It is still very strange for us to speak so GOOD about a type of vacation that until now was so little with us, but it is a reality that the Xcaret Mexico hotel in the Riviera Maya is one of those hotels that is worth visiting, even once in your life.
As you surely know, we stayed at the Xcaret Arte hotel, its neighbor, but we spent several days also enjoying the Xcaret Mexico hotel, so we thought it essential to tell you EVERYTHING about this wonderful hotel: prices, restaurants, room types, hotel map, tips to make the most of it 100%… In short, we want to make the most complete Xcaret Mexico hotel guide in the world 😉
Because it is very likely (it happened to us too) that at first you feel overwhelmed with all the things that the hotel offers, which I can tell you there are many.
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Resumen de contenido de este post
- 1 A bit of context about the Xcaret Mexico hotel
- 2 Important things you should know about the Xcaret Mexico hotel
- 3 Arrival at the hotel and check-in
- 4 Xcaret Mexico hotel map and room layout
- 5 The rooms of the Xcaret Mexico hotel
- 6 Xcaret Mexico hotel restaurants
- 7 Xcaret Mexico hotel pools
- 8 Activities to do at the Xcaret Arte hotel
- 9 Daily planning to make the most of your stay at the Xcaret Mexico hotel
- 10 How much does the Xcaret Mexico hotel cost?
- 11 Day Pass at the Xcaret Mexico hotel
- 12 Tips for staying at the Xcaret Mexico hotel
- 13 Hotel Xcaret Mexico Hotel reviews
A bit of context about the Xcaret Mexico hotel
Several years ago we discovered the Xcaret universe thanks to Alan por el Mundo, but until very recently we had no idea that we could enjoy it in the first person.
The Xcaret Mexico hotel is the first hotel of the Xcaret group, one of the most important tourist brands in the Riviera Maya. The Xcaret Mexico hotel, a brutal hotel designed for the whole family, was inaugurated in 2017. Four years later, in June 2021, they opened the Xcaret Arte hotel, whose theme revolves around art and numerous artistic disciplines and which is only for adults over 16 years of age. And in December 2021 the third opened, also adults only: La Casa de la Playa.
Xcaret Mexico hotel is next to Xcaret Arte and Xcaret Arte is next to La Casa de Playa.
The Xcaret Arte hotel is the twin brother of the Xcaret Mexico hotel, although there are significant differences between them. The most important ones are that in Arte children under 16 years old are not allowed, that it has swimming pools on its rooftops (something that Xcaret Mexico hotel lacks) and that all the activities that can already be done in the hotel, in Arte are they expand with the artistic workshops offered by each house.
If you want, you can consult our Xcaret Arte hotel guide.
The Xcaret Mexico hotel is a hotel designed much more for families and children and that is reflected in its facilities: there is a nursery throughout the day, spaces designed only for the youngest, special pools for children… But all that I’ll tell you below 😉
Important things you should know about the Xcaret Mexico hotel
- If you stay at the hotel you can enjoy its ‘All Fun Inclusive’ concept. This means that unlimited premium meals and drinks are included in the accommodation price, including the minibar and 24-hour room service. But not only that, it also includes transportation and admission to all the parks and experiences of the Xcaret group (Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xenses, Xoximilco, Xavage and Xenotes) and transportation to and from the Cancun airport.
- The Xcaret Mexico hotel is much more than a hotel, so if you don’t want to, your vacation there doesn’t have to be the typical vacation of lying in the sun and doing nothing else. There are many different activities to be entertained as long as you want.
- One of the strengths of the Xcaret Mexico hotel it is its BRUTAL gastronomy. It has a total of 11 restaurants, plus cafeterias and ‘street’ stalls, all with different concepts, all interesting and all a reason to visit the hotel.
- Keep in mind that of all the restaurants offered by the hotel, there is one with a fee (Há), another that is exclusive for people staying in the Casa Fuego (Fuego) and two others (Teatro del Río y Xin-Gao) that require a reservation and that only offer dinner service.
- We are going to talk to you about prices later, but keep in mind that it is a quite expensive hotel. The key to finding offers is to book in advance and make use of the promotions that usually appear on their website. The cheapest price you can find is around 450 USD per night for two people in a basic room (it’s not basic at all 😉 ), but in high season it can go up to 1,000 USD. And if you find a bargain, do not hesitate, because the hotel worth it.
