Hotel Xcaret Arte
Adults-only resort in Playa del Carmen. Ocean View, Business.
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Traveler Insights(1,745 discussions)
Hotel Xcaret Arte is the resort for people who get bored lying by the pool for a week. It's the most activity-packed all-inclusive in Mexico - your stay includes free access to a network of adventure parks where you can zipline, snorkel cenotes, explore caves, and kayak, all with transportation included. The resort itself is architecturally stunning, with each 'casa' designed around different artistic themes, a winding lagoon you can float through, and rotating local art installations. It's genuinely different from any other AI and travelers who love it really love it - phrases like 'I don't think I can go to any other resort after staying there' come up repeatedly.
The food is where Xcaret Arte punches above its weight in the AI world. With 10+ restaurants including a Michelin-starred option, it's one of the few all-inclusives where the food is actually a reason to choose the resort. The Mexican restaurants in particular get praised for authentic, chef-driven cuisine rather than the generic all-inclusive fare. The in-house bakery and Cafeteca coffee shop are cult favorites. That said, the restaurant reservation system is the resort's Achilles heel - if you don't book weeks in advance, you may find yourself eating buffet more than you'd like.
The catch is the price. At roughly $800-1,100+ per night, it's substantially more expensive than most competitors, and some travelers feel the premium isn't justified once you strip away the park access. If you're active people who want to fill every day with adventures AND enjoy great food, Xcaret Arte is unbeatable. If you just want to relax on a beach with a cocktail, you're paying a huge premium for parks you'll never use and a beach that's honestly not that great. One smart tip from travelers: book through Costco Travel for significant savings, and consider splitting a trip between a few nights at Xcaret Arte (for the parks) and a few nights at a beach-focused resort.
Pros
- +Included access to all Xcaret parks (Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xenotes, etc.) with free bus transportation - more activities than you could ever do in a week
- +Best food among Mexican all-inclusives according to many travelers, with Michelin-star chefs and standout restaurants like Encanta and Fuego
- +Stunningly beautiful grounds with local art, unique architecture, and a winding lagoon/river you can float through the entire resort
- +Amazing coffee at Cafeteca that travelers say rivals or beats Starbucks, plus an in-house bakery with macarons and pastries
- +Adults-only (16+) atmosphere that's quiet and laid back without being boring
- +Free round-trip airport transportation on comfortable Xcaret buses with WiFi and refreshments
- +Art workshops, ceramics classes, and cultural experiences included at no extra cost
- +A late-night speakeasy bar (El Deseo) with taco stand that stays open until 2-3am
Cons
- −Significantly more expensive than comparable resorts - many travelers note it costs roughly double what other good AIs charge
- −Restaurant reservation system is frustrating - popular spots book up weeks in advance, leaving you eating at the buffet more than expected
- −Room categories and 'casa' system is confusing, and some room types can't access the family resort side
- −The beach isn't great - it's the weakest feature compared to pool-focused competitors
- −Aggressive timeshare/membership sales presentations that can waste an entire day if you agree to attend
- −Cocktails are tasty but noticeably watered down according to multiple travelers
- −Some guests report getting seriously ill (food poisoning or waterborne illness) during their stay
- −The wishlist/reservation system for parks and restaurants has been confusing and is currently being overhauled
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“In my experience the hotel is the best hotel on the Rivera Maya, the experience is very amazing and the viuws are very beutiful. When you arrive to the airport the experience Starts and the staff makes you feel at home. The hotel has ten restaurants...”
“Last September, I stayed with 40 people of my clients. Their assigned rooms were in categories that didn't guarantee twin beds. I went the day before the clients arrived to confirm their room categories. About 10 rooms had to have their beds changed....”
“This was my first experience with an all-inclusive resort. Hands down, I'd go back in a heartbeat. As of Dec 2025, I believe I read that the resort was only 4 years old at the time we stayed there, so it still felt very new. I think the highlight of...”