| Though there is plenty of excitement to be found | | | | creatures. |
| within the bustling Hotel Zone of Cancun, | | | | Despite the seemingly endless water sport |
| ecotourists and adventurous families have long | | | | opportunities available, there are also plenty of |
| enjoyed the city for its unique day-trip | | | | activities for visitors hoping to stay dry. One of |
| opportunities and proximity to diverse natural | | | | the most popular destinations is the secluded |
| sights. Located 60 miles from Cancun, the | | | | white-sand beach located along the Caribbean |
| eco-park known as Xel Ha has quickly become | | | | shoreline. Much like the beaches of Cancun, the |
| one of the area's top destinations. Known primarily | | | | beach at Xel-Ha is a great place to relax and |
| for its incredible array of water sport activities, | | | | enjoy the scenery that made the Mayan Riviera |
| the eco-park is also an excellent relaxation | | | | famous. Those in search of outdoor relaxation |
| destination, as it boasts secluded beaches, dense | | | | should also visit Hammock Island, a scenic area |
| rainforests and a lengthy maze of placid rivers | | | | overlooking the dolphin pools that features a |
| and lagoons. Additionally, like many of Cancun's | | | | full-service bar, while the vast jungle of the park |
| best day trip opportunities, Xel Ha caters to all | | | | is home to activities and opportunities such as the |
| ages and is remarkably easy to reach from the | | | | Jungle Train bus tour, numerous mountain biking |
| Hotel Zone. | | | | trails and preservation projects such as the park's |
| As it is located along a picturesque stretch of the | | | | plant nursery and apiary. After experiencing the |
| Caribbean coast, water sports stand as the park's | | | | natural sights, visitors can find locally-produced |
| biggest draw. One of the most popular activities - | | | | souvenirs at the park's several boutiques or enjoy |
| the Dolphin Swim - is staged within a scenic | | | | massages and other treatments at the park's |
| lagoon near the shore. The park employs several | | | | scenic, environmentally-conscious spa known as |
| experienced dolphin trainers that have helped | | | | the Xpa. |
| these gentle animals learn a number of games | | | | The park also boasts a remarkable history, as the |
| and impressive tricks. They offers two distinct | | | | area served as a vital port for the Mayan city of |
| programs at the lagoon: one that allows visitors of | | | | Coba. Just inside the main entrance to the park, |
| all ages to interact and play with the trained | | | | visitors will find a small collection of Mayan ruins, |
| dolphins and a fully-interactive experience that | | | | including some structures that are yet to be fully |
| allows swimmers to the be pushed along the | | | | excavated. Near the shoreline, visitors can visit |
| surface of the water. Visitors that want to see | | | | the Mayan Wall, a remnant of a protective |
| dolphins in their natural habitat can also sign up for | | | | fortress that dates to the height of the Mayan |
| the Delphinus Trek tour, a guided underwater | | | | Kingdom. Xel Ha also played an important role in |
| walk with armored, deep-sea-style suits and | | | | colonial history, as the Spanish conquistadors used |
| oxygen systems. The park also offers a similar | | | | the fertile area as a base for expeditions into the |
| Sea Trek program that explores a vibrant area | | | | Yucatan Peninsula. |
| of coral reefs and tropical fish. | | | | Though Xel Ha is located 60 miles from Cancun |
| Crystal-clear lagoons similar to the dolphins' home | | | | along a remote stretch of the Mayan Riviera, the |
| can be found throughout, as the park rests atop | | | | park has become a convenient day-trip |
| a major section of the Yucatan Peninsula's | | | | destination. The park operates a private shuttle |
| famous underwater river system. The numerous | | | | that picks visitors up each morning along |
| lagoons and cenotes - surface openings that | | | | Boulevard Kukulkan, the heart of Cancun's Hotel |
| provide access to a maze of rivers and caverns - | | | | Zone. After enjoying a day at the park, the |
| can be explored by travelers during snorkeling or | | | | shuttle returns day trippers to their Cancun |
| scuba diving tours. The park also offers snorkel | | | | resorts around 7 PM. Travelers with rental cars or |
| and scuba tours along the Caribbean coast, | | | | other forms of transportation can visit Xel Ha |
| allowing visitors to witness some of the Mayan | | | | every day throughout the year from 8:30 AM to |
| Riviera's most impressive offshore destinations. | | | | 6 PM. |
| Regardless of where visitors choose to explore | | | | Families hoping to experience the natural beauty |
| the park's underwater sights, a vast array of | | | | of the Cancun area need not look any further |
| tropical fish species and other underwater | | | | than the conveniently-located Xel Ha. Boasting |
| creatures will always be on display. A snorkeling | | | | some of Mexico's best preserved and most |
| school is also available for those new to the sport, | | | | diverse ecological sights, Xel Ha has quickly |
| where young explorers and first-time snorkelers | | | | become one of the top ecotourism and outdoor |
| can learn basic techniques and receive hands-on | | | | recreation destinations in the country. As the park |
| instruction. The rivers and lagoons can also be | | | | also features affordable entrance and tour rates |
| explored by kayak, while special destinations such | | | | year-round, Xel Ha stands as one of the best |
| as Stingray City allow visitors to interact with | | | | sightseeing values in the Mayan Riviera. |
| some of the Caribbean's most fascinating | | | | |