More Than an All-Inclusive: Seven Things to Know About Hotel Xcaret México
For our recent spring break, our family chose a beach vacation, and from Montana, Mexico is always a convenient getaway. With countless all-inclusive resorts lining the Riviera Maya, narrowing down the options can feel overwhelming. Hotel Xcaret México had been on my radar for years, and as a travel advisor, I had even completed specialized training to learn everything there is to know about the resort, its unique eco-parks, and the experiences it offers. After hearing countless glowing reviews, we finally decided it was time to experience it for ourselves—and it quickly became clear that Hotel Xcaret México is much more than a traditional all-inclusive resort. I’m sharing seven things to know about this resort, my top tips for making the most of your stay, and who I do—and don’t—recommend Hotel Xcaret México for.
1. The Property is Massive
When doing your own research, you’ll quickly discover that the Xcaret complex is made up of three distinct resort properties—and guests staying at any of them can enjoy access to all of the Xcaret parks and tours. We stayed at Hotel Xcaret México, but I did explore the others to get a better understanding of the differences.
- Hotel Xcaret México is the family-friendly, multigenerational section that features family pools, kids clubs and activities for all age groups. Overall, I would say the atmosphere is lively, active, and energetic, but there are quiet, peaceful areas throughout the property.
- Hotel Xcaret Arte is for adults 16 years and older and is designed for couples, friends and adults seeking a quieter atmosphere. Featuring rooftop pools, art and wellness workshops, guests staying at Arte also have access to many of the restaurants and facilities at Hotel Xcaret.
- La Casa de la Playa is the most exclusive and intimate property in the Xcaret collection. Featuring private plunge pools, personalized butler service, and elevated dining experiences, this boutique property is ideal for honeymooners or travelers seeking a highly personalized luxury experience. You’ll also enjoy access to both Hotel Xcaret Mexico and Arte amenities when staying here.
Hotel Xcaret México spans a large area with multiple “casas” (buildings), restaurants, pools, beaches, coves, rivers, and walking paths and just underwent a major expansion, which nearly doubled the size of the resort. The expansion introduced approximately 900 additional suites, along with new pools, waterslides, teen and family entertainment spaces, rooftop areas, nightlife venues, restaurants and bars. We opted to stay in the original section as we wanted to be closer to the river section, but utilized pools, waterslides and restaurants throughout the property.
My advice? Grab a resort map when you arrive and give yourself time to explore. Some of the most beautiful spots are tucked away throughout the property. That said, this is a large, spread-out resort, so it’s important to know what to expect. If you’re looking for a true boutique-style property, or if you have family members who aren’t excited about getting their steps in each day, Hotel Xcaret México may not be the best fit.
2. The resort blends luxury with nature
This resort has a huge WOW factor and a big part of this is how naturally the resort is built into the landscape using natural wood and stone. Around nearly every corner, you can expect rivers flowing through the property, jungle pathways, cenotes, caves, mangroves, and stunning ocean views. It feels immersive rather than overly developed, which gives the resort a unique Riviera Maya vibe compared to many traditional beachfront resorts. During our time, we spotted beautiful birds, monkeys, fish swimming in the rivers and loved all the tropical plants and flowers.
3. It’s Best for Pool People versus Beach People
While Hotel Xcaret México does offers incredible pools (even rooftop!), river areas, beautiful coves, inlets, and small beach areas, it isn’t the traditional long, wide stretch of white-sand beach that many travelers picture when they think of a Mexico vacation. If you love spending your days hopping between pools, relaxing in a cove, or paddleboarding through rivers, you’ll likely be very entertained. Travelers whose top priority are long beach walks, powdery white sand, calm turquoise water, and plenty of space to spread out and relax may be happier at another resort—and I definitely have some favorite recommendations in that category.
4. It’s ideal for travelers who like to stay active
While you can definitely relax here, if you truly want to get your money’s worth, this is not the kind of resort where most people spend all day by the pool. Between kayaking, underground rivers, adventure parks, cultural experiences, and eco-attractions, there is constantly something to do. It’s especially popular with families, multigenerational groups, and couples who want a balance of relaxation and adventure. Speaking of adventure, let’s talk about the parks…
5. Seven Eco-Parks & Tours Are Included
Unlike a traditional all-inclusive resort, Hotel Xcaret México includes far more than just your meals and drinks—and the “All-Fun Inclusive” concept is what truly sets it apart. Your vacation package also includes access to seven incredible eco-parks and tours, along with transportation and even select meals at the parks. From adventure and adrenaline to cultural immersion and even a few mind-bending experiences, there is truly something for every type of traveler.