- If you love the hotel but first want to explore it for a day before paying the price for a night, you can use a Day Pass and enjoy all the hotel’s services for one day. There are several types of pass, but the cheapest one costs USD 100 per person.
- You will be able to access everything thanks to the (precious) bracelet that they will give you when you check-in: your room, the restaurants, the parks, the xelfie points…
- If you are traveling with your family, you should know that each room can accommodate 3 adults and one child or 2 adults and two children, and that children under 4 years of age do not pay.
Arrival at the hotel and check-in
Before I start telling you EVERYTHING you need to know about the hotel, I would like to talk to you about how is the arrival at the hotel from the airport and the check-in process.
From the moment you set foot in the Cancun airport, you know that the experience you are going to live is unique. And it is that even the smallest detail is taken care of.
Transportation from the Cancun airport to the hotel
When you leave the terminal, the first thing you have to do is look for the Xcaret staff so they can assign you the bus that will take you to the hotel.
Do not worry, because they are easily recognizable: they are extremely friendly, they wear pink polo shirts and signs with the name of the hotels. Also, if you arrive at terminal 4, you will be lucky enough to be able to enjoy the Xcaret Lounge, where you can drink and snack whatever you want without paying anything at all.
From 06:00 to 09:00 there are buses from the airport to the hotel every half hour and from 09:00 to 06:00 every hour.
You should know that you can also have the drinks you want on the bus because they have a fridge at the entrance (and free WiFi!).
Check-in and room assignment
The bus from the Cancun airport takes approximately one hour to reach the hotel, although times may vary depending on traffic.
When you arrive, you forget about your bags and the reception by the hotel staff begins: a towel to clean your hands, a cool drink, a welcome sweet… When you give your name, one of the staff members will accompany you to the lobby of the House that has been assigned to you or that you have chosen (a little further down I will tell you about this in depth) to check-in.
Once there you will receive all the information about the hotel, schedules, recommendations, and… the bracelet that gives you access to EVERYTHING!
Xcaret Mexico hotel map and room layout
Although the hotel is quite large, the entire hotel can be explored on foot without any problem.
Of course, perhaps at first it can be a bit of a mess to get your bearings. That is why we have created this SUPER map with all the houses, restaurants, swimming pools and activities, so that you can be clear about where you are at all times.
If you want to download the map in maximum quality to easily consult it when you are there, you can do it from here 😉
As I was saying, sometimes finding your way around the hotel can be complicated, but we had three infallible tricks:
- The ‘street’ is always on the 3rd floor and the lobbies of the houses on the 5th floor.
- To find out which house you’re in at any given moment, you just have to look at the number of a nearby room. The first number identifies the House (1 for Tierra, 2 for Fuego, 3 for Espiral, 4 for Viento and 5 for Aua, and the higher that number is, the farther you are from the sea), the second number identifies the floor and the other two are the room number. For example, if you are in room 4670: room number 70 on the sixth floor of the Casa Viento 😉 Easy, right?
The Houses (Casas) of the Xcaret Mexico hotel
The Xcaret Mexico hotel is divided into 6 houses: Casa Grande, Casa Tierra, Casa Fuego, Casa Espiral, Casa Viento ands Casa Agua. And don’t think their names are just that. No, each house lives up to its name in the food, in the decoration, in the shows, in the swimming pools…
In addition, in each house there are several types of rooms: Suite, Junior Suite, Swim Up and Master Suite. But not only that, because each room can be different depending on the views it has, which can be of the garden, the river or the sea. There are rooms that even have direct access to the river from their terrace (Swim Up), but those cannot be reserved, you have to ask for them when you arrive at the hotel and pay a supplement.
We are going to talk a little about each of the houses of the Xcaret Mexico hotel:
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Casa Grande
We could say that this house is like a hotel lobby (although it does not function as a typical reception). There are no rooms in Casa Grande. This is where you will start your experience when you arrive at the hotel and where most of the information booths and restaurants are. Everything begins and ends at Casa Grande.
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Casa Fuego
Casa Fuego is the most exclusive house in the hotel, and you can only access it if you have the luck and the budget to stay there (or in Junior Suite or superior rooms in any of the other houses). It is the closest to the sea, so it has a privileged view of the Caribbean.
In Casa Fuego, only people over 18 years of age are admitted and its guests have an exclusive restaurant (Fuego), a bar, a swimming pool, a rooftop with a glass pool area, where food is also served, a library and a gym.
