Things to Do In Cancun & Riviera Maya : Eco & Adventure Parks
Looking for adventure packed days out around Cancun & The Riviera Maya? Read this article to discover the best Eco & Adventure Parks for you to splash, slide and glide through all day long.
MEXICO
There are many more things to do in Cancun and the Riviera Maya than just the stunning beaches. Take advantage of this opportunity to explore underground rivers, get a first-hand look at jungle animals, birds and insects, swim in freshwater cenotes and zip-line through the thick Yucatan jungle.
No matter if you’re a Riviera Maya rookie or a seasoned visitor to the area, the list of activities is constantly growing. The number of options for fun-filled things to do in this sun-soaked stretch of the Yucatan Peninsula are as plentiful as the iguanas that roam the region!
Here comes the best part: You won’t have to roam for days through the jungle or sacrifice your beach time to enjoy these activities. You can see and experience it all in a day at one place.
Pick your eco park and go! Here's our guide to the best Eco & Adventure Parks around Cancun and The Riviera Maya.
What is an Eco & Adventure Park? Imagine an theme park but in a natural environment. Riviera Maya Eco & Adventure Parks are located in the jungle near coastal vacation towns. Unlike typical theme parks, Eco & Adventure Parks are host to authentic Mayan ruins, tropical birds and diverse wildlife, million-year-old caves decorated with stalactite formations, and cool ways to explore these large areas. To make your Eco & Adventure Park experience even better, many of the larger Eco & Adventure Parks are all-inclusive, offering their thrill-seekers unlimited food and drinks, perfect for families.
Best Eco & Adventure Parks In Cancun & The Riviera Maya
1. Xcaret Park
Xcaret Waterpark is one of the most fun days out on the Riviera Maya, and it’s a must-do for any families visiting the area. This eco-water amusement park boasts more than 50 different natural and cultural activites to experience. If you stay at the Occidental at Xcaret Destination it's right next door and your package may include unlimited access to Xcaret Waterpark.
Getting There
If you have a rental car you can drive to Xcaret yourself, or if you prefer, this full-day tour including round trip transportation is a great option too! This tour can be reserved now and paid for later with 24 hours free cancellation.
Opening hours: 08.30-21.30 daily.
You can observe an immense variety of species in the Aviary, the Butterfly Pavilion, and the Coral Reef Aquarium, prepare to be dazzled by Mexico's iconic biodiversity.
Enjoy delicious typical cuisine and experience the colourful folklore through the Xcaret México Espectacular evening presentation, a performance with more than 300 artists.
There are many water-based activities like exploring an underground river and snorkelling, but there are also plenty of activities that don’t require you to get wet, like watching one of the incredible live performances or visiting the Mayan pyramids here!
Our top recommendation for Xcaret is to book the Xcaret Plus Service, which includes transport as well as free access to handy services like dressing rooms, lockers, and snorkelling equipment (deposit required).
Don't forget to allow time to look at your photographs before you leave and purchase memories of your exciting day!
Included Activities:
Underground River Float
Mayan Village
Cemetery with brightly colored mausoleums
Impressive chapel featuring an island altar surrounded by a crystalline cenote
Butterfly Pavilion
Coral Reef Aquarium
Mexican Charros, elaborately dressed horsemen and women
Voladores de Papantla, Mayan Flying Men
Jaguar Island
Human-sized birdcage with exotic birds
Children’s World Waterslides
Modest archaeological sites
Prehistoric ball game court
Wildlife viewing— sea turtles, flamingos, spider monkeys, tapirs, deer, and bats
Remarkable nightly cultural show
Inlets and lagoons for snorkeling
Hammocks and shaded rest areas
Seaside limestone swimming pools
Optional Activities:
Snuba, snorkeling diving combination around a reef with an expert diver
Adrenalina speed boat ride
Stingray Encounter
Xcaret Dinner Show
Seatrek, walk along the seafloor at a depth of 16 feet with a special helmet for underwater breathing
Temazcal, a Mesoamerican sweat lodge encounter
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2. Xplor Adventure Park
Another fun-filled day out on the Riviera Maya can be found at Xplor Adventure Park, which is a gigantic theme park that’s part of the famed Xcaret Brand. This was our family's favourite day trip.
