Hi Traci! I will be going to Xcaret in May 2024 as a college graduation celebration trip. Thank you so much for the all of the tips about what to pack. I wrote everything down that you recommended, even the room spray and the book. I’m so excited and I can’t wait to go! Thanks again ☺️
Hi Marla! Awww, thank you so very much for leaving a comment and letting me know this video is helpful! We’ll be going just a few months apart, haha! We’re honeymooning at Arte! 😻 💍 Sooo EXCITED!! GIRL, that room spray is a MUST!! I STILL have that original can I bought years ago, and used it a few days ago when one of the friends we went with came over 😉 We all smile and go to a happy place when we smell this amazing scent!! Please don’t hesitate to comment here with questions that come up, as I want this to be an unforgettable Xperience for ya! And more importantly, Congratulations, Graduate!! 👩🎓 You deserve a vacay!!! 🥂
@@tracistickler Hi Traci. Aww thank you so much for your very sweet words. I have now officially graduated as of March 26, 2024 and I can’t wait to celebrate at Xcaret in May. I will leave you a comment when I return to let you know about my trip and I’ll be sure to get a couple of cans of the room spray to make sure I don’t runout. Thank you again and congratulations on your upcoming wedding and enjoy your honeymoon! Marla S. 🫶🏻
@@tracistickler Hi Traci! Yes I did at 55 years young with my Associates degree in Healthcare Administration 🎓 and will start the Bachelors program in Spring 2025. More than likely I will go back to Hotel Xcaret when I finish that program and celebrate that degree! Life is good! 😊
I appreciate you taking the time to make this video to help make our adventures at the hotel and parks better. I go in December and I'm so excited, I am watching at least 1 video a day to make sure I am well organized and ready to make the most out of our 5 day adventure. We are limited on time there so I want to make sure we don't miss a thing.
Thank you so much, and I’m glad you now have the right products for an AMAAAZING VACAY!! With 5 days (is that 4 nights?) , you’ll want to spend time at the resort, so maybe 1 park? Xcaret Park is phenomenal and takes a whole day, easy to get to as well! Don’t exhaust yourself & allow time to enjoy the beauty and xperience Xcaret Hotel offers guests. It’s soooo big, there’s plenty to do! Please don’t hesitate to ask questions! I’m so excited for ya!
great tips! just came back everything you mentioned is a must, I wish I watched this before i went w my family ! I'd also add a couple 1) long sleeve water shirt/rash gaurds for further protection from the sun 2) sunglasses 3) lightweight waterbottle with a strap to refill at water stations around the park
Hi Edward! Thank you for this positive feedback, and I'm 100% behind you with these Add-Ons! LOADS of sunshine, so we've got to protect AND hydrate (I don't think tequila counts, so water bottles are important)! I hope your family had a BLAST at Xcaret, and I'm sorry if you missed packing something! There's always next time right? ;) ;)
@@riverab1089 oh thank you so much for the feedback, and I am excited for you!! Here is some insight, as we just returned from Hotel Arte: don’t brush your teeth with sink water, stay away from salads, and perhaps even drinks with fruit. We experienced some “digestive issues,” first time after 3 visits, so you’ve just got to be cautious. We forgot and used sink water for brushing 😬 All that said, we will return and LOVE Xcaret! It’s a Mexico thing, not a resort specific issue.
So excited to see someone else that spells their name with an I!! My husband and I are going to Secrets Maroma Beach in December & Xcaret is one of the trips we're planning. Thanks so much for all the great tips & info!
Errrmargerd, another Traci S! Lovely to connect 😃 AND you’ve got some fabulous adventures ahead of you! I’ve heard great things about Secrets and I promise Xcaret will be a game changer for ya! We’re heading back in May & I’m contemplating another video. Anything in particular you’d like to know that I didn’t cover?
Ohhhhh, how exciting!! Like I said, I feel it’s best enjoyed with more people, cuz you all have a unique experience with the parks. Please reach out with any questions while you’re packing! 😉
My fianceé and I just got back . We we're lucky enough to stay at Xcaret Arte for 8 days and everyday was absolutely amazing!!!! We cant wait to go back, we visited 5 parks and all we're spectacular. I don't see how any other hotel beats this one .
