5 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING HOTEL XCARET MEXICO
“Hotel Xcaret Mexico makes you feel like you’re in the middle of a tropical jungle theme park, not an all-inclusive resort”
Our favorite way to travel is by enjoying the natural surroundings and local culture, which we don’t often get to experience at resorts. Last month we visited Hotel Xcaret Mexico with Air Canada Vacations and had an amazing taco-fuelled experience. It honestly changed the way we look at vacations as it has both of our favorite travel qualities and more. It immerses you in a world of adventure, Mexican culture, and all-inclusive fun!
Looking back, we wish someone has told us these tips before visiting, which is why we’re sharing them with you! The following are suggestions on things you can do, see, and eat all around the hotel. This is what you need to know before you visit Hotel Xcaret Mexico.
Take Time to Explore the Property (Pick up a Map)
The property is truly a park in itself with jungles, a winding river with coves and inlets, and tropical surprises around every corner. To maximize your time it’s best to plan so you cover the highlights during your stay. Our favourites included sunrise at the Catholic Church, kayaking the river, discovering waterslides, and walking along the jungle paths.
The Catholic Church is perched atop a stone tower
The lagoons and rivers wind in and around the property
For an authentic beach experience, take the far east swing bridge from the church, over the lagoon, on your way to the beach hammocks. Unlike the other side of the beach, which can be rocky, this side is semi-private, quiet, and gorgeous!
Ask for a map once you arrive at the hotel, you’ll find it helpful to reference later in your trip. I found the map most useful in finding where each photo station was around the property.
Take a look at the property from a bird’s eye view in the video below to get a better idea of its layout. And get a serious dose of wanderlust while you’re at it..
The Magical Wristband
From the moment we got our wristbands, we knew we were going to love them! They allow you to take pictures of yourself at photo stations around the hotel and all parks. You can find each ‘Xelfie’ photo station by using the hotel map.
You’ll get optimal camera angles without the hassle of carrying around bulky cameras or having to attempt your best photography skills. Simply tap your wristband on the photo circle, look towards the colourful ‘Xcaret Eye’, and say CHEESE! You can purchase the digital photo packages at the end of your visit for a reasonable price (beginning at $58.99 for all photos of 2 people at both the hotel and 1 park).
Stop digging through your pockets and beach bag looking for your dreaded room key. That won’t happen at Hotel Xcaret Mexico as your wristband serves a few purposes, another being your room key.
It’s also waterproof and has an adjustable strap, which allows you to take it off when you need to. I appreciated this feature while I showered and slept, much more comfortable if you ask me!
All-Fun Inclusive®
What is All-Fun Inclusive®? Not only are your accommodations, drinks, and food included, but so are your excursions! More than the traditional all-inclusive resort, Hotel Xcaret Mexico goes beyond and includes all 9 of their parks and tours in your stay. That means you could visit a park every day for a week and still not visit them all!
This also includes your shuttles to and from all parks, with rides leaving every 20 minutes from the hotel lobby. Walk a few hundred yards east from the lobby and keep your eye out for the big pink Xcaret bus.
Xcaret Park
We visited the emblematic Xcaret Park which has over 50 different attractions to choose from. It’s a park that renews the spirit of Mexican culture and folklore through food, exhibitions, and celebration.
Grab an Xcaret passport to keep track of where you’ve visited and try to explore them all! There are 37 different Xelfie stations here and we hardly got through them during our visit. Remember to use the coloured lines on the pavement to guide you through each area.
Xenses Park
Prepare to have your senses come alive as the Xenses Park is filled with optical illusions and fantastic Instagram opportunities. This is the only half-day park available and you can’t miss it!
Thoughtfully designed, you immediately enter into the pinwheel room that’s a colourful sensory celebration of rainbow colors. There are two circuits of activity from here and over 50 mind-blowing attractions, games, and sensory scenarios to cover. Our favourites included the town where you didn’t know up from down, and the Xitric garden where you could drink lemonade directly from a tree!
Everything’s Included
Hotel Xcaret Mexico is a one-stop shop for a complete vacation experience. When you book with Air Canada Vacations, it includes your flight, hotel accommodation, all transfers and 1 free checked bag per person. Your package even includes your meals at each park plus a beer at Xcaret Park and both tequila and beer at Xoximilco Park.
The All-Fun Inclusive® perks don’t end at the parks, as you’ll also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, tennis, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling, and access to the kids & family club during your stay.
The Food at Hotel Xcaret Mexico
There are ten restaurants, eight bars, and a room service menu that we didn’t even scratch the surface of. We’ve become passionate lovers of local foods since visiting Mexico several times over the past few years. So it’s no surprise that we loved the authentic flavours of the Mexican buffet, Mercado de la Merced. Most mornings you’d find us here filling our plates with salsa verde, succulent chicken and beef tacos, and sipping on rich Mexican coffee.
For lunch, we loved the carefree vibe of Las Playas, which was tucked under the main pool, and directly in front of the lagoon. There are beautiful swings to sip your cocktail on and tables in the sand so you can sink your toes in and truly relax. Each dish we enjoyed here was an elevated version of a classic and we enjoyed it so much that we came back every day to try something new on the menu.
