Popular Riviera Maya Adventure Park Closes Amid Tourism Slowdown

Grupo Xcaret has announced the temporary suspension of operations at two of its attractions, Xavage Adventure Park in Puerto Morelos and the Insomnia Experience at Xenses Park in Playa del Carmen.

This decision, effective from November 12, 2024, is being positioned as part of a strategic initiative to reconfigure and modernize their offerings, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the tourism industry.

Part of Grupo Xcaret’s broader strategy to reconfigure its parks, aiming for sustained growth and innovation, the temporary closure is reported to be part of a plan that includes strategic investments and operational improvements, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and continuous development.

Xavage Adventure Park

Known for its adventure and challenge-based activities, Xavage will halt operations to undergo a comprehensive redesign. The goal is to enhance its facilities and activities, aligning them with current tourism trends and visitor expectations.

Xavage was officially opened to the public in 2018, marking it as the seventh park in Grupo Xcaret’s portfolio, which includes other notable attractions such as Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xoximilco, and Xenses.

The development of Xavage Park along with the nighttime attraction Xoximilco, transformed a former construction material extraction site into a unique adventure destination. The park offers a variety of activities designed to challenge visitors’ adventurous spirits, including whitewater rafting, rock crawling in specially designed vehicles, high-speed jet boat rides, horizontal zip-lining, and an extensive ropes course.

Xenses Insomnia Experience

The Insomnia Experience at Xenses Park, known as “Xenses Insomnia,” is a nighttime attraction introduced by Grupo Xcaret in the Riviera Maya. This experience was officially launched to the public on March 29, 2024, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore Xenses Park under the cover of night.

While Xenses Park will continue its regular operations, the Insomnia experience—a popular nighttime attraction—will shift to a seasonal model. It ceased activities on November 11, 2024, and is scheduled to resume during the summer season of 2025.

Grupo Xcaret has assured that it is handling the transition with utmost respect for its employees. Efforts are being made to reassign staff within the company where possible. In cases where reassignment isn’t feasible, the company is fulfilling all legal labor obligations to ensure fair treatment.

Implications for the Riviera Maya Tourism Industry

The temporary suspension of these attractions reflects the dynamic nature of the tourism sector in the Riviera Maya. It underscores the necessity for businesses to adapt and innovate in response to evolving market conditions and visitor preferences.

While such closures may have short-term economic impacts on local businesses that depend on tourist traffic, they also present opportunities for the development of new, enhanced experiences that can attract future visitors.

Grupo Xcaret maintains that the decision to temporarily close Xavage Adventure Park and halt the Insomnia Experience at Xenses Park is a proactive measure aimed at revitalizing their offerings. They predict this move will strengthen their position in the competitive tourism market of the Riviera Maya, ultimately benefiting both the company and the broader local economy.