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Reviewed and updated on 09/12/2025 by Francisco Magaña.
Who would have told us that we were going to enjoy an all-inclusive hotel vacation THIS much? We still can’t quite believe it, but the truth is that Hotel Xcaret Arte in Riviera Maya, Mexico is the main reason we’ve completely changed our minds about this kind of trip. Because… WHAT a hotel! 😍
And because we enjoyed it so, so much, we felt it was essential to tell you EVERYTHING about this amazing hotel: prices, restaurants, room types, hotel map, tips to make the most of it, other travellers’ reviews of Hotel Xcaret Arte… In short, we want this to be the most complete guide to Hotel Xcaret Arte in the world.
- What is it? ➡️ It’s an All Fun Inclusive hotel where you literally have EVERYTHING included.
- What’s included? ➡️ With the price of your stay you get food in the restaurants, drinks, mini bar, 24-hour room service, activities, spa, workshops, access to all Xcaret parks, transfers from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the parks.
- Who is it for? ➡️ Couples, special trips, art and food lovers. Guests under 16 years old are not allowed, it’s an adults-only hotel.
- How much does Hotel Xcaret Arte cost? ➡️ PIt can vary a LOT depending on the dates and how far in advance you book, but prices for Hotel Xcaret Arte are usually between 500–900 euros per night for two people.
- Our overall rating ➡️ We’d happily give it more than 100 if we could 😜, but on a scale from 1 to 10, it’s a solid 10/10!
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Resumen de contenido de este post
- A bit of context about Hotel Xcaret Arte
- Important things you need to know about Hotel Xcaret Arte
- Our opinion of Hotel Xcaret Arte
- Map os Hotel Xcaret Arte and room layout
- Arrival at the hotel and check-in
- The houses (casas) of the Xcaret Arte Hotel
- The rooms at Hotel Xcaret Arte
- Restaurants at Hotel Xcaret Arte
- Rooftops and pools at Xcaret Arte
- Activities to do at Hotel Xcaret Arte
- Daily plan to make the most os your stay at Hotel Xcaret Arte
- How much does Hotel Xcaret Arte cost?
- Day Pass at Hotel Xcaret Arte
- Tips for staying at Hotel Xcaret Arte
- Reviews of Xcaret Arte Hotel: What do other travelers think?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Hotel Xcaret Arte
- What does the All Fun Inclusive at Hotel Xcaret Arte include?
- Is Hotel Xcaret Arte adults-only?
- How much does a night at Hotel Xcaret Arte cost?
- Which casa at Hotel Xcaret Arte is best to stay in?
- Does Hotel Xcaret Arte include airport transfers?
- Can you go to Hotel Xcaret without staying there?
- Which parks are included when staying at Hotel Xcaret Arte?
- Is Hotel Xcaret Arte a good option for a honeymoon?
- What’s the difference between Hotel Xcaret Arte and Hotel Xcaret México?
- How many days are recommended at Hotel Xcaret Arte?
- Do you need to book the restaurants at Hotel Xcaret Arte?
A bit of context about Hotel Xcaret Arte
We discovered the Xcaret universe several years ago thanks to Alan por el mundo, but until very recently we had no idea we’d get to enjoy it in person.
Hotel Xcaret Arte is the second hotel of the Xcaret group, one of the most important travel brands in Riviera Maya. First came Hotel Xcaret México, an incredible hotel designed for families. Later, in June 2021, Hotel Xcaret Arte opened, a hotel whose whole concept revolves around art and different artistic disciplines, and which is only for adults over 16 years old. In December 2021, the third hotel opened, also adults-only: La Casa de la Playa.
Hotel Xcaret México is right next to Hotel Xcaret Arte, and Hotel Xcaret Arte is right next to La Casa de la Playa. If you want, you can check out our guide to Hotel Xcaret México.
Hotel Xcaret Arte is the twin brother of Hotel Xcaret México, although there are some significant differences between them. The most important ones are that Arte does not allow guests under 16, it has pools on its rooftops (something Xcaret México doesn’t have), and all the activities you can already do at the hotel are expanded at Arte with the art workshops offered in each house. But don’t worry, we’ll talk more about that a bit further down.
Why Xcaret Arte?
Art at Hotel Xcaret Arte goes way beyond its name: the whole resort is a tribute to Mexican artists.
They say that here you’re a guest, a work of art and an artist all at the same time. But it doesn’t stop there. Art at the hotel shows up in endless ways around the resort: in the furniture, in the décor, in the architecture, in the activities, in the entertainment… In fact, as you walk around the hotel it’s quite common to come across artists showcasing their work: musicians, dancers, painters, singers, actors…
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Important things you need to know about Hotel Xcaret Arte
- If you stay at the hotel, you’ll be able to enjoy its ‘All Fun Inclusive’ concept. This means that the price of your stay includes unlimited premium food and drinks, including the minibar and 24-hour room service. But not only that, it also includes transportation and entry to all the parks and experiences of the Xcaret group (Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xenses, Xoximilco, Xenotes and Xavage, although this last one is temporarily closed for renovations), as well as round-trip transportation to Cancun Airport.
- Hotel Xcaret Arte is much more than just a hotel, so if you don’t want to, your holiday there doesn’t have to be the typical “lying in the sun and doing nothing else” kind of vacation. We stayed at the hotel for a total of 10 days and we didn’t stop doing things. There are so many different activities that you can be entertained for as long as you want.
- One of the hotel’s strongest points and one of the main reasons we chose it is its AMAZING gastronomy. It has a total of 10 restaurants, plus cafés and street-food style stalls, all with different concepts, all interesting, and all a reason in themselves to visit the hotel.
- Keep in mind that among all the restaurants the hotel offers, one of them requires an extra payment (Xaak), another one is exclusive to guests staying in Casa de los Artistas (Kibi-Kibi), and another four (Tah-Xido, Encanta, Chino Poblano and Arenal) require a reservation and only offer dinner service (except for Arenal, which offers both lunch and dinner).
- Until recently, if you stayed at Hotel Xcaret Arte you could access Hotel Xcaret México whenever you wanted and enjoy its facilities, pools and restaurants. So to the gastronomic offer of Xcaret Arte, you could also add that of Xcaret México. However, right now this is only possible if you book a room with the ‘Paquete Apapaxoa’.
