Hotel Xcaret Review: Hidden Gems, Pro Tips and Packing Lists July 11, 2026 – Posted in: Blog

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Our Hotel Xcaret Mexico vacation completely changed what we expect from an all-inclusive resort. If you’re looking for a traditional beach vacation, this isn’t it.

Hotel Xcaret Mexico feels less like checking into a hotel and instead, more like stepping inside a living piece of art. There are jungle trails which lead to hidden coves, centuries-old inspired architecture blends into nature, and embroidered textiles decorate every corner. Every corner seems to reveal something completely unexpected. For us, it wasn’t a sponsored trip. This was simply our family’s vacation, and after spending days exploring both the resort and the surrounding eco-parks, I can honestly say it’s unlike anywhere we’ve ever stayed. 

Whether you’re planning your first visit or wondering if Hotel Xcaret Mexico lives up to the hype, here’s everything we wish we knew before arriving.   

What Makes Hotel Xcaret Mexico So Different?

Vacationing here almost doesn’t feel real. Some mornings honestly felt like we’d somehow wandered into an AI-generated luxury resort. Except every bit of it is real. Imagine walking through lush jungle pathways where monkeys swing overhead, brilliantly colored parakeets fly through the trees, cenotes appear out of nowhere, and handcrafted Mexican artwork fills nearly every wall. From enormous hand-embroidered tapestries to traditional Talavera-inspired ceramic wall planters, the architecture celebrates Mexican craftsmanship instead of covering it up. More importantly, nothing feels mass-produced and the entire property tells a story. 

Hotel Xcaret Isn’t Just One Resort–It’s Hundreds of Acres of Adventure

One of the biggest surprises? The resort itself is an attraction. There are rivers to float, hidden beaches, gorgeous turquoise coves, kayaking and paddleboarding. I chose to paddleboard, meanwhile my husband and son kayaked and it was one of my favorite things on the entire trip. Even better, there are dozens of pools, jungle trails, hidden jungle slides into the river, and so many secret places that most guests never even discover. You could honestly spend an entire week without ever leaving the hotel, but one of the greatest perks is that your stay includes transportation and admission to many of the Xcaret parks, making every day feel like a completely different vacation. 

Pro Tip: Do not forget your waterproof phone case for kayaking and paddleboarding. I took so many photos and videos and my phone was protected at all times.

The Incredible Eco-Park Connection

One of the biggest perks of staying at Hotel Xcaret Mexico is that the parks become an extension of your vacation. Depending on your package, guests enjoy transportation and admission to many of the parks, including experiences such as: 

• Xcaret Park
• Xplor & Xplor Fuego
• Xenses
• Xel Há
• Xenotes
• Xoximilco 

However, some of the parks do require reservations. Fortunately, instead of constantly arranging transportation around the Riviera Maya, everything feels seamlessly connected. We would wake up, head to breakfast, decide if we were leaving or staying on the resort that day and it was always a different adventure. You can hop on transportation and spend the day ziplining, swimming through underground rivers or snorkeling. Afterward, you can return to the resort for dinner and a quiet evening overlooking the water and feel like it’s a completely different day. 

It’s one of the most effortless adventure vacations we’ve experienced (if you count effortless as walking an average of 20,000 steps/day even just around the resort itself).

Casa Luna: Our Home Base

We stayed in Casa Luna and absolutely loved the location. It was overwhelming when we heard about all of the different Casas, but ultimately requested Casa Luna and were happy we did for so many reasons. There were waterslides that were connected to the Casa and walking paths that led us to more pools, restaurants and transportation. Did I mention those 18-20,000 steps/day? I loved seeing the steps each day climb higher and higher on my favorite watch (which is also waterproof)!

Another unexpected bonus was Chiquit Inn, a great play place where our seven year old enjoyed at least an hour. Here, kids can play in a ball pit, climb giant nets, play in one of the miniature set ups of a hotel, a kitchen, a theatre and more.

In addition, the Casa Luna Rooftop offers a great option with amazing tacos, a bird’s-eye views of the resort and a fabulous infinity edge pool. This isn’t widely advertised but it was one of our favorite places to have lunch and take a dip. All in all, Casa Luna was a great fit for our family. Comparatively, if you have older children or you’re just traveling as adults, there are other Casas that may be a better fit.

Skip the Crowds: Our Favorite Restaurants

• Tama-Mon – Great sushi and Mongolian Grill. This restaurant is perfect for date night and offers a great option for Asian cuisine and the ambiance was modern and beautiful.

• Ximena – Perfect for quick meals. It also happened to be the perfect spot to catch some of the World Cup games. 

• Mercado de la Merced – calling this a buffet would be an injustice. I’ve never seen such an incredible marketplace with made-to-order authentic Mexican dishes, desserts, and beyond. We loved going for a later lunch here to avoid the crowds. Breakfast is also available from there while seated on the other side of the restaurant that never seemed to have a wait.

• Cafeteca (in front of Xentral) – this was a daily stop for coffee (sometimes multiple times) and it also serves pastries and other to-go items.

• Bio Bar – we had a quick juice shot after we found this on one of our cove walks. They have an assortment of juices that are a perfect drink for on-the-go.

• Costero – Breakfast here felt calm, elevated and relaxed compared to the larger dining areas. Starting the day here instead of navigating buffet crowds completely changed the pace of our mornings – no reservations necessary.

• Las Silla – Our favorite dinner. It had a beautiful atmosphere, wonderful service, and the steaks (especially the picanha) were incredible.

