Xcaret is a fun filled park Promoted as an 'eco-archeological' park, Xcaret (ish-car- et), it is a resort playground that combines Maya ruins with tranquil coves, inlets, grottos, natural wells and an underground river. Originally known as Pol, meaning 'place of trade,' it was the pre-Hispanic port for Maya canoes to the sacred island of Cozumel.

Excellent swimming (available with dolphins for US $50 extra), good but crowded restaurants, snorkeling and sunbathing. There's a wild bird aviary, gift shops, a small museum, scale models of some of the Yucat n's more famous Maya ruins, a botanical garden and a saltwater aquarium. You can horseback ride or enjoy the shade of palm trees in one of their hammocks.

Xcaret is a few miles south of Playa and 72 km (45 miles) south of Cancun. Colorful funky buses run from the hotel zone every morning and return late in the day. It has no lodging but allegedly offers camping (no phone) near the ruins. They've also added a night-time light show (starts at 5 p.m.) with festive dancing and folk activities, all included in the admission price of about US $30 (under 11 years, US $18) for the day. For an extra fee, qualified divers can dive to a sunken 90-foot shrimp boat, the Mama Vi¤a (at a depth of 27 meters, 90 feet), and explore the cabin and living quarters complete with a full bar built of fine wood.

Bring your snorkel equipment or rent it at the park. Don't bother renting flippers for the underground river snorkel, they only kick people and a strong current pulls you along anyway. The underground river is an interesting trip but is not for the claustrophobic and is not recommended when it's crowded. When there are a lot of people it may be better to take the above ground Maya river run, which is less jammed and offers more fish to see.