Find Fun For the Whole Family at XCARET

Published in Air Canada E Newsletter


By Irene Butler

Blissfully wrapped in turquoise surf, sandy beaches and alluring jungle, my “id” leapt for joy (as Freud would say) as I scurried between the kaleidoscope of attractions and activities. Xcaret (ish-cah-reht) Eco Park is a sampling of all that is Mexico. Paramount in design, development and operation, the park provides sustainability for both the local communities and environment. With something for everyone, whether from ages six to sixty-plus, my husband Rick and I could readily see why this delightful site is also known as Mexico’s Disneyland.

A ride up the 80-metre rotating tower was a good place to start, awarding us a panoramic view of the 200-acre park and the Caribbean flaunting inviting blue shades above the second largest coral reef in the world.

Next, we made a bee-line for the talcum-powder beach. Bodies languished on “chaises longs” or swung in hammocks strung between palms. But this was not for me…at least not yet. I was eager to try out one of several novel water activities. Being an amateur at snorkeling, but not ready to scuba, I pulled Rick toward the “Snuba” booth. This sport combines diving technology with the freedom of snorkeling using a breathing apparatus connected to a tank floating on a raft.

I scoured my handy itinerary for what to do next. The river raft ride, tubing in the lagoon…Ah, hah! Floating down an underground river and swimming in a cenote (freshwater sinkhole) won out!

Our guide for this adventure, Jos, explained, “The whole Yucatan Peninsula is covered with a porous limestone layer under a thin veneer of soil and vegetation. Rainwater seeping through this layer forms a massive underground river system. Where the limestone collapses, making the river accessible from above, this is known a cenote.”

Donning life jackets, we bobbed along on a gentle current sided by a tangle of jungle with swinging howler monkeys and perched macaws, and then through limestone caverns with glimmering stalactites. The grand finale was ending in a lagoon of mangroves inhabited by pink flamingoes.

Thoroughly waterlogged, land exploration was in order. At the Butterfly Pavilion we followed the metamorphosis from eggs to the egression of the winged beauties from their chrysalis. Butterflies fluttered among the expanse of tropical plants, often posing on leaves for eager cameras to capture their spectacular intricate colours.

On to the hatcheries where we watched hordes of sea turtles separated in pools by age, from tiny hatchlings, to eight-inch yearlings soon to be released into the sea. The nearby aquarium displayed the underwater kingdom of the reef, with informative placards on the creatures from seahorses to stingrays that call it home.

Indigenous fauna were enclosed in the park’s spacious surrounds. The panoply of native plants would excite the most avid botanist. A field of Blue Agave, from which tequila is made, reminded me that a Margarita would be nice (along with a relaxing lunch). Rick concurred, ready to disown me for my accelerated pace.

Piping hot enchiladas and icy mango libation contented, we waddled over to the replicated Mayan village following the rhythm of the steady drum and bold chants just in time to see warriors enact the Dance of Fire. For the ancient Mayans this dance heralded a new life cycle that occurred every 52 years, entailing the burning of all their possessions (clothes, houses, utensils) and replacing them anew.

Near the village we were enthralled by archeological ruins from the post-classical period (1400-1517 AD)—a time when Xcaret was a ceremonial city and thriving trading port with other Mayan cities for commodities such as gold and jade.

The evening extravaganza began as we settled into the 6000-seat theatre. As the lights dimmed, the central stage came alive with performers portraying a glimpse into Mexico’s rich cultural history, from the rise of the great Mayan civilization, to the Spanish Conquest, and ultimate fusion of its various cultures.

Watching an enactment of the ancient Mayan game of Pok-ta-pok (hole to hole) was electrifying. Warriors raced, leaped and skidded to the ground bouncing a nine-pound rubber ball and aiming it toward a stone hoop—somewhat similar to modern basketball except using only their hips! What followed was electrifying! An enactment of the pre-historic version of our favourite national sport in a game of Uarhukua—hockey Aztec-style! We watched in amazement as players passed a flaming wooden ball (i.e. the puck) down the playing field with wooden hockey-like sticks wearing little else than a loin cloth...sure wouldn’t want to be a goalie in this game!

After a whirlwind day, I concluded that the only thing little about this Eco Park that didn’t seem to quite fit is the meaning of its Mayan name, Xcaret: little inlet. This rare gem definitely has a WOW factor of mega proportions. Although our feet wouldn’t agree, we wished we had more time as we ambled from the grounds, filled to overflowing with mirthful memories.