Hidden Gems Most Guests Miss 

The Jungle Water Slides on The Islands (Ixlas) 

Of all our experiences at the resort, this spontaneous detour felt the most magical. Our casual jungle trek to spot monkeys transformed into an adventure when we noticed a series of hidden waterslides tucked seamlessly into the foliage of The Islands. Later that morning, we tracked down a second slide during a river swim, its launch point cleverly concealed high up in the rocky formations. After that, carving through the stone tunnels and splashing into the emerald waters, we felt as though we had mapped out a secret sanctuary completely our own. From time to time, being at a resort for multiple days can feel repetitive. In comparison, each day at Hotel Xcaret Mexico felt completely different.

Hidden Coves for Snorkeling

One of the most magical surprises at Hotel Xcaret was discovering the vibrant marine life thriving right in the resort’s waterways. We lost track of time cove-hopping and navigating the breathtaking natural caves, proving you don’t even need to leave the property to experience Mexico’s wild beauty. We’ve snorkeled throughout the Caribbean and it was a great opportunity to have this right at the resort.

Why You NEED a Waterproof Phone Case and Water Shoes Here

Pro Tip: Do not forget your waterproof phone case as well as water shoes for Xcaret Park. Plus, both items make moving between water activities much easier. These water shoes were super comfortable both wet and dry. Both the waterproof phone case and the water shoes are much more expensive at the resort, so I highly recommend ordering them:

• Women’s water shoes

• Men’s water shoes

• Kid’s water shoes

• Waterproof phone case

• Women’s Sun Hat – I wore this everywhere and it packs easily

• Men’s Hat

• Kid’s Sun Hat with UPF

• Waterproof Phone Case – 2-pack

• Women’s Waterproof Shoes

• Men’s Waterproof Shoes

• Kid’s Waterproof Shoes

• Goggles With Soft Headstrap

• Rash Guard UPF 50+ for Kid’s

• Reef-Safe Sunscreen – none of us had a sunburn all week with this

• Waterproof Sun Stick – great for reapplying to the face on-the-go

• Swim Rings for Floating the River at Hotel Xcaret Mexico and Hotel Xcaret Arte (the hotel does not provide them)

• Mosquito Spray – this saved us, especially around sunset

• Afterbite – after I didn’t realize how much bug spray I would need…

• Band-Aids

• Collapsible beach bucket

• Skim balls – The coves and also gave us a great play to toss around our favorite skim ball...for hours.

• Reusable water balloons (these are amazing)

Bathing Suits & Cover Ups to Pack for Hotel Xcaret Mexico

One of the best pieces of advice was to not pack a ton of clothing that wasn’t a bathing suit, a cover up, or a beach dress. We lived in our bathing suits from morning until evening when we would change for dinner. Having enough cover ups and bathing suits was key, so I’ve listed which ones were the best during our trip.

• Quick Dry Bikini – highly recommend this kind of bathing suit that does not have underwire and can easily dry on the balcony – I’m bought multiple colors

• Easy Cotton Cover Ups – these easily went from a cover up to a beach bar

• Terry Cloth Cover Up – I lived in these and they were great to absorb wetness after jumping into the water and then having to walk everywhere

• Cotton Mesh Cover Up – lightweight and easy, I own two of them

Best Sundresses for Hotel Xcaret Mexico

Dinner looks made easy for the Riviera Maya. These lightweight, bold tropical prints are perfect for evening strolls through the torch-lit pathways and casual-elegant dining at Hotel Xcaret Mexico. Pack a light shawl or wrap for the ocean breeze once the sun goes down.

Pro Tip: Do not bother bringing heels to this resort. There is a mixture of uphill/downhill walking and very slippery surfaces. Flat sandals, even for evening, are best shoes to pack.

Best Jewelry and Accessories for Hotel Xcaret Mexico

DAYTIME

During the daytime for water activities I only wore waterproof earrings. The waterproof jewelry was perfect for all of the water activities and I never had to worry about tarnishing or discoloration.

Shop All Waterproof Jewelry HERE.

EVENING

The best part of an adventure-packed day? The ultimate reset. At the end of the day, the best part is washing away the salt and sunscreen, having a cocktail, throwing on a lightweight sundress, and stacking up your favorite gold and turquoise jewelry. It felt amazing to be refreshed and dressed up just enough for a beautiful dinner and a stroll around the resort grounds under the stars.

Shop Handcrafted Gemstone Signature Jewelry HERE.

Final Thoughts

Finally, if I could offer one piece of advice for your vacation to Hotel Xcaret Mexico, it would be this: don’t over-schedule your trip. Leave time to wander. After all, some of our favorite memories came from taking an unexpected path, finding a hidden spot, or spending an extra hour somewhere we hadn’t planned to stop. Those unplanned moments became some of the most memorable parts of our vacation.

Ultimately, Hotel Xcaret Mexico is a destination for travelers who appreciate adventure, amazing design, and authentic experiences. It’s the kind of place that invites curiosity, rewards exploration, and reminds you that the best vacations aren’t always about checking attractions off a list, they’re about discovering moments you’ll still be talking about long after you’ve returned home.

We left with tons of photos, a renewed appreciation for Mexico’s natural beauty and culture, and one overwhelming feeling: there is still so much more to discover. And that’s exactly why, without reservation, Hotel Xcaret Mexico is a place we’ll absolutely return to one day.