cikin Ha Cenote/H11 on Riviera Maya Map 4 mostly half dome cenotes along a series of light jungle trails. Most remote one has ancient looking Mayan temple next to it. Not very inviting waters. Fee $10 US
AZUL-Just past Cristalino Cenote/Close to highway/H11 on Riviera Maya Map. In light jungle setting with more open air/sunlit than Kantun Chi, which creates more algae. Fee: 30 pesos
TAJ MAHAL-26 km south of Playa del Carmen/5 km south of Puerto Aventuras/just south of XPU-HA- 4 interconnected cenotes. Requires swimming 5m underwater under a rock wall to come into a large open cave that has light shining through from ceiing above. Fee: 40 pesos
DOS OJOS (Hidden Worlds) 48 kim south of Playa del Carment/3 dm south of Xel-Ha/on right 4 km down dirt road/H25 on Riviera Maya Map. Part of Nohoch Nah Chich cave system. Location of Filming for IMAX Journey into Amazing Caves documentary. Open 10-5. Superb snorkleing, very popular. Stalagtites & Stalagmites everywhere. Fee: $10 US
TEMPLE OF DOOM (Calaver/Skull)- 2 km from Tulum on road to Coba on right/Very rugged rocky unmarked jungle path approximately 50 yards from road.
GRAN(Sac Aktun/White Water)- 5 km from Tulum on road to Coba on right/V1 on Riviera Maya Map. Ladder steps lead to half moon shaped cenote decorated with small passages & openings. One of the most popular sites. Good for all ages. Shallow on one side/deep on other. Famous for brilliant speleothem decorations and crystal clear water. Open 10-5 daily. Fee-50 pesos. Hope this helps with your planning...
 
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