Xpu Ha Palace

Xpu Ha Palace - background:

The Xpu-Ha Palace is in the Riviera Maya, 60 minutes south of the Cancun airport. This area offers Mayan ruins, snorkeling lagoons, coral reef, and unique eco-theme parks such as Xcaret and Xel-ha. (Read more about the Riviera Maya.)

There are several Palace properties in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera, with more due to open. Palace Resorts have a "Stay at one, enjoy all" policy: guests can make day-visits to other properties. 24-hour room service is another feature.The Xpu Ha Palace has large tropical grounds in the style of an "eco-park". Guests stay in thatched-roof bungalows (with upper and lower units -- 464 units in total) ; rooms have double jacuzzi, and balcony or terrace with hammock.

Note: the Xpu Ha Palace was hit by Hurricane Wilma but reopened in June 2006.

Xpu Ha Palace - features for families:

• white sand beach
• beach playground
• beautiful snorkeling in a cove
• two zero-entry pools
• waterslide activities at scheduled times
• kids can see crocodiles, turtles, flamingos, monkeys; aviary; serpentarium; crocodile pit; botany tour; telescope for star-viewing
• feeding stations throughout the resort
• friendly eco-guides available 9am-4pm daily to teach guests

daily activities include Ecological Tour, Jungle and Mangrove Tour, Kayak Adventure Tour

See "Promotions", below, for other all-included tours off-property

non-motorized watersports, fitness center

complimentary Kids Club for ages 4 to 12

three restaurants; room service

bikes for getting around

More :

A fresh water river starts at an underground cave, forms a lagoon, and then reaches a coral reef. Guests can explore by kayak or with snorkel gear. You might even see a manatee.

Also, the Xpu Ha palace has an animal rescue & treatment program and staff of veterinarians and biologists to care for resident critters (crocs, spider monkeys, deer.)

keep in mind about the Xpu Ha Palace:

• this is not the place for those who like marble-monument-style resorts, or nightlife
• suits those who like the outdoors, snorkeling, and animals
• some bungalows may hear disco noise from another property- ask for a quiet spot

Deals and promotions at the Xpa Ha Palace:

"Palace Passport" offers unlimited free select tours, to Chichen Itza and Tulum ruins, for example.

check for Kids Stay Free promotions.

see Apple Vacations for promotions.

Find out more about the Xpu Ha Palace:

• See the Xpu Ha section at the Palace Resorts site
• 360-degree photos at Apple Vacations
• detailed review at
• read visitors' comments at TripAdvisor (just enter "Xpu Ha Palace" in the searchbox)
• Compare prices for this and other all-inclusives in the area

This brief profile is meant to introduce this resort to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check resort sites for updates.