Xel-Ha Tickets with Transportation included

Best experience ever!!!

This place is once in a lifetime experience. So awesome! Way better than Disneyland.

via Tripadvisor

Xel Ha: Underwhelming and Boring, with a side of Awful Food, Drinks, and Environmental Exploitation

This was one of the biggest disappointments of my trip to Mexico. When I booked the excursion, I expected a lot more. The place was packed and a rat race of people and their kids running around with no regards to anyone else. Xel Ha also blatantly exploits the wild life in the park, handling wildlife in ways that seem unethical. I don't know how I missed the manatee attractions in my research before booking , but watching the two manatees being manhandled for corporate financial gain was pretty gross. Same with the dolphins. I thought the dolphins were free roaming in the park instead of captive and tiny little areas like the manatees. For this reason alone, I would have skipped it all together if I would have known. It seems like a SeaWorld level of unethical extortion. I know sargassum is a problem during the summer season, but there should have been a warning about how the slides use the seawater and dump you into a basin of it at the bottom. The entire ride down the slides, you're getting splashed in the face in eyes with salt water that burns. If you happen to go in the summertime like I did, then you get the of awful, rotting smell of sargassum thrown in your nose the whole way down. Towards the end, it goes from an open slide to and enclosed tube that violently accelerates out of nowhere and throws you around. I hit my head a few times and was essentially waterboarded before getting tossed in the pool of salt water in a state of discombobulation. I thought I was drowning and I'm a very good swimmer. A lifeguard had to come help me up and it took me a good 3 or 4 minutes to recover from what had happened. I love water slides and am quite the adrenaline junkie, but this was not a pleasant experience in the slightest. It remains the only water slide. I refused to ride a second time. Plus, the people and their children kept trying to cut in front of me and I lost at least six spaces in line due to selfish individuals who couldn't wait their turn. The snorkeling was extremely underwhelming. Since I have been to Costa Rica and had a wonderful time seeing a vast amount of marine life, I had an expectation of similar caliber for this park. Not only did it not live up to the expectations I had, but the whole water system was a disappointment. I didn't expect to wish that I was back home on the small, local River because it was more interesting. Plus, there would have been much less annoying lines to jump off a "cliff" that was much smaller than I am accustomed to. The zip lines and other activities on the river were gimmicky and pretty boring if you have done any respectable ones prior. All this felt like a giant Kiddie Park rather than something for all ages. Plus, the tubes they have are an absolute joke and not even worth it. The buffet selections are abysmal. The only thing I liked out of the selections were the lime soup and some of the fruit. Everything else was mediocre or terrible, and I am in no way shape or form finicky. Most of their meat choices were awful; I packedy plate with supposed local specialties, but it all made me immediately wish I left it all on the buffet line. I didn't even bother finishing most things I picked up, and I never waste food. While the regional selections were were disappointing at best, the other two were even worse. The all-inclusive package was the biggest waste of money. The drinks were also watered down. I had four margaritas in one sitting, and the only thing I've noticed was a brain freeze. Not that I was trying to get drunk, but I should have felt something from having four margaritas in less than 15 minutes time. At the end of the day, I just wanted something basic that couldn't possibly be messed up, so I picked up a couple pieces of pizza. I wasn't even expecting anything special, just something like Tony's, Totino's, or any other basic, frozen pizza. What I got was a lukewarm piece of cardboard with no sauce and flavorless cheese. The taste was terrible and was hard to chew. I've never been so disappointed in cuisine in my life, and I used to be homeless and eat anything I could get my hands on when I was 18. Cold clam chowder straight out of the can for breakfast as a hobo was better than Xel Ha. The only decent thing was the transportation. It was worth paying the extra for transportation if you do not have a car because you would have paid more for a transfer or bus and subsequent taxi ride. The buses were nice and comfortable. It's sad that leaving was the best part of the whole trip. Do yourself a favor, and skip this absolute waste of time and money.

Response from the operator: Dear Kevin, Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We are pleased to know that the transportation service was comfortable and convenient during your visit, and we are truly sorry that the rest of your experience at Xel-Há did not meet your expectations. We regret that the park’s activities, culinary offerings, beverages, and overall atmosphere did not provide the enjoyable day you had anticipated. Xel-Há is a natural aquatic paradise where guests can discover crystal-clear waters, snorkel in the inlet, float along the river, explore caves and mangroves, enjoy the Scenic Lighthouse and its waterslide, experience zip lines and the Cliff Jump, and discover spaces such as Children’s World, the Meliponary and our nursery. We understand that every visitor has different expectations, and we are sorry that these experiences were not to your liking. Regarding your concerns about our wildlife, we would like to assure you that the welfare, protection, and responsible care of the species under our care are very important to us. Our programs involving manatees and dolphins are conducted under established care and management protocols, with specialized teams dedicated to their well-being. We take comments regarding animal welfare seriously and appreciate the opportunity to clarify this aspect of our operation. We also understand your concerns regarding sargassum. Its arrival along the Caribbean coast is a natural phenomenon that can vary according to season and environmental conditions. Our teams work continuously to remove it and maintain our facilities and water areas as clean as possible. Nevertheless, its presence can occasionally affect certain areas and experiences, and we regret that this impacted your visit. Your comments regarding the waterslide experience are also important to us. Visitors safety is a fundamental priority, and we regret that this activity was uncomfortable and distressing for you. We appreciate you sharing these details, as feedback of this nature helps us identify opportunities to strengthen the experience we provide. We sincerely regret that Xel-Há fell short of what you expected from your visit to Mexico. While we are sorry that we were unable to create the memorable experience we strive to offer, we value your observations and will share them with the appropriate teams for consideration. Thank you once again for visiting us and for sharing your perspective. Kind regards. Yamileth P. Grupo Xcaret – Customer Service. Mex: + 52 (998) 883-3143 - US: 855-326-0682

