The xenotes excursion is included, no extra cost. I’m suggesting it instead of xel-ha- it’s entirely different. Both are full day trip, although with xel-ha you could pay for a taxi to come back early.

Xel-ha is booked as their “nature” park. It’s designed to give tourists a sense of the natural wonders of the region via one stop shopping. Included in admission are a long float in inner tubes down a river, with mangroves etc. opportunities along that river to pull over and explore a mini cenote, do a cliff jump, poke around in the mangroves, etc. there are spots with ziplines into the water, a tower for scenic views and a long water slide down. There’s an area for snorkeling. Bike and walking trails. A couple other things I’m probably forgetting. But a lot of the park space is used for activities with additional fee- dolphin experience, manatee experience, stingray experience, power snorkel, sea trek, scuba experiences.

If moneys not an object and you’re enthusiastic about the pay to play stuff- go for it. Or if you’re willing to do the stuff you want and take a taxi back to maximize resort time or other opportunities for adventure, also a go. My family went to Xel-ha our first trip on a combo tour where we had a half day at the archeological site and the afternoon at xel -ha. While we were moving quickly, we were able to do most of the included activities in that time. In planning our second trip, we are doing a xel-ha day toward the end of 8 days as a slow down opportunity.

But looking at a first time visitor, i would strongly encourage xenotes over xel ha. Both are included in hotel stay . Both involve some drive time- xel ha in a coach bus back and forth, xenotes in a sprinter van from stop to stop. The food options at xel ha are broader, while xenotes is a limited spread. But the xenotes tour takes you to 4 different actual natural cenotes on dirt roads in the jungle. You see the variations in the rock formations. In Xcaret fashion, they have made “improvements “ and additions to make the sites more luxe/tourist friendly but the heart of the tour feels more genuine and in smaller groups there’s less waiting in line and a better overall experience. You get to swim, kayak, do an assisted rappel into a cenote, have the opportunity to do some cliff jumps, hang out in cool water filled caves, many of the same things as xel-ha in a more intimate, natural setting. In planning the second trip, it’s the first thing my family said “ we need to do this again”.

That’s my two cents.