Visiting Xplor is a must-do for adventure and excitement. At Xplor, you can zipline, drive an amphibious 4-wheel buggy, and join a rafting adventure through caves.
Getting there: Xplor Adventure Park is located about a 15 minute drive from Playa del Carmen and 45 minutes from Tulum. It is open from 09.00 to 17.00 every day except Sunday.
Yep, at this adrenalin-fuelled park, you can zipline on 14 different ziplines and across two circuits which cover a whopping 2.4 miles. Afterwards, why not go rafting through the caves here and see stalactites up close as you paddle along? Additionally, you can whizz through the jungle and even through a flooded cave on a speedy 4-wheel buggy! A day at Xplor is definitely not for the faint-hearted!
A ticket to Xplor costs approximately $145 USD, which we think is great value for money, seeing as it includes all of the above activities and lunch!
To ensure you’re not disappointed, you should book this all-inclusive Xplor package in advance. It costs approximately $145 USD and includes your entrance ticket, lunch, and lots of other bonus extras. If you wish, you could try out Xplor Fuego, which is a fun night experience!
Don't forget to allow time to look at your photographs before you leave and purchase memories of your exciting day!
Included Activities:
Two circuits with seven zip-lines each (2.4m total distance), including the tallest in Riviera Maya.
Amphibious vehicle driving through the jungle and flooded caves.
Underground Expedition. 800 yards of a fun cavernous adventure.
Paddling with special hand paddles along an underground river.
Stalactite River Swim inside ancient caves.
Hammock Splash.
Entrance to the Toboganxote.
Spelunking hike.
Unlimited snacks and non-alcoholic beverages (oatmeal cookies, fruit, smoothies, and flavored fresh waters).
Buffet lunch.
Locker for two.
Rest areas, dressing rooms and restrooms.
Xplor is not recommended for children under 5 years old. There are restrictions for height and weight on all activities for your safety.
3. Xel-Há Natural Water Park
Xel-Há is a natural water Eco & Adventure Park and is one of the top tourist attractions on the Riviera Maya! This place is perfect for families and thrill seekers alike.
If you’re a water baby, then this is the theme park for you!!
Xel-Há means ''where water is born'' and several underground rivers flow into the inlet at this natural wonder.
Getting there: Xel-Há is just a 19-minute drive from Tulum and 37 minutes from Playa del Carmen. We took a taxi giving us flexibility over our arrival and departure times. These ticket options include transport or why not bundle Xel-Há with another top attraction to attract a discount. These tickets are available to reserve now and pay later with free cancellation up to 24 hours beforehand.
Opening hours: 08.00-18.00 daily.
Xel-Há Archeological Ruins
Many tourists tend to overlook the Xel-Há Ruins in favor of more famous Mayan archeological sites like Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum, which is a shame because Xel-Há has some beautiful murals as well as a cenote located on the western end of the site.
Xel-Há was a Mayan city and an important port for the Mayan people and is believed to have been inhabited as far back as 100 B.C. As the years passed, the city grew into a major and important city with many temples, luxurious homes, and a closed plaza the ruins of which you can see here today!
Interestingly, back then, Xel-Ha was the gateway to Cozumel, which is where the Mayans hosted fertility ceremonies before they got married.
Conveniently, the Xel-Há ruins are located across from Xel-Há Park so you can easily add this to your itinerary.
You can enjoy fun water-based activities such as snorkelling, tubing down a lazy river, and cliff-jumping. And as for non-water-based activities, you can try out the thrilling zip lines and rope games! Are you brave enough to try the waterslides on the lighthouse?
Snorkelling is the main attraction here, with a huge natural inlet snorkelling area which is often described as swimming in an aquarium because there are over 90 different species of fish!!
In short, Xel-Há is the ultimate water-based playground for both adults and kids, and a couple of hours spent here makes for a super fun day out on the Riviera Maya!