To stay in Casa Fuego you will have 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 Tierra
Casa Tierra is the second best house in the hotel (considering its proximity to the sea).
The good thing about Casa Tierra is that it is perfect for large families, since it has interconnecting rooms that in some cases even have a private pool.
Generally, you cannot choose to stay at Casa Tierra, you can only ensure it by choosing one of the following rooms: Ocean Front Family Suite or Ocean Front Family Master Suite. Choosing any other type of room that this house has, you could also be in Espiral or Viento: Garden Suite, Swim Up Garden, Ocean View Suite or Junior Suite.
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Casa Espiral
Casa Espiral is called like this because it is the house with the best views of Xpiral, the pyramid that serves as a meeting point between the Xcaret Arte and Xcaret Mexico hotels.
Casa Espiral has direct access to the beaches that overlook the salty river (so you can swim whenever you feel like it) and a diamond-shaped infinity pool with a wetbar.
Along with Casa Viento, this is where the largest number of rooms are concentrated. To stay in Casa Espiral you have to choose one of the following rooms (although you could also be in Viento or Tierra): Suite Garden, Suite River, Swim Up Garden, Suite Ocean View, Junior Suite Ocean View o Master Suite.
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Casa Viento
Casa Viento is the best house if you are traveling with small children, since it is where most of the facilities designed for them are located: a pool with octopus-shaped slides, the Xiipal family club or the Xiquillos games room.
Casa Viento is also very close to the trajineras with which you can go directly to Xcaret park, which we will talk about soon 😉
The best thing about Casa Viento is that it has three pools around it (the octopus pool for children, the hotel’s central pool, with a wetbar, and the diamond pool of the house itself) and a beach with access to the salty river.
Together with Casa Espiral, it is here where the largest number of rooms is concentrated. To stay at Casa Viento you have to choose one of the following rooms (although you could also be in Espiral or on Tierra): Suite Garden, Suite River, Swim Up Garden or Master Suite Family Viento.
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Casa Agua
Casa Agua is the house dedicated to relaxation and rest. It is the smallest house, the furthest from the beach and the house in which the hotel spa is located, The Muluk Spa. Like Casa Fuego, Casa Agua is for adults only.
The great peculiarity of Casa Agua is that its rooms have a volcanic stone bathtub on the terrace and a sauna in the bathroom of the room. In Casa Agua there is also a paddle tennis court and a tennis court, in case you feel like doing some sport during your stay.
All guests of Casa Agua have a daily hydrotherapy circuit included in the spa, something that the rest of the hotel guests have to pay separately.
Even if you are not staying in this house, you can access it, the spa, its beautiful lobby (which is a small library) and its rooftop. Of course, keep in mind that the price of the spa is not included unless you stay in this house (I’ll tell you about the spa a little further down 😉 ).
To stay at Casa Agua you will have to choose one of the following rooms: Suite Garden SPA, Suite River SPA o Junior Suite SPA.
The rooms of the Xcaret Mexico hotel
Even if you book in the most basic room of the hotel, you have to know that it will be a GREAT room: spacious, super bright, with a large hydromassage bathtub and decorated with exquisite taste in a tribute to Mexican art.
I am going to tell you about the most basic rooms such as the Suite River or the Suite Garden, which are the ones we are familiar with, but keep in mind that if budget is not a problem for you, you can consider reserving much better rooms than these (which are already VERY good rooms).
The decoration of the rooms of the Xcaret Mexico hotel
As I have already been telling you, throughout the hotel the decoration is one of the main protagonists, so in the rooms it could not be different. So you will find artisan furniture by Mexican artists from different regions of the country in a lot of details: the chairs, the paintings, the lamps, the embroidered cushions, the tables, the mirrors… EVERYTHING!
It is VERY easy to get used to living and sleeping in such a place, but it is also important to keep in mind that it is not at all the usual and that it is really impressive.
What’s in the room
The room has absolutely everything you may need during your stay. And what you can’t find, you can order it from room service and they’ll bring it to you in a moment (sneakers, toothbrush, sunscreen, etc…).
Beyond the basic things that all hotel rooms have, I would like to highlight the ones that we liked the most:
- Super wide terrace with hammocks for two people.
