X-caret Confusion

[canadianjovigirl]

Just wondering if somebody has experience booking this tour on line. We are wanting to book this for our Feb trip, but I am confused as to what option we require. Looks like the private Xcaret Plus is the way to go for our group of 6, but just wondering if that includes the night show as well. Also it states that lunch is included ............ is there somewhere to purchase dinner? Also what about snacks/drinks during the day?

We have never done this tour as wanted to wait until our kids were older to enjoy it fully and they are now 11, 13 and 17 and 20 so it is our must do for our Feb trip.

We choose this over the other parks due to some not so great swimmers so hoping we decided that correctly.

[Steve]

Private Xcaret Plus does include the night show.

The Private option means you choose your pick up time, I'd suggest pickup at 7:30 AM - 10:30AM in Cancun. No need for any earlier, the park opens at 8:30AM and it takes an hour to get there, and of course the transport is just for your group, with no waiting for other people to be picked up at other hotels.

With a Private tour it becomes better value the more adults you have. 5 adults is about the break even point, over the public tour. Unfortunately Xcaret defines adults as being over a certain height rather than by age. Anyone over 55" (4'7") is classed as an adult, in which case I would guess that even your youngest two are probably adult price.

The Plus option means that your food and drinks are included. You'll receive a booklet of vouchers which can be exchanged for a full buffet meal and also for drinks and snacks that you may want throughout the day. You can buy extra drinks and snacks over and above the ones provided via the vouchers if you want and there are some paid restaurants in addition to the buffet restaurants if you need an extra full meal.

The best place to book this online is via Entertainment Plus, a Canadian owned local operator with an excellent reputation.

The direct link for the Xcaret Private Plus option is:
PLUS entrance to Xcaret park and private transportation

Any more queries please feel free to ask.

[delo1311]

Hi steve I've got the same question but about xel ha coul you tell me the difference between privet all inclsive and so on and where is best to book it were going in feb hope to hear from you

[canadianjovigirl]

Thanks Steve...............

Any idea on how much extra $$$ we would require to cover extra drinks and an extra meal, as i'm sure after being there all day the kids will be starving and wanting dinner as well..............and not sure how much food/drinks are included with the package.............

Will try to decide on a date and then book it thru that link and hope we pick a day with great weather

[Steve]

Originally Posted by canadianjovigirl

Any idea on how much extra $$$ we would require to cover extra drinks and an extra meal, as i'm sure after being there all day the kids will be starving and wanting dinner as well..............and not sure how much food/drinks are included with the package.

It's been a while since we last visited, maybe 2 or 3 years ago now, so my memory is hazy on prices. Also, we always do the plus option so we dont spend much on extra food and drinks.

Not everyone chooses the plus option so there are various pay restaurants

Quoted from the official Xcaret site:

• Xcaret Tlachco Theater Dinner. Includes a preferential seat for Xcaret Night show and features a combination of regional and international dishes.
• Dos Playas. This Xcaret restaurant is included with the Xcaret Plus Ticket. Specialty: Fish and seafood. Also offers Buffet and a la Carte service.
• La Peninsula. SpecialtyInternational buffet and a great variety of seafood, drinks, ceviches and snacks with views to the Caribbean Sea.
• La Laguna. This Xcaret restaurant is included with the Xcaret Plus Ticket. Features one of the largest palapas in the Xcaret Park with views to the lagoon. Offers International buffet.
• La Cocina. This Xcaret restaurant is included with the Xcaret Plus Ticket. A buffet restaurant with Mexican cuisine and traditional ambience. Located next to the stables, where guests can enjoy the Xcaret Equestrian Show.
• La Caleta. Offers Mexican buffet, regional cuisine, steaks and trio music from the Mexican state of Veracruz. Located steps away from Xcaret inlet.
• La Orquidea. Cafeteria with breakfast service, ice cream parlor, bar service and snacks. Offers lunch a la carte and International cuisine.
• El Manglar. Snack corner offering hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and tacos.
• Snack Venados &Snack Jaguares. Located at the entrance of the Gran Tlachco Theater offers snacks and fast food.
• Los Carritos. Snack carts offering drinks, beer and snacks.
• La Cucaracha Bar. Features a wonderful view to the Xcaret Park and great tequila tasting, the specialty of the house.
• Las Rocas Bar. Includes a la carte services and a menu of drinks.

As I recall prices were a little high for extra drinks and snacks but not ridiculously so like many theme parks. I'd expect the pay restaurants to be similar.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by delo1311

Hi steve I've got the same question but about xel ha coul you tell me the difference between privet all inclsive and so on and where is best to book it were going in feb hope to hear from you

No problem.

Xel ha follows a similar pattern to Xcaret.

Private tours are available but I'm presuming there is just the two of you, in which case it's likely to be too expensive (break even point between private and public is about 5 people) so if just the two I'd suggest you take the public option. Public basically means that there will be a 40 seater bus you share with other people, rather than your own private minibus.

Again, like Xcaret, there is an all inclusive option which provides you with vouchers that can be exchanged for a meal, snacks and drinks.

With Xel Ha I would really recommend the Tulum/Xel Ha option and visit both on the same day for just $2 more. They are close together, Tulum is spectacular but quite small in size - a couple of hours is enough there and then spend the rest of the day at Xel Ha.

As for who to book through, again I'd recommend Entertainment Plus. Here's a few links:

Amazing Xel-Ha Eco-Park public tour, you will love it! ($97)

Xel-Ha/Tulum public tour, great combo to please the whole family ($99)

Since you are Brits (as am I) I should warn you of the ridiculous prices that UK agencies charge, Thomsons for example offer the very same Tulum/Xel Ha combo for £80.99:
http://www.thomsonexcursions.co.uk/e...Inclusive.aspx

£80.99 at today's exchange rate is $125 so with 2 of you you'll save yourself $52 or £34 by booking via the company I recommend above. Using the public option you may well find yourself on the very same bus as Thomsons clients who have paid much more for the very same thing.

*I probably should add for the sake of being honest that I do get paid a small commission for tours booked via Entertainment Plus. However, there are lots of companies who want me to promote their tour services and I only agree to work with those I feel offer the best value and best service for the client.

[canadianjovigirl]

Just wanted to let you know Steve that the above info is not correct as i booked this private tour thru this website link on Friday Feb 17 for Monday Feb 20 and the office was wonderful and quick in responding and private shuttle was great but the Plus package only includes lunch and NO snacks or drinks, which was tough as I took limited money thinking we got 2 drinks or snacks per person and that was not the case. Just thought i would give this feedback so the correct information is given out in the future. The park was wonderful and the deal thru the website was better than the deal the hotel offered me with a 20% discount and a shared shuttle!!!

When i asked about the snacks/drinks they stated that that was a promo from last year according to a manager at the park.

[Steve]

Sorry about that, I'll change the webpage. Plus option definitely included drinks and snacks last time we went. Subtle changes like that arent always communicated very well to sites such as this.

Still, glad to hear you got a good price by booking in advance that worked out much cheaper as a private option over sharing with a bus full of people via the hotel.

[canadianjovigirl]

Originally Posted by Steve

Sorry about that, I'll change the webpage. Plus option definitely included drinks and snacks last time we went. Subtle changes like that arent always communicated very well to sites such as this.

Still, glad to hear you got a good price by booking in advance that worked out much cheaper as a private option over sharing with a bus full of people via the hotel.

No problem...........alot of websites still mention that and when i advised the manager there and also showed her a few sites she advised that it was a promo from last year, so thought i would share the info i learned. And was very happy with the price thru the website linked here and did recommend it to others we spoke to there about tours etc