Your driver will meet you at your address in Cancun.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
Trip
Youâll travel in comfort for 1 h 10 min.
Optional sight-seeing
Clean, comfortable car
Professional driver
Bottled water
Child seats
Prepared for handicapped
Smoke-free
Pet friendly
Drop-off
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Xcaret.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
In total
76 km1 h 10 min
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Cancun to Xcaret
How far is it from Cancun to Xcaret?
Xcaret is a one-hour and 10-minute drive south down the coast from Cancun. This 47-mile (76-km) trip can be accomplished by booking seats in a shuttle bus, renting a private car, or hiring a private driver from a transportation company like Daytrip.
What is the closest airport to Xcaret?
The Cozumel International Airport (CZM) is the closest, but it does not run as many flights as the Cancun International Airport (CUN). To reach the Cozumel airport, you will need to travel by ferry to the island and catch a taxi.
What is the fastest way to get from Cancun to Xcaret?
A private car. The only way to access Xcaret is to travel southbound on the 307 highway. A private car wonât make you pick up other passengers or travel to a meeting point. It can also reach higher speeds than a shuttle bus.
What is the easiest way to get from Cancun to Xcaret?
The easiest way to access Xcaret is to organize transportation ahead of time with a reputable company that provides shuttle buses, taxis, and private drivers. Confirm if your company will pick you up straight from your Cancun hotel or at a central meeting point.
Is Xcaret worth it?
We think so! Xcaret has activities for all ages and ticket options and bonuses at a variety of price points. For large groups, upgrades like the photo package solve the dilemma of one person having to be behind the camera for group photos.
What things should I bring to Xcaret?
Must-haves are: a photo ID, park tickets, the bank card you used to purchase the tickets, a water bottle, a swimsuit, dry clothes, and a waterproof bag. We highly recommend bringing water shoes with a backstrap (no flip flops) for the rocky, slippery paths around water activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 14,500+ cities around the world.
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries theyâre visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
Dubbed the âDisney of Mexico,â Xcaret brings the whimsy and adventure of a theme park together with the incredible natural beauty of Mexicoâs tropical rainforests. Xcaret is a large eco-tourism park built around an ancient Mayan archeological site only 47 miles (76 km) from Cancun. With such a short distance between Cancun and Xcaret, thereâs no excuse not to leave the city for a ride on the wild side.
After a short 1 hour and 10-minute ride down the coast of the Riviera Maya, youâll arrive in Playa del Carmen, a beautiful resort town. Xcaret is located 3 miles (6 km) south of the city center, right on the Caribbean Sea. With so much to see and do over its 200 acres, you may just have to make this trip twice during your vacation!
About Xcaret
Xcaret, or P'ole in the original Mayan language, means âsmall inletâ and was a large trading post for the Mayans. The archaeological sites discovered here date back mostly to the 1200s to 1500s and uncover missing information about their way of life.
Xcaret Park
In the 1980s, the land surrounding the ruins was purchased for development alongside the growing boom in tourism to Cancun. The developers saw the potential to incorporate the unique archaeological and environmental elements with a traditional theme park. Natural cenotes and authentic Mayan ruins sit beside modern water slides and restaurants in a bizarre yet innovative fashion.
Wildlife in Xcaret
By making these ruins and animals more accessible to the public, Xcaret is able to participate in conservation projects and education alongside fun activities. On the river route, youâll swim under the green canopy of the tropics among mangroves and through underground channels. The estuaries and rivers of Xcaret flow right out to the ocean, and visitors can swim, ride boats, and observe local marine life.
Mayan Culture in Xcaret
Xcaret has daily shows by local performers that highlight the colors, sounds, and flavors of pre-hispanic Mexico. Visitors can attend bombastic shows of traditional dances, music, and rituals. See folktales brought to life through plays, sports matches from pre-hispanic indigenous life, dances to regional songs, and the intricacy of ceremonial costumes.
Xcaret is sure to bring you closer to Mexican culture, flora, and fauna in a convenient resort-like environment. The distance of the ancient past almost instantly vanishes, even if just for a few hours. With 200 acres, 50 attractions, and six routes that weave all over the park, you are in for a big day!
From Cancun to Xcaret: travel tips
Add these steps to your to-do list before setting out for your Cancun to Xcaret transfer:
Bring a refillable water bottle
You can bring your own water bottle into the park and refill it at one of its many water stations within the park. With all the walking youâll be doing over Xcaretâs 200 acres, water is an absolute must.
