Mexico Resort Excursions
Cancun is an amazing destination for travelers who want to experience unique excursions. From exploring ancient Mayan ruins to snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, there’s plenty to do in the area.
There are 2 main ways to book excursions. First, you can book them online before you depart or even while you are at the resort. Viator is one of the largest companies that offer excursions, so the price is often lower. If you prefer waiting until you get to the hotel, you can still book online, or you may want to book with an on-site travel advisor. All the resorts we have been to designate a hallway of the lobby to travel advisors who will gladly show you all of the cool adventures to consider.
If you are not familiar with what an excursion is, it is a side trip you take away from the resort on a day of your choosing. In Mexico the excursions provide transportation from the resort to the experience and back. As a rule, you can expect to pay $100 or more per person for an excursion that takes most of one day. While we have certainly not done every excursion there is to do in the area, I want to highlight for you some of our favorite ones.
Xplor
This full day consists of ziplining over and through the jungle and into waterfalls and cenotes. This park has ziplining like I have never before experienced, and one I will always remember. One word of caution here is that is considerable climbing of stairs involved. Visitors are given a ride to the first tower at the top but every time you zipline down, you then have to climb up stairs to get to the next tower. Not a problem for the young but for those of us who are simply young at heart, you may need to pace yourself while climbing.
Your day at this park will also include driving/riding an amphibious vehicle through cave rivers and the jungle and swimming and floating on a raft through underground rivers inside of caves. All of this in a beautiful natural setting. Lunch is provided for you in the form of a buffet and nonalcoholic drinks are also included.
Xcaret
This full day consists of enjoying a walk around exhibits that teach you about the Mayan history, swimming in a variety of natural water areas, relaxing in nature with hammocks provided, enjoying a wonderful show an their ampitheatre in the evening. The show is definitely worth staying for and is what I consider to be the highlight of the excursion. Since we have visited, they have created level of visits. There is the basic admission, the plus admission which includes buffet at your choice of five restaurants or the total admission which includes the buffet and an optional activity (adrenalina or Sea Trek). Xcaret at Night admission is just to enter at night and attend the show.
Xel-Há
Xel-Ha’ is a natural water park where you can snorkel, ride an inner tube through a mangrove, lounge in chairs or hammocks, bicycle through the jungle, jump from a “rock of courage” into the river, take in views from a lighthouse and ride a natural and manmade waterslide.
These first 3 parks are all part of the Xcaret family, who also offers Xplor Fuego, Xavage, Xoximilco, and Xenses. If you want an active vacation, you might want to stay at Hotel Xcaret and every park is included in your stay! Of note, Hotel Xcaret made our list of honorable mention resorts with the best lazy rivers.
Jungle Tour and Snorkeling Adventure
This excursion begins and ends in Cancun. Each couple gets to drive their own speedboat and travel as part of a group through a mangrove jungle at Ninchupte’ lagoon and swim in the Punta Nizuc coral reef. This excursion is approximately 2 hours in length.
Isla Mujeres
We have gone to Isla Mujeres multiple times and enjoyed each time. We usually sign up for whatever excursion is available to get us to the island the cheapest and then enjoy the free time on the island. We have spent time swimming at the beach there, rented a golf cart and toured the island ourselves, or visited the vendor area where there are a plethora of opportunities for souvenir shopping. Some resorts have sister resorts on Isla Mujeres and will offer complimentary transportation to visit that resort.
Paradise Beach
This beach is located on the island of Cozumel and is considered one of the best beach clubs. There is an onsite restaurant and the trip includes all food and both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. We took this excursion one vacation to get different scenario and to explore Cozumel.
These are just some of the excursions we have been on. Other top excursions to consider include Chichen Itza, swimming in the cenotes, taking a catamaran tour to Isla Mujeres, and exploring the Tulum ruins. If you visit during May through September you may want to snorkel alongside whale sharks! If these trips don’t make you want to go to the Riviera Maya, I don’t know what will! Here are a few more to consider:
What have been your favorite excursions? Leave us a comment!
