Real Estate: Commercial and residential real estate for sale in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras and Riviera Maya.

Ecoparks

Xcaret

Xcaret, which translates to “little inlet,” is one of the most visited places in all of the Riviera Maya. It can best be termed an eco-archaeological park. It hosts a variety of indigenous wildlife and other attractions that include a cenote where you can swim, a butterfly pavilion, a botanical garden and nursery, an orchid and mushroom farm, a museum containing models of the most significant Mayan ruins, and a wild-bird breeding area. It is ringed by several Mayan ruins on one of the areas natural coastal lagoons.

While there, you will also be able to visit remains of the

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Mayan port of Pole, where many pilgrims embarked for Cozumel Island to worship the goddess Ixchel. One of the main attractions there is the snorkeling river, an underground stream that winds through the park and empties into the sea. For visitors coming in large groups, the park provides tour guides. English, Spanish, German and French are spoken there. Every day except Sunday there is a show featuring ancient Mayan rituals, a cowboy show, some mariachi music, and dancers from various Mexican States. Xcaret is located just 4 km (2.5 miles) south of Playa del Carmen. You can take a second class bus from either the Playa del Carmen or Cancun bus stations. They will drop you at the entrance of the park where you can wait to take a free suttle into the site. The bus fare is about $6 pesos (US$0.6) from Playa del Carmen.

Xel Ha

Xel-Ha means “place where the water is born.” It is considered the largest natural aquarium

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in Mexico. Because of this, and its warm and crystaline waters, it is also a very popular snorkeling attraction. Xel-Ha is located in one of the most important inlets along the coast of the state of Quintana Roo. The Spanish wrote of the small village of Xala during the conquest as a port where they would disembark. Between the 7th and 12th century Xel-Ha was an important seaport. Its large bay could receive numerous boats simultaneously, and its close proximity to the city of Coba also afforded it enormous economic stability. Coba, at that time, was the most important and stable city in the region, both politically and economically. Trade there included obsidian, jade, coconuts, feathers, cotton, textiles and other merchandize.

Aside from its well-earned reputation as a snorkeler's paradise, Xel-Ha also offers tours of a nearby reef, swimming with dolphins, an aviary or bird park, an apiary where bees are raised for their honey, cenotes or swimming holes, a tree nursery, a floating bridge, as well as train and bicycle tours to the nearby jungle. Xel-Ha is located 115 kms (77 miles) south of Cancun, and 54 kms (36 miles) south of Playa del Carmen. You can take a second class bus from either the Playa del Carmen or Cancun bus stations. They will drop you at the entrance of this park where you can walk the short 100 meters (100 yards) distance to the park. From Playa del Carmen you can take one of the vans that park along Calle 2, between Avenida 15 and 20, near the bus station by la Quinta Avenida.

Tres Rios

This ecological park is located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen where you can participate in kayak racing, beach soccer, volleyball,

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and other games. There are eight cenotes, or water-filled sinkholes, in the area, but only some of them are accessible. You can also take tours of the closest reefs and enjoy excellent snorkeling. They also offer guided tours along the jungle. The park is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00 hrs (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Camping is allowed in the area for an extra fee.

From Cancun you can take a second class bus from the bus station. The price is $25 pesos (US$2.5) per person. From Playa del Carmen you take the second class bus at the bus station located by la Quinta Avenida, take the bus heading to Cancun. The price from Playa del Carmen is around $10 pesos (US$1).

Hidden Worlds

This is considered the world’s largest cavern diving and snorkeling park. It is located 54 km (36 miles) south of Playa del Carmen on federal highway 307. If you take a tour into the park, you'll get transportation, walking, swimming and snorkeling in the cenote, as well as wet suit rental. Inquire in the park for fees or call ahead.

Kantun Chi

This is an ecotourist park located 22 km (15 miles) south of Playa del Carmen and 2 km (1 mile) south of Puerto Aventuras. There are four cenotes here where you will be able to swim, dive, and snorkel. Bike rentals and horseback riding are also available here. It is open everyday from 9:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM).

Aktun Chen

This cenote is located in the jungle, 40 km (24 miles) south of Playa del Carmen and 4 km (3 miles) south of Akumal. It is open everyday from 9:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs (9:00 AM to 6:00 pm). Inquire at the park for the entrance fee or call ahead.