- We’ll talk about prices later, but keep in mind that this is quite an expensive hotel. The key to finding good deals is booking in advance and taking advantage of the promotions that usually appear on their website. The cheapest price you can find is around 400 euros per night for two people in a basic room (which, trust me, is not basic at all 😉), but in high season it can go up to 1,000 euros. And if you find a bargain, don’t even hesitate the hotel is REALLY worth it.
- If you’re in love with the hotel but want to explore it for a day before paying what a night costs, you can buy a Day Pass, which allows you to enjoy all the hotel’s services for one day. There are several types of passes available, but the cheapest one costs 100 USD per person.
- Everything you’ll need access for can be reached thanks to the (beautiful) bracelet you’ll receive at check-in: your room, the restaurants, the parks, the Xelfie points… And don’t lose it, because replacing it costs 150 USD. The standard ones are grey, but guests staying in Casa de los Artistas get a gold one, and guests in the most luxurious rooms (Junior Suite, Master Suite and Presidential Suite) get a black one.
Our opinion of Hotel Xcaret Arte
As a summary, we’d like to tell you about the strengths and weaknesses that, in our opinion, Hotel Xcaret Arte has. A bit further down, if you feel like it, we’ve also gathered some Hotel Xcaret Arte reviews from other travellers who have stayed there, in case you want a more global perspective 😉
Hotel Xcaret Arte review: the good things
- The food and drinks are absolutely AMAZING. Seriously, it’s incredible how well you eat and drink at the hotel.
- The attention from all the staff is incredible and goes far beyond just good service.
- There is always something fun to do at Hotel Xcaret Arte. It’s impossible to get bored, trust me.
- You can make the most of the entire day at the hotel both on check-in day and check-out day.
- Since it’s adults-only, you avoid shouting and jumping in the pools, so it’s a super peaceful hotel. Also, even though we visited during peak season, at no point did we ever feel like there were too many people.
- You can walk the entire hotel easily from end to end.
- The hotel’s saltwater rivers are unbelievably beautiful and perfect for doing different activities.
- The All Fun Inclusive concept is wonderful and makes your relaxing holiday as complete as you want it to be.
Hotel Xcaret Arte review: the bad things
- There is very little signage in the hotel, so it’s very easy to get lost, especially during the first few days.
- If you arrive in the middle of the night like we did, the check-in is quite basic. In the end we got the same things as if we had checked in at a normal time, but it’s still a bit of a hassle.
- If you arrive early for check-in, we’ve read that sometimes the rooms aren’t ready yet, although we personally didn’t have that problem.
- Even though it’s an incredible hotel, it’s very expensive.
- Communication with the hotel before arrival is a bit tedious (they take a while to answer emails and phone calls) and the reservation system in general feels like a bit of a hassle, especially for the restaurants.
Map os Hotel Xcaret Arte and room layout
If you’re planning your next getaway to Riviera Maya and want to make the most of your stay on this wonderful Mexican coast, we recommend checking out our map of Hotel Xcaret Arte. Even though the hotel is quite big, you can walk the entire thing without any issues.
That said, it can feel a bit confusing to get your bearings at first. That’s why we’ve created this SUPER map of Hotel Xcaret Arte with all the casas, restaurants, pools and activities, so you can clearly know where you are at all times. From art workshops to relaxation spaces, our Hotel Xcaret Arte map will help you locate everything you need for an unforgettable experience at this exclusive resort.
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In addition, the map of Hotel Xcaret Arte we’ve created for you shows the exact location of all the restaurants we talk about further down, where you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of culinary options ranging from traditional Mexican food to high-end international dishes.
We’ve also marked on this Hotel Xcaret Arte map, using different colours, the must-do activities and key points of interest so you don’t miss any experience during your stay.
With our Xcaret Arte map, you’ll have all the information you need right at your fingertips, ensuring a SUPER organised and memorable visit.
👉🏼 If you want to download the Xcaret Arte map in maximum quality so you can easily check it once you’re there, you can do it here 😉
As I was saying, sometimes getting oriented in the hotel can be a bit tricky, but we had three foolproof tricks:
- The giant shells on the floor mean there’s an elevator nearby.
- The “street” is always on floor 3, the lobbies of the casas are on floor 5, and the rooftops on floor 7.
- To know which casa you’re in at any moment, you just have to look at the room number of any nearby room. The first number identifies the Casa (1 for Diseño, 2 for Artistas, 3 for Pirámides, 4 for Música and 5 for Paz —and the higher the number, the further you are from the sea), the second number identifies the floor, and the last two numbers are the room number. For example, we were in room 4670: room number 70 on the 6th floor of Casa de la Música 😉 Easy, right?
Arrival at the hotel and check-in
Before we start telling you EVERYTHING you need to know about the hotel, I’d like to talk to you about what the arrival from the airport is like and how the check-in process works.
From the moment you set foot in Cancun Airport, you know the experience you’re about to have is unique. Every little detail is taken care of.
Transport from Cancun Airport to the hotel
When you leave the terminal, the first thing you need to do is look for the Xcaret staff so they can assign you the bus that will take you to the hotel.
Keep in mind that the transport from Cancun Airport to the hotel is an exclusive service for guests with a confirmed flight.
Don’t worry, they’re very easy to spot: they’re extremely friendly, wear pink polo shirts and carry signs with the names of the hotels. Also, if you arrive at Terminal 4, you’ll be lucky enough to enjoy the Xcaret Lounge, where you can have drinks and snacks without paying a single peso.
From 6:00 to 21:00 there are buses from the airport to the hotel every half hour, and from 21:00 to 6:00 they run every hour.
You should also know that on the bus you can drink whatever you want because they have a fridge right at the entrance (and free WiFi!).
Check-in and room assignment
The bus from Cancun Airport takes approximately one hour to reach the hotel, although times may vary depending on traffic.
