Cancún Tourist Passes Compared: Go City, Go City Plus, or Xcaret Packages?
In Cancún a pass buys tours, not sights: the Chichén Itzá day trip, the lagoon speedboat, Isla Mujeres and, on the Plus, Xcaret. If your plan is the Hotel Zone beach and the resort pool, you don't need one.
Types of tourist pass
Day pass
2-5 days of Go City's 11 Cancún tours: the Chichén Itzá day trip, the jungle speedboat, Garrafón on Isla Mujeres and a dinner cruise.
In Cancun: Cancún Go City Pass
Day pass with Xcaret
Everything on the standard pass plus Xcaret Park and the Cancún Scenic Tower, for $85 more on 2 days.
In Cancun: Cancún Go City Pass Plus
Park package
A theme park group's own bundle of its parks, discounted when you buy several.
In Cancun: Xcaret's 2-4 park packages
Which pass for your trip?
Cancún Go City Pass
- Chichén Itzá and a day on Isla Mujeres. Both are on the standard pass; no need to pay for Xcaret.
Cancún Go City Pass Plus
- Xcaret, Chichén Itzá and a jungle tour. Xcaret is only on the Plus.
No pass needed
- Xcaret, Xplor and Xel-Há. Buy an Xcaret multi-park package: 20% off 2-4 parks.
- A week at an all-inclusive resort with one excursion. Book that one tour directly.
The passes compared
Cancún Go City Pass
- Attractions
- 11
- Price
- From $189
- Time to use
- 2-5 days
- Best for
- Chichén Itzá plus a water day
- Chichén Itzá day trip included
- Isla Mujeres reef park and dolphins
- No Xcaret
- Tours need booking
Cancún Go City Pass Plus
- Attractions
- 12
- Price
- From $274
- Time to use
- 2-5 days
- Best for
- Xcaret and Chichén Itzá on one trip
- Xcaret included
- One app for every booking
- $85 more than standard
- No Xplor or Xel-Há
Which big sights are on which pass?
| Sight | All-Inclusive | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Chichén Itzá day trip | Included, book a slot | Included, book a slot |
| Xcaret Park | Not included | All-Inclusive Plus only |
| Royal Garrafón, Isla Mujeres | Included | Included |
| Jungle speedboat & snorkel | Included | Included |
| Interactive Aquarium | Included | Included |
| Xplor Park | Not included | Not included |
| MUSA underwater museum | Not included | Not included |
Worth knowing before you buy
Chichén Itzá carries the pass
The full-day tour with a cenote and Valladolid is listed at up to $143, so one more tour on a 2-day pass and you're ahead.
Xcaret costs $85 on the pass
That's the gap between the standard and Plus 2-day passes. Go City lists Xcaret with the Scenic Tower at up to $149.
Isla Mujeres and Playa Maroma are opposite ways
Garrafón is a ferry north-east; the dolphin encounter is down the coast. One per day.
Resort guests need fewer pass days
If your hotel is all-inclusive, buy only the days you'll actually leave it for a tour.
Before your Chichén Itzá or Xcaret day, check how busy they are right now on beatthecrowd.co. Chichén Itzá is calmest at opening, before the tour buses.
Check live crowds in Cancun →How pass companies make money
A pass in Cancun is a bet: the seller wins if you slow down, you win if you plan. Here's the business behind Cancún Go City Pass and Cancún Go City Pass Plus.
Attractions such as Chichén Itzá day trip give pass sellers a discount in return for guaranteed visitors.
Rainy days, late starts and skipped sights all count in the seller's favour.
Each extra day or pick on Cancún Go City Pass is only a saving if you'd really use it.
Other ways to save
- Go City Cancún Essentials
$159 for 3 activities: one must-see such as Chichén Itzá or Garrafón, plus 2 from a top list.
- Xcaret multi-park packages
Xcaret's own bundles take 20% off 2-4 of its parks and tours, like Xcaret Plus + Xel-Há.
FAQs
Which Cancún pass is best?
+
The standard All-Inclusive for Chichén Itzá and water tours; the Plus if Xcaret is a definite; an Xcaret package if you want several Xcaret parks.
Is there a Go City Explorer Pass in Cancún?
+
No. Go City sells the Essentials, the All-Inclusive and the All-Inclusive Plus in Cancún.
Which Cancún pass includes Xcaret?
+
Only the Go City All-Inclusive Plus.
Does any Cancún pass include Xel-Há or Xplor?
+
No Go City pass does. Xcaret's own multi-park packages cover them.
Is the Cancún Go City pass worth it for families?
+
Often, if the kids will do Garrafón, the dolphins or the aquarium: child passes (5-11) start at $129, or $204 for the Plus.