Xplor Adventure Park offers up some of Cancun and the Riviera Maya’s most exciting adventures. This relatively new eco-adventure park has earned a reputation as providing fun, high-quality and safe adventures for the entire family. Book this fun tour on your next vacation in the Mexican Caribbean!
Xplor Adventure Park
I have to admit I had a few doubts before going on this tour. Let me explain.
Xplor offers four principle activities to enjoy during a visit to this adventure park: zip lines, amphibious vehicles, swimming and paddling in an underground river. Each of these activities is in itself a great experience that provides adrenaline, laughter and enjoyment for all.
Except when you’re afraid of heights and high speeds.
Zip-lining through the jungle
That’s what I thought at least. But ever the adventurer and lover of exploring the wonderful options of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, I had to find out what all the hype was about. Even if I figured I wouldn’t participate in all the activities.
My first challenge was the zip lines.
Climbing up in the first tower, a thousand perfectly valid excuses ran through my mind as to why I should simply turn back.
“Nobody is forcing you,” my racing thoughts argued.
The fear literally ate at me with each step up the tower. But, of course, my determination was stronger. Especially after seeing people of all ages climb up the tower and zip through the forest canopy, only to land at the other end exhilarated and unscathed.
When I finally arrived at the launch pad, the friendly staff, apparently noticing my fear and trepidation that I thought I was doing so well to hide, soothed my soul with a great piece of advice:
“Close your eyes on takeoff. Once you’ve got going, open your eyes and see how much fun you are having.”
And he was right!
The sensation of flying over the trees and water feeling the speed as I zipped through the jungle was incredible. I was amazed at how perfectly the flight takes you from one platform to the other. I felt emboldened and energized to be leaping from the heights and racing through the gorgeous tropical vegetation of the Mexican Caribbean.
Fear conquered!
All-terrain, high-speed thrills
After such a thrilling experience I came back down to Earth and moved on to more land-based adventures.
Next up were the all-terrain amphibious vehicles. Even if high speeds were never my thing, having conquered my fear of heights and having so much fun while I was at it—knowing about Xplor’s impeccable safety record also helps—I decided I was ready to continue my adventure.
I have to admit it was much more fun than I had expected. Racing through twists and turns, going up and down over uneven surfaces, making our way through narrow bridges and into dark tunnels, the whole time I felt butterflies in my stomach and my adrenaline at its limits. Once I finished, I had an important epiphany: my old fears of heights and speed really had no basis.
I was having a great time!
But I also realized something else: so much adrenaline makes you really, really hungry. So my companion and I headed off to try out the all-inclusive gourmet lunch buffet.
Wow!
The quality was much better than I expected. In spite of all the deliciousness, I did, in fact, try very small portions of almost everything, we actually ate light so we could continue on with our adventure without feeling bloated by the tantalizing buffet options.
An underground paradise
Swim or paddle? That was our next choice. Since we had just eaten, we decided it was best to go paddling in the underground river and follow it up with a swim.
While both are fun and amazing, what really stands out is the breathtaking beauty of the underground river. I have traveled to many places and taken a lot of tours in my life, and without a doubt the underground river at Xplor stands out among my travel highlights.
Floating in this river is like being in a completely different world. A place of peace, silence and utter beauty, with the crystal clear turquoise waters of the river expertly illuminated along the way to provide incredible visuals for the lucky paddler or swimmer.
As all good things, our time at Xplor finally came to an end. But what an experience! Overcoming fear, experiencing the pleasant rush of adrenaline to awaken the senses, a gourmet buffet, traveling at high speed through the jungle…
Xplor is a great place to enjoy as a couple or with family or friends. It’s definitely an incredible experience and well worth a few hours away from the beach and shopping while on your next visit to Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
You can book this tour online or check with your Amstar representative in the hotel for more information.
