Xel-Ha: the Largest Natural Aquarium in the World
Without a doubt Mexico’s Riviera Maya is home to one of the most beautiful beach areas in the Caribbean, and in it lies Xel-Ha, the largest natural aquarium in the world. Part of the Xcaret Experiences project the aquarium is now a park that offers several attractions to visitors including snorkeling, zip lining, swim with dolphins encounters, stingray encounters, manatee encounters and more.
Xel-Ha park in Riviera Maya, Mexico
Xel-Ha is a 40 minute van ride West of Playa del Carmen, a splendid beach town itself about an hour West of Cancun that offers similar activities minus the hotel only area. Playa del Carmen is walkable and enjoyable if staying in 5th Avenue or nearby, with accommodation and dining opportunities that cater to all budgets.
While Xcaret is the park you visit to be active and participate in as many activities as possible, Xel-Ha is the park where you go to relax and enjoy nature at your own pace.
People snorkeling in Xel-Ha
I recommend you get there early-ish, sometime before 10 am, as breakfast is included with your ticket. There are two restaurants that offer splendid buffets with excellent food that includes local and international cuisines, as well as fruit and goodies for those with a sweet tooth like me (gosh was that Nutella fountain unreal!).
People enjoying the stingray experience.
After breakfast you might want to walk around the park, stopping at the glass bottom catamaran right at the beginning to check out the fish. The stingray experience is just a two minute walk away, and from there you can follow the paths to several points in the park to check out the ocean, jump off the 4.5 meter Xel Ha cliff jump or participate in the newest activity, pedaling over the jungle with the Zip-Bike.
Woohoo! Who’s jumping after me?
Shortly after passing the Xel Ha cliff jump grab your snorkeling gear and slowly swim back to the main area. Look around, enjoy the three activities you’ll find along the way and make it all the way to where the glass bottom catamaran is as it is here you will see most fish…which you can actually feed!
This was the first time I ever saw a manatee. They really are big yet gentle!
After all this exercise a good, healthy lunch is probably the best call, and once done you can chill out or enjoy more activities until the park closes at 6 pm.
Conclusion
Unlike Xcaret , Xel-Ha is the park you visit to relax and chill out and the fees here include food at any of the buffets and stands during the day. If possible I recommend you participate in one of the extra activities (not included in the entrance fee) and if not at least check out the stingrays and manatees. If there is one thing I would have liked to see more of is fish; there are many in a few small spots, but generally speaking the sandy bottom of the small bay doesn’t provide much food and hence fish stick to where there is. Other than this the food, activities and beautiful surroundings will keep you smiling all day!
I was a guest at Xel Ha park, however the opinions in this article are entirely my own. I’d like to thank Leo for showing us around, and if you want to learn more about the park make sure you visit their official website www.xelha.com or contact them via Twitter @XelHaPark.
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Category: Americas, Destinations, Mexico
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[...] for visiting Xcaret Eco Park will help you make the right choice, and you might also want to read my review of Xel-Ha Park which I visited the following [...]
Good pictures & Interesting place for vacations, Never been to any Natural Aquariums yet. Will definitely visit this place, if I get the chance. Can you please give me some more details on it. Thanks a lot for sharing.
I really like the picture with the manatee. Looks amazing. To be able to be so close to the wild is a dream of mine. The place looks incredible and definitely worth a visit. Thanks for sharing.
It was a very nice experience indeed
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I have been to Xel-Ha last year & I just loved it. The cenotes, caves and lakes that feed the sea, mixed with fresh spring is really amazing. Good post, thanks a lot for sharing.”
It really is a wonderful area, isn’t it Jannet?
I grew up in Florida and was always mesmerized by manatees. Love!
And to think that I lived there for more than two years and never saw one…
Ahh, feeding a manatee! This looks beautiful, I’d love to go.
Frankly, I think it is difficult to find a gentler sea creature
Really, it’s an amazing place to be, the best part is, it is the largest & the areas are little less prohibited it seems. Nice pictures, had no idea about this aquarium, nice post, thanks a lot for sharing.
Are the animals fenced in or do they just go there naturally. I have been interested in this place and it really does look wonderful.
They go there naturally, even the stingrays are free to leave if they want, as are the manatees and the rest!
Saw XelHa when we were on the Riviera Maya but just didn’t make it out due to being on our crazy backpacker budget. Looked interesting for sure!
I can totally understand that, as it is not cheap.
I’ve been lucky enough to swim with manatees (in Florida) and stingrays (in Grand Cayman). Both were amazing experiences!
Hi Alex! I saw your pics from Florida, what a great experience!
I have no idea about this largest Aquarium, I’ve been to few Aquariums but those were under restrictions, this is looking pretty friendly. Will definitely visit this place if I will get the chance. Good Post & pictures, thanks for sharing.
No worries Dyon
I went there like 15 years ago with my family, it was amazing. Almost hard to believe it’s all-natural!
It has changed so much!! As Xcaret, which I visited 10 years ago too, it is all new with many new activities.
Sounds like a great experience. Did the stingray experience years ago at the cayman islands, it was pretty cool!
Normally I avoid aquariums as I beleive they take marine wildlife out of their natural habitat but Xel-Ha is entirely natural which is splendid
I also believe this is what makes Xel-Ha special Sam.
Well, I can myself see the beauty of this place in the pictures posted by you. The water, the manatee, and the water sports seems so interesting. I can actually see through the water, it is so clean and will be cool an calm. I would love to visit this place soon.
Nathan, I am sure you would not be disappointed.
Xel-Ha is simply unique, my brother been here, I never got a chance to visit, According to the pictures can consider It one of the world’s most beautiful, natural aquariums. Good post, thanks for sharing.
I’m quite sure it is
I’m always learning something new from your posts. I didn’t know that the largest natural aquarium in the world is in Mexico. Now that I found out, I would love to see it
Hey Izy! I’m glad that the posts bring something new to you! Xel-Ha was great…can’t beat the Caribbean sunshine in this part of Mexico, plus a great natural place where to hang out!
I love swimming. It is one of the few sports I do not have to force myself to. So when I got the chance to visit the biggest natural aquarium in the world, Xel-há, I did not hesitate a second.
Good for you!
Thanks for sharing some amazing pics.The Aquarium looks amazing and I am surely making my trip here.I really wish to swim with dolphins and it will be super fun for sure.
Wow, Xel-Ha really looks like a very nice place.
, I thing I would have hesitated getting so close to it.
The manatee photo is interesting
Nah, no need to worry, they are as peaceful as any animal can be. By the way, I notice you copied my blogs tagline!!