xcaret or xel-ha

ma-warman · 01-07-2006

We are going to down in mid January and have a few questions:

1. xcaret or xel-ha?

2. get admission through hotel, online or pay when you get there

3. general admission or all inclusive?

We want to snorkel a little lay on a great beach and take in some sites

Thanks in advance!

xqqzme · 01-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ma-warman

We are going to down in mid January and have a few questions:

1. xcaret or xel-ha?

2. get admission through hotel, online or pay when you get there

3. general admission or all inclusive?

We want to snorkel a little lay on a great beach and take in some sites

Thanks in advance!

I booked Xel Ha online, all inclusive....it looked less Disney-like to me. I don't have kids so maybe that makes a difference...

ma-warman · 01-07-2006

Are they both an all day thing? When you book on online i suppose you have to have a certain date planned and I think we are just going to wing when we get there! No kids with this time!

barba · 01-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ma-warman

Are they both an all day thing? When you book on online i suppose you have to have a certain date planned and I think we are just going to wing when we get there! No kids with this time!

My daughter and I have done both and spent a day in each. The snorkeling in Xcaret is more interesting (tunnels, etc.) in my opinion, but loved them both. Enjoy!

2PharmDs · 01-07-2006

We went to Xel-Ha last year and although I thought it was cool and we did have a good time, I don't know if I would go there again. I would probably book a local snorkeling trip our one of the tours from this site. I don't really have anything negative about the experience, just didn't leave going, "Wow! That was the greatest thing I've ever done!" Keep in mind, however, that my favorite thing to do in Playa is lay on the beach. Several others will probably post about how much they loved it. It really depends on what you like to do.

ma-warman · 01-07-2006

I am looking for a good beach after snorkeling!

Hey 2PharmDs I am from St Cloud..pretty cool

PlayadelSoul · 01-07-2006

I prefer Xel-Ha.

Xcaret's underground river is cool for about 5 minutes, but then you start to notice that it is man-made and lacks fish.

Both are a nice day out, however.

kirbyfan · 01-07-2006

We much prefered Xel-Hal. The snorkeling was fun and it was a great time!

You can buy the all inclusive tickets and I highly suggest that, they have like 5 places to eat, all with different themes and the food is decent. You also get all you can drink so, should you chose to you could get plastered there at the same time hehe.

Book your tickets online before you go and you will also save a lot of money, we did this last year and saved a bunch.

ma-warman · 01-07-2006

We are staying at the Royal Porto Real...how far is xel-ha? And as far as transportation...do you go with a tour, grab a cab???? Thanks

PlayadelSoul · 01-07-2006

If you order the tix online, I would get a bus or combi. They will drop you off, on the highway, and then you walk a bit to the entrance. Cheapest way, by far.

Michael&Yvonne · 01-07-2006

Xcaret's night time show is really the best thing there, although there was lots to see and do. Xel-ha is the better snorkel spot. IMHO both are pricey and very touristy, but worthwhile for a day trip away from the beach. I'm glad I did both, but don't think I'll do either one a second time.

**sctx** · 01-07-2006

I'm thinking what the cost difference is between Xel-ha or Xcaret and a day at Akumal is........ Akumal Bay = free, HalfMoon Bay = cost of lunch at La Buena Vida ($10 w/ drink), Yal-ku = $7......... Akumals beaches are much better and the snorkeling opportunites probably rate higher too.......so, unless kids are involved, Akumal is a much better value an you will actually go back again, and again, and again

trekker · 01-07-2006

SCTX is right that Akumal is a lot cheaper and has a good beach. It is also a more natural reef experience. However, for the more inexperienced among us it is a lot easier to see many fish at Xel-Ha as they are contained in the lagoons and they are fed.

You can keep the cost down by taking a Colectivo for $2 per person if you don't mind the ten minute walk in from the highway. If you go on a weekend the basic entrance is only $22. If you have your own snorkel gear the only other expense would be $2 for a locker and of course your lunch. If you don't have your own gear and plan to do a lot of eating and drinking then the all inclusive is the way to go. Either way be there when the gates open at 9:00 am so that you will have a few hours before the place gets crowded.

Bryzee · 01-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by trekker

SCTX is right that Akumal is a lot cheaper and has a good beach. It is also a more natural reef experience. However, for the more inexperienced among us it is a lot easier to see many fish at Xel-Ha as they are contained in the lagoons and they are fed.

You can keep the cost down by taking a Colectivo for $2 per person if you don't mind the ten minute walk in from the highway. If you go on a weekend the basic entrance is only $22. If you have your own snorkel gear the only other expense would be $2 for a locker and of course your lunch. If you don't have your own gear and plan to do a lot of eating and drinking then the all inclusive is the way to go. Either way be there when the gates open at 9:00 am so that you will have a few hours before the place gets crowded.

