Get the children ready for a fun day out in the Mexican Caribbean this summer. Whether you go snorkeling or head for the famous nature parks, there’s plenty to do for all ages in the Riviera Maya and beyond.

Snorkeling fun

Slip into the water for a snorkeling trip and some face- to-face encounters with the colorful reef fish of the Caribbean. If your children can swim, they’ll enjoy donning a mask and flippers and going exploring. Shallow water reefs in Puerto Morelos, the Cancun-Isla Mujeres area and Akumal are great snorkeling spots offering sightings of shimmering angel fish, parrot fish, sergeant majors and sea turtles.

Head for Xel-Ha Park and a day of fun in the water. This chain of turquoise inlets, lagoons and cenotes is a snorkeling paradise and home to 90 species of fish.

Snorkeling aside, there are plenty of other fun activities on offer like zip lining, giant inner tubes for a relaxing float across the lagoon, leaping off the cliff of courage into a cenote, nature walks and more. Families can also swim with dolphins and stingrays for an additional fee.

For a panoramic view of the park’s inlets and cenotes and the Riviera Maya coast, climb the lookout tower, the quickest way down is the huge water slide.

More water parks

Take the family to the Aqua Nick Park for a day of fun on seven thrilling water slides, the Lazy River, the Paw Patrol aqua playground for the little ones and encounters with some favorite cartoon characters and Nickelodeon friends.

On the outskirts of Cancun Hotel Zone, Ventura Park has also fun pools, water slides and rides.

Nature, water and Mexican heritage

Just south of Playa del Carmen, Xcaret is the Riviera Maya’s world-famous park. There are more than 50 attractions to enjoy and you’ll spend the day in the water, discovering Mexico’s wildlife, its history and rich traditions.

Relax on the beach, take the children for a swim in one of the park’s underground rivers (life jackets mandatory) and go snorkeling. You can see more marine life on a visit to the aquarium. Manatees swim in the lagoons and there are dolphins too (additional fees for dolphin swims and encounters).

The huge walk-through jungle aviary is home to 90 species of birds from southeast Mexico, from hummingbirds to parrots, macaws, toucans and the impressive king vulture. The park also has a butterfly pavilion and regional wildlife enclosures where you can watch spider monkeys, coatimundis, deer and jaguars.

The Children’s World area of Xcaret offers pools, water slides and cenotes for children under the age of 12 to swim in. As the little ones have fun in the water, their parents can relax in a shaded rest area.

During the day take the children to see the Mexican rodeo, dances, the Papantla flyers and the turtle pools. Be sure to pace them with an afternoon nap and treats like gelato so that they are ready to stay on for the unforgettable evening gala performance that showcases Mexican history, music, dance and song. It takes you from the days of ancient Mayan rulers and the thrilling ball game, the coming of the Spaniards to the sights and sounds of a Mexican fiesta, complete with a mariachi band.

Jungle thrills

How about a day of jungle adventures? This is a fun choice for older children who will soon find their adventurous Indiana Jones spirit. At Xplor Park they can fly through the jungle canopy on thrilling zip line circuits with fun cenote splashdowns at the end to cool off. Drive the family through the forest on your own amphibious vehicle and journey into the underworld for a rafting adventure along a river flowing through the Riviera Maya’s caves. Don’t miss Xplor’s latest attraction, the Toboganxote waterslide with its twists and turns for fast-paced fun.

Just south of Cancun Airport, Xavage Park has an adventure playground for children with rope bridges, tunnels and zip lines.

Taking the family to Xenotes Oasis Maya gives you the chance to explore the jungle and spend the day at four different cenotes on the Ruta de los Cenotes inland from Puerto Morelos.

Plan your family adventure

Thomas More Travel can help you plan a family adventure and book snorkeling trips and tickets to area parks.