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Author
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denisea
Forum Goddess
Registered: Fri Aug 16, 2002
Location: On the road to ruins...
Posts: 6891
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Review Date: Sat Nov 13, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Cultural. Eductational. Abundance of Activities. Beautifully landscaped & maintained park.
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Cons:
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Expensive (but worth it)
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We had avoided going to Xcaret for years because we were leary of it's reputation for having "Disneyland vibe". IMHO this is an unwarranted and highly inaccurate description.
Xcaret can best be described as an educational and cultural park that serves to introduce visitors to the Mexican and Mayan worlds. It's a wonderful introduction into the world that you are visiting. You'll discover real mayan ruins, see cultural shows and exhibits, and flora and fauna exhibits. If those don't interest you, there are various water activities available... like the underground river or swimming with the dolphins. It's a great place to visit with a large and varied group because there's really something for everyone to do and enjoy.
I highly recommend that everyone visit Xcaret at least once. And make sure you stay for the Night Show... for me it was the highlight of our visit... followed by the Xcaret ruins... followed by the Butterfly Pavilion.
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Entilzha
beachaholic
Registered: Sun Feb 29, 2004
Location: Sherbrooke QC
Posts: 289
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Review Date: Mon Nov 29, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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There is something for everyone
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Cons:
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There are too many things to do and people doing them
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I always assumed Xcaret was sort of like a mayan Disneyland. The moment I pulled in I had assumed incorrectly. The parking is actually quite well designed with lots of trees for shade. At Disney, it would just be a huge slab of asphalt. We got in at 9h00 and were only the 10th car coming in. The landscaping of this place is just fabulous…the best I have ever seen in a theme park. Lots and lots of tropical vegetation filled with trails and surprises. The iguanas were also as abundant as squirrels in Central Park. As the clouds were still present in the morning, we started by doing some exploring. We had fun in the ruins, visited the mayan village and the butterfly house (nice design but not enough species). When the sun got out, we hit the beach and I took a tube, put my daughter on my lap and paddled to the screen across the lagoon where you get very close to the dolphins. There was a lot of little fishes in the lagoon and when a bigger one wanted to have lunch, they would all start to jump out of the water (very cool). Our favorite activity on that day was the underground river. I almost had to twist one my Wife’s arms off before she agreed to go and almost backed out when she dipped her toe into that (almost freezing) water. In the end, she was the one who had the most fun since she is an excellent swimmer with an incredible leg stroke. That river is long and it’s a long swim…but still a lot of fun.
We had chosen to have dinner at the night show. The tables are very well designed and positionned. The food was good but a better designed children’s menu would have been appreciated…they don’t appreciate peppered chicken with cesar salad that much. The first act of the show (the mayan part) was just spectacular. It began with the jugo de pelota where the players try to put a rubber ball through a small stone ring using only their hip. This looked extremely hard but they accomplished it with a certain elegance. Then it was a hockey game with a flaming rubber ball. That is really something they should do at the NHL as it would really spice up the game. There was some ceremonials between those with beautiful costumes and animals. Finally, there was a large rendition of the arrival of the spaniards, the conquest and the rise of the catholic church. After that, it was string of folkloric songs and dances from the different parts of the country. I should have mentionned that 80% of the people at Xcaret on that day were mexican and they were really digging this. They knew the songs, they knew the music, they were having fun and showing it. As for me, my knowledge of mexican folk music stands right there with mandarin pottery so it all began to look and sound the same. The drums from the state of Tabasco were cool though. After two hours, the mariachi walked in (they stand right next to street mimes in my book), the kids had their share and we made our escape to beat the crowd at the exit.
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Review Date: Wed Feb 2, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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A great place for kids
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Cons:
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expensive
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Xcaret offers a great horseback riding tour through jungle and end up at isolated beaches. Children (or people who desire some privacy) will love it. Many visitors finish their tour after dark , however it's a mistake because of the " Spectacular Night show " that features Mexico's regional music and dance with many performers. I went there 3 times and each time I've enjoyed it to the limits. Now it's your turn...
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