I know, right??!! Xcaret knows how to vacation 😉🥳🌊🇲🇽🤩 We have plans for this year, but I’m hoping to make a trip back in 2023! Which parks did you go to? What was your favorite and which do you suggest as a MUST SEE? 🥇 🥈 Thank you so much for watching and commenting, @carloscordova!
Carlos, I would love to hear what you thought of with Arte vs Hotel Mexico. I know it’s adult only (18+), but are you able to eat at restaurants from BOTH resorts? They are right next to each other & you share the same beach! 🏝
@@tracistickler I apologize for the late response. We went to Xenotes (absolutely amazing), Xavage (crazy adrenaline),Xel-ha(so beautiful), Xenses(super fun), Xcaret Mexico(adventurous). Plenty of walking in all parks but it's needed with all the food one eats at the hotel lol I don't think we have a favorite, because all were so different but all were fantastic! No complaints about anything. I would suggest you go to all parks but if I only have a couple days available, I would say Xenotes and Savage but I feel bad leaving the other parks out lol They're all fun!
@@tracistickler Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to check out hotel Mexico cause we were so amazed by Arte lol . From what we know if you stay at Arte you have the privilege to go to Mexico at anytime (if you stay at Mexico you can't come into Arte) , eat at there restaurants and experience the hotel. Hopefully next year we're able to visit Arte again and definitely explore more of Mexico. From the food to the hospitality, amenities , Xcaret Arte is absolutely incredible. It's a must to visit this place. Can't wait to go back!!!!
@@carloscordova6229 thank you so much for the feedback, and I’m delighted (but NOT surprised) to hear it was an unforgettable trip! Sounds like me, where after the first year, I can’t imagine going anywhere else, haha! We didn’t make it to Xenotes in 2021, they were closed, but we absolutely LOVED the cenotes at Xcaret Park! That park is a MUST for anyone visiting. We totally loved Xplor too, and I was happily surprised as to how much I enjoyed zip-lines! Hotel Arte is gorgeous and adult only, but it does cost more, so I’d encourage people to check out pricing for both resorts to see what works best for your budget. Cheers to vacations that literally change our life, Carlos! 🤘🌞🤩 🏝
Errrmagerd, Yaaaaay!! Do you have reservations for any of the parks or restaurants? If not, I do suggest setting up dinner reservations, as it might be busy. That way, you may not need to wait for a table! I just built them around our planning of if we were at a park all day or not. There’s also a dinner theatre show on certain nights that I highly recommend! Have soooo much fun and I’d love to hear from you upon return! 🙏
@@tracistickler Thank you! ❤️. Yes, staying at XCaret resort and made all the reservations for parks and dinner. I’ll be recording some of it to post on my channel. Hope to have enough energy for it all. Recovering from three broken ribs😏
@@DianeRoma1 omgosh, I hope you did alright with the broken ribs, you poor thing! :( How was the trip? I saw your videos - nicely done!! Love how much you two travel!!
We went in 2019 for our honeymoon and are going back this December to Arte this time. There really is no other vacation like it that I have taken. Everything about it is perfection and I am spoiled for life now LOL! Literally obsessed! And you are so right on the swim leggings, I didnt have them on our trip to the Xcaret park and after the river swim my thighs they were rubbing together like crazy from being wet! The chub rub was real! LOL! Great tips!!
Katherine, you’re so awesome to share this, thank you! Annnd you’re adorable ☺️ Hey, honesty gets us moving forward and I’m sure several ladies out there will appreciate reading your feedback 🙏 I am soooo happy I found these leggings cuz I feel I can do water outings with more confidence now. I am NOT a fan of my legs and these are cute! Anyhoo, how FUN is it going to be to have Christmas season in Mexico?? 🇲🇽 Adam and I are going to an all-inclusive resort for 4 nights shortly before Xmas too! (Foreshadowing of another video to come after we visit, wink wink 😉) Also, I’m in full emotional withdrawal syndrome from Xcaret, and am looking at prices for going next year! Prices are definitely higher than when we went in 2021, which makes sense, so we’ll have to save dollars 💵 ahead of time if we book it! I too am spoiled by this vacation and cannot wait to get my Soul back. ♥️ 🌊 🇲🇽 XCARET
Oh yes I hit swim knee high leggings with long sleeve swimwear. I’m older and don’t need my sagging arm all over the place. But I think it will help us stay warmer in cold water. And to walk around after the connotes. I feel like there no time fir real clothes after going to the parks or hanging out at the pool.
