USA Bus Lines

Xel-ha Mexico questions... help?

On the Xel-Ha website, they have a couple of options for tickets - one option is all-inclusive for $59U/person, and doesn't appear to include transportation to the park. The other option is called All inclusive "Tour", and DOES include transportation (we are staying at the Paradisus Riviera in Puerto Morales, in between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen), but costs $89US/person. So, is it better to go cheaper and just take a collectivo bus or a cab, or is it worth spending the extra for the Tour option (which is basically just a fancier bus driving us)?. Also, is it better to purchase the tickets on-line ahead of time or wait until we get there in Feb? Is there a price advantage either way? What about swimming with the dolphins (which costs a whopping $122US/person!!) Is it better to book in advance? Any advice is welcome. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. taken the collectivo you may meet some natives and buy your tikets at the gate, and forget the dolphines it is so overpriced??
2. okay to be totally honest xel-ha is a beautiful place the advantage with going with a tour bus is that they explain the park and stuff like that and tell u about other places to visit. i like that, also they explain all the rules of the ticket and what you can and cant do. i would go wit the all inclusive tour but book @ the hotel . why cuz if u get hurt or sumthing happens yur not covered(ins.) also its a no worry thing for me and my family. if u have been 2 cancun already then u really dont need to take the all inclusive tour. so really its up to you and personally i dont like running round and catching cab . for the dolphins the prices are always subject to change. but i remember when i was there it was only 15 usd p/p
3. I went back in Dec. 1999 (for 3 weeks) and going again this April. The $30 price difference is actually not too bad. It's approximately a 45 minute travel distance. Unlike here, everybody (cab drivers and bus drivers) drive fast as heck. If your in a real hurry, tip the cabbie (you'll get there in mach speed). Also, there are cabbies at Xel-Ha if you want to leave earlier (which i doubt), instead of waiting for everybody to load up on the bus at the same time. In my opinion, you would get a better deal waiting until you get there in Feb. The competiton is fierce and they want your money. Again, you can wheel and deal over there (you can't do that over the internet). When we got ready to go snokeling, there was a 'dolphin pool' nearby. For a few bucks you could jump in with them for about a 1/2 hour while they get your seadoo ready for snorkeling. Also, try to limit the amount of stuff your carrying. Don't bring unnecesary item (like cellphones). Don't wear shoes if you know that your sandals are going to get wet. The weather is unpredictable. A downpour of rain could happen in a few minutes. Do you need the whole bottle of sunscreen? Transfer it into a smaller container. Bring ziploc bags to waterproof your belongings. Buy underwater cameras and immodium (just in case) here, because it's cheaper. Since the water is so darn clear, my pics came out awesome (fishes 3" from my camera). Your vacation should be fun time. Don't make a mandatory itinerary. Go with the flow. I could go on and on. Hope you have a great time.
4. We own a house in playa del carmen so we know a few of the ropes. Take a collectivo and walk in 1 block from the highway and pay the admission for the all-inclusive at the entrance around 55 to 60 dollars. Unless you have money to burn by taking and paying for the extra transportation out there.