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Xcaret Cancun Sites Yucatan Peninsula
Once a sacred Maya city and port, Xcaret (pronounced ish-car-et) is now a 250-acre ecological theme park on a gorgeous stretch of coastline. It's the coast's most heavily advertised attraction, with its own buses, magazines, and stores. Though billed as "nature's sacred paradise," it's expensive, contrived, and crowded.
Highlights include an aviary, a butterfly pavilion, botanical gardens, riding stables, an aquarium with a sea-turtle nursery, a nursery for abandoned flamingo eggs, a man-made beach, a dive center with myriad sporting activities, a replica Maya village, a small zoo, some Maya ruins, and an underground river ride where you snorkel through a series of caves.
There's also a dolphinarium, where you can attend a dolphin workshop and touch swimming dolphins (although not swim with them) for $90 a person; book early as only 36 people a day are allowed to participate. A cruise-ship port, being constructed in partnership with the Carnival Corporation, is partially up and running; when it's finished it will be able to berth four ships.
Evenings see folkloric extravaganzas that begin with a reenactment of the Maya ball game, followed by an ancient fire ball game and a performance by the famed Voladores de Papantla (Fliers of Papantla) from Veracruz. The finale consists of regional folk dances performed by a 200-member dance troupe. An optional dinner ($24 a person) is served during the show.
Plan to spend the day and plenty of money. The hefty entrance fee covers only access to the grounds and the exhibits; all other activities and equipment -- from lockers to snorkel and swim gear to horseback riding -- are extra. You can buy tickets from any travel agency or major hotel along the coast. www.xcaret.net. COST: $49 (including show). OPEN: Daily 8:30 AM-9 PM. Cancun Travel
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