Yes, Pacifica is great! I am a big fan of the spray on when you’re using it throughout the day or several days in a row. Just do it OUTSIDE of the room, lol
Friends! Always always pack the Pepto Bismal chewables! Be prepared for any unfortunate tummy upsets and it’ll help “in the moment”, whereas the probiotics help build your internal bacteria.
I can’t believe I haven’t made it to Macy’s yet to check out the recommended scent, but it’s honestly been on my mind this week. I’ve got to see if that white tea vanilla is similar, but in the meantime I’m using this spray on my clothes, lol! 😂 It’s a very happy moment of my day when I do make this choice 😊
@@TheCHYNAG ohhhh I’m so freaking EXCITED for you!! Can you use the restaurants at Hotel Mexico next door?? I don’t know how many restaurants Arte has, would love to learn from you! Wish we took the tour of it but we were so dang busy. I hear their night club is tons of fun! 💃🏻 Ok food: definitely visit Bio for breakfast! Freshly made juices and pastries; everything on the menu is delicious 🤤 and starts you off well for a big day ahead! The place is gorgeous too, overlooking water inside an open cave 😍 Xin Gao is beautiful and offers many Asian dishes, and if you can get reservations ahead of time for Teatro del Rio, I highly recommend the Caribbean show!! 🎶 Keep me posted! I’ll live vicariously through my UA-cam friends that visit Xcaret ♥️ 🌟 #favoriteplaceintheworld
I’m going on 11/25 for a week. Can’t wait!! You helped me so much! I have all this stuff packed? However I have tons if clothes!! I knew I wasn’t going to beed all those clothes! You confirmed that! Thank you. Do we need restaurants reservations? Oh I’m staying at Xcare Arte.
Ohh, @Rubigloria I'm sooo excited for you!! And what an amazing time of year to Xperience Xcaret, right?! We are going to Puerto Vallarta 12/12 and I can't wait to see Mexico for Xmas :D Thank you for the feedback, I'm delighted to know I helped you! Girl, save yourself some suitcase weight and take like 25% of it out, lol. If this is your first time, you'll likely be spending a LOT of your days at the mind-blowing parks, which means swim gear. Bring dry clothes to change into (if you have time before the bus comes, it's like a 15-minute drive back). Just roll up some cute dresses for dinner, and pack easy lounge gear for those days you're grabbing breakfast or wandering around the ginormous resort! You definitely want to make time for that. and YES, make dinner reservations!! I'm so glad we did, cuz you don't want to wait when you're hungry, or miss out on a lovely xperience at a cool restaurant. Also, be sure to attend one of their dinner shows! I think it's on a Wednesday, and we really liked the Caribbean show. Arte looks so gorgeous, and with it being new, you'll want to make sure you're RSVP'd for dinners. Please let me know if you have any other Q's! Happy holidays!!