We loved the Xel-Há All Inclusive package which included all of the main attractions and activities as well as buffet breakfast and lunch, snacks and unlimited drinks throughout the day, with children this is so convenient.
There are four buffet restaurants to enjoy and you can also refresh yourself in any one of the bars. Why not try one of the tropical drinks or special cocktails, non-alcolholic of course!
Xel-Há is a natural wonder that awaits you to enjoy a family day full of fun, appetizing food, and spectacular natural settings.
Included Activities:
Scenic Lighthouse with 30-meter spiral waterslides
Snorkeling in the inlet teeming with tropical marine life
Mangrove river float
Cliff of courage
Zip lines
Rope swings
Children’s World, wading pool, kids’ waterslides, swinging bridge jungle course, waterlilies, and playground
Ixchel Grotto, lagoon and cave
Cenotes
Jungle trail bike ride
Optional Activities:
Power Xnorkel, motorjet snorkeling
Seatrek Discover, walk along the seabed with a breathing helmet to discover marine creatures
Adrenalina, speed boat ride on the Caribbean complete with 360 degree turns
Snuba Cenote, a fascinating swim wearing a lightweight apparatus, which combines scuba diving and snorkeling
Seatrek Stingray, underwater excursion provides an up close and personal encounter with majestic stingrays
Zip Bike, peddle your way on a suspended bike at the height of the jungle canopy
Don't forget to allow time to look at your photographs before you leave and purchase memories of your exciting day!
4. Xenses Park
Enjoy exciting sensory activities for the family during the day or at night at Xenses Park. Soar on a zip line, enjoy optical illusions, slide in underground caves, and take amazing photographs.
Set amidst a stunning jungle backdrop, Xenses allows you to play Alice in a Mexican Wonderland. There are an engaging variety of interactive experiences that offer rare photo ops. For example, your mind will play tricks on you when you see rivers flowing uphill in the Mexican town. Likewise, you’ll question the law of physics inside rooms with furniture secured to the ceiling and light fixtures on the floor.
The feast for the senses continues as you cautiously walk through the pitch black Xensatorium. You’ll climb mountains, walk through the rain forest and visit other ecosystems along the way— in complete darkness, wearing nothing but your swimsuit. It’s one of the many fun surprises you’ll encounter as you make your way through this disorienting park.
Getting there: Xenses Park is a 45-minute drive from Tulum and 13 minutes from Playa del Carmen. We took a taxi giving us flexibility over our arrival and departure times. These ticket options include transport or why not bundle Xenses with another top attraction to attract a discount. These tickets are available to reserve now and pay later with free cancellation up to 24 hours beforehand.
Opening hours: 08.00-17.00. Closed on Sunday. Minimum Age: 5 years
Sliding along the sludgy, mud river gives a nostalgic feeling of childhood and the joy of splashing in mud puddles. The river float highlights some of the captivating stalactites and stalagmites that decorate the underground caves. Finally, you can relish the lush jungle views from a bird’s perspective on the Bird Flight portion of the park.
Xenses is ideal for every age, especially if you have curious younger children who prefer to explore at their own pace. (Minimum Age 5 years)
You'll only need half a day to explore all of Xenses so it can easily be combined with another theme park or attraction on the same day.
There is a Snack bar here to replace your energy! Bring swimwear and a change of clothes.
Xenses is an amazing family activity that awaits you in a spectacular natural setting.
Included Activities:
Path of Feeling:
Way of Dwarves and Giants
Xensatorium
Labyrinth of Underground Arteries
The Eden
Xitric Garden
Path of Doing:
Heartbeat
Town
The Breather
Xplash
Slip
Bird Flight
Riverlaxing
Sludgery
There are two paths to choose; The Path Of Feeling or The Path Of Doing both are amazing fun!
5. Rio Secreto
This mystical, natural reserve boasts a series of centuries-old caves flooded by the longest subterranean river system in the world. Rio Secreto focuses on sustainable tourism and the staff are very conscientious about preserving its ecological integrity. In fact, only a fraction of the cave system is open to the public for tours, while the rest remains protected.
