Xcaret, about 10 km south of Playa del Carmen, is built around a coastal inlet and ancient Maya harbour. The park is expensive by Mexican standards but genuinely impressive — snorkelling through underground rivers, coral reef viewing platforms, turtle conservation pools, a butterfly pavilion, a jaguar island, and evening performances of Mexican folklore and music. It occupies a full day and is particularly well suited to families.
The archaeological component is real: the ruins at the site are genuine Maya structures from the Polé trading port. The park also contains a re-creation of pre-Columbian and colonial Mexican life that ranges from earnest to spectacular depending on your tolerance for performance. Book in advance for the evening show, which draws large crowds. Ferry connections to Cozumel depart from inside the park.