When you arrive, you can forget about your luggage and the hotel staff welcome begins: a towel to clean your hands, a refreshing drink, a welcome sweet… When you give your name, one of the staff members will escort you to the lobby of the Casa you’ve been assigned or have chosen (I’ll talk about this in detail a bit further down) to complete the check-in.
Once there, you’ll receive all the hotel information, schedules, recommendations and… the bracelet that gives you access to EVERYTHING!
Keep in mind that when you check in, they will place a 400 USD hold on your card as credit in case you have any extra expenses at the hotel.
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The houses (casas) of the Xcaret Arte Hotel
Hotel Xcaret Arte is divided into 6 casas: Casa del Patrón, Casa del Diseño, Casa de los Artistas, Casa de la Pirámide, Casa de la Música and Casa de la Paz. And don’t think their names are just that. No, each casa truly honours its name through the food, the décor, the shows, the pools…
In addition, each casa has several room types: Suite, Junior Suite, Swim Up and Master Suite. But not only that, because each room can also vary depending on the view it has which can be of the garden, the river or the sea. Some rooms even have direct access to the river from their terrace (Swim Up), but those can’t be booked in advance; you have to request them when you arrive at the hotel and pay a supplement.
Let’s talk a bit about each of the casas of Hotel Xcaret Arte.
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Casa del Patrón
We could say this casa is like the hotel’s lobby (although it doesn’t work as a traditional reception). There are no rooms in Casa del Patrón. This is where your experience begins when you arrive at the hotel and where most of the information desks and restaurants are located. Everything starts and ends in Casa del Patrón.
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Casa de los Artistas
Casa de los Artistas is the most exclusive casa in the hotel so exclusive that you can only access it if you’re lucky enough (and have the budget!) to stay there, or if you’re staying in a Junior Suite or higher category room in any of the other casas. It’s the closest to the sea, so it has a privileged view of the Caribbean.
Only guests aged 18+ are allowed in Casa de los Artistas, and its guests have exclusive access to a restaurant (Kibi-Kibi), a bar, a pool, a rooftop with a glass-walled pool area where food is also served, a library and a gym. Its painting workshops are also exclusive.
To stay in Casa de los Artistas you’ll need to choose one of the following rooms: Suite River ADULTS, Suite Ocean Front ADULTS, Junior Suite Ocean Front ADULTS, Swim Up Ocean Front ADULTS or Master Suite Ocean Front ADULTS.
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Casa del Diseño
Casa del Diseño is the second-best casa in the hotel (considering its proximity to the sea). Its lobby is beautiful and decorated with sewing machines, thread spools, looms… basically, elements that constantly refer to textile design.
Even if you’re not staying in this casa, you can access it, its workshops and its rooftop. The rooftop pool of Casa del Diseño is the largest of all the rooftops (except for Casa de los Artistas), it has sea views, hammocks and they also serve food. Its workshops are focused on looms, textiles and garment making.
Generally, you can’t choose to stay specifically in Casa del Diseño, the only way to guarantee it is by choosing one of the following rooms: Suite Ocean Front or Swim Up Ocean Front Diseño. By choosing any other room type this casa offers, you could end up in Pirámide or Música instead: Suite Garden, Swim Up Garden, Suite Ocean View, Junior Suite Ocean View or Master Suite.
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Casa de la Pirámide
Casa de la Pirámide is named this way because it has the best views of Xpiral, the pyramid that serves as the connecting point between the hotels Xcaret Arte and Xcaret México.
Even if you’re not staying in this casa, you can access it, its workshops, its rooftop, its pool and its playón. The rooftop pool of Casa de la Pirámide is one of our favourites because it has great views, it’s usually not very crowded and it has some really cool teepees.
In addition, Casa de la Pirámide has a wet bar with a waterfall and a small riverfront beach from which you can go swimming (which we highly recommend).
The workshops in Casa de la Pirámide revolve around pottery and creating handmade crafts.
Together with Casa de la Música, this is where most of the rooms are concentrated. To stay in Casa de la Pirámide you need to choose one of the following rooms (although you could also end up in Música or Diseño): Suite Garden, Suite River, Swim Up Garden, Suite Ocean View, Junior Suite Ocean View or Master Suite.
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Casa de la Música
Casa de la Música, as its name suggests, is a big tribute to music, that’s why it has a huge stage in the centre. Every day there are concerts, shows and musical theatre performances on that stage, and you can enjoy them from your room or from the pool’s wet bar.
Even if you’re not staying in this casa, you can access it, its workshops, its rooftop, its pool and its playones. The rooftop pool of Casa de la Música is our favourite because it has an AMAZING atmosphere: there’s a DJ playing live music and you can even hear the music underwater.
Casa de la Música also has a wet bar where there’s almost never anyone, and two small riverfront beaches from which you can go swimming (again, something we highly recommend 😉).
The workshops in Casa de la Música are all about learning to dance different styles of music: salsa, bachata, cumbia, mambo…
Together with Casa de la Pirámide, this is where most of the rooms are located. To stay in Casa de la Música you need to choose one of the following rooms (although you could also end up in Pirámide or Diseño):
Suite Garden, Suite River, Swim Up Garden or Master Suite.
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Casa de la Paz
Casa de la Paz is the house dedicated to relaxation and rest. It’s the smallest one, the farthest from the beach and the one where the hotel’s spa is located.
The main peculiarity of Casa de la Paz is that its rooms have a volcanic stone bathtub on the terrace and a sauna in the bathroom. Also, its rooftop doesn’t have a pool, instead, it’s designed for aeroyoga classes.
All guests staying in Casa de la Paz have a daily hydrotherapy circuit at the spa included, something that other hotel guests have to pay for separately.
Even if you’re not staying in this casa, you can access it, the spa, its beautiful lobby (which is a small library) and its rooftop. Just keep in mind that the spa fee is not included unless you stay in this casa (I’ll talk more about the spa further down 😉).
To stay in Casa de la Paz you’ll need to choose one of the following rooms: Suite Garden SPA, Suite River SPA or Junior Suite SPA.
The rooms at Hotel Xcaret Arte
Even if you book the most basic room in the hotel, you need to know that it will be a GREAT room: spacious, super bright, with a large hydromassage bathtub and decorated with exquisite taste as a tribute to Mexican art.