Come with a game plan
Before arriving at Xcaret, have your list of must-sees and map them out to maximize your time. Divide your day by âwater activitiesâ and âland activitiesâ so you arenât changing clothes multiple times per day, and bring a plastic bag to put wet items in after your water activities.
How to get from Cancun to Xcaret
The 307 highway is the only way to travel from Cancun to Xcaret, so the only question you need to ask is whether you'd like to travel with a scheduled shuttle bus or a more flexible private vehicle. All Daytrip drivers for Xcaret speak English and Spanish, and our live customer support is available 24/7. Our drivers are local professionals, and all vehicles are insured.
The best part of either of these options is not having to drive on Mexicoâs hectic roads or stress about parking at one of the most popular attractions in the region. Each transportation option from Daytrip has its pros and cons, but which will you choose?
Shuttle buses from Cancun to Xcaret
Pros:
Shuttle buses are a low-cost option: Daytrip has seats from $12 (prices are in USD).
You can make some friends along the way who are also staying in Cancun.
Cons:
You are picked up with other passengers at a central point in Cancun instead of right in front of your accommodation. (Although, sometimes, it is possible to have a custom pick-up for the shuttle bus ride, depending on demand.)
Private drivers from Cancun to Xcaret
Pros:
Depart for the trip right from the front door of your hotel.
Add sightseeing stops to other local attractions, such as cenotes or the El Rey ruins. Our site-booking system makes it easy to add stops and even gives estimated times for each attraction.
Arrange your transportation to fit your unique scheduling needs.
Travel in privacy.
Cons:
It is more expensive than a shuttle bus. Our private transfers start at $23 per seat in a three-seater sedan.
Things to do when you get to Xcaret
After a quick drive from Cancun to Xcaret, itâs time to explore! Because youâre a smart and savvy traveler, you bought your tickets ahead of time and arrived early. Entry was a breeze, and you have a copy of the park map.
Xcaret is designed to bring you much closer to the Yucatan Peninsulaâs stunning wildlife and natural wonders than a regular theme park. With that in mind, youâll be ducking into caves, interacting with free-roaming animals, and have to watch for slippery rocks around water activities.
Activities can be as hands-off as observing pumas in their enclosures or as involved as snorkeling with fish, petting dolphins, and riding speed boats in the ocean.
Each route at Xcaret has a color and a theme. The routes are clearly marked with colorful tiles on the walkways, and each number on the map indicates an activity or point of interest. Youâll know youâve reached your destination when you see a sign with the number and probably a crowd. Routes and colors are as follows:
River route - Black line
Aquarium route - Blue line
Beach route - Green line
Dolphins route - Red line
Mayan Village route - White line
Mexico Spectacular route - Brown line
Workshops
At Xcaretâs workshops, you can learn how to cook traditional Mexican foods and make handicrafts. At one much-beloved workshop, you can follow the chocolate-making process from bean to bar with your own two hands. At others, you can learn weaving, dances, pottery, and more from local experts. Check if your desired workshop requires pre-booking or additional costs before arriving!
Seasonal Events
Throughout the year, Xcaret highlights seasonal traditions in Mexican culture. The most popular one is the Festival of Life and Death Traditions, which takes you on a journey through Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. This holiday blends elements of Catholicismâs All Saints Day with indigenous beliefs on life after death. This event runs from October 30th to November 2nd.
When is the best time to visit Xcaret
To get the most out of your tickets and arrive ahead of the crowds, visit Xcaret in the early morning. The opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM, but the line begins to form before the park is even open, so aim to arrive 30 minutes before opening time.
When you plan out your schedule, take note of what time the workshops and special excursions start. Give yourself enough time in between activities to travel around the park to your next destination and change clothes if necessary.
