Do you have an active family and are looking for a great hotel that will provide tons of things to do for everyone regardless of their ages? Then look no further than Hotel Xcaret Mexico. I had the pleasure of staying for 5 nights last month with my husband and our active teen boys for a much needed family vacation. We were all blown away by this resort and the endless activities that are all included. I cannot wait to share my official review with all of you!
To be upfront, this is a luxury hotel, and it comes with a higher price tag. In the past, clients have reached out to me to inquire about Hotel Xcaret Mexico and Hotel Xcaret Arte and sometimes get sticker shock. But as a travel agent who travels often, I will admit, it is worth it! Keep reading to see why I could easily justify staying at this luxury all-inclusive resort!.
First, there are three resorts associated with the Hotel Xcaret brand and each one are all-inclusive hotels. They are Hotel Xcaret Mexico, Hotel Xcaret Arte and La Casa de la Playa. Hotel Xcaret Mexico is an all ages resort, Hotel Xcaret Arte is for ages 16 and up and La Casa de la Playa is an adults only luxury boutique hotel. I stayed at Hotel Mexico but was able to tour the other two resorts and they are fabulous!
Hotel Xcaret Mexico is located in the Riviera Maya near the town of Playa del Carmen. It is about a 45-minute drive from the Cancun International Airport. This is a large resort with over 900 rooms and to be honest, I was nervous about staying here because of that. I tend to like smaller resorts. But I will say that despite its size, the resort did not feel like a mega resort. Yes, it is big, but once you become familiar with the lay of the land, getting around is pretty easy.
Arrival
When you stay at Hotel Xcaret Mexico, round trip airport transfers are included with your stay. The buses go directly from the airport to Hotel Xcaret Mexico and they run every 30 minutes from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm and every 60 minutes from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am. If you arrive to terminal 4 and in between buses, there is an air-conditioned lounge with bathrooms to freshen up and cold beverages as well. On the bus ride from the hotel to the airport you actually begin the check-in process by filling out your paperwork.
Accommodations
As I mentioned, Hotel Xcaret Mexico has over 900 rooms spread across 5 buildings or Casas as they call them.
There is Casa Viento which is located next to the octopus water slide as well as the kids and teens club. Here you will find garden suites, swim up suites, river view suites and family master suites which are the only rooms at Hotel Xcaret Mexico that fit families of 5 (besides the Presidential Family Suite.)
Next is Casa Tierra. This casa is centrally located near the main pool beach and coves. The rooms here are the same as Casa Viento but some of these can connect for families larger than 4 people.
The third and final casa for families is Casa Espiral. These suites are closest to the restaurants and convention center and have views of the river, ocean, beaches and the Xpiral pyramid.
Casa Agua is for adults only. The suites here are unique thanks to the volcanic stone bathtubs on the terrace and the views of the Mayan jungle and emerald river. This is also where the hydrotherapy is located. Casa Agua guests get free access to the spa’s hydrotherapy circuit (which is amazing!)
Last but not least is Casa Fuego. This adults-only building overlooks the Caribbean Sea and is ideal for couples looking for an exclusive experience. On the rooftop, you will find the iconic pool and see-through swimming channel as well as a bar making epic mixology creations. Guests staying in Casa Fuego also have their own reception, gym and restaurant called Fuego.
We stayed in the Casa Tierra building in a Suite River Jump. Our boys loved jumping directly off our back patio into the river. I highly recommend booking one of these rooms. We loved having the ability to enjoy the lagoons and river straight from our room. There is a ladder down to the river as well for those (like me) that didn’t want to jump in!
It is important to note that these rooms are different from the swim-up suites. The swim-up suites give you direct access to a pool, while the jump-off river suites give you direct access to the ocean-fed lagoons and rivers.
Our room was awesome! We had 2 queen beds and a pull out sofa bed. The sofa bed is not very big; our 16 year old hung off the end but it fit our 13 year old son just fine. There is a table and 4 chairs for in-room dining, a large bathroom with a jetted tub, a separate large shower, a vanity with 2 sinks, and a spacious closet. As a family of four we felt the nearly 800 sq ft suite was large enough for all of us.
INCLUSIONS
Hotel Xcaret Mexico takes the all-inclusive concept to a whole new level. In fact, they call it the All-Fun Inclusive! In addition to all your food and beverages (including top shelf alcohol) being included with your stay, staying at Hotel Xcaret also includes unlimited access and round-trip transportation to all of the nearby Grupo Xcaret parks:
Xcaret- this theme park features 50 natural, cultural attractions and folkloric performances.
