Playa del Carmen Water Parks
Here, you’ll find a list of the top water parks in Playa del Carmen. I have personally visited each of these parks with my family during our one-year stay in Playa del Carmen, so I can provide some helpful insights.
My family thoroughly enjoys Xel Ha because of its one-of-a-kind water activities and comprehensive all-inclusive offerings. Besides beaches, Playa del Carmen also boasts several exciting water parks, some of which embrace eco-tourism for added benefits. These water parks are among the most enjoyable and appealing activities in Playa del Carmen. Here’s a list of the most fantastic water parks.
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Take a look at each of these water parks and choose which one(s) are the best fit for what you’re looking for, as each one has its own unique features.
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Xel-Ha is a nature eco park and natural aquarium located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. It’s an all-inclusive water park that my family loves, and the only one of its kind in Playa del Carmen. The admission ticket includes access to thrilling attractions, such as caves, cenotes, a hanging bridge, and a hidden beach. Also, you can snorkel and swim in the crystal-clear lagoon and observe colorful angelfish at Playa del Carmen Xel-Ha.
I had a great time relaxing at Lazy River. The day went by quickly and I’m glad that I went to the park. The transportation was also great.
For those seeking more excitement, there are thrilling activities like a giant waterslide that starts at the top of the lighthouse, cliff jumping, and ziplining (ages 6+) into the water. My child particularly enjoyed the zipline.
Additionally, with the all-inclusive ticket, you can enjoy unlimited food and drinks and use lockers and towels. This tour is great for families and includes round-trip transportation to Xel-Ha from Cancun.
Xel Ha is an excellent water park in Playa del Carmen that caters to all visitors, offering various activities such as swimming in cenotes and observing different animals such as angelfish and iguanas.
Xcaret is a water park situated on the Riviera Maya that offers an exceptional experience by blending ecological and archeological elements. Guests can partake in water activities like swimming, snorkeling, and navigating through underground river channels. Alongside these activities, Xcaret showcases ancient Mayan culture with over 40 attractions and 300 actors.
I highly recommend getting the upgraded tickets at Xcaret, which include an incredible snorkeling experience and a delicious Mexican lunch buffet. The night show is also a must-see! Additionally, the park offers lounge chairs and hammocks for visitors to relax and admire the beautiful surroundings. If you want to explore the underground rivers, the park provides life jackets and inner tubes.
To make your experience evern more luxurious, you can choose the Xcaret Plus package. This package gives you access to beaches, bays, and natural pools, and you can use snorkeling equipment. You can also enjoy a buffet lunch that includes fruit-flavored drinks, coffee, and one beer. Xcaret is a great place for people of all ages. It offers a combination of ecological and archeological elements, which makes it an unforgettable water park near Playa del Carmen and one of the area’s most popular attractions.
A Nick at the Nickelodeon Resort in Playa del Carmen offers more than 500 meters of adventure and lazy rivers, surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens. It’s a great place to spend a day with family or friends, as there’s something for everyone. The park includes exciting water slides, a lazy river, an adventure river, an activity pool, multiple swimming and beach areas, and a dedicated area for little kids.
We had a great time at the slime party at the water slides. The food and drinks were great. We would love to visit again. Also, you can upgrade your ticket to include food, lockers, and cabanas. Alternatively, you can buy food on-site. If you’re staying at a Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel, transportation pickups are available. This way, you won’t have to worry about carrying anything around all day.
Aqua Nick is the best water park in Playa del Carmen because your ticket includes snacks, soft drinks, water, and beer at no additional cost.
Xplor Adventure Park in Playa del Carmen is a top-notch water park. The park provides all-inclusive services, including hotel transportation, and offers an unparalleled experience that is distinct from any other water park.
Xplor offers a variety of activities suitable for everyone, such as zip-lining across the jungle canopy on some of the longest lines in Mexico, and driving amphibious vehicles through the jungle and caves. I had an amazing time at Xplor and cannot stop talking about it. The food is really good and the staff were friendly and helpful.
At Xplor, you can have a buffet lunch with healthy food and drinks. As ziplining and alcohol do not go together, the featured drink is smoothies, which are amazing. During our visit, I did not feel like having beer with lunch. You can enjoy various activities at Xplor such as flying over the jungle on ziplines, taking a drop into caverns or natural sinkhole, and rafting or swimming through underground rivers while admiring ancient rock formations.
Xenses Park in Playa del Carmen is a half-day waterpark in Mexico that offers a one-of-a-kind experience to challenge your senses and create lasting memories. With over 50 thrilling scenarios and 15 themed areas, the park promises fun activities like zip lines, great spas, and immersive installations. The pueblo, waterslide, and mud are top highlights that guarantee lots of laughter.