Thanks.

cmsitaly · 01-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by sctx

I'm thinking what the cost difference is between Xel-ha or Xcaret and a day at Akumal is........ Akumal Bay = free, HalfMoon Bay = cost of lunch at La Buena Vida ($10 w/ drink), Yal-ku = $7......... Akumals beaches are much better and the snorkeling opportunites probably rate higher too.......so, unless kids are involved, Akumal is a much better value an you will actually go back again, and again, and again

We wil be in Playa for our second time in Feb 06. Looking forward to it! We went snorkeling in Cozumel last year and did the Coba tour. We are lokking to do something different this year-maybe the ATV Jungle tour and Akumal or Xel- Ha. I am hearing more about Akumal...what to expect? Should we go there insteadof X's? Opinions please! We are late 20's early 30's in good shape and would like to see some cool stuff. Yes we like to party of course

01-07-2006	#1 (permalink)
ma-warman very sparkly Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Cloud, MN Posts: 35	xcaret or xel-ha We are going to down in mid January and have a few questions: 1. xcaret or xel-ha? 2. get admission through hotel, online or pay when you get there 3. general admission or all inclusive? We want to snorkel a little lay on a great beach and take in some sites Thanks in advance!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-07-2006	#3 (permalink)
ma-warman very sparkly Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Cloud, MN Posts: 35	Are they both an all day thing? When you book on online i suppose you have to have a certain date planned and I think we are just going to wing when we get there! No kids with this time!

01-07-2006	#5 (permalink)
2PharmDs toe in water Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Posts: 41	We went to Xel-Ha last year and although I thought it was cool and we did have a good time, I don't know if I would go there again. I would probably book a local snorkeling trip our one of the tours from this site. I don't really have anything negative about the experience, just didn't leave going, "Wow! That was the greatest thing I've ever done!" Keep in mind, however, that my favorite thing to do in Playa is lay on the beach. Several others will probably post about how much they loved it. It really depends on what you like to do.

01-07-2006	#6 (permalink)
ma-warman very sparkly Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Cloud, MN Posts: 35	I am looking for a good beach after snorkeling! Hey 2PharmDs I am from St Cloud..pretty cool

01-07-2006	#7 (permalink)
PlayadelSoul Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: We'll know when we get there, We'll find mercy Posts: 8,965	I prefer Xel-Ha. Xcaret's underground river is cool for about 5 minutes, but then you start to notice that it is man-made and lacks fish. Both are a nice day out, however.

01-07-2006	#8 (permalink)
kirbyfan añejo Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Park Rapids Minnesota Posts: 3,274	We much prefered Xel-Hal. The snorkeling was fun and it was a great time! You can buy the all inclusive tickets and I highly suggest that, they have like 5 places to eat, all with different themes and the food is decent. You also get all you can drink so, should you chose to you could get plastered there at the same time hehe. Book your tickets online before you go and you will also save a lot of money, we did this last year and saved a bunch.

01-07-2006	#9 (permalink)
ma-warman very sparkly Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Cloud, MN Posts: 35	We are staying at the Royal Porto Real...how far is xel-ha? And as far as transportation...do you go with a tour, grab a cab???? Thanks

01-07-2006	#10 (permalink)
PlayadelSoul Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: We'll know when we get there, We'll find mercy Posts: 8,965	If you order the tix online, I would get a bus or combi. They will drop you off, on the highway, and then you walk a bit to the entrance. Cheapest way, by far.

01-07-2006	#11 (permalink)
Michael&Yvonne very sparkly Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 27	Xcaret's night time show is really the best thing there, although there was lots to see and do. Xel-ha is the better snorkel spot. IMHO both are pricey and very touristy, but worthwhile for a day trip away from the beach. I'm glad I did both, but don't think I'll do either one a second time.

01-07-2006	#12 (permalink)
sctx political anarchist Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Body in San Marcos Tx....Tankah in my mind Posts: 27,100	I'm thinking what the cost difference is between Xel-ha or Xcaret and a day at Akumal is........ Akumal Bay = free, HalfMoon Bay = cost of lunch at La Buena Vida ($10 w/ drink), Yal-ku = $7......... Akumals beaches are much better and the snorkeling opportunites probably rate higher too.......so, unless kids are involved, Akumal is a much better value an you will actually go back again, and again, and again

01-07-2006	#13 (permalink)
trekker into ruins Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 73	SCTX is right that Akumal is a lot cheaper and has a good beach. It is also a more natural reef experience. However, for the more inexperienced among us it is a lot easier to see many fish at Xel-Ha as they are contained in the lagoons and they are fed. You can keep the cost down by taking a Colectivo for $2 per person if you don't mind the ten minute walk in from the highway. If you go on a weekend the basic entrance is only $22. If you have your own snorkel gear the only other expense would be $2 for a locker and of course your lunch. If you don't have your own gear and plan to do a lot of eating and drinking then the all inclusive is the way to go. Either way be there when the gates open at 9:00 am so that you will have a few hours before the place gets crowded.

register to remove these adverts