@@tracistickler Oh thank you Traci! Yes I have packed clothes like we are going out to fancy dinners and doing things that require evening wear all the time. When am I safe to say a nice lite summer dress or nice jeans and cute blouses would do? Because oh boy I have packed. However I don’t understand how we’re going to enjoy both the parks and the resort if there’s only a week? So that’s got me stuck. Yes I do have a few bathing suits I’m taking with longsleeve swimsuits. Now I’ve called the hotel and it won’t let me get through to make reservations
@@rubigloria9457 oh yes, try this email! However, this is for Hotel Mexico, which is like steps away from Arte. dxguestservice@hotelxcaret.com Try this and do a CC simply adding “arte” after Xcaret to see if it makes it. Otherwise, someone from the main hotel can get you a proper email contact. This is how I arranged all of our events and they are all so kind :) Parks! When looking at your calendar for the week, plan a day (two, if possible. Otherwise, you WILL have evenings to roam around) where you will just be at Xcaret Arte resort. That’s a great day to attend a dinner-theatre show! Swim around the rivers, play in the ocean, check out the pools, eat whenever you want, just relaaaax ;) Xenses is a half-day park and DON’T go there with a hangover, trust me, hahaha! We did Xplor around 4:00 (which becomes Xplor Fuego 🔥) and it lasted into the evening, which was super fun! They light torches and you can zip line at night - whaaaat?! :D They have a dinner buffet too! Plus, the lines aren’t crazy long, score 🤘 Dress 👗: Xcaret really doesn’t have dress rules; I wore maxi dresses to every restaurant. You don’t need uber fancy, but if it’s a special occasion evening, have fun with it! The guys had button-up shirts and linens or nice slacks for evening attire (cuz it’s fun, right?), but if you want to wear cute jeans and a top, you’re totally fine! Know you’re safe with whatever you bring. Keep it casual during the day, cuz you’re gonna want to lounge near a pool, their little beaches, or you’ll be running around at a park in swimwear. I hope this helps! 😉 👍
@@tracistickler Oh you are too nice!! Yes yes!! this did help. We’re super excited. We really just want to relax. And catch a couple of tours. I want to enjoy the resort and a week is not enough to do everything. But we’re going to get a taste of the Cancun hype. Then maybe go back if we like it that much. We are already checking out where to go for Christmas. We want to get away. So give me a hint if you know if a great Christmas vacation. 23rd- 1st ifJanuary. I’ll be in-touch for sure dear. Thank you so much. I’ll try that email. Thank you!!
@@rubigloria9457 Omgosh, you leave TMRW!! 🤩 I get ridiculously excited for other people when they are going to Xcaret 😂 I think it’s like an adult Disneyland experience! So my Sweetie and I are going to Puerto Vallarta Hyatt Ziva All-Inclusive just before Christmas! Again, so stoked 🥳 I hear the Ziva Cancun is more of a favorite, but I bought this short trip totally unexpected at a live auction for my favorite animal rescue, haha! It was a win-win, we were in the moment of watching people doing good for the community, there weren’t a ton of bids on it, and I was like, “I love Mexico 🇲🇽, why not raise my hand?!” Annnnd no one bid after me 😆 So we’re going for 4-nights just before Xmas and during whale 🐋 watching season!! 🎄🤩 I’d like to make a video for this resort too, but check out Hyatt Ziva Cancun!! We are also going on a luxury yacht sailing and snorkeling tour, so hoping to see some fabulous ocean life! 🐠 🐢 🌊 💜
Ohhhh I’m so excited for you!! The kids will love all of the parks! I wish I could give some insight, but Occidental has its own set of restaurants - 11 to choose from! 🤩 I believe we took a boat through Occidental from Xcaret Hotel Mexico in order to get to Xcaret park. It’s so fun and colorful and there are free-flying parrots in the main area! We’ll be back at Xcaret in May and I can’t wait!!
Great very informative video! Very clearly explained and delivered the idea! I would add to take extra charging battery for the cell phone and changing clothes! Thank you so much for awesome content!!
I am soooo excited for you! Do you happen to be going with your family in August? I just received a comment from someone else with the same last name. If so, August is a great month to go! June may be as well ;) I’m sooo excited for you & am here to answer questions that come up during your prep! Anticipation is part of the FUN!!
Hello Traci, I am going to Xcaret soon and I’m curious about the restaurants’ dress code. I don’t want to over pack so I’m thinking of bathing suits and cover ups for the day time and dresses for the evening. Can I go into all of the restaurants for bf and lunch in cover ups?
Hi Jocelyn! Would you believe we JUST left Xcaret yesterday?! Had an AMAZING week there and my now fiancé and I just discussed this conversation while packing (yup, he proposed at Xcaret!! 🤩 🥰)!! While there are places you could eat with a nice looking cover-up, there are some more formal places as well, so I’d bring a simple dress or skirt and tank top to wear as well. They don’t want you eating in straight up “swim wear.” Two or 3 casual outfits should be fine, depending how long you’re going for. Just be sure to bring the various shoes: water shoes for parks or the resort river, pool flip flops, whatever you want for dinner time, and perhaps another pair of shoes for walking around the parks if you do both dry and wet activities 👍 Please let me know if there’s anything else you need! I may be making a few videos, so the more I know what travelers are thinking, the better! You’re going to have A BLAST, I’m sooo excited for you!!!