I’m going to tell you about the most basic rooms, like the Suite River or the Suite Garden, which are the ones we know, but keep in mind that if budget is not an issue for you, you can consider booking much better rooms than these (which are already VERY good rooms).
The décor of the rooms at Hotel Xcaret Arte
As I’ve already told you, throughout the entire hotel the décor is one of the main protagonists, so the rooms are no exception. You’ll find handcrafted furniture made by Mexican artists from different regions of the country in countless details: the chairs, the paintings, the lamps, the embroidered cushions, the tables, the mirrors… EVERYTHING!
It’s VERY easy to get used to living and sleeping in a place like this, but it’s also important to keep in mind that it’s not something you’ll find every day, and it’s truly impressive.
What’s in the room
The room has absolutely everything you might need during your stay. And whatever you don’t find, you can request it through room service and they’ll bring it to you immediately (slippers, toothbrush, sunscreen, etc.).
Beyond the basic things you’ll find in any hotel room, I’d like to highlight the ones we loved the most:
- A super spacious terrace with hammocks for two people.
- A giant TV with Apple TV where, besides watching movies on Netflix and other streaming services, you can order room service (it’s included and unlimited 24 hours a day), view the hotel and park photos, book transportation to the airport or check information about restaurants and other hotel services like the spa.
- The minibar is included and unlimited throughout your stay. There are soft drinks, water, beers… and the same goes for the assorted Mexican sweets you’ll find when you arrive.
- There’s a Nespresso machine with unlimited capsules.
- Every day they bring you a small box with typical Mexican sweets and a card explaining what each sweet is and which Mexican region it comes from. The best part is that you can take the boxes home 😉 Each day it’s a different one and they are beautiful!
- The lighting system is great because you can adjust the amount and type of light you need. To turn everything off, you just press a single button.
- The hydromassage bathtub is perfect and every day they restock the bath salts and the “bubble soap”, as I call it, which makes AMAZING bubbles 😝
- The shower is super spacious and decorated with beautiful hand-painted tiles.
- The amenities at Hotel Xcaret Arte aren’t the typical basic ones just to get by, not at all. They’re good quality amenities and there’s practically everything: shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, sanitising gel, lotion, bath salts… Plus, the scent of the soaps changes during your stay.
If you want to see the full room, don’t miss the video at the beginning of this post 😉
Restaurants at Hotel Xcaret Arte
One of the main reasons we chose Hotel Xcaret Arte was its gastronomy. This is a hotel that is truly focused on great food and on celebrating Mexican culinary art.
If, like us, you enjoy food and trying new things, you’re going to love Hotel Xcaret Arte, because it has nothing to do with the international buffets you usually find in all-inclusive hotels in Riviera Maya and Cancún.
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Seriously, every single restaurant at Hotel Xcaret Arte is a great reason to come to the hotel, and each of them has a special touch that makes it different so you can enjoy variety throughout your stay. They also pay special attention to drinks, designing cocktails that pair perfectly with the food and with the theme of each restaurant.
Let’s talk a bit about each of them, although, as I’m sure you can imagine, we’ve expanded all this information in a separate post where we give you EVERY detail about each restaurant 😉
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Mercado San Juan
It’s a beautiful Mexican food buffet where you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s open all day long and it’s perfect to enjoy a typical Mexican market experience. What we liked most about this restaurant were the quesadillas and the carnitas tacos.
No reservation needed.
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Cantina VIAIPY
This is one of our favourites restaurants in the hotel and features cuisine from Oaxaca. It’s led by chef Alejandro Ruiz and you can have lunch and dinner à la carte.
What we love most about Cantina VIAIPY is that at night there is live music and an amazing atmosphere. You have to try the guacamole and the melted quesillo. You can see the menu here.
No reservation needed.
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Arenal
It’s located very close to the beach, in the coves, in a beautiful setting. It’s also one of our favourites (we went several times).
You can go for lunch or dinner à la carte and try the comfort food by chef Orlando Trejo. Order the bone marrow, the pineapple tetela and the yellowfin tuna. You can see the menu here.
Open for lunch and dinner, and a reservation is required.
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Cayuco
If your plan is not to move from the main pool, you’re going to love Cayuco because it’s right next to it and it’s open for breakfast (buffet), lunch (buffet), and dinner (à la carte).
It offers a fusion of Mediterranean and Mexican flavours created by chef Franco Maddalozzo. Don’t miss the freshly prepared ceviches made with super fresh fish. You can see the menu here.
No reservation needed.
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Cafeteca
Located in the area where taxis and all transport depart, Cafeteca is perfect for a quick breakfast or snack (quick doesn’t mean less delicious!).
It’s open from 6:00 to 23:00, so you can go anytime. The best part is the warm pastries.
No reservation needed.
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Encanta
This is a contemporary Mexican cuisine restaurant led by chef Paco Méndez, winner of a Michelin star.
Encanta offers an amazing 10-course tasting menu and it’s one of our favourites restaurants. You can see the menu here.
It’s only open for dinner and a reservation is essential.
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Chino Poblano
Chinese food and Puebla cuisine together in the same restaurant. That’s what chef Jonathan Gomez Luna offers at Chino Poblano with his 7 course tasting menu. You can see the menu here.
It’s only open for dinner and a reservation is essential.
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Tah-Xido
A Japanese restaurant couldn’t be missing in the Hotel Xcaret Arte gastronomic offer.
It’s led by chef Luis Arzapalo and offers a la carte dishes (including delicious sushi) and teppanyaki tables where food is cooked live with a show. You can see the menu here.
It’s only open for dinner and a reservation is essential.
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Xaak
It’s the only restaurant in the hotel that is not included, and if you want to try its 9-course tasting menu you’ll have to pay separately (2,400 MXN per person, around 100 euros).
Its cuisine, led by chefs Alejandro Ruiz, Alberto Solís, Paco Méndez and Jonathan Gómez, mixes flavours from Oaxaca and Yucatán with pre-Hispanic influences. It’s not cheap, but we loved it. It’s perfect for celebrating special occasions and you can visit even if you’re not staying at the hotel. You can see the menu here.