- Giant television with Apple TV where, in addition to watching movies with Netflix and other streaming services, you can order food from room service (it is included and unlimited 24 hours a day), see photos of the hotel and the parks you visit, book transportation to the airport or consult information about restaurants and other hotel services, such as the spa.
- The minibar is included and unlimited throughout the stay. There are soft drinks, water, beers… The same goes for the varied Mexican sweets that you will find upon arrival.
- There is a Nespresso coffee machine with also unlimited capsules.
- The lighting system is great because you can modulate depending on the amount and type of light you need. To turn them all off you just have to press a button.
- The hot tub is perfect and also every day they replenish the bath salts and bubble soap, as I call it, which makes some BRUTAL bubbles 😝
- The shower is super spacious and decorated with beautiful hand painted tiles.
- The amenities of the Xcaret Mexico hotel are not the typical basic ones to get by, no. They are good amenities and there is practically everything: gel, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, disinfectant gel, cream, bath salts… In addition, they change the aroma of the soaps during the stay.
Xcaret Mexico hotel restaurants
One of the great reasons to choose the Xcaret Mexico hotel was its gastronomy. Because is a hotel very focused on good food and on valuing Mexican culinary art.
If like us you enjoy food and trying new things, you will love the Xcaret Mexico hotel, because it has nothing to do with the international buffets that are usually found in all-inclusive hotels in the Riviera Maya and Cancun.
Seriously, all the restaurants at the Xcaret Mexico hotel are a good reason to come to the hotel and each one of them has a touch that makes it different so that you can enjoy the variety during your stay. In addition, they pay special attention to the drink, designing cocktails that go perfectly with the food and with the theme of the restaurant.
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Mercado de la Merced
It is a beautiful buffet with Mexican food where you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is open all day and is perfect to enjoy a typical Mexican market. What we liked the most about this restaurant were the quesadillas and the carnitas tacos.
It is not necessary to make a reservation.
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Cantina Los Faroles
It is one of our favorite restaurants in the hotel and has Oaxacan cuisine. It is led by chef Alejandro Ruiz and you can have lunch and dinner à la carte.
What we like most about the Cantina Los Faroles is that at night there is live music and a brutal atmosphere. You have to try the guacamole and the melted quesillo. You can see the menu here.
The Cantina is open until 4:00 a.m.
It is not necessary to make a reservation.
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Las Playas
It is very close to the beach, in the coves, in a beautiful setting. It is also one of our favorites.
You can go for lunch or dinner à la carte and try the so-called comfort food. If you like fish and seafood, you will love this restaurant. Order the ceviche, the tuna tartare and the aguachile. You can see the menu here.
It is not necessary to make a reservation.
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Trajinera
If your plan is not to move from the main pool, you will love Trajinera because it is right next to it and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a buffet area but you can also order some à la carte dishes.
It offers Mexican cuisine very focused on fish and shellfish, although there is something for all tastes. You can’t miss the seafood buffet and the aguachile. You can see the menu here.
It is not necessary to make a reservation.
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Las Cuevas
As its name suggests, it is located inside the caves in the area of the coves, very close to the beach, in a beautiful setting. It has a very interesting concept, similar to a Brazilian rodizio in which grilled meat is served cooked on swords.
There are 20 different cuts of meat, but unless you have a good stomach, it will be impossible for you to try them all in a single day 😝 Be sure to try the picanha, ribeye and green chorizo. In addition to meat, there are also several bars with salads, pasta, seafood and other foods that complete the gastronomic offer at Las Cuevas.
It is open for dinner only and reservations are not necessary.
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Bio
Despite the fact that all the hotel’s restaurants offer vegan options on their menus, the Xcaret México hotel wanted to pay tribute to the vegan public with Bio, the only completely vegan restaurant in the complex.
It is located in the caletas area, very close to Las Cuevas restaurant and offers a wide variety of vegan dishes for breakfast or lunch.
Directed by chef Miguel Bautista, Bio offers fruit waters, sweet and savory bowls, salads, sandwiches, tacos and toasts. Perfect for a great vegan tribute. You can see the menu here.
It is not necessary to make a reservation.
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Chibalí
Located in the most family-friendly house of the Xcaret Mexico hotel, Casa Viento, Chibalí restaurant is perfect to visit with children, since it has several areas with sweets and trinkets designed especially for them. It is also decorated with the little ones in mind.
