Xcaret Park is a privately owned and operated theme park, resort and self-described ecotourism development located in the Riviera Maya, a portion of the Caribbean coastline of Mexico's state that has been designated as a zone for tourism development. It is situated approximately 75 kilometres south of Cancun. It is named after the nearby archaeological site Xcaret, a settlement constructed by the pre-Columbian Maya some of whose structures lie within the boundaries of the park's 81 hectares of land holdings.
The nature-based attractions of the park include :
Manatee Lagoon
Manatees in Mexico are mammals of the Sirenia order that live
mainly in lagoons and mangroves, and are peaceful beings that swim very
slowly up to 4 miles per hour in groups of 2 to 4 animals. The same as
herbivorous mammals, manatees search for plants, algae and grass that
grow under the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
Swimming with Dolphins, Sea Trek and Snuba
Xcaret Sea Trek is a spectacular underwater walk and a second alternative to scuba dive in the Riviera Maya where no swimming or diving experience is required.
Participants will be walking in zero gravity while surrounded by incredible aquatic life. The Sea Trek activity in Xcaret begins with a brief orientation on underwater communication as the group tries on their Sea Trek
equipment that includes neoprene boots and a special space helmet that
provides air, weight and stability to walk upright under the water.
Coral Reef Aquarium
More than 500 corals have been planted successfully at Xcaret's Coral Reef Aquarium on the artificial reef structures.
The marine exhibit at the Coral Reef Aquarium at Xcaret
includes more than 5,000 living organisms including tropical fish such
as surgeons, butterfly and angel fish, as well as
sea horses, urchins,
anemones, crabs, lobsters, nursery sharks and rays.
Bird pavilion
Here you will see an area of reproduction and exhibition of birds natural to the region. Over 30 species are found here.
Underground Rivers
Designed by nature and enhanced by man you will enter the 530-meter subterranean river and float downstream. With
natural skylights in the jungle above to light the way, you must swim
here while at XCARET.
Butterfly Pavilion
XCARET has one of the largest butterfly pavilions in the world. The
objective is to breed and reproduce butterflies in danger of
becoming extinct. The "larva factory" is where you will see all the
stages in a butterfly's life, the eggs, the larvae, the cocoon, and
finally the butterfly. With a little luck see butterflies coming out of
the cocoon and entering the world. The best time to visit the open-air
butterfly pavilion is in the morning, because the butterflies are more
active as they prefer to fly when it is cooler.
Bat Cave
At the end of the lagoon you will find a bat cave home to the two kinds
of bats that inhabit the area. There are insect eating bats that are
great at controlling the fly and mosquito population in the Yucatan and
fruit eating bats that are responsible for spreading the seeds of local
fruit trees that grow wild in the Yucatan area.
Jaguars and Puma Island
The Jaguar was one of the most important symbols to the Maya. All the
mammals that you see in XCARET will appear not to be in cages. The
Jaguars and Pumas are in their natural environment and on an island
surrounded by a deep ravine full of water. Xcaret has been very
successful at breeding these beautiful symbols of the Yucatan peninsula.
Crocodile Lagoon
For more than 140 million years crocodiles have been the terror of
lagoons and rivers in the tropical zones. Even though they are cold
blooded and spend a lot of time warming themselves in the sun, they are
very agile and speedy hunters when stalking and attacking prey. See
these ancient egg laying monsters in their natural environment.
Retrieved from : http://www.tours-cancun.com/mayanriviera/xcaret.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xcaret_Park
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xcaret_Park
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