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A new Xcaret theme park is currently in the works and is estimated to be open by the end of 2022. This newest addition to the Xcaret Group portfolio, which is known for its very popular Xcaret Park in Playa del Carmen, will be located in Valladolid, Yucatan. Those visiting Cancun that want to visit the park can get there by car in about two hours, making it a great day trip from the much-loved vacation destination.
The new theme park, which will be called Xibalbá Park, will be spread out over more than 600 acres and will be able to accommodate up to 2,000 visitors at once. It will feature a traditional Mayan village complete with vendors selling Mexican products and crafts. The highlight of the park, though, will be a collection of eight cenotes, some open or semi-open, and some closed.
Visitors to the park will be able to take a walking tour to see the cenotes, kayak through them, or see them from above by ziplining through them. An artistic musical show will be featured in one of the cenotes, with performers in traditional costumes. This is something you won’t find at other area cenotes and offers a unique experience for visitors.
Cenotes are naturally occurring sinkholes that fill up with groundwater and rain to form natural swimming holes. They form out of limestone, which keeps the water at a fairly consistent cool temperature throughout the year. There are hundreds of cenotes in the Yucatan peninsula and they are very popular among tourists and a great way to cool off on hot days, and on days when the area’s beaches are covered with seaweed.
Xcaret Park, the already very popular attraction owned by the group that opened back in 1990, is located a little over an hour from Cancun and is only about 200 acres. It features over 50 different activities that fall into either the nature or culture category. Some of the attractions at the park include a coral reef aquarium, a butterfly pavilion, Mayan ruins, and an aviary, in addition to dining options with traditional Mexican and international dishes.
The newer theme park in Yucatan is not only bigger than Xcaret Park in size but will also feature a larger aviary and more activities. Additionally, there will be three individual hotels located nearby in Valladolid to accommodate the Xibalbá park’s visitors. Each will have a total of 33 rooms but there is not yet information on what kind of amenities will be offered at the hotel properties.
Xibalbá Park will not only create as many as 300 indirect and direct jobs in the area but will also offer tickets to locals for 50 percent off of the original price. The park was originally scheduled to open in December of 2020 but was put off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Further delays were caused by the process of getting environmental approval from the Ministry of the Environment, also known as Semarnat.
Xcaret Park receives more than a million and a half visitors every year, from travelers visiting various places all around the Yucatan peninsula. The newest park will allow the company to entertain even more people visiting the Riviera Maya region. And if the new Xibalbá Park is as popular as Xcaret Park it will be another great reason, in addition to the beautiful beaches and luxurious all-inclusive resorts, for travelers to visit the Riviera Maya area.
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