Xplor Park Mexico: How to Make the Most of Your Visit

Looking for an action-packed activity for adventurous travelers near Playa del Carmen that’s great for adults and kids alike? Look no further than Xcaret Xplor Park, part of the larger Xcaret Park that’s often rated as the best theme park in the world. Xplor boasts “the most visited zipline park in the world,” amphibious vehicles, underground river cave exploration, and Toboganxote, Xplor’s 5-in-1 waterslide. This is one of the best things to do in Playa del Carmen for adventurous travelers!

In this Xplor review I’ll share everything you need to know to prepare for a day at this adventure park near Cancun. After reading it you’ll know which activities to do and which ones you may want to skip, what to bring to Xplor, and what to choose if you’re debating Xcaret vs Xplor.

We visited Parque Xplor Riviera Maya on our recent trip to Playa del Carmen with our 10 and 13 year olds. They have a great sense of adventure and are the ideal ages for Xplor – the park has a 5yo minimum and attractions have variable height minimums that may exclude petite kids at the bottom of the age range. If you’re visiting Riviera Maya with younger or physically small kids, check out Xcaret Park instead.

Xplor Park tips & tricks before your visit

Book Xplor park tickets in advance for best pricing and faster check-in. Groupo Xcaret offers additional savings for those bundling in at least two parks or experiences as well as for advance purchase – I definitely recommend researching the options to maximize your fun and savings.

Book your Xplor tickets

We found it worthwhile to spring for the Photo Pass Xplor package. The camera placement, angles, and lighting are simply not possible with a personal phone or camera. The automated photos and “Xelfies” are attuned with sensors in the helmets and are an excellent souvenir for your visit. All the photos you see in this article are from our photo package, was cost about $100 for our family when added on to advance tickets.

If you haven’t decided yet where to stay in Riviera Maya, you may want to consider staying at Hotel Xcaret. Not only does it include many of the typical features of an all-inclusive resort, but it also grants you access to all of the Xcaret experiences (Xcaret Park, Xel-Há Park, Xplor Park, Xenses Park, Xenotes tour and Xichen tour). For a family that likes to stay busy on vacation, you’ll love the excitement and convenience of staying at Hotel Xcaret. We stayed at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen this time and loved it but would consider staying on-property at Xcaret in the future to experience the other parks.

Read more: In-depth Xcaret Hotel review

Check-in can get crowded, with lines snaking around gates, so play to come early to avoid tour and transfer buses if possible. The add-on transfer will bring you along with a bus load of people a good bit past open since it picks up at many different resorts. Upon arrival, staff at check-in will confirm your tickets, send you to get fitted for helmets, and provide a locker assignment so you want to get through that process without extremely long lines.

Instead, try to arrive at Xplor adventure park as close to opening as possible – 9am as of this writing. It won’t be as crowded and you’ll be able to see and do more! Taxis from nearby Playa del Carmen are a flat 450MXN – bring cash in local currency for the best price as taxis can charge a whopping 10% to use a credit card. You can also drive yourself if you’re renting a car in Mexico; there’s no charge for parking.

What to bring to Xplor Park

Come dressed to get WET and have fun! Changes of clothes and personal items can be stored conveniently in lockers centrally located off of Corazón, the Heart of Xplor. I recommend that you dress in a swimsuits, rash guard and water shoes. For women, these swim shorts are a great practical choice instead of a traditional swim suit bottom.

Xplor does not have towel service, so bring a travel towel to keep in the locker for the end of the day. You’ll probably want to bring a wet bag for each person to throw their used swimsuit and towel in at the end of the day. If you want to take photos, be sure to throw in a waterproof case for your cell phone.

Please note that at Xcaret/Xplor and throughout Riviera Maya, visitors are asked to use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the delicate ecosystem. You can further minimize your impact (and damaging sun exposure) by wearing a long-sleeved rash guard.

If you have a child who is under 12 years old (meaning they’re booked at the child rate) but they’re tall, prepare to show ID to verify their age.

Xplor activities

The adventure begins at Corazón, the Heart of Xplor, where the lockers and changing rooms are located. A traffic board displays each activity and the current crowd level at all times, helping to guide visitors to shorter lines.

The longest line these days is for Toboganxote, 135 ft (41 m) tall, 5-in-1 waterslide that just opened May 2024. We liked it, and adrenaline junkies will love it. Absolutely no loose items are permitted, even in waterproof cases. Children must be at least 4’2″ tall to ride. The maximum total weight for passengers on one raft must not exceed 705 lb (320 kg), and the maximum weight per visitor is 300lbs (though we overheard other guests commenting that it can be a rough ride for guests near that limit).