In 2020, Rio Secreto was the subject of a National Geographic study. Researchers inspected and scanned the cave formations for clues related to the weather in an effort to determine what may have caused the abandonment of the Mayan cities in the area. Although their findings were not conclusive, the group of scientists did make fascinating discoveries. For example, an altar was found at the entrance of the underground river system, along with human bones that were most likely the remains from human sacrifices.
Getting there: Rio Secreto is a 45-minute drive from Tulum and 13 minutes from Playa del Carmen.
We booked this highly rated tour package which included pick up / drop off and a delicious lunch. Why bundle Rip Secreto with another top attraction to attract a discount. These tickets are available to reserve now and pay later with free cancellation up to 24 hours beforehand.
Tours run daily at 9:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | 13:00 p.m. | 14:00 p.m
Good to know: Groups are small, maximum 7 people per group. Advance reservations are recommended to ensure your best time slot. Note: The operators of Rio Secreto have gone to great lengths to preserve the cave in its natural state. There are no paved paths, extensive lighting or handrails that would take away from the natural, serene beauty of the caves. Taking pictures inside the caves is also prohibited. The tour is also not recommended for pregnant women, people suffering from claustrophobia, heart problems, or those who have difficulty walking. Minimum age 4 years.
Upon arrival, you are provided with water shoes, a short wet suit, and head lamp. There are lockers to store your belongings and you are not allowed to take your own pictures. A professional photographer accompanies the group and photo packages are available for purchase at the end of the tour. After the breathtaking 3-hour encounter, a lunch is served, which includes handmade tortillas.
You'll only need half a day to explore the stunning caves of Rio Secreto so it can easily be combined with another theme park or attraction on the same day.
Bring swimwear and a change of clothes.
Rio Secreto is an amazing family activity that awaits you in a spectacular natural setting.
Included:
Roaming the labyrinths of dramatic rock formations and tranquil waters in this hidden underground network of rivers and caves with your bilingual guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Specialized equipment (wetsuit, life vest, special shoes, and hardhat with headlamp)
Towel and lockers
Snacks
As you wade through the same turquoise waters as the National Geographic crew, your guides will explain the history behind the formation of the ancient cave system. They are also enthusiastic to point out the regional species including bats, catfish, and other wildlife that inhabit the park.
Don't forget to look at your photographs before you leave and purchase memories of your exciting day!
Where To Stay In The Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya has an array of great hotels and luxury resorts where you can stay. Of course it depends on your budget, logically the bigger resorts along the beach are much more expensive than, for example, hostels or apartments in Playa Del Carmen.
If you are looking for a spiritual glamping experience in a gorgeous natural setting have a look at Portal Xibalba. This family run place is highly rated and offers relaxation and recuperation in the jungle 20 minutes from Playa Del Carmen. The buildings are all natural and are a work of art themselves. They also offer all kinds of activities to connect with the community, for your wellbeing and to experience an authentic Mexican experience connecting with the land and ancient knowledge like temazcal, plant ceremonies and singing circles.
There are many luxury boutique hotels along the coast of the Riviera Maya, usually hotels near the beach are expensive. You can find more affordable apartments in Playa Del Carmen town and if you go in low season you can get great deals! Sometimes it even is 50% cheaper than during the peak season.
Glamping at Portal Xibala
Famous luxury hotels and resorts along the Riviera Maya include the Occidental at Xcaret Destination which offers all inclusive stays with access to the Xcaret Theme Park next door. We loved it here because the gardens are huge and there's lots of wildlife and small Mayan ruins to to be discovered and explored. Our kids loved seeing Igunanas, Coatis and Agoutis on the walk to the beach! They also loved the kids club and entertainment.
Another resort we love is the Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal which also offers all inclusive stays. The Bahia Scouts Kids Club here was amazing! This resort is already huge and it also forms part of a giant complex with three other Bahia Hotels (Bahia Principe Grand Coba, the Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Kaan (adults only) and the Bahia Principe Grand Tulum) and guests can use the facilities across all four resosts. Coba has a small water park for kids as well as family rooms.
You'll never get bored here!
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