Cancun Mexico

This Xplor Fuego review will go over the Xcaret’s popular Xplor Fuego park, which is a waterpark about a 5-10 minute bus ride from Hotel Xcaret or Xcaret Arte in the Riviera Maya area in Cancun Mexico.

Xplor Fuego is the nighttime rendition of the popular daytime park called “Xplor” which is Xcaret’s main waterpark during the day, so if you are a thrill seeker looking for a cool night time adventure, this park is for you. While it is literally the same park and location as “Xplor,” the nighttime activities and fire lit torches and lighting throughout the park make it seem like you have arrived to a whole new dimension.

Some people can’t even recognize the park at night, especially the rock formations at the “river swim” attraction at Xplor Fuego because of how different everything looks with the lights and torches and fire display at night.

Xplor Fuego get’s its name from “Fuego” which translates to “fire” because the park is lit up at night with many types of torches, fire and cool LED lighting throughout the park.

A Review of Transportation into Xplor Fuego

Transportation is included via bus for any guest staying at any of the Xcaret Hotels on property. Since Xplor Fuego is only about a 5-10 bus ride from either Xcaret Mexico or Xcaret Arte, it makes for a quick convenient transport to and from the resort.

Many guests choose to go to Xplor Fuego after dinner at one of the resorts, as this park is only open at night.

The Xplor Fuego park is open from Monday through Saturday 5:30pm-10:30pm, so plan on this being a nighttime activity. The regular Xplor park closes at 5:00pm, and after that time the employees begin preparing the tiki torches, adding the lights and turning on the fire to make the Xplor Fuego park come alive.

For those people not staying at one of the Xcaret resorts or hotels, tickets can be purchased separately and is also available on Viator. Some of these excursions do include transportation to and from your hotel outside of the Xcaret hotels so definitely shop around and explore your options

Entering Xplor Fuego

As you wander through the park, you will enter first through the main entrance which takes you through a long pathway through a real cave full of stalactites hanging from the ceiling. The cave pathway is lightly lit, so you will be able to find your way around and explore some beautiful natural waterfalls and tiny cenotes on your way to the main part of the park of Xplor Fuego.

Once you arrive to the main park of the park, it is important to get your locker keys and check in your items into your locker at the start of your visit as you will be doing a lot of walking in the park, and I have found that carrying light items is better. Minimalistic here is key.

What is Xcaret’s Xplor Fuego all about?

Some of the activities you will be engaging will include zip-lines, amphibious vehicles, swimming in underground rivers as well as rafting through unique and natural caves as part of your experience at Xcaret’ Xplor Fuego park.

• There are 7 total activities which include Ziplines, ATV Vehicles that resemble little buggies that you can ride through the Mayan jungle, River Swim through an underground cenote, River rafts, Hammock Splash, Underground Expedition, and Toboganxote
• Admission is all inclusive and includes a buffet dinner, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks
• There are Lockers, restrooms, and changing rooms in the main section of the park

This is a family adventure water park, so anybody over the age of 5 can attend. Keep in mind though, the attractions do require some athleticism and a good bit of walking to get to and from each activity, so anyone with prior health conditions or disabilities may want to keep this in mind. I probably walked a mile just from the entrance of the mark to the main attraction area before I even got to the locker room.

I believe this park has something for everyone, and each attraction is adrenaline and adventure oriented, so everything in Xplor Fuego is definitely considered an active waterpark activity.

What to Bring to Xplor Fuego – A Review of What to Expect

Since Xplor Fuego is a nighttime park, it can get chilly in the evenings so make sure to bring an extra pair of clothes. You should plan on getting wet too, because a large part of Xplor Park does consist of water based attractions, whether it is the river swim, waterslide or going through a river raft.

I wore a long-sleeved shirt and a hat even though it was in the middle of June in the summertime due to the mosquitos found in the Mayan jungle, because you will be required to walk through the jungle to each activity and there will be bugs and occasional mosquitos along the route so be prepared.

A Xplor Fuego Review – My favorite part is the River Swim

By far, my most favorite attraction of Xplor Fuego park was the river swim attraction. Here, you are given life jackets and then you go into a natural underground River Cenote which the water is lit up by small fire torches and glowing red LED lights which adds to the uniqueness of the whole experience.

The river swim spans several miles and takes you through an entire system of underground river cenotes. You are given the choice of the “short route” or the “longer route” which can take upwards of 30-45 minutes to finish depending on how quick you swim and how fast you can get through the water.

At times, you will be by yourself (especially if swimming there late at night prior to closing) so if you tend to be claustrophobic or fear of darkness keep this in mind).

There may be some bats present in the underground caves too, especially at night – but I found that it added to the nature experience as I swam through the underground tunnels and cenotes. At one point, an actual bat flew right over my partner’s head (she was shocked!)

In case you begin to undergo exhaustion during the river swim, there are a few pre-planned exit points throughout the river swim which leads to a staircase back up to the main Xplor Fuego park. So don’t think that you are stuck down in the underground caves the whole way if you begin to get physically exhausted.

There are also physical rocks underneath you. While most of the river swim, your feet won’t be able to touch the ground – there are areas of higher ground where you can touch your toes on the rock ground and rest for a moment to catch your breath before you start swimming again!

Each area had a special theme and it was a lot of fun to go through the river swim experience. The ending of the river swim ends in a tunnel leading to an open cenote with a waterfall. The water will fall down on your body and you will relieved as you look into the heavens that you made it to the very end!

Amphibious Vehicles (ATV’s) Attraction at Xplor Fuego

It wouldn’t be a complete Xplor Fuego review if I didn’t cover my 2nd favorite attraction at the park which is the ATV’s (I call them Buggy’s). While the ATV’s are a bit slower than the ones found in the USA, they make for a wonderful ride at night as you trek along the Mayan jungle in your amphibious vehicle. You will cross bridges, narrow pathways, underground cave areas lit with fire and different obstacles as you make your way through the jungle!

Toboganxote

Hammock Splash

River Rafts

Stalactite River Swim