Xel-Há- snorkel among tropical fish, glide down waterslides and splash through a natural aquarium.
Xplor- go zip-lining, rafting and exploring underground rivers at this adventure park.
Xplor Fuego- go zip-lining, rafting and exploring underground rivers at night.
Xoximilco- float on a gondola while enjoying a Mexican fiesta.
Xenses- this half-day park is a sensory journey through illusions and discovery.
Xavage- get your adrenaline pumping while whitewater rafting and more.
Xenotes- visit four types of cenotes that exist in nature: Semi-open Cenote, the Open Grand Cenote, Ancient Cenote, and the Cavern Blue Cenote.
In addition to the parks, excursions are also included to places like Tulum, Chichén Itzá, and Isla Mujeres. Some of these parks and excursions require advanced reservations before you arrive. As your travel agent, I am able to make those reservations on your behalf. A great bonus for enlisting my vacation planning services.
Shuttles leave for Xcaret, Xplor, Xplor Fuego and Xenses every 30 minutes. There is also a boat that leaves from Hotel Xcaret Mexico to Xcaret park every 30 minutes as well. This was our favorite way to get to and from that park.
Since we only stayed for 5 days, we visited Xel- Ha, Xplor and Xcaret in the evening for the Especatacular dinner show. My biggest regret for this vacation was not staying longer. I felt like we missed out on experiencing more of the parks and excursions. To get the most out of this resort and the inclusions, I would recommend a minimum stay of 7 nights. Of course, if you don’t have that much time, you can still make the most of your stay with good planning.
There is also a new excursion called Catamaran Xcaret Xailing. They have two different sailings, Xunset Party and Xunset Lovers. Xunset Party is a catamaran tour that features a trendy set by a DJ, including canapés and premium drinks. Xunset Lovers has a smaller passenger capacity, making it a more intimate experience, ideal for couples looking for a unique moment in the Mexican Caribbean. Xunset Party is for guests ages 16 and up and Xunset Lovers is for adults only.
Hotel Xcaret Mexico Activities and Attractions
Not only do you get access to all the Xcaret eco parks and excursions, but staying at Hotel Xcaret means you also get to enjoy all the beauty and fun awaiting you at the resort without ever having to leave.
Of course, the rivers are the main attraction here. The emerald color of the water is truly beautiful. The natural rock formations and the cenotes which you can swim through and explore were definitely the highlight of our vacation. I kept asking myself, “is this real life?” It is truly breathtaking! There are also a lot of fish in the water making it a great place to snorkel as well.
In the river there are multiple waterslides. They are almost hidden as they blend in with the rocks. They are pretty fast and dump you back into the river. I heard there are 7 but I don’t know that we found all of them.
Paddleboards and kayaks are available for hotel guests so you can explore the rivers. We all opted for paddleboarding and had a great time meandering the river one afternoon. These can be reserved in advance with either the concierge or in person. They are available every 30 minutes so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this activity.
Dining
Hotel Xcaret Mexico has 11 restaurants, 13 bars including a swim-up bar, and 24-hour room service. Some of the restaurants require advanced reservations. Again, another thing I can assist with before your arrival.
Restaurants that don’t require dinner reservations:
La Trajinera: Dine by the pool in this open-air restaurant serving fresh seafood, Lamb, short rib and duck.
Las Playas: This open air-restaurant on the beach offers a variety of foods from salads to fish, steak and more.
Las Cuevas: A Brazilian steak house located in the caves of the hotel. This was our favorite meal and the ambiance cannot be beaten! They also serve Sunday Brunch here for an added cost.
Bio: A vegan restaurant with delicious plant-based options tucked into the caves of Xcaret. The breakfast here was our favorite- the acai bowls are delicious!
Mercado de la Merced: An International buffet offering several stations including a fresh ceviche station.
Cantina Los Faroles: A Mexican restaurant focused on food from the Oaxacan region. The restaurant is beautifully lit with lanterns and features live music at night. One of our favorite meals!
Chibali: International cuisine served in a colorful family atmosphere. They also feature fun desserts like cotton candy, creamy milkshakes and traditional Mexican candies.
Bio Restaurant- so delicious with beautiful scenery!
Restaurants that require dinner reservations
Teatro del Rio: 6-course dinner accompanied by a show of traditional music and dance. Monday/Wednesday/Friday is a Caribbean theme and Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday is a Mexican Theme.
