Xcaret Parks and Hotels: Doing "Mexico" Best

One of the top attractions in Mexico, three wonderful hotels on the Caribbean coast, and some of the world's best chefs.

Mariachi band at Sassafraz Restaurant in Toronto, 17 NOV.

Officials from Xcaret Parks and Xcaret Hotels hosted travel agents and the media in Toronto on 17NOV, with dinner accompanied by a lively, four-piece Mariachi band and a brand-wide update.

Xcaret is a water/theme/amusement/eco-archaeological park on the Riviera Maya, about an hour south of Cancun and just a few minutes from Playa del Carmen.

It offers abundant nature, as well as snorkelling, jet boats and other adventure activities and thrill rides. The park, which opened in 1990, also has an aquarium, sea turtle centre, butterfly garden, rainforest trail. Kids and adults can see jaguars, brilliant pink flamingoes, lumbering manatees, and much more.

Rodrigo Motavelazco, who heads up direction and commercial strategy for Grupo Experiencias Xcaret, said the company draws more than four million people a year to their parks, which include Xcaret itself, Xel Há, and several other parks.

Xcaret parks “are all very family oriented,” Motavelazco said. “There’s also a strong sense of sustainability in everything we do.”

Photo courtesy Xcaret.

Motavelazco said Xcaret has a ship to ferry visitors from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. A catamaran should arrive next year, which will feature snorkelling and on-board drinks.

The Xcaret group also runs three hotels along the Caribbean; The Hotel Xcaret Mexico, Hotel Xcaret Arte and La Casa de la Playa.

Rodrigo, Motavelazco, Grupo Experiencias Xcaret

Hotel Xcaret Mexico is an homage to the country, with food from every state and an AAA five-diamond rating, Motavelazco said.

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“It was the first hotel in Mexico that was fully immersed in the country’s culture,” he said.
The hotel features contemporary Mexican architecture and has ten restaurants. Há is run by chef Carlos Gaytán, winner of a Michelin star.

Suites at Hotel Xcaret Mexico feature views of the sea, the river, the beach, or the jungle.

Hotel Xcaret Arte opened next door on July 1, 2021 and features workshops on everything from weaving to dancing, painting and pottery. There’s a circular pyramid between the two properties with a Catholic church on top.

The hotel has 900 adults-only (ages 16 and up) suites inspired by Mexican artists and 10 restaurants.

“Nobody does Mexico brand better than Xcaret,” Motavelazco said.

La Casa de la Playa hotel by Xcaret. Photo courtesy Xcaret Hotels.

The third Xcaret property on the coast is La Casa de la Playa, which opened in December of last year with 63 ocean-front suites, dining experiences by celebrity chefs, private transportation in luxury cars, admission and exclusive activities in Grupo Xcaret parks. Estero Restaurant is run by Virgilio Martinez, chef at Central Restaurant in Lima, Peru; named one of the world's best restaurants..

There’s a wine/cava bar that’s staffed 24/7. Guests can sip wine at the bar or take it back to their room.

“It’s like having your own private wine cellar,” said Sakari Malinen, Director of Sales at Hoteles Xcaret.

Guests can enjoy a 24-hour tequila and mezcal bar and a chocolate room that’s open all day, every day and features products by one of Mexico’s top chocolatiers. The hotel also features a 40-meter infinity pool, a luxurious spa (extra charge) and a rooftop bar with a DJ.

Jim Byers

Jim Byers is a freelance travel writer based in Toronto. He was formerly travel editor at the Toronto Star and now writes for a variety of publications in Canada and around the world. He's also a regular guest on CBC, CTV News, Global News and other television and radio networks.

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