Xel-Há is one of the best-known natural theme parks on the Riviera Maya. At its heart lies a vast natural lagoon where fresh water from underground rivers mixes with the Caribbean Sea.

It is not a traditional water park with concrete pools. You’ll spend most of the day in the water, snorkelling, floating on a rubber ring or enjoying the attractions scattered amongst the lagoon, mangroves and jungle.

The entrance fee is high, but it operates on an all-inclusive basis. The price includes most activities, food, drinks, snorkelling equipment, a towel and a locker. You can compare the various ticket options and packages for Xel-Há on GetYourGuide.

Don’t confuse the park with the nearby Xel-Há archaeological site. The Mayan ruins are a separate attraction and the theme park ticket is not valid for them.

• 👉 My tips for hotels and places to visit in Tulum

What can you expect at Xel-Há?

Xel-Há isn’t the best place on the Riviera Maya for spotting coral or sea turtles. Its main advantage is the combination of a wide range of activities, natural surroundings and all-inclusive services in one place.

The water here isn’t always perfectly clear, as the mixing of fresh and salt water creates an effect similar to a blurred image. However, you’ll see plenty of tropical fish and, occasionally, stingrays.

As well as snorkelling, you can enjoy:

• a river cruise on a single or double inflatable ring
• the Scenic Lighthouse with four long water slides
• water cableways and obstacle courses
• a jump from the five-metre-high Cliff of Courage
• bikes for exploring the jungle trails
• cenotes, caves and mangrove forests
• a children’s play area with a paddling pool, slides and rope attractions
• sun loungers, hammocks and relaxation areas

If you’re just looking for a peaceful swim in a cenote, Gran Cenote is considerably cheaper.

Dolphin shows and swimming with dolphins

The Xel-Há complex also includes a dolphinarium run by Delphinus. This is where most of the promotional photos featuring dolphins are taken.

A traditional dolphin show at a fixed time is not included in the programme or the basic admission price.

Visitors can watch the dolphins from around their pools, but any closer interaction or swimming with them is charged separately.

During these paid programmes, participants can touch the dolphins, swim with them or watch their trained jumps and other tricks. The programme available in July 2026 includes, for example:

• Harmony: 109 usd, online price 87,20 usd, entry to Xel-Há not included
• Interax: 119 usd, online price 95,20 usd, admission to Xel-Há not included
• Primax: 164 usd, online price 114,80 usd, admission to Xel-Há not included
• Xel-Há Dolphinclusive: 209,90 usd, online price 146,93 usd, includes swimming with dolphins, full-day entry to Xel-Há, food, drinks and transport

If you wish to swim with dolphins, the Dolphinclusive package works out significantly cheaper than buying a separate park ticket and adding the programme on top.

You can find the latest offers and prices on the Delphinus Xel-Há website.

Is Xel-Há worth a visit?

Xel-Há is best suited to families with children and travellers who want to spend the whole day in one place without having to worry about meals, equipment or travelling between individual attractions.

The high admission fee is particularly good value if you arrive straight after opening and stay in the park all day.

If you’re primarily interested in peaceful natural surroundings, cenotes or high-quality snorkelling on a coral reef, you’ll get better value for money by visiting individual sites.

What does the admission fee include?

The basic Xel-Há All-Inclusive ticket includes:

• unlimited snorkelling
• hire of a mask, snorkel and fins
• life jackets and inflatable rings
• all standard water and rope attractions
• access to the Scenic Lighthouse and water slides
• bicycles
• continental breakfast
• snacks and lunch buffets
• unlimited soft drinks
• local beer, spirits and mixed drinks
• towels, lockers, showers and changing rooms
• sun loungers and hammocks
• free parking

However, the price does not include transport to the park, PhotoPass or paid activities such as Sea Trek, Snuba, Zip-Bike, the Adrenalina ride or encounters with marine life.

You are not permitted to bring your own food or drinks into the park.