It is also noticeable that the food is designed to please all palates, so there is a lot of variety and they are very simple dishes, without frills, but equally delicious. You can see the menu of this family restaurant here.
It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and it is not necessary to book in advance.
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Teatro del Río
Teatro del Río is without a doubt one of the most requested restaurants at the Xcaret Mexico hotel. In addition to a delicious 5-course tasting menu, it offers a live Mexican show.
The stage is separated from the table area by the hotel’s river, which makes the experience something extra special. So if you don’t want to miss it, book it as far in advance as possible. In any case, if you can’t make a reservation for dinner, you can come to see the show while having a drink at the bar 😉
At dinner you can choose between two different menus: Mexico y Olé or Caribeño. You can see them both here.
It is only open for dinner and it is essential to book in advance.
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Xin-Gao
A Japanese restaurant could not be missing from the gastronomic offer of the Xcaret Mexico hotel. And the good thing about Xin-Gao is that you can choose between eating à la carte (with delicious sushi) or doing it at the teppanyaki tables where they cook live and with a show.
Xin-Gao, in addition to offering delicious Asian food, is a beautiful restaurant led by chef Luis Arzapalo. We tried a large number of dishes on the menu and our favorites were the salmon tiradito and the sushi in general, although it is true that it is one of the least surprising restaurants. You can see the menu here.
It is only open for dinner and it is essential to book in advance.
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Há
It is the only restaurant in the hotel that is not included and if you want to try its 9-course tasting menu you will have to pay separately (2,400 MXN per person, approximately 120 USD).
Its kitchen, directed by Carlos Gaytán, the first Mexican chef to obtain a Michelin star, offers us Mexican cuisine but with a contemporary touch that makes it special. It’s not cheap, but if you’re on a budget, it’s worth a visit. It is perfect for celebrating special occasions and can be visited even if you are not staying at the hotel. You can see the menu here.
It is only open for dinner and it is essential to book in advance.
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Fuego
Fuego is an exclusive restaurant for Casa Fuego guests and people staying in a Junior Suite or higher. It is run by chef Franco MaddaLozzo and offers a fusion of Italian and Mexican cuisine.
It is an a la carte restaurant and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can see the menu here.
It is not necessary to make a reservation.
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Room Service
Ok, this isn’t a restaurant, but it’s a great option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner if you don’t feel like leaving your room. The menu changes depending on the time of day and everything we tried was delicious, especially the shrimp fajitas, beef tacos and salmon bagels.
Keep in mind that depending on the time, the meal can take between 30 and 90 minutes.
Xcaret Mexico hotel pools
One of the things that are most enjoyed at the Xcaret México hotel are its pools. All the houses have a swimming pool, a bar, special drinks and a great atmosphere in their surroundings.
- Main infinity pool. It is the largest pool in the hotel and the one where there are always the most people. It has sea views and a wet bar. In addition, it is right next to the Trajinera restaurant and many of the food stalls and the spontaneous animations of the hotel take place around it. There is a Xelfie point in the pool (I’ll tell you about this a little further down).
- Espiral pool and wetbar. This diamond-shaped pool has great views of the Xpiral and is right next to one of the hotel’s river beaches.
- Viento pool and wetbar. It is located in the area closest to the salty river, it is also diamond-shaped and has direct access to the beach in this area.
- Octopus pool. Also in the Casa Viento is this pool that, due to its shape, will be the favorite of the little ones 😉
- Central Pool. Located in the center of the hotel, between the Espiral and Viento houses, is this huge pool, which has a large wetbar.
- Fuego Pool. It is located right next to the Fuego restaurant, in the lower part of Casa Fuego and is exclusively for its guests.
Activities to do at the Xcaret Arte hotel
If there’s one thing you’re not going to do during your stay at the Xcaret Mexico hotel, it’s get bored 😉 So we wanted to make a small compilation of ALL the things you can do, not counting, of course, to enjoy the hotel’s swimming pools and restaurants.
1. Coves
One of the things that most caught our attention when we began to investigate the hotel were the coves.
This area of the Mexican Caribbean is characterized by being quite windy and full of rocks, so these coves fed with the sea water itself are a great alternative to avoid strong waves, rocks and why not say it, sargassum.
Here the water is much calmer, they are in a really beautiful environment, they have sun loungers, bar service and they are usually super quiet. In addition, they are a super instagrammable corner of the hotel.
