ECO-PARKS AND THEME PARKS
1. Laguna Chankanaab, Cozumel
This small nature and snorkeling park lies close to the Chankanaab and Paraíso reefs and includes a beach, a botanical garden, and a spa. Activities such as ziplining and kayaking are also available.
2. Aqua World, Cancún
Blvd Kukulcán, km 15.2 • (998) 848 8326 • Open 7am–8pm daily • Charges per activity • www.aquaworld.com.mx
A multiactivity fun center on Cancún Island, Aqua World offers jungle tours, submarine rides, jetskiing, snorkeling, diving, fishing, parasailing, dinner cruises, and tours to Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.
Scuba diving at Aqua World
3. Wet‘n Wild
Part of the seven “worlds” of Ventura Park Cancun, the biggest water park in town has a 350-yd (320-m) lazy river and a kids’ park. But the biggest highlight is the actual water park (see Wet’n Wild, Cancún), with slides, rides, and wave pools for all ages, making this the perfect spot for the whole family.
4. Parque Garrafón, Isla Mujeres
(1) 866 393 5158 • Open 8:30am–6:30pm (winter: until 5pm) • Adm • www.garrafon.com
A broad, natural pool of rock and coral is the central attraction. There’s also a swimming pool, and snorkeling reefs just offshore. The calm waters make it good for novices, while hiking and biking trails offer a change of scene.
Parque Garrafón on Isla Mujeres
5. Dos Ojos Cenote
The upper chambers of the world’s longest underwater cave system, the Dos Ojos Cenote, are used by the diving tours for one of the Yucatán’s most exciting tours. Visitors can snorkel or scuba dive through crystal-clear cave waters in giant arched-roof caverns.
6. Xplor
Located 4 miles (6 km) south of Playa del Carmen, Xplor is the Riviera Maya’s biggest adventure park. Ziplines covering a total distance of 2.3 miles (3.8 km) take visitors soaring above the jungle canopy to splashdown landings in cool, cenote waters. Visitors can drive amphibious vehicles across rope bridges and through grottoes and jungle, paddle a raft on warm, clear waters through subterranean caverns, and swim along underground rivers amid stalactites and stalagmites.
7. Aktun-Chen
(984) 806 4962 • Open 9am–5:30pm daily • Adm (prices vary by activity) • www.aktun-chen.com
From the highway near Akumal, a dirt track leads west through thick bromeliad-filled jungle to a nature park set around a vast cave and cenote system. Swim and zipline across the cenote and take guided tours through the stalactite-filled cavern, which is highly impressive. Colorful birds, monkeys, and wild boars can be seen outside.
8. Xel-Ha
One of the Riviera’s most popular attractions, this snorkel park was created around a magnificent natural coastal lagoon (see Xel-Ha). The park is especially good for children and has a special area called the Children’s World where the little ones can have their own adventures. It may seem crowded at first, but if you swim a bit away from the landing stages, you’ll still find plenty of fish and coral to admire in peace and quiet. There are also some lovely forest trails to explore.
9. Discover Mexico Park, Cozumel
Carretera Costera Sur, km 5.5 • (987) 857 2820 • Open 8am–4pm Mon–Sat • Adm • www.discovermexicopark.com
Visitors can experience Mexican food and culture at this Cozumel attraction through the various activities on offer. The voladores show, with men “flying” from the top of a high pole to the ground, is unmissable.
10. Xcaret
The Riviera’s original eco-park (see Playa Del Carmen: Xcaret) provides a spectacular introduction to the richness and variety of a tropical environment.
Lush natural setting of Xcaret
