Planning an adventurous family vacation to Mexico? Look no further than Hotel Xcaret México! This all-inclusive resort offers an unforgettable experience for families seeking excitement, relaxation, and cultural immersion. In this Hotel Xcaret review, I’ll share my personal experiences, tips, and highlights from our stay, plus insights into Xcaret Parks.
In this Hotel Xcaret review you will find:
Why Choose Hotel Xcaret México?
Hotel Xcaret México is more than just a resort—it’s a gateway to adventure. With its All-Fun Inclusive package, you gain unlimited access to Xcaret Parks, including Xplor, Xel-Há, and Xenses. Whether you’re ziplining over jungle canopies, snorkeling in crystal-clear cenotes, or savoring fresh ceviche, Hotel Xcaret México has something for everyone. This Hotel Xcaret review will help you decide if it’s the right choice for your family.
Why did we choose it? Because we love adventure but also wanted to relax, and this resort offered a perfect combination. All-inclusives can get a bad rap, but we appreciated the ease of not worrying about money once we were there. Plus, we were pleasantly surprised by how good the food was.
Looking for an adults-only all inclusive? Xcaret Art offers the same All-Fiun package with an adults-only hotel. Or, check out our review of Excellence Playa Mujeres.
Highlights of Hotel Xcaret México
Adventure Activities
Hotel Xcaret México is perfect for thrill-seekers! Some of the top adventure activities, all included in your All-Fun Inclusive pricing:
- Ziplining at Xplor – Fly over lush jungles and dive into underground caves.
- ATV Rides – Navigate rugged terrain on an exhilarating off-road course.
- Cenote Swimming and Snorkeling – Explore crystal-clear cenotes, perfect for cooling off after a day in the sun.
- White-Water Rafting at Xavage – Paddle through rapids in Mexico’s only white-water course.
- Underground River Exploration – Float through ancient caves with stunning rock formations.
Stunning Amenities
The resort’s aesthetic is breathtaking, blending natural elements with modern luxury. However, navigating the large complex can be tricky.
Pro tip: Download the resort’s app for a map and schedule.
Dining Experiences
The food at Hotel Xcaret México exceeded our expectations. From the marketplace serving made-to-order Mexican specialties to the seafood restaurant with fresh ceviche, the meals were consistently delicious. Our expecations for all-inclusive food were relatively low, and they were wildly exceeded. The food was legitimately good, not just good for an all-inclusive.
Pro Tip: You can book your dining reservations a few weeks in advance, and for the more popular dinner options this is a necessity.
A couple negatives worth mentioning – our room overlooked the area where weddings were held. This meant loud music kept us up until 11 on two separate nights. I highly recommend requesting a room away from the wedding area. A travel advisor can help with this! Also, we got great seats by the pool outside of our building only to discover that noise from construction was going to drive us crazy all day. When we went to find new seats with an umbrella, there were none to be found. Fortunately, a call to the hotel front desk resulted in someone finding us new seats, but the whole thing was a bit of a pain. Get your seats early, and I’d recommend heading to one of the larger pools. While less than ideal, neither issue would keep me from staying here again or recommending it to others!
Restaurants at Hotel Xcaret México
Mercado de la Merced – Best for Authentic Mexican Flavors
Mercado de la Merced stood out for its wonderful array of food, from ceviche to freshly shredded barbacoa. One highlight was the station where women were making tortillas from scratch and filling them with delicous options like huitaloche (corn fungus) or shredded pork to make the world’s best quesadillas. The colorful and lively atmosphere added to the experience, making it a must-visit for anyone craving traditional Mexican cuisine. Never fear, they also feature options like pasta and pizza for the pickiest eaters. Plus, varied all-you-can-eat dessert options will have kids (and adults!) going back for seconds.
This was our go-to for many meals because it was just so easy and consistently great. I normally would shy away from a buffet, but it was truly incredible, and I could have eaten the ceviche and quesadillas for every meal! For adults, the cocktails were also excellent.
La Trajinera – Best for Fresh Seafood Lovers
La Trajinera was one of our favorite spots for lunch, especially because they featured a custom ceviche station. On some occasions, they even had freshly shucked oysters, which was a rare treat for an all-inclusive resort. The seafood options were incredibly fresh, and the airy, open setting made for a relaxing dining experience. We visited for dinner and enjoyed it, but I prefered the lunch ceviche to the more elegant evening fish options.
Xin-Gao – Best for Sushi & Asian Fusion
Xin-Gao is one of the most sought-after restaurants at the resort, and it books up quickly, so be sure to make reservations in advance. We were unable to secure a spot for the teppanyaki experience, but we found the sushi to be excellent. The rolls were fresh, and my non-fish eating kids enjoyed ramen.