With two courses of seven zip-lines each, Xplore offers two levels of thrilling flight above jungles, over cenotes, and with two refreshing water landings. The scenery is really beautiful and we enjoyed that aspect almost as much as the “ride” itself. The minimum height is 3’6” tall, and children under the 88lb minimum may be paired with another rider on some ziplines. Maximum weight is 300lbs.

Xplor offers several activities centered around the parks’ many beautiful cenotes. Hammock splash is a great option for those interested in the ziplines but concerned with heights. The hammock zip line provides a smooth ride down a short distance into a refreshing cenote. Riders may ride as often as they like! The minimum height is 3’3”, and maximum weight is 300lbs.

Underground Rivers, Underground Exploration, and Underground Rafts provide an opportunity to explore the stunning underground river networks with crystal clear water and dramatic cave formations. Life jackets are available for use, closed toed shoes are required, and all guests must be at least 3’6” in height. The water temperature is cool, but manageable at around 75 °F (24 °C). Unfortunately when we were there the rafts were closed because the water level was too high for safe participation – Xplor has man-made attractions built within the natural world, and sometimes nature doesn’t comply! This is really similar to what you’ll see at Rio Secreto nearby.

We absolutely loved Xplor’s amphibious ATVs. You’ll ride along 2 different 3 mile circuits through the jungle, traversing across narrow bridges, through water, into underground caves, and even through a waterfall. It’s a fast-paced, bumpy ride full of twists and turns for adventurous riders! Children must be 3’6” to ride, and drivers must be 18+. The ATVs can carry 4 people (but move faster with 2!).

The busiest activities are most often the ziplines and new Toboganxote waterslide – the best times to hit these are first thing in the morning, during the peak of lunchtime, or as people start trickling out after 2:30pm. As always, check the traffic board to see how busy each activity is.

Xplor Food

Tickets to Xplor include an extensive buffet lunch with enough food options to satisfy all members of your party. Cuisine ranges from kid favorites of pizza, pasta, burgers, and chicken to a generous salad bar, classic Mexican dishes, and desserts. Guests are welcome to come and go when hungry, with no set schedule. There are also plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks available, and it’s all included with your ticket.

Xcaret vs Xplor Park

You may be wondering… should you visit Xcaret Park or Xplor Park? Obviously if time and money allow, you should do both! You can buy a discounted ticket package that includes both or stay at Hotel Xcaret for access to all of the parks.

But if you have to choose, there are a few important distinctions to know. While Xplor is all about do do do, Xcaret has a wider variety of experiences including cultural shows, animal encounters, craft demonstrations and some “soft adventures”.

Most people spend 6 or 7 hours at Xplor, while Xcaret has an incredible evening show that keeps visitors there as late as 10:30pm. If you’re staying at an all-inclusive and want to be back in time for dinner, keep that in mind. Some people also enjoy Xplor in the morning and then spend the afternoon at Xel-Há.

Families visiting Cancun with kids or Playa del Carmen with kids who are under ~6 years old or not into “thrill” activities will have a much better experience at Xcaret, which has many activities suitable for all ages including a dedicated area for young children. On the flip side, if you’re visiting Riviera Maya with adventurous tweens and teens then Xplor is a better fit!

Parque Xplor Mexico FAQs

What is Xcaret Xplor?

Xplor is an all-inclusive Mexican adventure park surrounded by gorgeous natural settings. All activities can be enjoyed as many times as you want!

Where is Xplor?

Xplor is located just south of Playa del Carmen along the Riviera Maya.

How far is Xplor Park from Playa del Carmen?

Xplor Park is about 4 miles from Playa del Carmen. If you’re taking a taxi, plan to spend about $20-25 US each way.

What are the hours for Xplor?

Xplor is open from Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm.

Is Xplor kid friendly?

Yes, Xplor is extremely kid-friendly, however please note that the minimum age of 5 and each activity may have height and weight restrictions.

What are Xplor prices for single day tickets?

Xplor Park prices are $149.99 for adults 12+ and $112.49 for kids 5-11. You can decrease your cost by buying your tickets in advance – 10% off by purchasing from 7 to 20 days in advance, 15% off by purchasing at least 21 days in advance. Discounts of 20% off are available on the purchase of combinations of two or more parks or tours.

Planning your trip to Riviera Maya

Check out these additional resources to plan an epic Riviera Maya vacation -there’s so much to do!