March 24
I recommend getting XCaret Plus package. Unfortunately they do not have an all inclusive package like Xel-Ha. You get a little page of coupons to redeem things like free towel rental, one buffet lunch, one drink, snorkel equipment, locker, etc. It was so lame compared to Xel-Ha, where you can eat at all the buffet restaurants anytime. Whereas XCaret you only get one buffet and one or two drinks, and the buffet we had for lunch was not very good but we couldn't try out any other place unless you wanted to pay 400 pesos for another meal.
This was my second time here. The first time (2 yrs. ago) we came on a later bus and arrived at 11:00 with a group of 12. Well, by the time we decided what to do and eventually ended up going our own ways it was 1:00 and the park closes at 6:00 with a XCaret Spectacular show at 7:00. All I did was snorkel down the 2 rivers, get changed and watch the evening show. This time, we were much more prepared.
We took the earliest bus ride at 7:10 but didn't actually leave Cancun until 8:15, due to hotel pickups. We arrived at XCaret at 9:45 and had obtained a map of the park at the hotel prior to the trip, so we planned everything out on the bus out there. We had the option to stay and watch the show til 9 PM but have already seen it (amazing by the way) so we left at 5:30.
TIP: Drop off your regular sunscreen at the front counter and they give you a free sample of biodegradable sunscreen to use. Note: the sample is enough for two applications, so for my husband and I, wasn't enough for the whole day, we would've preferred to reapply in the afternoon.
First thing we did was get a locker and our snorkel equipment. TIP: wear aqua shoes. I left mine on while snorkeling in my flippers. Then we went straight to the river and snorkeled both rivers, one is more underground caves (right path), the other (left path) is a variety of scenery - caves, vines, through a stained glass plaza, which I liked much more.
There is also a Butterfly Pavilion, which took us forever to find, it was a maze! We ended up behind the scenes where there were no paths and kept getting lost every which way. Then we passed through an Aquarium, manatee lagoon, sharks and orchids greenhouse. We couldn't do everything, but you can get a deal if you buy one day pass, the second is half price.
I remember the show was a 2 hour 'spectacular'! It took awhile getting everyone seated and staff kept squishing in as many people as they could, the theatre could seat thousands of people! They reenact a mayan ball game (looks really hard to play) and perform ancient cultural rituals in stunning costumes.
Take Imodium. Especially if you plan on being at XCaret for the entire day and night, sometimes the buses do not have bathrooms. And you don't want to eat lunch and be sick for the show.
Otherwise, it's a great park, we kind of whipped through it but didn't feel like we missed anything this second time around. Let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

I booked the plus package on xcarets website. easily got to pick up location with the bus that goes up and down strip....my 3yr. old and 6yr old boys truly enjoyed the park! it is expensive-we love to travel but do so frugally and only splurge on things we feel will have lasting impressions! This is one of them. the staff at xcaret is incredibly friendly and welcoming. the park is huge! there is so much more i wish we could've seen.... don't carry snorkel gear in the mostly covered river-there aren't too many fish. throw snorkel gear in bags and use at the end of river instead. be prepared to leave deposits when you use lockers. pack lightly-you won't need much!

This is a great place but it is huge and can be confusing your first time there. Don't let this scare you away, but here are some tips that can help.
First, get the ixaret plus package. We bought this package and barely spend any other money the rest of our day. AND it makes the river exploration a whole lot easier.
When you arrive, make sure you find out what time the show at the end of the night is so you can plan your day well. Sometimes it is at 6pm and some times it is at 7pm
If you buy the ixcaret package you will be directed to your own lockerroom and snorkel renting area. It is easiest if you go to this area when you first arrive. It is number 39 on the map. It is sort of in the middle of the park but you will want to get your locker before you do anything else. When you get to this area there is a circular room where you will need to pay a $50 deposit to get a towel for each person, lockers and snorkel equipment. THen you go next door and put your stuff in the lockers. MOST IMPORTANT TIP: keep anything out of the locker that you think you are going to want with you later in the day so you don't have to walk back to the locker. I suggest keeping out some money and sunblock and flip flops, sunglasses, maybe your camera, a small bag to keep all this in and maybe a medium size bag to carry your snorkel stuff around in when you get out of the river. You won't need anything else. After you have everything in your locker you go nextdoor to get your snorkel equipment. Then you go just next door to that to get your lifevests and a big bag with a lock. You put all your stuff in the big bag with the lock and hand it to the workers there. They lock it, write your bag number on your wrist band and give you the key. Then you enter the rivers, the bag will be waiting for you when you get out of the river...it is so convenient. When you enter the rivers there are two options, one that is entire underground and one that is mostly lit with some tunnels (great for kids). The rivers take the entire length of the park, that is why you want to put all your stuff for the day in that big bag. When you get out at the end of the river, you pick up your huge bag and get your stuff. The rivers exit very near the beach areas so you can spend more time swimming and snorkeling. My kids liked swimming in the area by the dolphins, you can swim right up to the gate and watch the dolphins on the other side. After spending time at the beach areas you can walk around the grounds making your way back to the locker area (39 on your map) where you left the rest of your belongings. Here is a changing area where you can change into clothes and turn in your towels and snorkel equipment. Then you can explore more of the grounds or go to the buffet meal. I suggest the restaurant right by the horse stables for dinner. We got there around 5:00 and had a very nice slow dinner. The buffet is HUGE with a ton to eat and all was very good! My kids enjoyed watching the horses. By the time we were done eating it was almost time to head over to the show. I suggest getting there about 20 minutes before show time to get a good seat. There really isn't a bad seat in the place though! The first half of the show was really much more entertaining than the second half and I almost wish we had left at intermission as it got to be a very late night for the kids. This place is awesome! Have a great time!

This park is totally worth the entrance fee as there are plenty of water and site seeing activities to do. My wife an I really enjoyed snorkeling in the under ground caves a totally different experience. The Show at the end of the night was excellent as they perform an old Mayan game and folklore dances from different parts of Mexico.