Xin Gao: Japanese cuisine featuring teppanyaki, sushi, fusion, and more.
Fuego: Italian-Mexican fusion restaurant with views of the ocean. Adults only and exclusive for guests staying at Casa Fuego.
Ha’: Features a 9-course tasting menu brought to you by Michelin Chef Carlos Gaytán. Each dish is paired with wine to highlight its flavors. Here you are surrounded by beautiful ambiance of water. This is an additional cost and adults only.
Sunday Brunch at Las Cuevas: A culinary experience with the largest spread of brunch options you have ever seen!
In addition to the restaurants, there are also food trucks by the pool serving burgers, tacos, and ice cream perfect for snacking on the go.
Spa and Hydrotherapy
Of course, no luxury resort is complete without a fabulous hydrotherapy and spa. If you have been following me for any time, you know that I like to check out these facilities at every resort I visit. Market research of course! Currently, the spa is being moved to the new addition being built at Hotel Xcaret Mexico, so for now it is located at the beach. The beachfront cabanas are private and peaceful. I loved getting a massage while listening to the waves and feeling the ocean breeze.
The hydrotherapy at Hotel Xcaret Mexico is one of the best I have experienced. From the moment you walk in and are greeted by the emerald waters of the river in the distance, it feels like the most tranquil place on the planet. The hydrotherapy is coed, so the hubby and I did this together. No one else is scheduled during your time so you get to go through the circuits without strangers. As a travel agent who travels often, I do know that sometimes you are with others during the hydrotherapy. This was an added bonus for sure. You start with the sauna, then a eucalyptus infused steam room followed by the cold and hot pool plunges, a whirlpool and finally the hydrotherapy pool with massaging jets. It was a great break and a relaxing time after all the parks.
Sustainability
At Hotel Xcaret Mexico, sustainability is a way of life. The resort is committed to preserving the natural beauty of the Riviera Maya through eco-friendly practices and conservation efforts. From recycling programs to renewable energy initiatives, every aspect of the hotel is designed with environmental stewardship in mind. In fact, you will not find water plastic bottles anywhere here. Each room has reusable water bottles and there are filling stations located around the resort.
Who isn't Hotel Xcaret Mexico right for?
As you can see, I loved this resort and had an amazing vacation with my family but it is worth mentioning who this resort is not right for.
The main attraction of this resort is the river, not the beach. If you are a beach lover, then this may not be the resort for you.
There is a lot of walking and many uneven surfaces. Those with mobility issues may have difficulty getting around.
Worth noting...
Most of the rooms only permit a maximum of 4 people and there are a limited number of family suites as well as rooms that connect; larger families will more than likely need 2 rooms.
Pro Tips:
Bring water shoes for your entire party. You will want them at the resort in the rivers and need them for many of the parks like Xplor which requires closed toe shoes.
Have a fresh smoothie at the Bio Bar.
Download the Hotel Xcaret Mexico app for a resort map and restaurant menus.
Order room service for breakfast the night before on the days you are going to the park to skip the restaurant lines and wait times.
The buildings are connected at three different levels. The fifth-floor walkways connect the reception and lobby areas while the third floor connects you to restaurants and pools. The first floor will get you to the river.
Purchase the photo package through the resort. There are Xelfie stations all over the hotel and all the parks, so you don’t have to worry about taking your phone everywhere. On the day we checked out we visited the photo desk and were able to view all the pictures we took over the 5 days we were there. The photo packages are offered per park so if you only took a couple pictures at one park, you don’t have to purchase that particular one.
Bring a waterporrof phone case for the parks and river at the resort.
In conclusion
I love sharing hidden gems and all my travel experiences with my clients, and Hotel Xcaret Mexico is definitely one of those gems. From the breathtaking natural surroundings to the luxurious accommodations and endless array of activities, this resort truly offers a slice of paradise for every traveler. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Hotel Xcaret Mexico delivers an unforgettable experience. I cannot wait to send many more happy travelers here! Be sure to reach out for all your travel planning needs by clicking the planning link or email me at Megan@YourParadisevacation.com. I look forward to helping you and your loved ones enjoy this beautiful resort!
ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Megan, the owner or Paradise Travel. I travel as often as I can to gain first hand knowledge to share with others so I can plan the best vacations possible. I'd love to be your travel agent! Thanks for stopping by!
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