2. River beaches
In Casa Espiral and in Casa Viento you will find three small beaches. They are salt water but they are not really beaches, since they are actually in a river. Could we call them river beaches? 😝
They all have sun loungers and bar service.
3. Muluk Spa
Like a good luxury hotel, the Xcaret Mexico hotel also has a spa, which, by the way, requires a fee.
As a spa, it has nothing special or different from any other spa in the world: saunas, Turkish baths, pools at different temperatures and a pool with many jets. What the Xcaret Mexico hotel spa stands out for is the environment it is surrounded by and the service they offer.
Also the spa is beautiful. The main pool is surrounded by vegetation and we were able to enjoy it alone practically all the time because they control the capacity quite a bit so that you can be calm and really relax.
A hydrotherapy circuit in the spa costs approximately 45 USD per person. And from there up. Because there are countless treatments and massages that you can do. Remember that if you stay at the Casa Agua you can do one circuit per day without having to pay for it.
4. Beach
The Xcaret Mexico hotel has very few bad things, but one of them is the beach. As I said a little above, this area of the Mexican Caribbean is quite rocky and windy. So the hotel beach is not at all the typical paradise Caribbean beach that you are probably imagining.
Even so, it is a beautiful beach, with hammocks and bar service, so you can enjoy it a lot anyway. If in your mind are the typical crystal clear Caribbean beaches, this is not your hotel.
5. Islands
If you look at our map, above the Xpiral, between the Xcaret Mexico and Xcaret Arte hotels, there is a wooded area where it seems that there is nothing. Well yes there is!
And it is that although it may not seem like it, that area are islands connected to each other and to the two hotels with hanging wooden bridges. This area is designed for those who enjoy training outdoors (in addition to running, there are several areas for strength training), but it is also perfect for taking a walk in nature and seeing native animals.
It has a calisthenics circuit in case you want to complete your running with a little strength exercise 😉
6. Nightlife
If you want to enjoy a bit of nightlife during your vacation, at the Xcaret Mexico hotel you have two options:
- Cantina Los Faroles. Every night there is live music and the atmosphere is brutal. Open until 4:00 a.m.
- Lobby bars and restaurants. In addition to the bars that you will find throughout the hotel, some of the restaurants also have bar service (you can come even if you are not going to have dinner). The lobby bar is open until 1:00 am.
7. Xpiral
This pyramid, which gives its name to one of the hotel houses, is one of the most curious places in Xcaret Mexico hotel. It marks the separation between Xcaret Mexico and Xcaret Arte and is a great place to go to see the sunrise or sunset.
In addition, at the top it has a chapel and the stairs you go up are beautiful for taking photos. If you prefer not to make any effort, don’t worry, there is also an elevator 😉
8. Kayak and Paddle Board
Who said that we have come to the hotel to relax? 😝 Another activity you can’t miss during your stay at the hotel is kayaking and paddle boarding.
The area of the coves also serves as the setting for this activity in which you can tour the salty rivers of Xcaret Mexico hotel.
Of course, both activities are free, but in high season it is essential to book the day before (on the map you have the exact location). You can enjoy kayaking and paddle boarding for half an hour every day.
It is a super fun activity that we highly recommend because you can also enjoy this area from another perspective. Keep in mind that the river closes at 6:00 p.m.
9. Swimming in the river
Do you remember that when I mentioned the river beaches I told you about swimming in the river? Well, this is what I meant! In this area of the salty river of the hotel (which is different from the coves and from the kayak and paddle board) you can take a vest and jump into the water to fully enjoy a different experience.
The area that can be explored is not very large, but it is full of things to do such as slides, hammocks…
It is one of the hotel activities that we enjoy the most. Keep in mind that the river closes at 6:00 p.m.
10. Xelfie Points
There are a total of 11 Xelfie points scattered throughout the hotel. And you may be wondering… what the hell are Xelfie points? Well, they are places where by scanning your bracelet you can take all the photos you want.
These photos are ‘saved’ and then you can see them on the TV in your room (or in the stores of each house) and if you like them, buy them for 59 USD.
On their own, in our opinion, they are not particularly worth it, but if you buy the photos of any of the Xcaret parks that you visit, they give you all the ones you take at the hotel for free 😉 For example, those of Xenses and Xplor are worth very much worth it.