Xcaret: is the classic eco-archaeological park where Mexico’s natural beauty, wildlife, underground rivers, cultural traditions, and history come together in one unforgettable experience. Some people compare parts of the park to a zoo, and while I can understand that comparison because of the incredible variety of animals, I left with the impression of the park as a celebration of Mexico—its history, traditions, biodiversity, and culture. From colorful aviaries and marine life to underground rivers, Mayan ruins, a beautifully designed Mexican cemetery, live music, and one of the best buffet lunches we had on our trip, it was an immersive experience that entertained us while also teaching us about the country’s rich heritage. While we didn’t stay for the evening show, México Espectacular, is also recommended as it brings the country’s history, music, and traditions to life through an incredible performance complete with dinner.
Xplor/Xplor Fuego: This is the park for those of you wanting an adrenaline-filled adventure. Featuring zip lines, underground rivers, amphibious vehicles, caves, an epic waterslide and jungle trails designed for thrill-seekers of all ages. We visited Xplor Fuego during an evening when it was pouring rain and had an absolute blast.
Xenses: A one-of-a-kind sensory park, Xenses challenges your perception through optical illusions, unexpected landscapes, and interactive experiences designed to awaken all five senses. We began our morning at the Xensatorium, a completely dark sensory journey where you rely only on touch, sound, smell, and balance to navigate different ecosystems like jungle, desert, and caves. I’m not exaggerating when I describe it as one of the most heightened sensory experiences I’ve ever had—you truly come out with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, having overcome a challenge (in a fun, non-scary way).
From there, we explored the Town, home to some of the most mind-bending optical illusions, followed by a surprisingly fast waterslide, a bird-flight experience, and finally a series of rivers—including one that was straight clay! Tip: The actual park opens with the Xensatorium first about an hour before The Town, so just be prepared to wait awhile if you rope drop it like we did.
Xel-Ha‘ is a natural aquatic paradise where guests can snorkel, float through crystal-clear waterways, cliff jump, and explore one of the Riviera Maya’s most beautiful natural inlets. Xel-Há is considered a full-day excursion and requires advance reservations.
Xenotes is a guided adventure that takes guests to four distinct cenotes, where they can swim, kayak, rappel, zip-line, and experience the natural wonders of the Yucatán Peninsula. Xenotes is also a full-day guided tour that requires a reservation.
The on property ecoparks that are just minutes from the resort include XCaret, Xplor/Xplor Fuego and Xenses. When staying on property, you’ll have access to their round trip shuttle service and the pick up location is conveniently located. To visit Xel-Há and Xenotes, you’ll board one of Xcaret’s comfortable motor coaches, with the journey taking approximately 45 minutes to one hour. While these two experiences are farther from the resort than the other parks, the transportation is well organized, air-conditioned, and comfortable.
XCaret offers many other experiences, some for an additional charge including a catamaran to Isla Mujures, a tour to Chichen Itza and Xoximilco, a celebration of Mexican culture with a lively floating fiesta, where guests enjoy traditional music, food, and drinks aboard colorful trajinera boats.
6. The Food Is A Highlight
Dining can make or break a resort stay and Hotel Xcaret México consistently earns praise in this category. With a wide range of restaurants offering everything from authentic Mexican cuisine and fresh seafood to Asian and international dishes, there is truly something for every palate. Dining settings are just as impressive as the menus themselves—from upscale, chef-driven experiences and casual poolside venues, to easy buffets featuring fresh, beautifully prepared food. You can enjoy meals overlooking the river system, oceanfront tables, a sushi train experience, live cooking stations, and even a restaurant set inside a natural cave.
Tip: Many restaurants require reservations, and a few experiences do carry an additional charge, so it’s worth planning ahead to secure your preferred dining times.
7. Planning ahead matters here
Speaking of planning ahead, to get the full experience at this resort, I highly recommend having a strategy. Because the parks and experiences are such a major part of the stay, reservations and scheduling can make a big difference. Popular restaurants, tours, airport transportation, and certain activities should be booked in advance when possible and XCaret does have a reservation system known as their “Wish List” that is quickly evolving to an online booking portal. This will allow us to check real-time availability, make reservations and cancellations and I assist clients will all of these details and their requests. Guests who go in with a plan usually get much more out of the experience than those who try to figure it out after arrival.
Have questions about Hotel Xcaret México or wondering whether Hotel Xcaret México or Hotel Xcaret Arte is a better fit for your vacation style? I’d love to help you decide. Plus, when you book with me you get access to my Everything XCaret Guide which includes details on all the parks, restaurants, packing tips and everything you need to know about this destination.
I love to help plan vacations to Mexico and work with several different companies to make your vacation seamless with flights, transfers and all your favorite excursions all bundled together. You can read more about my experiences with other family friendly in Mexico including Dreams Playa Mujeres and Grand Moon Palace, and if you’re interested in the ultimate wellness getaway in Mexico, check out my experience at Palmaia, the House of Aia. I am a Certified Travel Advisor and would love to work with you. Reach out to me at [email protected] or fill out a quote request here.