It’s only open for dinner and a reservation is essential.
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Kibi-Kibi
Kibi-Kibi is an exclusive restaurant for guests staying in Casa de los Artistas and those staying in a Junior Suite or higher. It’s led by chef Roberto Solís and offers a fusion of Yucatecan and Lebanese cuisine.
It’s an à la carte restaurant and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can see the menu here.
No reservation needed.
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Apapachoa
Apapachoa is another restaurant you’ll find at Hotel Xcaret Arte, and what makes it special is that they only serve vegan food here, so if you’re vegan or even vegetarian, you’ll find tons of super tasty options.
Also, the entire menu at Apapachoa and all its preparations are 100% plant-based. This restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner.
No reservation needed.
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Room service
Okay, this isn’t a restaurant, but it’s a great option for breakfast, lunch or dinner if you don’t feel like leaving the room. The menu changes depending on the time of day and everything we tried was delicious, especially the shrimp fajitas, the meat tacos and the salmon bagels.
Keep in mind that depending on the time of day, food may take between 30 and 90 minutes.
Rooftops and pools at Xcaret Arte
One of the things we enjoyed most during our stay at Hotel Xcaret Arte were its rooftops and its pools. All the casas (except Casa de la Paz) have a rooftop with an infinity pool, a bar, special drinks, amazing views, board games to pass the time…
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In addition, some rooftops serve food (Artistas and Diseño), others have a live DJ (Música), and others have beautiful teepees to lie down in (Pirámide).
Rooftops at Hotel Xcaret Arte
- Rooftop of Casa del Diseño. Its pool has sea views and is one of the largest. It has hammocks, loungers and Balinese beds. They also serve food until 17:00. Because it’s bigger, has sea views and serves food, it’s one of the busiest rooftops. For us, it’s the least good of all —but not the worst 😉
- Rooftop of Casa de la Pirámide. It’s usually the quietest of all because there’s no music and they don’t serve food. And we love it precisely because of that. Since it’s smaller, the service feels much more personalised. We also love the views of Xpiral, and apart from the loungers, it has teepees that are perfect for a good nap.
- Rooftop of Casa de la Música. This is our favourite rooftop because of its great atmosphere. It’s the farthest from the beach and has the worst views, which is why it usually has fewer people than the others. We love it because there’s a DJ playing live music, which creates an amazing vibe. Plus, you can hear the music underwater, the service is fantastic and the Balinese beds are incredible.
- Rooftop of Casa de los Artistas. It’s exclusive for guests staying in Casa de los Artistas and its infinity pool has privileged sea views. It also has a glass-walled pool section that’s perfect for Instagram photos 😝 Just like in Diseño, they also serve food.
- Rooftop of Casa de la Paz. It doesn’t have a pool; instead, it has a space for aeroyoga. Classes are from 11:00 to 12:00.
Pools and wet bars at Hotel Xcaret Arte
Aside from the rooftop pools of the casas, Hotel Xcaret Arte has several more pools I’d like to tell you about:
- Main infinity pool. It’s the biggest pool in the hotel and the one that usually has the most people. It has sea views and a wet bar. It’s also right next to the Cayuco restaurant, and many of the hotel’s food stalls and spontaneous entertainment happen around it. There’s a Xelfie point in the pool (I’ll explain what that is a bit further down).
- Pirámide pool and wet bar. It has great views of Xpiral and is right next to one of the hotel’s river beaches. This pool has a waterfall and a Xelfie point.
- Música pool and wet bar. It’s located right in front of the stage of Casa de la Música, so it’s perfect when there are concerts or shows. It also has direct access to two of the hotel’s river beaches. This pool has a Xelfie point.
- Artistas pool. It’s located right above the Kibi-Kibi restaurant and is exclusive for guests of Casa de los Artistas. It’s beautiful for taking instagram photos from the restaurant 😝
Activities to do at Hotel Xcaret Arte
If there’s one thing you absolutely won’t do during your stay at Hotel Xcaret Arte, it’s get bored, trust me 😉 So we’ve put together a little roundup of EVERYTHING you can do, not counting, of course, enjoying the hotel’s pools and restaurants.
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1.Workshops
The artistic workshops are one of the most innovative activities at Hotel Xcaret Arte and a great opportunity to connect with the purpose behind the hotel and with Mexican art. All workshops are taught by people who have dedicated (or still dedicate) their lives to the art they teach.
Keep in mind that you can attend all the workshops in all the casas (regardless of which one you’re staying in), except for the one in Casa de los Artistas, which is exclusive to its guests.
The workshops are held in the same space where the gift shops of each casa are located and usually last between one hour and one hour and a half. You don’t need to make a reservation —you just need to arrive 15 minutes early. But keep in mind that guests of Casa de los Artistas and higher-category rooms can reserve, so arriving early will guarantee you a spot 😉
It’s important to know that some workshops require more than one session, so if you’re especially interested in one, it’s best to start early in your stay. For example, in the pottery workshop you’ll need one day to shape, another to fire, and one or two more to paint the piece.
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Painting workshop – Casa de los Artistas
Watercolours, landscaping, linoleum engraving, collage or drawing are just some of the artistic techniques you can learn in the Casa de los Artistas workshop. Workshops last between one hour and one hour and a half and have capacity for 10 people.
9:30–10:30: Watercolour or landscaping
10:50–11:50: Collage
12:00–13:30: Linoleum engraving
14:00–15:00: Drawing
15:30–16:30: Mixed technique
These workshops are available every day except Saturdays.
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Traditional textile workshop – Casa del Diseño
If you want to dive into the history and art of Mexican textiles, this is your workshop. You can learn the art of looms and thread, weave macramé or discover everything about Huichol weaving. The workshops at Casa del Diseño all last one hour and have capacity for 10 people.
9:30–10:30: Loom tour
11:00–12:00: Spinning ideas
12:00–13:00: Weaving macramé
13:00–14:00: Traditional weavings
15:00–16:00: Huichol weaving
16:30–17:30: Looms
These workshops are available every day except Wednesdays.