Admission to Xel-Há

Prices valid in July 2026:

Ticket	Standard price	Purchased 7 to 20 days in advance	Purchased 21 days in advance
Adults aged 12 and over	2 571,50 mxn	2 314,35 mxn	2 185,78 mxn
Child aged 5 to 11	1 928,63 mxn	1 735,76 mxn	1 639,34 mxn
Child under 4 years	free	free	free

When booking on the official Xel-Há website, you’ll get a 10% discount if you book at least 7 days in advance and a 15% discount if you book at least 21 days in advance.

The official ticket is the cheapest option, but it has fairly strict cancellation terms. If you cancel more than 2 days before your visit, a 10% fee will be charged. Later cancellations are non-refundable.

An alternative is to book a ticket via GetYourGuide. Admission is 161 usd, so it is more expensive, but it offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and booking without immediate payment.

Compare tickets for Xel-Há

Please ensure you have your physical passport with you upon entry. For children, proof of identity is also required to verify their age and eligibility for a discount.

Opening times and how much time to allow

Xel-Há is open every day, including public holidays.

• Opening hours: 8.30 am to 6.00 pm
• Continental breakfast: 9.00 to 11.30
• Snacks and lunch buffets: 11.30 am to 5.30 pm

Set aside a whole day for your visit. Ideally, arrive at 8.30 am, head straight for the river and the main attractions, and leave the snorkelling for later in the morning.

If you arrive after lunch, I don’t think the high admission fee offers particularly good value for money.

How to get to Xel-Há

The theme park is situated about 15 km from Tulum and 48 km from Playa del Carmen.

By organised transport

The most convenient option is to book return transport directly with your ticket, either via the official website or through an agent on GetYourGuide.

The surcharges are roughly as follows:

• approx. 600 mxn for return transport – Cancún
• approx. 600 mxn for return transport – Tulum or Playa del Carmen

Pick-up takes place at selected hotels or at a designated location. You will be given the exact time after booking.

Packages including transport are also offered by local agencies. Before paying, always check whether the price includes just the ticket, or also pick-up and return transport.

By car

From the centre of Tulum, take the main road 307 towards Playa del Carmen. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and the turn-off to the park is well signposted.

Parking right by the entrance is free.

Travelling by car makes sense particularly if you’re staying outside the centre of Tulum or if you also want to visit Akumal, the cenotes and other places on the Riviera Maya during your stay.

• 🚗 Compare car hire prices – Tulum Airport (TQO)
• 🚗 Compare car hire prices – Cancún Airport (CUN)

By colectivo

A cheap option is the white colectivo minibuses running between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

Tell the driver in advance that you want to get off at Xel-Há. The journey from Tulum costs around 40 mxn s and is payable in cash.

The colectivo stops on the main road 307. From the stop, cross the footbridge to the other side of the road and walk along the footpath for about 10 minutes to the entrance.

On the way back, return to the road and flag down a colectivo heading towards Tulum. Bear in mind that some minibuses may be full in the afternoon.

By taxi

A taxi will take you straight to the entrance, but make sure you agree on the fare before getting in. Uber does not operate in Tulum.

Arrange a return pick-up with the driver straight away. For one or two passengers, it’s usually better value to buy transport through Grupo Xcaret.

What to take with you?

Don’t forget, in particular:

• your physical passport
• swimwear and a change of dry clothes
• water shoes
• a hat and sunglasses
• a T-shirt with UV protection
• a payment card or cash for paid activities and souvenirs
• a waterproof phone case

Only sun creams containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are permitted in the park. Please do not bring standard chemical sun creams into the park.

You do not need to bring a towel, locker, life jacket or snorkelling equipment. Everything is included in the admission price.

Planning to visit more Grupo Xcaret parks?

If you’d also like to visit Xcaret, Xplor or other parks run by the same company, compare the price of individual tickets with a stay at the Hotel Xcaret Mexico.

The hotel is expensive, but as part of the All-Fun Inclusive programme, it includes admission to several parks, including Xel-Há, and transport.

It may make financial sense if you’re visiting several parks during a single stay, rather than just for a single day at Xel-Há.

Check the price of Hotel Xcaret Mexico

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