Xcaret Plus from Cancun: water park with underground rivers

Underground rivers, cenotes and Caribbean beach in one park, with transport sorted

Xcaret Plus is a full-day water park and eco-archaeological park accessed from Cancun or Riviera Maya with roundtrip transport included. The park spans over 50 attractions across underground rivers, natural pools, cenotes, a beach lagoon and Children's World for younger swimmers. Your admission covers one meal at a restaurant of your choice with unlimited soft drinks, snorkeling equipment for the underground rivers, and access to the Plus Area with private bathrooms, lockers and changing facilities. A live guide in English or Spanish accompanies the group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Xcaret Park and Activities

• Arrive at Xcaret Park
• Enjoy water activities and underground rivers
• Visit Children’s World for kids
• Relax at beach, lagoon, and natural pools
• Experience Mexican culture and traditions
• Have buffet meal at chosen restaurant
• Use Plus Area facilities and snorkeling equipment

The Experience

How do you get to Xcaret without renting a car? Roundtrip transportation from your Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel picks you up and drops you back, so the day starts when the driver arrives instead of when you figure out the route. The park sits in the Mayan jungle between underground rivers and cenotes, facing the Caribbean, and the 12-hour window gives you time to move between the water zones without rushing through them.

The water activities are the core: you swim and snorkel in three separate underground rivers using provided snorkeling gear, float in natural seawater pools, wade in the beach lagoon, and if you're traveling with young children, there's a shallow cenote area in Children's World designed for them. Life jackets and inner tubes come with your entry. The park also holds over 50 other attractions—crafts, music, food from different regions of Mexico—so if someone in your group wants to step out of the water for an hour, there's something else to do.

The Plus Area is where the day gets easier: private bathrooms, lockers and changing rooms mean you're not managing wet clothes and valuables in a crowded space. One meal at a restaurant of your choice is included, along with unlimited soft drinks, so you can eat when you're hungry instead of hunting for food. Bring your own towel, swimsuit and a change of clothes; water shoes are recommended for the rocky pool floors. You'll need to show ID at check-in, and if you're traveling with infants under 4, notify the operator before the tour date so they're registered for transport.

What’s included

• Roundtrip transport from your Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel.
• park entry and access to over 50 attractions.
• snorkeling equipment for the underground rivers.
• life jackets and inner tubes.
• one meal at a restaurant of your choice with unlimited soft drinks.
• Plus Area access with private bathrooms, lockers and changing facilities.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Open Vacations

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Cancun or Riviera Maya without a car—roundtrip hotel pickup means you start and finish at your accommodation, and the 12-hour window lets you move between water zones at your own pace rather than rush through a shorter timeframe.

Top questions

What are the underground rivers at Xcaret actually like?

The underground rivers are natural freshwater channels running through the Mayan jungle, fed by cenotes. You snorkel through three of them with provided equipment, moving through cave-like passages and open water sections. The water is cool and clear, and the rivers connect to the larger park zones.

Can I bring my own snorkeling gear, or is it provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included with your Xcaret Plus admission. You don't need to bring your own, though you can if you prefer your own mask and fins.

Is the roundtrip transport really from my hotel, or do I meet somewhere?

Roundtrip transport picks you up from your hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya and returns you there at the end of the day. A live guide in English or Spanish travels with the group.

What if I don't want to spend the whole day in water?

Xcaret has over 50 attractions beyond the water zones, including Mexican crafts, regional music performances and cultural exhibits. You can split your time between the pools and cenotes and the park's other activities.

Does the meal included in the price cover everyone in my group?

One meal per person is included at a restaurant of your choice within the park, with unlimited soft drinks. The meal is part of your admission, not a separate charge.