In Cancun you can do everything, or nothing at all.
Cancun, The Family Playground
Blessed by a strategic location along the world's second-longest coral reef, Cancun has become one of the world’s most well-known resort destinations with year-round temperatures averaging between 80 and 95 degrees and a wide range of outdoor activities from motionless sunbathing to exhilarating zip-lining high above the jungle canopy. Most visitors to Cancun will stay in the hotel zone, situated a few miles from city center.
Approaching the city by air, the hotel zone appears to form a “7” embracing calm waters on the bay on one side and festive, turquoise-blue waters of Caribbean on the other. Due to its distance from the city center, most of the hotels in this area offer an all-inclusive plan so a breakfast buffet is usually standard fare and will satisfy everyone with made-to-order omelets, waffles, egg dishes and riotously-colored tropical fruit. Its proximity from the United States and an abundance of affordable accommodation makes Cancun an excellent choice for families.
Paradise, Just Outside Your Door
Steps from your hotel your feet are enveloped in warm, pristine white sand which stretches for miles along the horizon. There are an abundance of exciting adventures at your doorstep and teens will have the option during your stay in Cancun to take advantage of snorkeling, scuba diving, windsailing and parachuting options. There are enjoyable Catamaran excursions to nearby Isla Mujeres, but parents may be uncomfortable as most offer an open bar which has the potential to make the most rational person sitting next to you at the start of your journey to lose all sense of good judgment and decorum. There are also tours to zip-line Tarzan-style through the jungle. Inevitably someone in your group is good at math and after calculating travel time to and from your destination they realize the “experience” really lasted only a few minutes. Savvy traveler that you are, you recognize that a Perfect Family Day in Cancun with Teens combines all the best that Cancun has to offer in a central location with minimal travel time. The “Perfect” day can be summed up in one word: Xcaret.
Xcaret, the Mexican Riviera's Showcase of Natural Beauty
Xcaret (pronounced Ish-Car-Et), is a Maya civilization archaeological site about 40 minutes south of Cancun. The first buildings on this site date from about 200 A.D, though the majority from the period of 1200 to 1550 A.D. and were in existence when Spanish explorers landed here in the 16th century. A privately-owned ecopark brings together all the natural and cultural wealth of Mexico. A highlight not to be missed is floating along an underground river in a life vest which passes through eerily-illuminated caverns and underground channels. The park has a bird pavilion, bat cave, orchid and bromeliad greenhouse, deer shelter, butterfly pavilion and an island full of sleek and mysterious jaguars. You can also find solace along stretches of pristine sand and secluded inlets (Xcaret means “little inlet”) to spread a towel.
Your Perfect Family Day at Your Pace
You can swim leisurely in crystal clear water along curvaceous lagoon trails which link the jungle with the see while explosions of brilliantly-colored flora and fauna tower above you. Bask in the glow of the warm Caribbean sun in any one of the abundant hammocks. If you or anyone in the family is uncomfortable in the water, you can safely explore the abundant sea life in a shallow inlet without wave or current to a maximum depth of no more than four feet.
If anyone is up to something more challenging, Xcaret offers Snuba, a new alternative combining the technology of diving with the freedom of snorkeling allowing a descent of more than 20 feet where you will undoubtedly find not only Nemo, but also Marlin, Dory, Peach and Bubbles. Hopefully you don’t have any Darla’s in your group. You don’t need to bring your cardiologist along to swim with the sharks as Xcaret has four nurse sharks on hand that are really nothing more than a four-foot Jaws that vacuums the ocean floor.
Swim With Dolphins in Cancun
Xcaret is one of the few places in the world where your teens can enjoy the life-altering experience of swimming with dolphins. Your teens will be mesmerized as they are educated about this extremely intelligent species and will learn about the different stages of growth and maturity and will visit the maternity area. This is so much more than a Sea World display of jumping over bars, dancing, singing, shaking hands and kissing, but will interact with the mother dolphins and their offspring ranging between 10 months and two years. It is an unforgettable experience to peer into another species’ familial bond they will remember for a lifetime.
Cancun Adventure, Out of the Water
There are abundant cultural attractions with include an open church and replica of a Mayan village with interactive artisans as well as a museum showcasing the technological advances of this ancient civilization. As Xcaret has something for everyone and sport enthusiasts can enjoy an equestrian show or the skill inherent in a Mesoamerican ball game that would have been played on these hallowed grounds centuries ago. The ancient beat is alive in an open-air theatre with performance of pre-Hispanic dances and Papantla flying men who would dance to entreat the gods to bring a productive harvest.
Book Online for the Best Deal
There are as many tour companies that offer a variety of packages to tailor your visit to Xcaret as there are grains of sand in the sea. Unless you already have your own transportation or are traveling in a large group, it would be best to book a tour that will pick you up at your hotel and return you at the end of your visit. Xcaret does have a website that offers discounts for advance ticketing at Xcaret.com, but you should shop around for the best deal.
There are nearly a dozen restaurant options as well as a spa and souvenir and handicrafts store. The basic entrance fee includes access to the beaches, lagoons, and underwater river, as well as the museum and shows, but you will pay an additional fee for Snuba, the Sharks Tour and Swimming with Dolphins. You may also wish to purchase a package which includes a buffet and beverages. A visit to Xcaret is not cheap as the park entry fee is absorbed in efforts to maintain the eco-park as an archeological preserve.
Satisfy Hunger in Cancun at La Parrilla
A visit to Xcaret is a full-day adventure and you will likely not be returned to your hotel until 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. If your energies are not fully depleted, La Parrilla, at Yaxchlian Avenue 51, serves up traditional Mexican fare in a convivial atmosphere with Mariachi musicians which will serenade your family into a blissful state to conclude your Perfect Family Day in Cancun with Teens.
Brian Berenty - Not all who wander are lost.
