For a truly unique experience with nature, you can't beat
Xcarat in the Cancun area of Mexico.

Best known for the swimming with dolphins opportunity they offer,
most tourists flock there for the experience, and it is well worth
it. For a reasonable fee you have about an hour with the dolphins.
The trainers teach you about their habits in the wild and how they
interact with humans. At some point you are allowed to pet them and
feel connected with these incredible animals. The trainers then get
the dolphins to do tricks in the pool and even jump over you in
incredible formation. It is all caught on video tape and photos
that you can purchase after the experience. It was incredible to
me, after viewing the video tape, to see how close the dolphins
came to us before leaping up behind us and jumping over our heads.
When you are in the pool waiting for them to jump you actually
don't feel them behind you. You just suddenly see them over
you. That proved to me how graceful they are in the water and how
they could be inches away from you without you even realizing it.
It was a truly thrilling experience.

The rest of the park is also amazing. We saw an exhibit with
quails, hatching before your eyes, out of their eggs. It is a
credit to the park that before you enter, they supply you with
sunscreen made from only natural ingredients. So you don't harm
the animals with which you interact.

Also available is a wonderful open exhibit with local birds,
monkeys and even baby crocodiles. You walk along a paved walkway
and all the creatures are out in the open, so it's almost like
being in the forest itself, with nothing between you and the
animals. The variety of birds is spectacular and the colours are a
real feast for the eyes. Just when you think you know what to
expect something surprises and delights you. For example, at one
point we were only expecting to see more birds but were pleasantly
surprised to look up and saw a large family of monkeys, directly
above us. The male of the group became territorial and to protect
his family threw branches at us. It was truly an interactive
experience and something we weren't expecting.

There are also guides around that allow you to hold a small
crocodile; still another photo op! You can even walk up to some of
the larger parrots to pet them. Don't try this while they are
eating though, because they think you are trying to steal their
food. But it was really incredible seeing all this wildlife and
actually being able to touch and interact with them.

Xcarat is truly a must see for nature lovers as well as those who
want to experience local animal and bird life.