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Xel-Ha [swim with dolphins]

Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Last updated: 17 May, 2025

This popular water-based theme park comprises a series of broken, crystal-clear bays and glassy streams, teeming with brightly coloured marine life and fringed with low tropical forest – a natural aquarium, where freshwater rivers meet the Caribbean Sea.

Known for its vibrant marine life and lush jungle surroundings, the park offers snorkelling, tubing, ziplining, and cenote exploration in one of the most scenic environments on the Yucatán Peninsula. It also offers the chance to swim with captive dolphins, manatees and stingrays.

Highlights include swimming with tropical fish in turquoise lagoons, cycling forest trails, and relaxing in hammocks under palm trees. It’s all-inclusive, with unlimited food, drinks, and activities.

It’s an ideal destination for families and nature lovers seeking a fun, eco-friendly escape in a postcard-perfect setting.

Swimming with dolphins

The dolphin swim programme offers interactive experiences in a sectioned-off area of a natural lagoon, connected to the Caribbean Sea. Part of the same group that operates Xcaret, Xel-Há has been welcoming visitors since the early 1990s, with dolphin encounters designed for all ages – from shallow-water interactions to full swim programmes and trainer-for-a-day experiences.

The dolphins at Xel-Há are born in captivity as part of structured breeding programmes. None are taken from the wild. They are trained using positive reinforcement, and sessions are closely managed by professional handlers to prioritise welfare and safety. The facility highlights education, allowing guests to learn about dolphin biology and conservation while participating in hands-on moments.

Though the dolphins are not eligible for release due to their upbringing in human care, the experiences are intended to foster respect and a deeper understanding of marine life, set in a uniquely beautiful environment.

Logistics

Price from: £80

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 4+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Xel-Ha is about 10 minutes’ drive north of Tulum on the main 307 Highway (about 30 minutes’ drive south of Playa del Carmen).

No pre-booking is required for admission, but book ahead for the swimming with dolphins and manatees experiences. Book online in advance for a 10% discount.

Eating and changing facilities are on site. The entry price includes a buffet breakfast, lunch and snacks.

When to do it

It’s open all year round, seven days a week.

The weather in the Mayan Riviera is generally good all year round, and the water is always warm enough for swimming. The rainy season from May through October sees the fewest visitors to Mayan Riviera. June through October is hurricane season. The dry season – November through April – gets busy everywhere.

If you can, avoid peak season in December to January, when it gets oppressively crowded, especially around Christmas and New Year.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Xel-Ha Park Admission Tickets

Cancun

Viator

Xelha is considered one of the world’s greatest natural parks, Xel-Há will give you one of the best experiences while you are visiting the Riviera Maya (near Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum). Your all-inclusive ticket will allow to all your family to discover more than 50 inland and aquatic activities, for sure you will have an unforgettable time. Practice snorkeling and see hundreds of colorful fish and marine life in one of the most important natural wonders in México. Enjoy plenty of water activities at the first park with an Earth Check Certification for its social responsibility program. Contemplate a magnificent view of the lighthouse at 40 meters high and descends from one of its 4 slides. Connect your senses with flora and fauna, see lagoons, caves and a breathtaking scenery that will leave you eager to come back. Take a guided tour as Treasures of the bay, Mayab traditions, secrets of the jungle, meeting the manatee and flying your kite. Celebrate your birthday!

Price $82

Min age 0

Rating 4.28 / 5 [872 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Xel-Ha Tickets with Transportation included

Cancun

Viator

Attention, water lovers! The park is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and has more than 50 attractions. At Xel-Há natural paradise located along the Riviera Maya, you can have an amazing jungle adventure, as you explore a lagoon, cenotes, caves and a hidden beach. You can bike around the lush grounds or simply lay down in an inner tube and drift along the river. And if you love snorkelling, you're in for a treat, because gear is included, with mask, fins and flotation vest. Relax on comfy lounge chairs or take a nap in a hammock. Lockers, restrooms, changing rooms, showers and a towel are available for use. This park is the perfect place for families to create unforgettable memories. You'll get unlimited ice, soft drinks and mineral water to keep you cool! and if it's your birthday, we've got a special surprise just for you! we've got you covered with transport to and from your hotel! The All-Inclusive option includes breakfast, lunch buffet and an open bar.

Price $115

Min age 0

Rating 4.38 / 5 [521 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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2 Day Combo Tour, Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor and Chichen Itza Option

Cancun

Viator

Treat yourself to the best attractions in the Riviera Maya with this Cancun combo! You can choose two out of four amazing options – Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor or Chichen Itza – depending on what you like. You'll get into the best aquatic, adventure and archeological parks around, with an expert guide at UNESCO World Heritage-listed Chichen Itza. You'll also get round-trip hotel transport by luxury coach, plus food and drinks. Just take the two selected tours on different days. Changes to visit dates between high and low season will incur an additional payment on the day of your visit.

Price $260

Min age 0

Rating 4.46 / 5 [282 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Tulum and Xel-Há All-Inclusive 1-day Guided Tour

Cancun

Viator

For those who love the sea and culture, this is the perfect tour! The best of both worlds in one day. Enjoy unlimited snorkelling, food and drinks at the natural wonder of Xel-Há Park and a free guided tour of the Tulum Ruins.

Price $190

Min age 0

Rating 4.44 / 5 [83 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Tour Xel-Ha & Coba Ruins - One Day from Riviera Maya & Cancún

Riviera Maya & the Yucatan

Viator

Discover the Mayan ruins of Coba and dive into Xel-Ha, a natural aquatic park, on this combo tour from Cancun – all in one day! Bike around the archaeological site of Coba and view the Yucatan Peninsula from Nohoch Mul Pyramid, hidden in lush jungle. You’ll enjoy a buffet lunch at Xel-Ha with the opportunity for rope bridge walking, ziplining and more in the crystal-clear waters of its natural wells. Receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 20 people.

Price $175

Min age 0

Rating 4.19 / 5 [26 ratings]

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