To go to the farthest corner, there is a little "train" that you can take to the beginning of the river, or you can walk along the caves and cenotes on the other shore.

The food and shops are of the theme park quality, so don't expect too much or be surprised by the prices. It is labeled an eco-park, but it caters more to average tourists.

You can get there by bus from Playa del Carmen if you don't have a car. Entrance fee is about $30 - $50 if you want the all-inclusive food and beverage plan. We never seem to have enough time to want to spend it eating and drinking.

Lockers and rental snorkeling equipment are available (tote yours along if you can - it's pricey). Life vests and floating tubes are complimentary.

Restaurants and bars are scattered throughout the park - strolling musicians provide entertainment - lounge chairs are everywhere under palm trees to shade you from the hot sun.

Snorkeling is incredible, especially near the floating bridge - ask when they are going to feed the fish and make sure that you're there (the biggest fish I have ever seen - almost scary but I just had to get in there with them). This is not to be missed.

There's a flowing river that goes through caverns, ropes that you can swing on to jump into a pool, caves that you can snorkel in - can you tell that I'm excited?

There is a train that takes you through part of the park. They safeguard your belongings until you appear at the other end.

For the less adventuresome there are teak lounge chairs, massages, an aviary, or the beach (a little corally) for quiet relaxation.

This park is less "touristy" than Xcaret - that's what we like about it. Try it once - I'll bet you'll be hooked! Let me know.

Xel-Ha water park is a unique natural phenomenon and a protected habitat for marine life. We especially enjoyed swimming down the inlet along the mangroves, which were literally teeming with fish. We saw a huge parrotfish that had to be at least three feet long, along with a sting ray. You can choose to snorkel down the inlet or float on a tube. There are huge iguanas running around everywhere. To truly enjoy this park, you might want to make it a day trip.