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Pottery workshop – Casa de la Pirámide
The workshops in Casa de la Pirámide are always the most in-demand, so it’s best to get there as early as possible. After all, it’s not every day you get the chance to create and mould pieces with your own hands. These workshops last between one and two hours and have capacity for 10 people, except the wheel-throwing workshop, which is only for 4.
10:00–11:00: Painting ceramics
11:30–12:30: Creating with your hands
13:00–15:00: Pottery
15:00–16:00: Pottery wheel
These workshops are available every day except Tuesdays.
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Dance workshop – Casa de la Música
If you have a dancing soul, these will be your favourite workshops. What we love most about the Casa de la Música workshops is that besides learning, you get a workout 😉 And they’re super fun! These workshops last between one hour and one hour and a half and have capacity for 15 people —except Jarana and Artesas, which are only for 4.
9:30–10:30: Salsa
10:30–11:30: Bachata
11:30–12:30: Cumbia
13:00–14:00: Mambo
15:00–16:00: Jarana
16:00–17:30: Artesas
These workshops are available every day except Sundays.
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Aeroyoga classes – Casa de la Paz
Casa de la Paz doesn’t have workshops per se, but every day on its rooftop, aeroyoga classes are offered from 11:00 to 12:00.
2. Coves
One of the things that caught our attention the most when we first started researching the hotel were the coves.
This area of the Mexican Caribbean is quite windy and full of rocks, so these coves, filled with actual seawater, are an amazing alternative to avoid strong waves, rocks and, why not say it, sargassum.
Here the water is much calmer, they’re in a truly beautiful setting, they have loungers, bar service and they’re usually super quiet. Plus, they’re a super Instagrammable little corner of the hotel.
3.Playones
In Casa de la Pirámide and Casa de la Música you’ll find three small beaches. They’re saltwater, but they’re not really beaches, they’re actually in a river. Could we call them river beaches? 😝
All of them have loungers and bar service.
4. Muluk Spa
As a proper luxury hotel, Hotel Xcaret Arte also has a spa, which, by the way, is not included.
As a spa, it doesn’t have anything particularly special or different from any other spa in the world: saunas, steam rooms, pools at different temperatures and a pool with lots of jets. What really stands out about the Xcaret Arte spa is the environment around it and the service they offer. You have no idea how cool it is to be lying in the sauna and have them place two cucumber slices and a refreshing towel over your eyes.
And the spa is truly beautiful. The main pool is surrounded by vegetation and we were able to enjoy it practically alone most of the time because they carefully control capacity so you can relax and unwind.
A hydrotherapy circuit at the spa costs around 40 euros per person. And from there, prices go up —there are countless treatments and massages you can get. Remember that if you stay in Casa de la Paz, you can enjoy one hydrotherapy circuit per day without paying for it.
You can check the spa menu here and the treatment prices here 😉
5. Beach
Hotel Xcaret Arte has very few downsides, but one of them is the beach. As I mentioned earlier, this area of the Mexican Caribbean is quite rocky and windy. So the hotel’s beach is definitely not the typical paradisiacal Caribbean beach you’re probably imagining.
Even so, it’s a beautiful beach, with hammocks and bar service, so you can enjoy it plenty. But if you’re imagining those classic crystal-clear Caribbean beaches, this is not your hotel.
6. Islands
If you look at our map, above Xpiral, between the hotels Xcaret México and Xcaret Arte, there is a wooded area that seems like it has nothing. But it does!
Even though it may not seem like it, that area is made up of islands connected to each other and to both hotels by wooden hanging bridges. This area is perfect for people who enjoy training outdoors (besides running, there are several strength training areas), but it’s also great for taking a walk surrounded by nature and spotting native animals.
7. Night time entertainment
If you want to enjoy some nightlife during your holiday, Hotel Xcaret Arte gives you two options:
- Cantina VIAIPY. Every night there’s live music and the atmosphere is amazing.
- El Deseo speakeasy bar. To get there, you just have to look for the taco stand near the shop and workshop of Casa de la Música (from there I’ll let you be surprised 😉). It opens every night until very late and has a great atmosphere too. Early in the night there’s live jazz, and later it works more like a nightclub. All premium drinks are included.
8. Xpiral
This pyramid, which gives its name to one of the hotel’s casas, is one of the most unique places in Xcaret Arte. It marks the division between Xcaret México and Xcaret Arte, and it’s a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset.
At the top, there’s also a chapel, and the stairs leading up are beautiful for photos. If you’d rather avoid the effort, don’t worry —there’s also an elevator 😉
9. Kayak and Paddle Board
Who said we came to the hotel to relax? 😝 If you’re into more active plans, another activity you can’t miss during your stay is kayaking and paddle boarding.
The cove area is also used for these activities, where you can paddle through the saltwater rivers of Xcaret Arte and Xcaret México.
Of course, both activities are free, but during high season it’s essential to book the day before (you’ll find the exact location on the map). You can enjoy kayaking and paddle boarding for half an hour each day.
It’s a super fun activity that we highly recommend, because you’ll get to enjoy this area from a different perspective. Keep in mind that the river closes at 18:00.
10. River swimming
Remember when I mentioned river swimming earlier when talking about the playones? This is what I meant! In this section of the hotel’s saltwater river (which is different from the cove area and the kayak/paddle board area), you can grab a life jacket and jump into the water to enjoy a completely different experience.
The area you can swim through isn’t very big (although you can extend it by swimming over to Xcaret México), but it’s full of things to do like slides, hammocks…
It’s one of the activities we enjoyed the most at the hotel. Keep in mind that the river closes at 18:00.
11. Xelfie Points
Scattered throughout the hotel, there are a total of 20 Xelfie points. And you might be wondering… what the heck are Xelfie points? Well, they’re spots where you can scan your bracelet and take as many photos as you want.
Those photos get “saved”, and later you can see them on your room’s TV (or in the shops of each casa) and if you like them, you can buy them for 59 USD.
On their own, in our opinion, they’re not particularly worth it, but if you buy the photo package from any of the Xcaret parks you visit, they give you all the photos you take at the hotel for free 😉 For example, the ones from Xenses and Xplor are totally worth it.
