Playa del Carmen is a popular vacation destination on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico with a number of cruise ships stopping here each year. Ferries also make routine crossings from here to Cozumel. One of the most popular tourist attractions just south of town is Xcaret, an eco-archaeological park.
Originally the site of the Maya people, the owners have preserved all the archaeological sites and developed it into a premier, all-inclusive attraction for families as well as adults.
Part of the park’s efforts have been to preserve and protect all the native species of fauna and flora found in the area. With that as a goal, they have created a huge nursery to grow native trees and plants and a wonderful aviary to raise and protect many bird species.
Enjoy just a small sampling of the birds and animals found in Xcaret:
Jaguar
Jaguar Island at Xcaret gives people a chance to see jaguars without bars. A wide moat separates the cats from the visitors. The jaguar was considered a supernatural being in Mayan culture and was given the name Balam – meaning power in the underworld.
Scarlet Macaw
The scarlet macaw is being bred in large numbers at Xcaret and reintroduced through out the park. Xcaret received the Guinness World Record for “The largest number of macaws born in the same facility in one year.”
Green macaw
The green macaw (also known as the Buffon’s macaw or the great military macaw) is also plentiful throughout the park and can be easily found in the Bird Aviary.
Green parokeet
Dozens of green parakeets are also located in the bird aviary. Much smaller than the macaws, they do their best to make as much noise.
King Vulture
King Vultures, originally rescued from the wild, are now being rehabilitated and pampered in Xcaret. The King Vulture can be found as far south as Argentina.
Coati
Not officially a welcome species in the park, Coati are similar to North American raccoon’s, tearing into trash receptacles and making a general mess of things. The babies are super cute and quite fast. Don’t feed them, as they don’t distinguish between food and fingers.
Sea turtles
Giant sea turtles are protected and raised in great numbers at Xcaret. Specimens from newborn to one’s weighing hundreds of pounds can be found swimming in the protected waters.
Keep reading:
See all our other articles on Riviera Maya, Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula:
Grand Velas Riviera Maya – all inclusive, all fantastic
Day of the Dead celebration in photos – 2014
Xcaret – an all inclusive park for all-encompassing enjoyment
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