This park is perfect for kids aged 10 and 9.
The park offers various activities like Xensei, Pinwheel, Way of Dwarfs and Giants, Xensatorium, The Eden, Underground Arteries Labrynth, The Heartbeat, Xitric Garden, Twon-Picture This, Slip, The Breather, and Bird Flight. Additionally, there is a Mexican village facade with optical illusions. Visitors can also relax in two lazy rivers and walk-through saunas. The package includes comfortable round-trip transit from their hotel to the park, priority tickets, and access to on-site amenities.
The experience provided by Xenses Park is one-of-a-kind and designed to awaken all of your senses. Journey through the anti-gravity rooms, explore the mysterious caves, and fly along the ziplines for an adventure unlike any other.
If you’re searching for an uncommon and thrilling way to beat the heat, cenotes near Playa del Carmen are an excellent option for families. These natural sinkholes are packed with refreshing, crystal clear water that’s ideal for both swimming and exploration. Additionally, the surrounding dense jungle provides an ideal location for a family outing.
Cenotes are suitable for kids too, as some of them have shallow areas where children can safely play and explore. Additionally, some cenotes have platforms or rope swings that kids can use to jump right into the water. If you don’t have floaties for your kids, all cenotes provide life jackets. However, if your child is a strong swimmer, they might not need one. Remember, if you don’t book a cenote tour, you’ll have to pay cash (pesos only) on-site at each individual cenote.
Families seeking a unique alternative to waterparks can enjoy an exhilarating and informative experience at the cenotes near Playa del Carmen. These destinations feature breathtaking views, engaging activities for children, and make an excellent choice for a summer day trip. These are the Best Cenotes near Playa del Carmen.
There are three water parks in Playa del Carmen that you should consider visiting: Xcaret, Nick Aqua Park, and Xel-ha. My family has been to all three, and although they are all great choices, we liked Xel-Ha the best.
In Cancun, there exist several resorts that have waterparks, including the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, Paradisus Cancun, and The Royal Sands. To find out more regarding the top resorts in Cancun with waterparks, you can click on this link.
During peak season, water parks in Playa del Carmen are usually crowded. But if you want to avoid the crowds, your best options are Xenses and Chanolandia, which usually only get busy on weekends.
The water in Playa del Carmen is usually safe for swimming, but it’s important to be careful and check with local authorities as conditions may change. When there’s red seaweed (sargasso) on the beaches, it’s not recommended to swim in the water as it may cause skin rashes or other conditions.
Xcaret is a highly renowned water park in Mexico, located in the southern region of Playa del Carmen. It is a widely favored attraction in the country, offering visitors numerous activities and amenities such as snorkeling and immersive cultural experiences rooted in Mayan history.
Although it may be possible to brush your teeth with the water in Playa del Carmen, it may not be safe for people with weakened immune systems. If you do have concerns, it is recommended that you use filtered or bottled water instead.
Although the water in Cancun is safe for swimming, many agree that the water in Playa del Carmen is preferable due to lower levels of pollution and chemicals.
The Xcaret park is renowned for its breathtaking surroundings and diverse range of activities. It presents an array of attractions that includes an intricate nighttime spectacle, showcasing the history of the Yucatan peninsula from the Mayan era to the present day.
Playa del Carmen is prone to mosquitoes, so it’s crucial to take precautions to avoid getting bitten. You can wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, apply insect repellent, and sleep ideally under a mosquito net if your hotel doesn’t have air conditioning. In addition, several resorts in the area use eco-friendly insect control sprays to keep the bugs away.
Drinking ice in Playa del Carmen is usually safe as long as it is made from bottled water. Most hotels and restaurants in the area follow this practice, so you should be fine.
Drinking alcohol on the beach in Playa del Carmen is allowed by law. But, be careful as there are strict regulations regarding public intoxication and minors consuming alcohol. Remember to dispose of your alcohol containers correctly once you’ve finished your drinks and do not leave them on the beach.
Playa del Carmen is a popular destination for many reasons, including its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and abundance of activities and attractions. It is also conveniently situated near renowned Mayan ruins.
If you’re looking for a destination with warm waters, picturesque beaches, and plenty of activities, you should consider visiting Playa del Carmen. The water parks in the area provide diverse experiences, such as the Xcaret water park, known for its unique features like snorkeling, underground caverns, and a Mayan night show. Another option is Nick Aqua Park, where your children can meet their favorite Nickelodeon characters.
My family enjoys Xel Ha because of the fun water activities and the all-inclusive experience. While visiting Playa del Carmen during seaweed season, consider visiting multiple water parks from this list to make the most of your trip. Enjoy your time in Playa del Carmen!
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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