12. Hotel shows
At the beginning of this super guide to Hotel Xcaret Arte I told you that art is everywhere you look in the hotel. And that includes the shows and entertainment you’ll find as you walk through it.
There’s everything: dancers, skaters, painters, actors, puppets, singers, musicians, mimes… If you don’t want to miss anything, the best thing is to ask for a schedule at any of the hotel’s information desks so you know the times and areas —they change depending on the season.
13. Xcaret tours and parks
The hotel’s ‘All Fun Inclusive’ concept also includes transportation and entry to all Xcaret parks, and there are quite a few: Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xenses, Xenses Insomnia, Xoximilco, Xavage (currently closed for renovations) and all tours, ferries and catamarans.
We’ve published a super guide talking about all of them to make it easier for you to choose in case you don’t have time to visit them all, but there are a few things I wanted to mention here:
- For most parks you don’t need to book, but for some like Xel-Há, Xenotes or Xoximilco you will need to book in advance.
- From 8:00 onwards and every 20 minutes, “La Despeinada”, the bus that takes you to the parks Xcaret, Xplor, Xplor Fuego and Xenses, eaves from the hotel lobby. These parks are quite close, so you won’t take more than 10 minutes to get there.
- Xel-Há, Xavage, Xoximilco and Xenotes are farther away, so it’s best to ask about transport times when you arrive at the hotel.
- Xenotes is not a park itself, it’s an excursion visiting four cenotes in the area. We didn’t do it, but from what we’ve seen and read, it’s quite fun.
- Xavage is temporarily closed for renovations, keep this in mind if you’re visiting soon.
During our stay we visited Xenses, Xplor and Xoximilco, and soon we’ll tell you all about them in separate posts.
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Daily plan to make the most os your stay at Hotel Xcaret Arte
It’s clear that the best thing is to create your own plan based on your tastes, but if you don’t know where to start, here’s our suggestion:
| HORA | DÍA 1 | DÍA 2 | DÍA 3 | DÍA 4 | DÍA 5 | DÍA 6 | DÍA 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | Breakfast at Mercado San Juan | Breakfast at Cayuco | Breakfast at La Cafeteca | Breakfast at Mercado San Juan | Breakfast via Room Service | Breakfast at Cayuco | Breakfast at Mercado San Juan |
| 8:00 | Main infinity pool | Rooftop Música | Beach | Xplor Park | Spa | Xenses Park | Rooftop Música |
| 9:00 | Main infinity pool | Rooftop Música | Beach | Xplor Park | Spa | Xenses Park | Rooftop Música |
| 10:00 | Main infinity pool | Rooftop Música | Main infinity pool | Xplor Park | Spa | Xenses Park | Rooftop Música |
| 11:00 | Coves | Rooftop Música | Main infinity pool | Xplor Park | Diseño Rooftop | Xenses Park | Rooftop Música |
| 12:00 | Coves | Música Workshop | Main infinity pool | Xplor Park | Diseño Rooftop | Xenses Park | Diseño Workshop |
| 13:00 | Lunch at Arenal | Lunch at Mercado San Juan | Lunch at Cayuco | Lunch at Xplor Park | Lunch at Diseño Rooftop | Lunch at Arenal | Lunch via Room Service |
| 14:00 | Pirámide Workshop | River swimming | Pirámide Rooftop | Xplor Park | Diseño Workshop | Diseño Rooftop | Paddle Board |
| 15:00 | Kayak | River swimming | Pirámide Rooftop | Xplor Park | Main infinity pool | Diseño Rooftop | Coves |
| 16:00 | Beach | Pirámide Workshop | Xoximilco | Xplor Park | Main infinity pool | Diseño Rooftop | Coves |
| 17:00 | Beach | Pirámide Rooftop | Xoximilco | Xplor Park | Xpiral & Islands | Pirámide Playón | Música Playón |
| 18:00 | Pirámide Wetbar | Pirámide Rooftop | Xoximilco | Música Wetbar | Xpiral & Islands | Pirámide Playón | Música Playón |
| 19:00 | Pirámide Wetbar | Pirámide Rooftop | Xoximilco | Música Wetbar | Xpiral & Islands | Pirámide Playón | Música Playón |
| 20:00 | Dinner at Encanta | Dinner at Cantina VIAIPY | Xoximilco | Dinner at Cayuco | Dinner at Chino Poblano | Dinner at Tah-Xido | Dinner at Arenal |
| 21:00 | Live music at Cantina VIAIPY | Xoximilco | El Deseo Pub | Live music at Cantina VIAIPY | |||
| 22:00 | Live music at Cantina VIAIPY | Xoximilco | El Deseo Pub | Live music at Cantina VIAIPY |
Keep in mind that the most difficult part is finding the balance between enjoying the hotel and visiting as many Xcaret parks as possible, especially if you’re not staying at the hotel for many days.
How much does Hotel Xcaret Arte cost?
As I mentioned at the beginning, Hotel Xcaret Arte is not a cheap hotel, but it is absolutely worth it for all the services it offers.
Prices vary a lot depending on the season, when you book, where you’re booking from and whether you find a promotion.
Some tips for booking Hotel Xcaret Arte:
- Always book through websites you know and trust, such as the hotel’s own website or Booking.com. We’ve read many cases of people being scammed, especially in Mexico.
- Check prices often and compare, because rates vary a LOT depending on the time of year.
- Take advantage of the promotions the hotel usually launches. For example, we found an incredible deal thanks to Black Friday.
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How much did we spend?
And well, since I know you’re dying to know how much we spent, here it goes. We stayed 10 nights during peak Christmas season (from December 23 to January 2) and paid a total of 5827.25 euros for both of us.
Keep in mind that this includes accommodation, food and drinks, and lots of activities. The price per person per night is 291.36 euros. Remember: VERY high season.
To give you an idea, the same dates on Booking.com cost more than 14,000 euros. But we’ve also seen dates where it’s the opposite and Booking.com is much cheaper than the hotel’s website, so don’t forget to check both because you might be surprised 😉
Day Pass at Hotel Xcaret Arte
As I mentioned at the beginning, if you want to spend a day at the hotel and enjoy its services without having to stay overnight, you can do so by getting a Day Pass. The only way to buy it is directly at the hotel reception, so you won’t know if there are spots available until you’re there.