Other Hotel Xcaret Dining Options
- Ha – This is a high-end contemporary Mexican spot offering fixed price, multi-course meals from an Michelin-starred chef. It costs extra and is adults-only.
- Las Cuevas – A unique dining experience set inside a cave, featuring premium cuts of meat and seafood.
- Chibalí – A casual buffet-style restaurant, great for families with kids. We checked this out a couple times and enjoyed it, but generall preferred the Mercado.
- Fuego – An adults-only restaurant offering a romantic setting with a focus on grilled specialties.
- Cantina Los Faroles – A beautiful spot featuring Oaxacan cuisine such as delectable moles. Don’t miss live music and mexcal cocktails.
- Teatro del Río – A dinner theater experience with live performances accompanying the meal. This was the only miss among our meals, but I wasn’t surprised given the high volume of meals they have to serve simultaneously. It’s still worth going to for the entertaining cultural show filled with music and dancing.
- Sunday Brunch at Las Cuevas costs extra and offers a huge range of options including a raw bar and 70 specialties of Mexican and international cuisine. We skipped it due to the high cost, but if you’re looking to treat yourself, this is a great option!
What to Know About the Xcaret Parks
Xcaret Park
A cultural and ecological wonderland featuring underground rivers, wildlife encounters, and traditional Mayan performances.
Xel-Há
A massive natural water park where you can snorkel in a stunning inlet, float down lazy rivers, and explore hidden caves.
Xplor
An adventure park packed with zip lines, amphibious vehicle rides, underground rivers, and stalactite caves. Becomes Xplor Fuego at night.
Xenses
A sensory amusement park with mind-bending optical illusions, water slides, and interactive experiences.
Xavage
A high-adrenaline park featuring white-water rafting, monster truck courses, jet boats, and obstacle courses.
Xenotes
The highlight of our trip! This tour takes you to four different cenotes, where you can swim, kayak, rappel, and zipline into crystal-clear waters.
Xochimilco
A lively floating fiesta where you board colorful trajineras for a night of music, drinks, and traditional Mexican cuisine.
Xenses
A half-day park focused on tricking your senses with upside-down houses, floating rivers, and mind-boggling attractions.
Activities for Adventurous Families at Xcaret Parks
Hotel Xcaret México truly shines when it comes to activities. Here’s a breakdown by age group:
For Younger Kids
- Xcaret Park: Explore wildlife, Mayan culture, and kid-friendly shows.
- Xel-Há: A water park paradise with lazy rivers and snorkeling.
- Xenses: Littles will like the fun house vibes
For Teens
- Xplor: Adrenaline-pumping zip lines and ATV adventures.
- Xenses: A quirky park full of optical illusions and sensory experiences.
- Xenotes: Amazing day of ziplining into cenotes. Our tween loved it, too!
- Xavages: A great option for the most adventurous teens.
For Adults
While Hotel Xcaret México is family-friendly, it’s worth mentioning Hotel Xcaret Arte for adults-only stays. It offers a more tranquil experience with art-inspired amenities and exclusive dining options.
New Hotel Xcaret Family Accomodations in 2025
In the summer of 2025, Hotel Xcaret México is set to enhance its offerings with a variety of new features designed to cater to families. The hotel will introduce five new Houses, each tailored to different family needs:
- Casa Agua: Focused on wellness, it features the renowned Muluk Spa, along with facilities for pilates, yoga, paddle tennis, tennis, and gyms.
- Casa Cielo: Perfect for multigenerational groups, it combines eco-integrated architecture with a variety of dining options, bars, a café, and business centers.
- Casa Vida: A family-centric space offering entertainment at the Xinema restaurant, La Xentral food and coffee shop, exciting slides, and serves as the transportation hub to the parks.
- Casa Sol: Ideal for families with teenagers, it includes three pools, a teen-focused rooftop, and entertainment spaces like Dixtrito 1317 and La Paxanguería.
- Casa Luna: Designed for all ages, it features fun and educational spaces such as Lunateca, Xiquit Inn, a children’s pool, and a rooftop kitchen and bar for adults.
Personal Tips for Hotel Xcaret México
- Choose Your Building Wisely
Avoid buildings near the wedding area to steer clear of late-night music. A travel advisor can ensure you are placed in a quiter spot. - Reserve Pool Seating Early
Poolside seating with umbrellas fills up quickly. If you’re unable to find a seat, contact the concierge for assistance. - Plan Ahead for Ziplining Adventures
Navigating the ziplining with young kids can be challenging. If someone isn’t keen on adventure activities, consider arranging for a babysitter for the day. Note you can’t leave your kids at the kids’ club when you leave the property.
