Xcaret Arte Review: An All-Inclusive Jungle Oasis Perfect for Active Travelers
Sunshine, good times, and margaritas form the base of any vacation to the Mexican coast. But what if you could have much more than that?
One of the most popular areas for visitors to Mexico is the stretch from Cancun to Tulum, with resort after resort promising gorgeous beaches and all-inclusive dining. There’s one brand, though, Xcaret, that blows them all away.
Xcaret’s adults-only resort, Xcaret Arte, sets the standard for all-inclusives with menus created by Michelin-starred chefs, a modern design that blends natural elements, and eco-adventure parks that could keep you busy for weeks.
Located near Playa del Carmen, I had the pleasure of visiting Xcaret Arte at the end of July 2025 for three nights.
I booked the garden suite, which is their base room. I went with the best rate available, which was through a third-party booking site. Other booking options include direct booking, Preferred Hotels, and American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts.
The most popular time to visit Xcaret is during the winter, as an escape from the northern cold to Mexico’s dry, warm days. The summer can be more wet and hot, but I chose to come in July so I could combine my trip with a whale shark swim (seasonal) in Isla Mujeres.
An All-Suites Resort with 6 Distinct Casas
Xcaret Arte highlights Mexican heritage throughout the resort, starting with its various building names. They are each ‘casas’ dedicated to a different cultural aspect.
I had a room change during our stay to accommodate my bed preference, so I experienced both Casa del Diseño with a river view suite (#1415) and Casa de la Música with a garden view suite (#4533).
Both suites were beautifully designed with an open concept bathroom, soaking tub, and a balcony complete with my own hammock. Since Xcaret Arte is an all-inclusive, you’re free to raid the mini bar, which is restocked daily with snacks and beverages.
We chose Xcaret Arte for our annual family trip this year, due to its multifaceted entertainment, exceptional culinary offerings, and convenient location.
With Cancun being less than a two-hour flight from Miami, it’s much easier than crossing the globe to chase the tropical vibes of Southeast Asia, and it has more activities than the eco-resorts of the Caribbean.
Entertainment and Tours that Showcase Mexico
Xcaret Arte is adults-only, which means no fighting with kids over the churros or getting splashed in the pool. What it doesn’t mean is boring, stuffy, or bland. Culture, craft, and the environment intersect at Xcaret to create one-of-a-kind experiences.
Their eco-adventure parks and excursions may seem Disney-like at first glance, but they are truly an exhibition of the best of the Yucatan. The closest parks to Xcaret Arte are Xcaret Mexico, Xplor, and Xenses.
Xcaret Mexico offers cultural immersion in a spectacular show, a river swim through a Mayan village, and animal viewing throughout the park.
Plan on doing the river swim first when you get to the park, which takes you towards the beach side. Then you can relax with a view at their buffet restaurant before working your way back to the front of the park, seeing monkeys, dolphins, flamingos, jaguars, and more.
Xplor is perfect for more adventurous travelers, with a variety of fun ways to experience the caves, cenotes, and tropical forest. This was our favorite park, so much so that we went twice to cover all the activities.
The thrilling zipline course ends with a splash, while the amphibious vehicles go through some surprising flames when the park shifts into night mode as Xplor Fuego. Xenses has mind-bending illusions that take you on a journey like no other.
All the parks, as well as various full-day excursions, are included in your room rate as part of their all-fun inclusive concept.
Full-day excursions vary by the package, but these are the most popular: Xel-Há (waterpark), Xenotes (cenotes tour), Xichén (Chichén Itzá), and Xailing (Isla Mujeres ferry or catamaran boat day).
Resort Amenities and Elevated Dining
Even with so many options on things to do in the parks and on tours, it can be difficult to tear yourself away from the stunning resort.
Xcaret Arte offers a massive main pool, several rooftop pools, a river where you can kayak and paddle board, and a beach with crystal clear snorkeling. Not to mention, a fabulous selection of food for every meal.
One of the highlights for my family was spending the day snorkeling, paddleboarding, and having fruity drinks by the pool. Be sure to leave yourself at least a full day to be at the resort.
Schedule your time slot to use the kayaks or paddle boards in the river early on in your trip, as reservations can be competitive. It is worth the effort, since the river area is beautiful, with towering rock formations, water features, and a nice, long path that runs the length of both Xcaret and Xcaret Arte.
With 10 restaurants, a cafe, and additional pop-up food stalls, you’re spoilt for choice every day. My favorite dinner was at Chino Poblano, offering Mexican-Asian fusion over 9 courses. The snack dishes and the lamb birria-men stood out as incredibly unique.
For an outstanding lunch, set time aside to go to Arenal. We practically ordered one of everything and ate family style, sharing tostadas, tacos, and a very tasty burger.
The surf and turf options for dinner are great too, complemented with lots of snack dishes. Arenal also offered some of the best specialty cocktails we had in the resort.
In the evening, enjoy the daily show that takes place at Casa de la Música, join the dancing to the live band at Cantina VI.AI.PY, or have cocktails while listening to jazz in El Deseo Speakeasy (truly a hidden spot).
Once you book your stay, contact the resort to set up daily dinner reservations and excursions. Restaurant reservations book up fast, so this is an essential step to enjoying your trip to Xcaret.
The Perfect Blend of Luxury and Adventure
At Xcaret, luxury is felt by the ability to effortlessly unwind, discover local culture, and reconnect with nature. We experienced great service, bold flavors, and fun for the whole family.
With a diverse set of needs and high expectations, us ‘kids’ in our mid twenties, as well as our parents, always had an activity or meal we were looking forward to.
It was easy to see how a honeymooning couple could enjoy the many private enclaves, world-class spa, and fine dining, as equally as a multi-generational group like ours was eager to take advantage of the pools, parks, and buffets.
If you are looking for a trip that allows you to choose your own adventure every day, Xcaret Arte is the place to be.
- About the Author
- More info
Natalie Becerra is a freelance travel writer and points enthusiast. She is based in the Florida Keys and has been featured as an expert in Travel & Leisure, First for Women, and US News & World Report. After visiting almost 40 countries, she’s passionate about sharing the tips that make a difference, itineraries that balance the must-do’s and hidden gems, and making luxury travel more accessible. Her blog, Where’s Natalie Now, offers travel rewards advice and destination guides to help others get the most of their trips.