If you prefer, you can call by phone so they can tell you about availability, but in any case the information will only be approximate.
These are the three types of Day Pass available and their prices:
- Day Pass: From 9:00 to 18:00. Costs 100 USD per person.
- Night Pass: From 18:00 to 11:00. Costs 120 USD per person.
- Full Day Pass: From 9:00 to 23:00. Costs 160 USD per person.
Keep in mind that these passes do NOT include the restaurants that require reservations or the Xcaret parks and experiences that are included in the hotel’s All Fun Inclusive concept.
Tips for staying at Hotel Xcaret Arte
It might sound funny that we’re giving you tips for staying in a hotel, but honestly we think it’s important to mention a few details so you can make the most of your stay after all, you paid for it 😉
- I know you’re on holiday, but if you want to enjoy the full experience (and make the most of the money it costs), it’s important to wake up early. Ideally, wake up at 7:00 to be done with breakfast by 8:00 so you can make the most of the day. Yes, we wake up early even when we’re on a relaxing trip 😝
- Plan all the activities you want to do and the parks you want to visit carefully. You can even create an Excel sheet, like we did, so nothing slips through the cracks 😉
- If you arrive in Cancún in the afternoon, our advice is to spend the night in a hotel near the airport so you don’t pay for a full day at Xcaret Arte that you won’t enjoy. Same thing for the departure day. The good thing is that no matter what time you check in or out, you can enjoy the hotel (and everything included) the entire day.
- Don’t forget to book your return transport from the hotel to the airport at least one day in advance.
- Reserve the restaurants that require booking at least 3 weeks ahead of time. You can do it by email or by phone once you have your reservation number. It’s important to do this because we met many people who missed out on some restaurants because they waited to book until they arrived at the hotel.
- The main infinity pool and the rooftop of Casa del Diseño are usually the busiest areas, so if you prefer a bit more peace and quiet, focus on the wet bars and rooftops of Casa de la Pirámide and Casa de la Música.
- Keep in mind that in most of the workshops offered by the casas (except in Casa de la Música), you’ll need more than one class to finish your creation, so the best thing is to start at the beginning of your stay.
Reviews of Xcaret Arte Hotel: What do other travelers think?
The experience at a hotel can be the difference between a good trip and a MEMORABLE one. That’s why, just like you, we made sure to thoroughly research the reviews of other travelers who have already visited Xcaret Arte: online users, bloggers, family, and friends. Here’s what we found from all the reviews of Xcaret Arte.
So, what do other guests think about Xcaret Arte? Well, as with any hotel, you’ll find fantastic, good, and bad reviews. We’ve gone through the Tripadvisor reviews of Xcaret Arte to give you a broad perspective of what people are saying about the hotel online.
But before diving into the Tripadvisor reviews, there’s something important to keep in mind. When reading online comments, remember that there’s no way to verify if the reviewer was actually a guest. This makes it difficult to know which reviews might be influenced—whether positive (from the company) or negative (from competitors).
Tripadvisor needs no formal introduction. We’ve selected some specific comments about Xcaret Arte, both positive and negative.
Here is a positive review of Xcaret Arte on Tripadvisor.
In this case, this traveler gives us an accurate review about the experience at Xcaret Arte Hotel:
However, on Tripadvisor, you’ll also find some not-so-good reviews:
Frequently Asked Questions about Hotel Xcaret Arte
Even though we’ve already talked in depth about our experience and opinion (and also those of other travellers) about Hotel Xcaret Arte, below we answer the most common questions people usually have.
Is Hotel Xcaret Arte adults-only?
Yes. Hotel Xcaret Arte is a luxury adults-only resort (16+), designed for couples, friends and travellers looking for a peaceful and sophisticated atmosphere.
How much does a night at Hotel Xcaret Arte cost?
The price per night usually ranges between 400 and 800 euros for two people, although during high season it can reach 1,000 euros. It depends a lot on how far in advance you book, the season, the casa you choose and active promotions.
Which casa at Hotel Xcaret Arte is best to stay in?
It depends on the traveller: Casa de los Artistas is the most exclusive and has extra access to Xcaret México. Casa de la Música has an amazing vibe and concerts. Casa de la Paz is the quietest and next to the spa. Casa del Diseño and Casa de la Pirámide stand out for their rooftops and views.
Does Hotel Xcaret Arte include airport transfers?
Yes. Round-trip transfers between the airport and the hotel are included in the All Fun Inclusive concept for guests with a confirmed reservation. Free transportation to all the parks is also included.
Can you go to Hotel Xcaret without staying there?
Yes. The hotel offers Day Passes at different rates. The basic pass costs 100 USD per person and includes access to facilities, pools and many services. Some restaurants requiring reservation and the parks are not always included.
Which parks are included when staying at Hotel Xcaret Arte?
You have free access to all of them: Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xenses, Xoximilco and Xenotes, with transportation included from the hotel. For some parks you’ll need to book in advance.
Is Hotel Xcaret Arte a good option for a honeymoon?
Yes, it’s a fantastic option for a honeymoon if you like combining relaxation, signature gastronomy, activities and parks. It’s an adults-only hotel with beautifully designed suites and the perfect atmosphere for special trips.
What’s the difference between Hotel Xcaret Arte and Hotel Xcaret México?
Xcaret Arte is adults-only and very focused on art, rooftops and workshops; Xcaret México is family-friendly, focusing more on activities for all ages. Both share the All Fun Inclusive concept and access to the parks, but the atmosphere is different.
How many days are recommended at Hotel Xcaret Arte?
Ideally 4–5 nights so you can combine hotel days with several park visits. With fewer nights, you’ll have to choose carefully which parks or activities to prioritize.
Do you need to book the restaurants at Hotel Xcaret Arte?
Yes, although only some of them: Tah-Xido, Encanta, Chino Poblano and Xaak (this last one is not included in the all-inclusive price, it must be paid separately).
If you want to know more about the hotel, learn about the experiences of other travelers, discover everything about the Xcaret universe or learn more about Riviera Maya, take a look at these Facebook groups 😉
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