Xcaret

Plan on the whole day, from the 8:30 opening until the night show ends. Xcaret is 81 hectares of coast six and a half kilometres south of Playa del Carmen, built in 1990 around the remains of a Maya port of the same name, and some of the restored structures stand inside the park.

The water is the first half of the day. Underground rivers run through the park and you float them in a life vest with the snorkel gear handed out free. There is also a beach, an inlet with a manatee area, a reef aquarium and a turtle nesting site. On land you walk between an aviary, a butterfly pavilion, a bat cave, an orchid and bromeliad greenhouse, a deer shelter and an island of jaguars.

The second half is Mexico on stage. The Papantla flyers spin down from their pole four times a day, charros ride in a 20-minute show, there is a Maya village with artisans at work, a Mexican cemetery and a ball game. Then everyone files into the 6,000-seat Gran Tlachco for Xcaret México Espectacular, two hours and more than 300 performers, from the ancient ball game to folk dances from around the country.

There are eleven restaurants; the Xcaret Plus ticket adds a buffet lunch. Dolphin swims, Snuba, Sea Trek and a temazcal cost extra. ADO buses from the Terminal Turística in Playa stop at the gate, and parking is free.