The Unknown Ahead

If you want adventure for the whole family in Mexico, then look no further than Xcaret! Pronounced “ISH-cah-RAY”, this all-inclusive resort has something for everyone. If you just want to relax on a beach or poolside, Xcaret is perfect. There are a multitude of pools, cenotes, beaches, lounge chairs, hammocks, and bars on property. But if you want adventure, Xcaret boasts several theme parks and all-inclusive day trips to places like Tulum.

The main hotel is in Riviera Maya near Cancun on the Caribbean side of Mexico. The grounds are truly spectacular. This all-inclusive property also boasts some of the best food I’ve ever had on vacation. Did I mention that there is a self-serve tequila bar as part of the buffet? While you’re reaching for the shot glass, the kids will be happy as can be in the kids club which has an all-you-can-eat candy bar. Everyone is sure to be living their best life!

The Hotel

The Xcaret Hotel is nothing short of gorgeous. Not only is the property all-inclusive, but it’s also billed as “all-fun inclusive” because you get unlimited access to all of the associated theme parks. The Xcaret picks you up from the airport free of charge and brings you right to the front doorstep of the hotel. Buses are running between the hotel and the airport every 30-minutes all day long. When you get off the air-conditioned bus, you’re immediately greeted with delicious homemade popsicles in a variety of flavors. The kids were immediately happy…which makes parents immediately happy too.

The rooms are thoughtfully laid out and comfortable. There are several types of rooms to choose from that boast different features. Every room promises a beautiful view of either the sea, the jungle, a pool or a river. We had a suite on the first floor and were mere steps from an infinity pool. Basic suites can accommodate a family of four and are about 750 square feet. There are also swim-up suites which look gorgeous. Our kids were pretty little and not strong swimmers at the time, so we opted for a regular room. Now that the kids are a little older, I would absolutely snag one of these rooms. Depending on how fancy you want to be, you can also get accommodations that include yoga classes, rooftop access, private pools, private butlers, spa treatments, and babysitters. Yup, babysitters.

The real star of the show are the amazingly manicured grounds. Every detail here is thoughtfully taken care of so that you’re surrounded by beauty no matter where you roam. The lobby is open-air with plants hanging from the ceiling. The view of the pools lead right out to the ocean. There are little saltwater inlets and rivers that flow throughout the property so that you always feel like your right on the beach, but still maintains a feeling of privacy somehow. Additionally, you’re always steps away from a bar. Did we indulge in a lot of tequila? Yes. But I think the number of smoothies consumed by our kids should have bankrupted the place. No matter where you roam, there is something to delight the oldest and youngest visitors alike.

The Xcaret also has a kids club and a “family club”. The family zone is near the main restaurants and is fully stocked with snacks and sodas for the kids. There’s ping pong, air hockey, drawing paper, board games, chess, video games…the kids might not want to leave!

The Food

The number one thing that worries me about all-inclusive properties is the food. We’ve all been to resorts that have a standard buffet and rubbery chicken dinners that makes you wish you were somewhere else. I am thrilled to tell you that the Xcaret has the best food of any hotel in which I’ve dined. Even the regular buffet (MERCADO DE LA MERCED) is not just good, but outstanding. You have a ton of choices and even a self-serve tequila area for the adults. In the evenings, a mariachi band comes through to entertain you and late into the evenings, snacks appear! 

There’s another buffet area that caters more toward children’s palates too. Adjacent to the buffet is an all-you-can-eat candy dreamland. Need cotton candy? Look no further.

TEATRO DEL RÍO is a must. It’s dinner and a show! There’s a 6-course pairing dinner served outside (there’s a roof) in a beautiful location while dancers and musicians envelop you in local culture. There are two different shows – Caribbean or México Olé. Although this is a pairing dinner, there are great options for the kids too. This is entertainment for the whole family.

Need a break from tacos? I’m not sure why you would, because tacos are perfect…but if you need some Asian fusion, look no further than Xin-Gao. The restaurant is uniquely beautiful and so are the dishes. If you’re in the mood for Italian, head to Fuego. This meal is served poolside with a view of the ocean. 

Are you vegan? Or vegan-curious? There’s even a restaurant for you! Check out BIO which is a restaurant on the beach where you can enjoy fresh ingredients while your toes are in the sand.

If you’re the opposite of vegan and want a Brazilian steakhouse bonanza of meats, check out LAS CUEVAS. This is a beautiful dinner spot in the caves where you can enjoy a parade of meats and a buffet of lovely salads. They also offer exclusive wines from the cellar here. 

