If you are going to Xcaret, plan to stay all day to get your money's worth. Entrance into the eco-archaeological park is pricey ($49 adult, $25 kids), and the park is often crowded, but if you want to do one big spending activity, Xcaret is a good choice.

Xcaret used to be a lagoon hidden in the jungle, but developers changed all that in 1992 by making it into a type of Mayan theme park. Although Xcaret is advertised like a water park, the dry land attractions are actually more interesting.

You can snorkel in the lagoon (rent equipment or bring your own). With so many visitors the coral isn't really alive, though it offers some of the best diving on the coast. They feed the fish in the lagoon so there is still plenty to see. Life vests and inner tubes are free.

Above ground things are more interesting, so bring your shoes:

• Mayan ruins - Xcaret was a Mayan settlement in the late Post Classic period and the park has excavated a dozen structures.
• Aquarium - sort of run down, but a walk through gets you to the sea turtle farm
• Sea turtles - turtles are hatched here, tagged, and released after 1 year. This way they are bigger and safer from predators. The turtles are usually released at 11am on the beach.
• Aviary and small zoo with jaguars and other local animals.
• Mushroom and orchid farm, and a botanical garden
• Butterfly farm - a peaceful shady place to sit and relax.
• The underground river is very crowded and sort of boring since there are no fish and the rock formations aren't stunning, but there are plenty of fish in the lagoons.

Swim With Dolphins
Swimming with the dolphins costs extra, but is one of Xcaret's big features. If you decide to do this, arrive early and make reservations 1st thing. There are height restrictions - so if your kids are young call before you go. We had a very nice experience with our dolphins. The dolphin we swam with name, Luna, was very healthy and happy. She bumbed me in my sore knew like she could tell I had an injury. We pet the dolphins and fed them fish.