Xcaret or Chankanaab??

[pbharris4]

Both look neat. We'll have our two DD's with us. At time of sailing they'll be 10 and 3. Which would recommend. Is one better than the other? Can you pay to do some other things if it's not included in the excursion? i.e. say the excursion only includes some of the stuff they offer, but you want to interact with the dolphins..can we pay for that separately? Also, once there if we (or my girls) get tired and want to head back to the ship can we go back or do we have to wait for everyone else? TIA!

Pam

 

[inkkognito]

With kids, Chanakaab is probably more convenient (although I like Xcaret better). You can just take a cab to Chanakaab on your own and then return whenever you want...that's what we did on our last cruise. We were able to sign up for the sea lion show and the sea lion swim when we got there.
Barb

 

[Kimmielee]

I've only been to Xcaret and it is awesome!! (although the bus ride there is less than pleasant... especially when they tell you about the HUGE spiders!)

I thought they were trying to scare us then on the way back... a spide so big actually stopped traffic while it crossed the road... I would have ran it over... TWICE!!!!

 

[talicskai]

I've only been to Xcaret and it is awesome!! (although the bus ride there is less than pleasant... especially when they tell you about the HUGE spiders!)

I thought they were trying to scare us then on the way back... a spide so big actually stopped traffic while it crossed the road... I would have ran it over... TWICE!!!!

You just gave me the heebie jeebies!!!!!

 

[DisneyDiva4ever]

I've been to both parks and had a great day each time. Because your DD is 3, I recommend Chankanaab. My family booked the Dolphin Swim there on our own, as a non-Disney excursion (because we wanted the full "swim" with the dolphins). We took a taxi over to Chankanaab and spent the afternoon there. I thought it was great for the money. We paid $6 to snorkel in their lagoon as we waited for our dolphin swim. The park is beautiful, very nice vegetation & pretty walking paths. It's great because you can take a taxi to get there.

Xcaret is a whole different story. In order to get there, you must take a 20min water taxi/enclosed boat thing. The ride to get there can be VERY rough. There were people getting sick in our boat. Once you get to Playa Del Carmen, you have to walk for about 10min to where the buses are parked. Then you have to take a 15min bus ride to the park itself. The park is absolutely gorgeous, but with a 3yo, it might get to be a LONG venture! My group consisted of 17 adults. We all loved it, but felt very rushed. I could've used about 6 more hours there! We had about 3.5 hours to really get out and explore the park. Then the long haul back to the ship began.

Both parks offer activities that you can pay extra for. Both parks offer a safe, fun experience. Chankanaab might be the place for you to start. Next time you go you can try Xcaret!

Hope this helps!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

We did Chankanaab years ago on a Royal Carribbean cruise and then went back during a Carnival cruise. It is a great place - wonderful little coves, etc. The only thing I remember is that I didn't find anywhere in the water where it was shallow enough to stand, so make sure you 3yo is comfortable with using a swim vest or life jacket. Enough to keep his/her head above water.

Again, I haven't been there in about 5 years so maybe I'm remembering wrong or it has changed. The water was beautiful and I loved the beach. Saw some large iguanas too.

Sorry, never heard of the other location.

 

[stcsf04]

We have been to Xcaret. We actually stayed at the Grand Occidental right next door and got a free 1 day pass included. It was a cool place and took us most of the day to walk thru. They have a really cool show at night. I would sugguest waiting to go there until you could spend the whole day. It is a blast to see but some people on my trip thought the day wasn't enought time.
I have some pictures if anyone is intrested.

 

[pbharris4]

Eww! Spiders that large? My 9 yo is deathly afraid of spiders, flies, bugs, bees..it could be 30 feet away and she'll spot it and won't budge until someone kills it. It sounds funny, but it is rather debilitating. I honestly think she has panic/anxiety. (I've have it and she's showing signs). Anyway...Xcaret probably is out of the question due to the spiders and the long haul to get there and back. Chankanaab would probably be better. They both look amazing though. And with the younger one, it might be a little more flexible. I'd hate to spend all that $$ and it not work out. So we need some flexibility. Yes! I would LOVE to see your pictures! Thanks for the help! You all just saved me some $$ too!

Pam

 

[otoole]

"I recommend Chankanaab. My family booked the Dolphin Swim there on our own, as a non-Disney excursion (because we wanted the full "swim" with the dolphins). "

Just read the above. Wondering if you could elaborate - is the Disney excursion with dolphins much less than if you were to book it your own? price difference? Thanks.

 

[DisneyDiva4ever]

The reason my family booked this activity as a non-Disney excursion was not so much for the price difference. Disney offers a dolphin "encounter" at Chankanaab. This means that you stand in waist deep water and interact with the dolphins. They swim past your legs, you pet them etc. My group wanted to get in the water and "swim" with the dolphins. This is a totally different experience. It's a separate area where you take turns having the dolphins jump over you, push you up out of the water and give you a ride with their noses pushing your feet. You also do the dorsal grab where they come flying up behind you and you grab their dorsal fins and the pull you across the water. Then there's a free swim where they swim in circles around you and you can pet them. The "encounter" is cheaper and can be booked through Disney. This is nice for kids or people who aren't as strong in the water. The "swim" is great if you have a group of adults who really want to interact with the dolphins (and you're comfortable booking the excursion on your own) ....just be cautioned, the price was about $120 per adult!

It was one of my favorite cruising experiences. I reccommend trying it at least once.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[Liz]

Disneydiva, can I ask a few questions about the Dolphin swim?

Did you wear swim shoes? Do they provide life vests? Does it hurt your feet at all when they do that thing where they push your feet with their nose? What depth water are you in and would you say you have to be a strong swimmer? Did you do any of the other activities at Chankanaab like the sea lion stuff?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyDiva4ever]

Hello!

I didn't wear swim shoes, I don't think they allow them. They could injure the dolphins. Life vest are provided & are good quality. As far as the "superman" ride, (when the dolphins push you, one on each foot), it's a blast! It doesn't hurt. You have to be sure to keep your legs straight. If you bend your knees it signals the dolphins to drop you. They are trained to do so. I believe the water was about 10-15 feet deep where we were. I don't remember anyone in my group having trouble with the swimming. The life vests do most of the work....and the dolphins too! My family purchased the video that the company makes of you while you are interacting with the dolphins. It's a great souvenir. The only other activity I enjoyed at Chankanaab was some snorkeling in their lagoon & walking some of the paths around the park. It's a lovely place to visit!

 

[Liz]

Hello!

I didn't wear swim shoes, I don't think they allow them. They could injure the dolphins. Life vest are provided & are good quality. As far as the "superman" ride, (when the dolphins push you, one on each foot), it's a blast! It doesn't hurt. You have to be sure to keep your legs straight. If you bend your knees it signals the dolphins to drop you. They are trained to do so. I believe the water was about 10-15 feet deep where we were. I don't remember anyone in my group having trouble with the swimming. The life vests do most of the work....and the dolphins too! My family purchased the video that the company makes of you while you are interacting with the dolphins. It's a great souvenir. The only other activity I enjoyed at Chankanaab was some snorkeling in their lagoon & walking some of the paths around the park. It's a lovely place to visit!

Thanks for the great info! It sounds like a blast!