Did you know there was a Michelin starred chef on property? Visit Ha’ at an extra cost and enjoy what Chef Carlos Gaytán has prepared for you. My husband and I still talk about this 9-course meal all the time. It’s elevated Mexican flavors and wine pairings that will leave you delighted. I don’t want to spoil any surprises, but even the presentation of the food is thrilling. This is an adults only restaurant, but the hotel offers babysitting, so make that reservation!  

Xcaret Parks

There are five main theme parks and a floating fiesta included with your hotel stay. All of your meals in the parks are all-inclusive as well. Shuttles will take you to and from the parks, but you can walk to the main Xcaret park from the hotel. The main park is part water park and part zoo with some archaeology thrown in too.There’s also a beautiful beach area where you can see dolphins. I love zoos, and this one was very well thought out. The grounds and gardens make you feel like you’re in the jungle with the animals. The jaguar enclosure is amazing. There are also a ton of sea turtles that the park raises and releases into the wild. 

A lot of the Xcaret parks have you in and out of the water. This makes packing a little tricky. There are lockers at most of the parks, but you don’t always want to trudge to and from a locker every time you get out of a lazy river. I would definitely recommend water shoes, a plastic case for your phone, and a drybag/backpack with some SPF and microfiber towels. If you’re prone to sunburns, you might also want a long-sleeved swimsuit or rash guard so that you don’t have to constantly reapply sunscreen over a strappy suit.

Xcaret offers a photo package and has a lot of picture spots throughout the various parks. We did not purchase the package, but I kind of wish we did. Something to consider…  

Xel-Ha

This park is south of the hotel toward Tulum. The main draw here is fabulous snorkeling. There’s a huge water slide tower (expect a line), some cliff jumping spots, tubing, a zip line into the ocean, floating obstacle courses, and a neat play structure for the kids. The beach is lined with hammocks and loungers, so we never had trouble finding a spot to relax. They do ask visitors to use a mineral SPF here to avoid hurting the reef. 

Xenses

“A park where nothing is as it seems.” This park is full of optical illusions and attractions that will confuse the senses. It’s also the best place to get those Instagram photos! There is an entire town here where it looks like you’re walking uphill, but everything is actually downhill. You end up stumbling all over the place like a drunkard. It was hilarious. There’s also several rooms that are upside down, so the furniture is on the ceiling. Highly recommend if you’re traveling with kids.

Xplor (and Fuego)

Xplor is an adventure park with the highest zip lines in Riviera Maya. There are 14 zip lines that will have you soaring through the jungle and over the park. If ATVs are your thing, prepare to drive over jungle bridges and down into caverns. The coolest thing here, in my opinion, is the underground stalactite rivers. It’s like a lazy river, but underground in a really cool cave.

If you visit the park after 5:30pm, it becomes Fuego, which is adults only. We visited at night, and it was pretty epic. The zip lines have giant rings of fire that you sail through, which adds a thrilling element to something that was pretty awesome to begin with. There’s something extra special about running around an amusement park at night.

Xavage & Xoximilco

With SO much to explore throughout our week at Xcaret, we did not do Xavage or Xoximilco. According to the website, Xavage is mostly speedboats, rafting, kayaking, “monster trucks” and high ropes courses. Out of all the parks available, this one didn’t speak to me as much…probably because I’m baby and afraid of going too fast. But based on the rest of Xcaret’s offerings, I’m sure it’s really cool.

Xoximilco is a floating fiesta dinner cruise. The food and live music looks great. With smaller kids, I was a little worried about being “trapped” on a boat if they got restless. If we went back to Xcaret, I would absolutely try this one out. 

Final Thoughts

The all-inclusive hotel is reason enough to visit the Xcaret. I cannot describe how beautiful everything is down to the last detail. The pools are immaculate, the grounds are lush, and there is water everywhere. All of the little beach nooks and crannies are perfect for honeymooners and families alike. Kids of all ages are guaranteed to love splashing around with the fish and exploring the beaches. There are also free life vests that you can borrow for the younger crowd, so you always have peace of mind near the water. And the food! I know I wrote a million paragraphs about the various restaurant choices, but they really are top notch.

Although we didn’t do any of the day trips, Xcaret will also arrange for you to visit Tulum, Xichén (UNESCO site), and Cobá. I’ve listed out all of the parks, day trips, and hotel on this Google map so that you can see where everything is located.