Xel-Há, Riviera Maya
Overview
Xel-Há is a natural inlet on the Riviera Maya, at Kilometre 240 of Highway 307, about 18 kilometres north of Tulum. The fresh water of underground rivers flows into the inlet and mixes with the Caribbean, and the inlet is now the centre of Xel-Há Park, a commercial nature park operated by Grupo Xcaret.
The inlet is not a public beach. It is reached only through the park, and the standard ticket is all-inclusive, covering snorkelling equipment and life vests, food and drink, inner tubes for floating down the river, bicycles, loungers and hammocks, lockers, showers and parking. Interactive programmes with dolphins and manatees are charged separately.
Our current condition score for this beach is .
Photo summary of last month
Each photograph is published unedited and in date order, and is replaced as newer submissions arrive, so what appears here is the most recent view of the beach rather than a promotional photograph.
Xel-Há is an enclosed inlet rather than an open beach, so its photographs are a useful comparison with Akumal, Yal-Kú and Tulum on the same day.
Position relative to the Atlantic sargassum belt
Sargassum is carried north along the Riviera Maya by the Yucatán Current and pushed ashore by the easterly wind, and the coast around Tulum often receives heavy arrivals. Xel-Há is an enclosed inlet that opens to the sea through a narrow mouth, so its inner water is far less exposed than the open beaches nearby. It is not sealed from the sea, however, and the dated photographs above show its actual condition.
The sargassum season
The regional season runs from roughly May to August, with the heaviest arrivals usually in June and July, and the coast is generally quieter from late autumn into spring. The wider picture is set out in our Riviera Maya sargassum season guide.
Snorkelling and activities
Snorkelling in the inlet, where fresh and salt water meet, is the main activity, and the mixing of the two creates visible layers in the water. The park also has a river that visitors float down on inner tubes, cenotes and caves, jungle trails, a lookout tower, a high slide, cliff jumps and an adventure area with zip-lines.
Swimming conditions and safety
The water in the inlet is calm and sheltered, and life vests are provided, so the park is suitable for children and inexperienced swimmers. Visibility can vary where fresh and salt water mix.
Access and getting there
The turn-off is signed at Kilometre 240 of Highway 307, between Akumal and Tulum. The drive from Cancún is about 110 kilometres and takes roughly one and a half to two hours, and from Tulum about twenty minutes. Parking is included with the ticket, and the park sells packages with transport from the main hotel areas. Opening hours and prices change from season to season and are best confirmed with the park before visiting.
Check live conditions before you go
On the live map we track Xel-Há with dated photographs and a current condition score, which makes it easy to compare with Akumal, Yal-Kú and Tulum on the same morning.
See live conditions, photos & cams →