via Tripadvisor

Fantastic

Booked direct via Xel ha website. The Xel ha bus picked us up on time from our hotel in playa del Carmen. We took 45 minutes to get there. Brilliant host telling us all the do’s and don'ts enroute. Park is spotless. Towels available for free. Head for the red zone because this is central. Lockers are free. Suncream is banned apart from reef friendly brands. Snorkels included, scanned out and in by your wrist band. Restaurants good quality and drinks brilliant. We had 9.5 hour day here and loved every minute! Beach shoes a must. Ladies/girls wear some shorts, much more comfy with the life jacket strap between your legs.

Response from the operator: Dear Visitor, Thank you for sharing such a wonderful and detailed review! We are delighted to know that your day from Playa del Carmen was smooth, that the transportation arrived on time, and that our host helped make the trip informative and enjoyable from the start. It is fantastic to hear that you appreciated the cleanliness of the park, complimentary towels and lockers, as well as the convenient snorkeling equipment service. We are also pleased that the restaurants and beverages added to such a memorable full-day experience. Your practical recommendations will certainly be helpful to future visitors, especially regarding comfortable footwear and suitable clothing for aquatic activities. Thank you for choosing Xel-Há and for highlighting so many aspects of your visit. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again for another unforgettable day surrounded by nature, fun, and adventure. Furthermore, we invite you to explore other Grupo Xcaret parks and tours, such as Xoxi, Xenses, or Xplor, which may better align with your interests and preferences. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact our call center; our team will be glad to provide you with personalized assistance. Kind regards. Yamileth P. Grupo Xcaret – Customer Service. Mex: + 52 (998) 883-3143 - US: 855-326-0682

via Tripadvisor

Great time. Scary slide

Good experience overall, would not recommend going down the giant slide if you are over 30 or over 170 lbs. Tubing was the most enjoyable part

Response from the operator: Dear Matt, Thank you for sharing your experience! It is fantastic to hear that you had a great time at Xel-Há and that tubing was the highlight of your visit. We also appreciate your feedback about the Scenic Lighthouse slide. We understand that experiences can feel different for each visitor, and we always encourage visitors to follow the attraction’s safety guidelines and choose the activities that best match their comfort level. We hope to welcome you back soon for another fun and relaxing day surrounded by nature! If you're looking to explore even more incredible adventures, we invite you to discover our other Grupo Xcaret parks and tours, from the thrills of Xplor to the natural beauty of Xenotes or the vibrant celebration at Xoxi. There's something for everyone, and we’re sure you’ll find the perfect experience to match your taste. For more details, feel free to visit our official website. Cordially Brenda H. Grupo Xcaret – Customer Service. Mex: + 52 (998) 883-3143 - US: 855-326-0682

via Tripadvisor

Tourist Trap Beware

Stay at the expensive Xcaret arte, and was very underwhelmed that the Xelha experienced is mostly upsells. All the nice experiences are at the xtra charge, and you are left until 5pm , stranded, so you have to pay extra. Beautiful place, horrible deceiving price structure, insanely overpriced. Just stay at the hotel parks, Xplora, xenses.

Response from the operator: Dear Visitor, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us and for complimenting the natural beauty of our park. We are glad to know that you appreciated the stunning scenery that makes Xel-Há so unique. Our goal is to offer a comprehensive all-inclusive experience where visitors can enjoy a full day of adventure and relaxation. Your admission covers unlimited food and beverages throughout the day, complete snorkeling equipment, lockers, towels, life jackets, and inner tubes. Furthermore, visitors have full access to our main natural attractions, including the river float, the Scenic Lighthouse with its panoramic views and slide, zip-lines over the water, cenotes, caves, and floating bridges. To complement this experience, we offer a select group of specialized optional activities such as Snuba, Sea Trek, or spa treatments which carry an additional fee for visitors seeking specific personalized adventures. However, participation in these is entirely optional, as the included offerings provide a complete and rewarding day. We sincerely apologize for the perception you had regarding our pricing structure and schedules, as well as for any inconvenience this caused during your stay. Transparency and satisfaction are very important to us, and we truly regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. Your comments have been shared with our management team to help us continuously improve our communication and service. Kind regards. Yamileth P. Grupo Xcaret – Customer Service. Mex: + 52 (998) 883-3143 - US: 855-326-0682

via Tripadvisor