Visit these sights on the way
Playa Delfines
Playa Delfines is popular with local surfers and is located right in the heart of Cancunâs Hotel Zone. Â Surf like the dolphinsÂ
Jardin Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin
One of the largest nature reserves in Mexico, this lush patch of jungle is home to the last troop of spider monkeys on the coast. The Jungle TroopÂ
Cenote Chaak Tun
Sunlight and trees pour into a small hole in the heart of this stunning underground cenote ornamented by beautiful cave formations. Light in the DarkÂ
âI used this service for a transfer from Split in Croatia to Perast Montenegro. My experience was exceptional. My driver Bojan was helpful, informative and ensured my journey was comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend the service.â
âWe were extremely satisfied with the quality of service we received from Day Trip. We had two Day Trip rides on August 31 from Athens to Lefkada and September 7 from Lefkada back to Athens. Both trips included stops at scenic sites in Greece. Both drivers were excellent and accommodating. However, weâd especially like to recognize Panos Peppas, who was our driver from Lefkada to Athens. Panos was incredibly nice & pleasant and delivered outstanding customer service, which included handling all of luggage, providing us with cold waters throughout the trip, providing us protein bars, providing us with printed materials on the Corinth Canal (one of scenic stops), looking up and providing us with terminal & gate info for our flight back home and providing us with a recipe for tzatziki.â
Reviewed by Tripadvisor
traveler Daydream20046758137
âWe absolutely love this company and have used it many times over the years to get from A to B without the hassle of hiring a car ourselves. Excellent drivers every time. Efficient and professional. Itâs worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. Itâs 5 star rating is well deserved.â
âWe traveled from Nuremberg to Munich in a beautiful Audi. Driver picked us at our hotel at the exact time requested. Got us to Munich in plenty of time for our next tour. Driver made sure we were comfortableâ
âGonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.â
âWe were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.â
âUsed the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.â
âUsed Daytrip for two rides in Mexico, which were both great. So comfortable, and we arrived at each of our destinations at a great time. Both were incredible drivers, and we felt so safe. One of our drivers, Miguel, also played the best music! Will definitely use Daytrip on our next trip to Mexico.â
âExceptional service. Comfortable, safe for a female traveling alone. Reasonably priced. It was my first time in Cancun, Mexico. My Spanish was limited, nice to have someone speak english and give you direction at the sites I booked them twice on my trip, with tours on the way to my destination.â
âWe had an absolutely amazing ride with Cuauhtemoc from Cancun to Tulum. The ride was smooth, on time and as a added bonus Temo was very informative about Cancun, Tulum and everywhere in between! By far he was the best driver we had the entire time! Also the van was very sanitized and we felt very safe . 5 stars and way to go from Andrew and Lara. Book with Daytrip and if you're lucky you will get Temo!â
Reviewed by Tripadvisor
traveler andrewwE1487VT
Good to know
Children
If youâre traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Tips
Gratuity isnât included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Luggage
Big luggage
29x21x11 inches
74x53x28 cm
Small luggage
22x14x9 inches
56x36x23 cm
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If youâre traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Payment methods
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Daytrip is a platform that connects you with local drivers who will transport you door-to-door, from one city to the next. We also give you the opportunity to explore sights/attractions along the way. We drive, you discover.
Yes! A return trip will take you back to your city of origin in the same size car in which you arrived. Return trips can be booked for the any day. You can also add customized sightseeing stops separately for each trip! Donât worry if you donât know your exact address at the time of booking - youâll have the opportunity to update us closer to your travel date. Make sure to select âReturnâ when you start the booking process, then choose the dates and times of your departures.
For private trips, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. For the Daytrip Pool shared shuttle, we offer 3 ticket options when booking: Non-refundable, Flexible with cancellations 24 hours before departure, and Super-flexible with cancellations up to 15 minutes before departure.
Simply choose your origin and destination via our homepage and enter your departure date and time. Browse and add sightseeing stops along the way by following the booking instructions provided on-screen. Select âOne Wayâ or âReturnâ to change the type of trip you need. Itâs a simple, easy, and fun way to book your next adventure! And if you donât see your desired route on our website, you can request a custom trip. You can even book without knowing your exact pick-up or drop-off address - we let you add these later!
Each passenger is allowed one large bag (29" x 21" x 11" / 74 x 53 x 28 cm) and one small bag (22" x 14" x 9" / 56 x 36 x 23 cm). Luxury sedans can only accommodate 2 large bags. We always send the vehicle that is the best fit for you and your luggage, so make sure to select the actual amount of luggage you are traveling with when booking. If you have oversized luggage, or are unsure if your luggage will fit, contact us.
Everywhere except the USA, drivers will supply appropriate child seats (just let us know during booking). In the USA, certain states require you to supply your own child seats.
