Hotel Xcaret México
Family-friendly resort in Playa del Carmen. River View, Lagoon View.
Atmosphere
Room Upgrades
Amenities
Traveler Insights(1,041 discussions)
Hotel Xcaret Mexico has completed a transformative $700M expansion that doubled the resort from roughly 900 to ~1,800 rooms, added 10 themed 'Casas' with distinct architectural characters, expanded dining to 20 restaurants, and introduced 16 pools (including 4 rooftop pools) plus 5 new waterslides. The expansion is massive in every sense — this is now one of the largest premium all-inclusives in Mexico. The original formula remains: your stay includes free transportation to and unlimited entry to all X parks, and travelers continue to describe the food as among the best at any all-inclusive they've experienced. Antonio Bachour, a two-time World's Best Pastry Chef, now oversees the pastry program across all Xcaret properties.
The activities available through the park system remain genuinely extraordinary: floating down a real jungle river into a bay, swimming through illuminated caves, zip-lining over the ocean, rappelling into cenotes, cliff jumping, and snorkeling in natural reef inlets. The Xcaret night show is a major cultural production that gets called out as a highlight even by people who weren't expecting to care. The expanded resort now offers far more on-property options too — with 16 pools and waterslides, guests who want a resort day without visiting a park have dramatically more to work with.
The expanded Hotel Xcaret Mexico is ideal for families who want adventure and variety at a scale few resorts can match, food-focused travelers who appreciate the doubled restaurant count and Bachour's pastry program, and anyone who wants the X parks experience with premium resort quality. The doubling in size may concern travelers who loved the more intimate original — the 10 themed Casas attempt to create smaller communities within the larger whole. Compare it to Occidental at Xcaret Destination (next door, lower price, same park access) for a budget alternative.
Pros
- +Free transportation and entry to ALL X parks included — Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xenotes (food/drink included at most parks)
- +Best food at an all-inclusive that many travelers report ever having — now with 20 restaurants after the expansion doubled dining capacity
- +Massive $700M expansion completed: 900 new suites doubling the resort to ~1,800 rooms across 10 themed 'Casas' with distinct architectural identities
- +16 pools including 4 rooftop pools and 5 new waterslides — the expanded aquatic infrastructure is a major upgrade for families and couples alike
- +Antonio Bachour (2x World's Best Pastry Chef) now leads the pastry program across all Xcaret properties — a genuine culinary differentiator
- +Activities that genuinely can't be replicated elsewhere — cave swimming, jungle river floats to the bay, cenote rope swings
- +Fuego adults-only building has a rooftop pool and bar described as 'the best part' by guests who've stayed there
- +All-inclusive pricing that actually makes financial sense when you factor in park entries (which normally cost $100-200+ each)
Cons
- −Now nearly double the size at ~1,800 rooms — the intimate boutique feel of the original property may be diluted
- −Fuego (adults-only) building costs significantly more and sells out fast — need to book early
- −The park access model means days can feel rushed if you're trying to visit multiple parks
- −Less of a 'sit by the pool and do nothing' resort — passive beach relaxers may feel pressure to do activities
- −Not on a great ocean beach — the resort is on a bay with snorkeling reefs, not a long white sand stretch
- −Xcaret park is closed Sundays — plan your week accordingly
- −With 20 restaurants the quality range is wider — not every venue matches the top-tier standouts
- −South of Playa del Carmen — a 30+ minute drive from Cancun airport, longer than Hotel Zone options
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Google Reviews
“Hotel Xcaret Arte is beautifully designed and the service and food were excellent. Everywhere you turn, there is beautiful art and thoughtfully designed spaces. The service was excellent and the food was incredible. I really don't have anything negat...”
“The property is VAST. You could stay at the hotel grounds for weeks and still find new things to explore. It is also designed in such a way that you feel lost at first, but as your stay progresses, you become more entranced in the beauty. I love how...”
“Our second time at Xcaret Mexico. Would I recommend to a friend? Yes, with caveats. Pros: - Gorgeous architecture and views. - Nice room with fun details. - Great choice of restaurants including excellent breakfast buffets. - The included parks (in p...”