Dolphin Swim + Xcaret Plus Pass: A Full Day at the Park
Tour Overview
Experience two of the Riviera Maya's biggest highlights in a single day: Mexico's most famous eco-archaeological park and an up-close encounter with one of the ocean's most intelligent mammals. This package bundles a full-day Xcaret Plus admission with a dolphin swim (Harmony program) at the habitat inside the park — one reservation, one payment, no need to book each activity separately.
The big advantage of doing this at Xcaret is that the dolphin habitat sits right inside the park: your swim is just one part of a full day among underground rivers, coves, wildlife sanctuaries, and live shows. And true to how we do things, we're upfront about exactly what's included and what isn't, so you show up with zero surprises.
The Dolphin Swim: The Harmony Program
Your encounter is the Harmony program, the habitat's most accessible, family-friendly interaction level — a great first dolphin encounter even if you're not a strong swimmer. Here's how it runs:
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Pre-swim briefing: a short session with specialized trainers covering hand signals and safety guidelines before you get in the water.
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About 20 minutes in the water: roughly 10 interactions, including petting, a kiss, a hug, listening to their sounds, and watching their behavior up close.
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Small group, life vest required: the encounter runs in a small group of up to 10 people (not a private session) with a mandatory life vest — that's by design, both for the quality of the interaction and the animals' wellbeing.
What Makes This Plan Different?
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One day, one payment: Plus admission and the dolphin swim are bundled together — no separate bookings or payments, and your spot is secured on a high-demand activity.
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The habitat is inside Xcaret: the dolphins aren't your only plan — you've got an entire park to enjoy for the rest of the day.
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Upfront pricing: we tell you in advance what's billed separately (the state tax and photos), no fine print.
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Verifiable animal welfare: we work with a habitat known for its animal care standards (details below).
Planning Your Day at Xcaret with the Dolphin Swim
Your swim has an assigned time slot, so it's worth building the rest of the day around it. Here's how we'd suggest making the most of it:
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Arrive early: the park opens around 8:30 AM. Confirm or pick up your dolphin program time as soon as you arrive.
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Water in the morning: start with the underground rivers and the cove before the heat and the crowds show up.
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Save energy for the dolphins: the program takes some focus and physical effort, so pace yourself to arrive fresh.
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Midday: enjoy the buffet in the Plus area (try to avoid the rush around 1:30 PM).
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Cultural afternoon: the aviary, the butterfly pavilion, the Maya Village, and the Papantla Flyers.
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Closing night: wrap up with the Xcaret México Espectacular show (approx. 7:00 - 9:00 PM) at the Gran Tlachco theater.
What's Included
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Full-day Xcaret Plus admission: access to 50+ natural and cultural attractions, plus all Plus-area amenities.
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Harmony dolphin swim program: pre-swim briefing and guided swim (approx. 20 minutes in the water) with specialized trainers.
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Safety and snorkel gear: mandatory life vest and snorkel gear for the park's water areas.
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Buffet with drinks (Plus area): unlimited juice, water, and coffee, plus one beer per adult.
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Plus-area amenities: changing rooms, lockers, showers, and restrooms.
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Included shows: Papantla Flyers, charrería, pre-Hispanic dances, and the Xcaret México Espectacular night show.
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Round-trip transportation: shared shuttle service from your hotel or meeting point.
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Free cancellation: up to 2 days in advance.
Not Included
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ISEPAAA tax: Quintana Roo state tax for activities with aquatic animals (approx. $50 MXN / around $3 USD per person ages 6+), paid at the habitat during check-in.
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Swim photo package: for the dolphins' safety and to keep the program running smoothly and on schedule, cameras, phones, and any recording devices aren't allowed in the swim area.
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Optional Xcaret activities: Sea Trek, Snuba, the interactive shark adventure, stingray encounter, temazcal, Mexican wine tasting tour, Xpa, Tlachco dinner, and others.
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Gratuities, souvenirs, and personal expenses.
What to Bring
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Attire: swimsuit worn under your clothes, a towel, and a dry change of clothes.
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Comfortable footwear: sneakers or sandals for walking the park, and water shoes/sandals for the water areas.
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Reef-safe sunscreen: the park only allows biodegradable sunscreen; no sunscreen at all is allowed in the dolphin area (apply it only in the park's other zones).
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Cash: for the ISEPAAA tax, the photo package, souvenirs, and gratuities (cards are also accepted in most places).
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The Xcaret app: download it to check the park map and the day's show times.
Good to Know
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Height and age for the swim: a minimum height of about 3.3 ft (1 m) is required to swim with the dolphins; children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult in the water (both need a ticket).
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Park age rates: adult rate from age 12; child rate ages 5-11; free ages 0-4 (children under 5 who swim pay the swim rate and must meet the height minimum).
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Companions: anyone not swimming and only accompanying the group won't have access to the dolphin area.
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Health and safety: the activity isn't recommended for pregnant women or anyone with heart conditions or other serious medical concerns.
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Transportation and pickup: the included shuttle is shared, with pickup at your hotel lobby; you'll provide these details when booking, and we'll confirm your pickup time to get you to your swim on time.
Animal Welfare and Transparency
We know that swimming with dolphins raises legitimate questions about animal care, and we'd rather address that head-on. The habitat we work with at Xcaret operates under specialized care protocols, runs a well-known dolphin breeding program (recognized with a Guinness World Record), and even has a dedicated maternity area for newborn calves.
Interactions always take place in small, supervised groups, both for your safety and the animals' wellbeing. If animal welfare is a deciding factor for you, let us know — we're happy to share what we have so you can make your decision with confidence.
Frecuently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to swim with dolphins at Xcaret, and what’s included in the price?
In a single payment, the price covers full-day Xcaret Plus admission plus the Harmony dolphin swim program, along with the buffet with drinks and the park’s shows. The only extras are the ISEPAAA state tax (approx. $50 MXN / around $3 USD per person) and, if you’d like them, professional photos from the swim. The exact rate varies by season and ticket type (adult/child); you can confirm it in the booking module.
Is park admission to Xcaret included with the dolphin swim?
Yes. That’s the whole point of this package — it combines the dolphin swim with full-day access to Xcaret. If you book a swim program on its own elsewhere, park admission usually isn’t included; here it is, at a price built around the combination.
Which dolphin swim program does this package include?
Harmony, the habitat’s most family-friendly interaction level: about 20 minutes in the water with petting, a kiss, a hug, and play, in a small group with a life vest. It’s the fixed program for this package and is already included in the price.
What’s the minimum age or height to swim with dolphins at Xcaret?
There’s no minimum height to swim with the dolphins. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult in the water, and that adult also needs a ticket. Everyone can enter the park — kids ages 0-4 get in free, but they do pay the dolphin-interaction rate if they swim.
Do I need to know how to swim to take part in the dolphin activity?
No. A life vest is required throughout the program, so you’ll float without any effort, and specialized trainers guide you through every step.
Can I bring my own camera or phone to the dolphin swim?
No. Under the habitat’s rules — to avoid distracting the animals and to keep the program running on schedule — cameras, phones, and personal belongings aren’t allowed in the swim area. The center sells professional photo packages on site if you’d like them. We’re telling you this upfront so you can plan accordingly.
Can you also swim with sharks at Xcaret?
Xcaret offers an interactive shark adventure as an optional add-on, but it isn’t part of this package and is booked separately inside the park. This plan is built around the dolphin swim.
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