We Came To Our Xenses!

Admission to Xcaret Group’s unique parks, which all highlight Mexican culture and natural beauty in different ways, was included in our Xcaret Arte stay.

Initially, we decided to skip a few. There were just not enough hours in the day. 

We immediately ruled out Xchichen, a tour to Chichen Itza, as we’ve visited it multiple times. We also ruled out Xenotes, as we’ve explored multiple Cenotes near our home in Merida. Additionally, we chose to take a pass on Xoximilco as we had recently done a boat tour of the real thing outside of Mexico City. Savage was off the list because we’re not extreme sports guys anymore. We know our limits. 

Lastly, Xenses was our ‘maybe,’ as it was described as a park where nothing is as it seems. We dug deeper, watching many YouTube videos, and decided to try it.

 

The Road Not Taken

Xenses offers two paths: the Path of Feeling and Doing. Combined, they offer nearly fifty experiences where you learn to use your senses in a fun way.

Everything begins and ends in The Pinwheel. This architecturally interesting dome has a pinwheel-shaped ceiling lit in a rainbow of colors. As usual with amusement parks, it’s a gift shop.

 

 

 

Spiraling off of the dome are unique tunnels. Snack takes you for a refreshment break, but others lead you through a kaleidoscope, a tunnel of hearts, or a maze of lights and synchronized music.

 

 

Each was fun and interesting. But you absolutely don’t want to miss the two paths!

 

The Path of Feeling

This path wanders through multiple areas to explore, that will challenge what you see. Basically, the instructions are:

 

Give your eyes a break and trust your other senses in this path so they can guide you through activities that will test your body and mind. You will find that sometimes the sense of logic is more necessary than sight.

 

 

 

Way of Dwarfs and Giants

This path makes you feel like a giant one moment and like you are two inches tall another.

 

 

Xensorium

This attraction may have been our biggest fear. You enter this attraction in complete darkness. There are no lights or cell phones, and barefoot, you walk through different ecosystems, allowing your senses of touch, sound, and smell to lead the way. You can’t even see your hand in front of your face.

 

 

For Chuck, who experiences claustrophobia, this was a bit of a challenge. And, to top it all off, we were separated, and each person walked their own path.

The photo package we added to our resort stay allowed us to get some fantastic images even when our cell phones were not with us.

 

True confession. The photo sensors seemed to flash a really random times whenever you got close to them. Some of the outtakes were hysterical.

 

Labyrinth of Underground Arteries

Located just outside the Xensorium, this is a network of underground caverns that wind through caves and a small cenote. Although not our favorite part, it seemed designed to gently bring you out of the darkness and regain your composure.

 

Eden!

Finally, you enter Eden! It is a beautiful tropical landscape with waterfalls, ponds, fish, and birds. It is tranquil and the perfect way to emerge from the darkness and the underground pathways.

 

When Life Gives You Lemons…

At the edge of Eden was a beautiful garden filled with citrus trees. This fun exhibit allowed us a refreshing drink from a lemon tree. A spigot in the tree dispensed fresh lemonade.

 

 

Throughout the path, the landscape was dotted with trees, flowering bushes, and fun art installations that played with your senses.

 

 

The Path of Doing

The Path of Doing’s description reads:

 

Lose your grip on reality, stability and balance with activities which set like nonsense but they are are real in this path.

 

Leaving the central dome of Xenses, you wind through a tunnel leading to a big red heart that beats. You can feel it and hear it.

 

Going to Town

The town really messes with your mind. You enter through a waterfall, emerging in a Mexican pueblo that defies everything you have come to know in life. Waterfalls flow upward, and you feel like you are walking uphill (you are really walking on a flat surface, but your mind doesn’t know that). There are shops where everything is upside down.

 

 

 

As uncomfortable as this was, it might have been our favorite part of the park. 

 

Slip

This was an excellent chance to cool off: a waterslide in a natural landscape that winds through the darkness and drops you into a refreshing pool.

 

Bird Flight

This was a bit of a challenge. It was unclear whether we needed shoes, could wear glasses, or could carry our phones in waterproof cases. As a one-way attraction, we separated, and Chuck ended up doing it alone while Mark waited in the entrance hall. Chuck had a blast; fortunately, the photo pass captured some fun photos.

 

Riverlaxing and Sludgery

These were two experiences where you enjoyed spa-like treatments in underground caves. You floated along a relaxing saltwater river and a cleansing mud bath. You ended up in a waterfall, shower-like experience we called the Car Wash.

 

Xenses is not to be missed. What seemed childlike and hokey was the most fun we’ve had in ages. We’ll absolutely head back to Xenses again!