The only problem we had during our stay was trying to choose what to eat for dinner. Our most noteworthy meals were the Teppanyaki table at Xin-Gao, dinner & show in the theatre, and a special dinner at Ha Restaurant.
Enjoying the Dinner & Show at the Theatre
The grand entrance at Ha Restaurant
Food Tips
Shadi was elated to discover the taco stand that was set-up in front of the main buffet each evening. You’d often see a line-up in front of this famous cart which also included fresh cilantro and lime. There are no frills here, just authentic, generous flavour. We had a second dinner at this stand on the regular, they were addicting!
Another great find was the fruit stand that’s set up in the archway in front of the main pool. With so many fresh options at my convenience, I made it my goal to try a new fruit here each day.
We walked by Cantina Los Faroles a few times but never had the chance to try their menu. We did, however, return after 11 pm to enjoy the nightlife and lantern light show around the bar.
Needless to say, we think you should add these restaurants to your culinary bucket list at Hotel Xcaret Mexico.
Sustainability & Mexican Culture
Everything at Hotel Xcaret Mexico is made with sustainability and the preservation of the Mexican culture in mind. All elements of the resort are acquired with fair trade and are locally sourced. Many of the items around the hotel are also handmade, such as the hand pillows, tiles, and hammocks.
Each pillow is handmade by local Mexican artisans and take about one week to make.
The Rooms at Hotel Xcaret Mexico
As sustainability is a focus of the hotel, many things in the hotel are made of sustainable materials, such as the pillows, duvets, and coffee pods. The coffee pods are biodegradable and actually made of corn! My favourite feature of our room was that all of the amenities were eco-friendly. The materials are locally sourced AND good for the environment. The grape lotion smelled and felt amazing and I want to buy it by the tub!
Watch the video below for a complete room tour of our room, an Ocean View Suite in Casa Espiral.
From the hotel’s eco-integrative design to their contributions to the local economy, Hotel Xcaret Mexico constantly demonstrates its promise to practice sustainable tourism.
Bonus! Book With Air Canada Vacations
As Air Canada Vacations ambassadors, we travel with Air Canada Vacations often. What we love the most about booking our vacations with them is that we literally don’t have to stress about any travel details. Air Canada Vacations takes care of everything from the flights, hotel, and even at destination transfers.
They’ve been around for over 35 years, so you’ve got peace of mind. You also don’t have to pay for your first checked bag when you book a package with Air Canada Vacation (which we really appreciate). Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge service to more than 40 destinations in the Caribbean, which is more than any other Canadian tour operator (which is amazing!).
What’s Next
The only thing left to do is decide is when you’ll be going. With flights leaving daily to Cancun from Toronto on Air Canada Rouge, and twice daily during the winter months, the time is now to pack your bags and escape the Canadian cold. Have you been to Hotel Xcaret Mexico or to an Xcaret Park before? If so, which one? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
Awesome article guys! We are traveling with Air Canada Vacations this coming trip! Thanks for the heads up on the taco stand, that wasn’t there this past March.
Thanks Craig! We are all about that taco life my friend, glad to help out. Love that you traveled with Air Canada Vacations when you returned! Where are you guys headed next?
I was Hotel Xcaret January 2018. I just booked our second trip today! I’m so excited to return and see the changes. I booked with Air Canada Vacations. I noticed you said the first checked bag is free, is that still the case?
That’s so wonderful to hear Laurie. We want to go back to Xcaret soon too. To answer your question, YES! When you book your vacation package with Air Canada Vacations your first checked bag is always included!
I’m a little confused – all of the parks admission fees are included in the package price for the Xcaret Park?
Hi Molly! Yes ALL of the parks admission fees are included in the price package for Hotel Xcaret (no matter who you book your vacation with). AND when you book with Air Canada Vacations, you pay one price that includes all accommodations (and park admissions), transfers to and from the airport, round-trip flights and your first checked bag free too. It’s a great cost-effective option for the adventurous traveler!
Very helpful read, thank you! Not sure if I missed it, but does anyone know if you have to be in a Fuego from to experience that awesome rooftop pool with glass bridge?
We’re so happy to hear that you’ve found our post helpful Michelle! Yes you must be booked in a Fuego room category to have access to the adults-only rooftop pool. It’s such a great perk with stellar views. We received great service up there and would absolutely recommend it. Thanks 🙂
My husband and I just got back from cancun in February! We purchased a go Cancun pass since we did not stay near Xcaret, we stayed in the zona hotelera. We went to xplor by xcaret! It was an absolute blast, we did 7 ziplines, water rafting, enjoyed their lunch buffet! They also have a river swim and a hammock zipline! It was incredible to say the least!
When you have gone to Xcaret, and flown Air Canada, was the carrier Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge? How was the flight to Cancun and home?
We flew Air Canada Rouge on this particular trip Stephen. The flight both there and back was great! No delays and great service.
This is great!!! How do you book the tours and reservations ahead of time?
You can attend any of the parks at your leisure with no reservations required. Just hop on the bus to whichever park you want as they run from the hotel each hour. Or you can even take the boat right at the resort, its right down the path from the children’s area with the Octopus slide.