11. Hotel shows
One of the things that caught our attention the most about the Xcaret hotels is that wherever you look you will find an entertainer or live music. And that includes the shows and animations that you will find while you go through it.
12. Xiquillos y Xiipal
If you travel to the Xcaret Mexico hotel with the youngest members of the family, they will love these two areas.
Xiquillos is designed for the little ones and works as a ‘nursery’ from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Best of all, it has a wide range of activities that includes games, watching movies or body painting, among a million other options. Getting bored here is impossible.
If you are traveling with teenagers, Xiipal is more suited to the tastes of kids who are not yet adults but who are not children either. There are billiards, table football and table tennis.
13. Xcaret Parks
The ‘All Fun Inclusive’ concept of the Xcaret Mexico hotel also includes transportation and admission to all the Xcaret parks, which are quite a few: Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xenses, Xoximilco, Xavage and Xenotes.
We have published a super guide talking about all of them to make it much easier for you to choose in case you don’t have time to go to all of them, but there are several things that I did want to tell you here:
- From the Xcaret México hotel you can go to Xcaret Park (which is very close) on foot, by bicycle, by trajinera or by bus.
- For most of the parks you do not need to reserve, but keep in mind that for some like Xenses, Xenotes or Xoximilco you will need to book in advance.
- From 8:00 a.m. and every 20 minutes, the bus that takes you and brings you to the Xcaret, Xplor, Xplor Fuego and Xenses parks leaves from the lobby of the hotel. These parks are quite close to the hotel so it will not take more than 10 minutes.
- Xel-Há, Xavage, Xoximilco and Xenotes are further away, so it is best to ask when you arrive at the hotel.
- Xenotes is not a park in itself, but an excursion in which 4 cenotes in the area are visited. We didn’t do it, but from what we’ve seen and read, it’s pretty fun.
During our stay we visited Xenses, Xplor and Xoximilco and soon we will talk about them in independent posts.
You might be interested in reading this post | Xcaret Parks Mexico which ones are worth it? Prices and opinion of all of them
Daily planning to make the most of your stay at the Xcaret Mexico hotel
It is clear that the best thing is that you make your own planning according to the things that you like the most, but if you do not know where to start, here is our proposal:
| TIME | DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | Breakfast at Mercado La Merced | Breakfast at Bio | Breakfast at Chibalí | Breakfast at Mercado La Merced | Breakfast Room Service | Breakfast at Chibalí | Breakfast at Mercado La Merced |
| 8:00 | Main Infinity Pool | Pool Viento | Central Pool | Xplor Park | Spa | Xenses Park | Xcaret Park |
| 9:00 | Main Infinity Pool | Pool Viento | Central Pool | Xplor Park | Spa | Xenses Park | Xcaret Park |
| 10:00 | Main Infinity Pool | Pool Espiral | Central Pool | Xplor Park | Spa | Xenses Park | Xcaret Park |
| 11:00 | Main Infinity Pool | Pool Espiral | Central Pool | Xplor Park | Coves | Xenses Park | Xcaret Park |
| 12:00 | Main Infinity Pool | Pool Espiral | Central Pool | Xplor Park | Coves | Xenses Park | Xcaret Park |
| 13:00 | Lunch at Las Playas | Lunch at Mercado La Merced | Lunch at Trajinera | Lunch at Xplor Park | Lunch at Bio | Lunch at Chibalí | Lunch Room Service |
| 14:00 | Kayak | Swimming in the river | Paddle Board | Xplor Park | River Beach Espiral | River Beach Viento | Xcaret Park |
| 15:00 | Beach | Swimming in the river | Xoximilco | Xplor Park | River Beach Espiral | River Beach Viento | Xcaret Park |
| 16:00 | Beach | Coves | Xoximilco | Xplor Park | River Beach Espiral | River Beach Viento | Xcaret Park |
| 17:00 | Beach | Coves | Xoximilco | Xplor Park | Xpiral and Islands | River Beach Viento | Xcaret Park |
| 18:00 | Beach | Coves | Xoximilco | Xpiral and Islands | River Beach Viento | Xcaret Park | |
| 19:00 | Beach | Coves | Xoximilco | Xpiral and Islands | River Beach Viento | Xcaret Park | |
| 20:00 | Dinner at Las Cuevas | Dinner at Cantina Los Faroles | Xoximilco | Dinner at Trajinera | Dinner at Teatro del Río | Dinner at Xin-Gao | Dinner at Las Playas |
| 21:00 | Live music at Cantina Los Faroles | Xoximilco | Live music at Cantina Los Faroles | ||||
| 22:00 | Live music at Cantina Los Faroles | Xoximilco | Live music at Cantina Los Faroles |
Keep in mind that the most complicated thing is to find the balance between enjoying the hotel and visiting the largest number of Xcaret parks, especially if you do not stay at the hotel for a long time.