What to Pack for Your Hotel Xcaret Mexico Vacation
Here are a few must-have items for your Xcaret:
- Reef safe sunscreen – Xcaret takes conservation seriously and requires that your use reef safe sunscreen when visiting its parks. I recommend Blue Lizard.
- Reef safe bug spray – Look for DEET free bug sprays that are safer for aquatic life. Here’s one highly rated option with Picaridin or this plant-based option.
- Water shoes/sandals with a strap – Activities like ziplining require shoes that won’t fall off into the water. My watershoes flew right off when I ziplined, so look for a snug fit! Here are a few I recommend. Tevas for Kids, Tevas for Women, or this alternate pair of Tevas, Men’s Quickdry Watershoes and here’s the women’s version.
- Rash Guard – A rash guard is helpful for a long day of wondering the parks. You won’t have to reapply sunscreen as option and there’s no risk of anything unintentionally popping out when ziplining! Men’s, Women’s Short Sleeve, Long Sleeeve, Boys Long Sleeve, Girls Rash Guard Swimsuit and Long Sleeve
- Waterproof Phone Case – Don’t miss on out taking photos during your days at the parks. These pouches will keep your phones safe all day.
- Quickdry Towel – The resort has towels for use by the pool, but you’ll be glad to have your own when doing an all day Xenotes tour. Here’s a colorful option you can easily stash in your luggage.
Adventurous Tastes is reader-supported. I’ve included affiliate links in this post. If you make a purchase, we may receive commissions. All opinions are my own.
Frequently Asked Questions – Hotel Xcaret for Families
Can I access the Xcaret parks without staying at the resort?
Yes, you can purchase day passes to the Xcaret parks without staying at the hotel.
Is there a kid’s club at Xcaret?
Yes, the resort offers a kids’ club with fun activities and supervised play areas. Note you cannot leave the property while your kids are in the kids club, so get a babysitter if you are heading to the parks without them.
Are all the restaurants included in the price?
Most restaurants are included, but some premium dining experiences like Ha or the Sunday brunch require an additional charge.
How do I get to Xcaret from the airport?
Book your flight into Cancun airport and use the resort’s free airport transfers service. They will also return you to the airport for departure.
What’s the best time of year to visit Xcaret?
Spring and fall offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds compared to peak summer months. We visited over Spring Break despite the popularity of the week never found it to be over-crowded.
Is Xcaret worth it if I don’t want to go to the parks?
The resort itself offers incredible pools, dining, and relaxation areas, making it worth a visit even without the parks. However, I’d choose a different resort if I didn’t want to leave the property. A few options in the region that I’d consider these highly rated, family-friendly alternatives: Andaz Mayakoba, Hyatt Ziva Riviera Maya, Conrad Tulum, or Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Is there a beach at Xcaret?
Yes, the resort features a beach area with calm, swimmable inlets, and there is a small seating area on the actual ocean.
How does visiting the Xcaret parks work?
Your All-Fun Inclusive package includes transportation and entry to the parks. Simply check the schedule and hop on the provided shuttles. Some parks include a free dining option, but some restaurants will require payment.
Final Thoughts on Hotel Xcaret for Families
Hotel Xcaret México is a top-tier choice for families seeking an adventurous spring break or an all-inclusive escape. Despite minor drawbacks like occasional noise and crowded pool seating, the resort’s unique offerings and stunning design make it a worthwhile destination. Whether you’re ziplining, savoring fresh ceviche, or simply lounging in a hammock, Hotel Xcaret México delivers an unforgettable family vacation.
I’d love to help you book your dream Hotel Xcaret vacation. Let’s talk!
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Adventurous Tastes is reader-supported. I’ve included affiliate links in this post. If you make a purchase, we may receive commissions. All opinions are my own.
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Love the food and luxury of this location. Great pick!
Thanks for including the tip about the adults only resort. We would love a stay there.
Love the Xcaret brand… so yes, I do think my family will love it. 🙂
I love hotels with great food! I’ll put Hotel Xcaret México on my list!
It looks like such a great place for families; my kids would love it! I’ve heard of Xcaret Park, but I had no idea about Xel-Há and Xenses – these definitely go on our international bucket list! Thanks for sharing the details!
I’ve always wanted to stay at Xcaret and visit all the different parks, I haven’t made it there yet but I know one day we will!