How much does the Xcaret Mexico hotel cost?
As I mentioned at the beginning, the Xcaret Mexico hotel is not a cheap hotel, but it is very worth it for all the services it offers.
Prices vary a lot depending on the season, the time you book, the place from which you make the reservation or if you find any promotion.
Some tips for booking the Xcaret Mexico hotel:
- Always book from pages that you know and offer you trust, such as the hotel’s own website or Booking.com. We have read many cases of people being scammed, especially in Mexico.
- Look a lot and compare prices because the rates change a lot depending on the season.
- Take advantage of the offers and promotions that the hotel usually launches. We found a bargain thanks to Black Friday.
Day Pass at the Xcaret Mexico hotel
As I mentioned at the beginning, if you want to spend a day at the hotel and enjoy its services without staying, you can do so by taking a Day Pass. The only way to buy it is at the hotel reception, so until you are there you cannot know if there will be places or not.
If you prefer, you can call by phone so they can tell you how availability is going, but in any case it will be indicative information.
These are the three types of Day Pass that exist and their prices:
- Day Pass: From 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It costs $100 per person.
- Night Pass: From 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m. It costs $120 per person.
- Full Day Pass: From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. It costs $160 per person.
You have to keep in mind that these passes do not include the restaurants for which reservations are required or the Xcaret parks and experiences that are included in the hotel’s All Fun Inclusive concept.
Tips for staying at the Xcaret Mexico hotel
You still think it’s funny that we give you tips for staying in a hotel, but the truth is that we think it’s important to tell you some details so that you can take advantage of your stay 100%, which is why you paid for it 😉
- I know you’re on vacation, but if you want to enjoy the full experience (and take advantage of the dough it costs), it’s important that you get up early. The ideal would be to get up at 7:00 a.m. to have breakfast at 8:00 a.m. and that the day spreads to the fullest. Yes, we get up early even when we go to relax 😝
- Plan well all the activities you are going to do and the parks you are going to visit. You can do it in an excel, like we did, so you don’t miss anything 😉
- If you arrive in Cancun in the afternoon, our advice is that you sleep that night in a hotel near the airport so you don’t have to pay for a full day at the hotel that you won’t take advantage of. And the same with the day of departure. The good thing is that it doesn’t matter what time you check-in or check-out, because both days you can enjoy the hotel (and everything that is included) for the full day.
- Don’t forget to book your return transport from the hotel to the airport at least one day in advance.
- Reserve at least 3 weeks in advance the restaurants that require a reservation. You can do it by mail or by phone once you have the reservation number. It is important that you do so because we met many people who were left without trying some restaurants because they waited to make a reservation once they arrived at the hotel.
Hotel Xcaret Mexico Hotel reviews
In summary, we would like to tell you about the strengths and weaknesses that, in our opinion, the Xcaret Mexico hotel has:
Good things about the Xcaret Mexico hotel
- The drink and food are really BRUTAL. Seriously, it’s amazing how good you eat and drink at the hotel.
- The attention of all the staff is incredible and goes far beyond good treatment.
- At the Xcaret Mexico hotel there is always something fun to do. It is impossible for you to get bored.
- You can take advantage of the whole day at the hotel on the day of check-in and check-out.
- The entire hotel can be easily explored on foot.
- The hotel’s salty rivers are brutally beautiful and perfect for doing different activities.
- The All Fun Inclusive concept is wonderful and makes rest and relaxation holidays as complete as you want.
Bad things about the Xcaret Mexico hotel
- In the hotel there is very little signage, so it is very easy to get lost, especially the first days.
- If you arrive early to check-in, we have read that sometimes the rooms are not ready, but the truth is that we did not have that problem.
- Although it is a brutal hotel, it is very expensive.
- Communication with the hotel before arrival is a bit tedious (they take time to answer emails and telephone calls) and the reservation system in general seems a bit of a drag, especially for restaurants.
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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