Can you timestamp the video? Would make it easier to use this as a reference! like in the video description. Mea and my girlfriend are going next week! This video was super helpful! Did you do any extra paid activities has xcaret or xel ha (if you went) What were your favorite restaurants? Any secret tips?
I’m so excited for you!! You’re going to have the time of your life! Be SURE to spend an evening at the Mexican restaurant that later turns into a music/light party! You can find out from the hostesses when the male or female mariachis perform (it’s brief but amazing!) and there’s also rock music shows. We had so much fun dancing 🕺 there one evening, but didn’t plan well cuz we had reservations for Tulum EARLY the next day - oops! Erg! Definitely check out their spa, it’s gorgeous! The $35/person water circuit is a great experience, relaxing and pampering (ok, except for the “cold plunge!” 🥶) Score yourselves a swinging bed by the vines! Xplor Fuego is suuuuper fun! (Night time) Go before the park closes for a bit to get some daylight experiences, but the zip lines at night are amazeballs 🤩 🔥 Look for the hidden water slides around the resort! 😉 Adam and I enjoyed swimming around the resort “River”, and hardly anyone did it; we were by ourselves and went to the spa, passed the outdoor theatre (the Caribbean show is awesome!), and through fun caves. Do Xcaret Park first, make it a whole day! It’s HUGE, the cenotes are fabulous, and the food is great. We didn’t get to see the evening show :( but I know it’s awesome. Thank you for the suggestion to timestamp! I’m such a rookie and have been slacking lately 🤦♀️, need to get back in the game! Oh, final tip! Bring plenty of cash FOR tips! The employees are AMAZING and work for their tips, but a lot of people don’t realize that. You’ll get super service, they’ll remember and appreciate you! ♥️ Tip your housekeeper a little each day, they work hard. Which building are you in?
Oops, restaurants: gosh, they were all amazing. Definitely go to Bio for breakfast! It’s absolutely gorgeous and sooooo delicious!! The Mercado is fun for late night snacking and quick bites; great selections. We loved the beauty and experience at the Asian Fusion restaurant, and you’ve got to get table-side made guacamole 🥑 at the Mexican restaurant! We didn’t pay extra for any activities, which is why this place is AWESOME. Bring snorkel gear if you want to snorkel 🤿 at the resort. Small beach area, but fun to hang out at for an afternoon!
We went to Tulum (cool to see and learn about, but nothing truly amazing. We’ve seen other ruins in the area that had more visuals. It was also crazy hot and we didn’t have a lot of time there, so we hustled back to the tour bus) and then Xelha. Didn’t do any paid activities there, and the place is so big, I don’t think we saw it all! Snorkeling down the lazy River wasn’t as cool as I hoped, not much to see in the water, and there’s people all around on floaties, lol. It would be better to snorkel in the open area near the stingrays!
@@tracistickler awesome thank you! We don’t know what room/casa we have yet but we are bringing $600 each for tips, other activities and the spa. We are doing a spa day also and even booked a 80 minute massage and 25 min body scrub and they gave us a great discount. I’ve heard about the secret water slides, super excited to find those. Do you know which restaurant have the live music? We are there 11 days so we are planning on doing at least 2 days at xcaret park to get a fuller experience.
@@tracistickler for xel ha we were planning on tubing down the river and snorkeling in the open area. We are also going to do the speed boat thing and zip bikes.
@@melissaprice8043 Hello! We often used my husband’s backpack when we went to a park. We would carry various items like water shoes in a bag, sunscreen, dry clothes, snacks, etc. You will receive a cloth bag from the hotel, so you could use that around the resort. We seemed to use his backpack daily out of sorting and carry convenience, so I am going with a YES! 👍
Macie, hi! 👋 I’m so glad this has been fun and helpful for you, and yes, very sad time for Xcaret 😢 They want to ensure your safety and it isn’t an easy vacation to just reschedule, so I’m sure the hotel will be on top of protocols for you now that this is in their awareness 👍 Aside from that, I am so freaking excited for you!!! Hopefully we’ll be getting some more insight from @Bry G from his recent stay 🙏 so stay tuned! Please let me know if any other curiosities come to mind before your trip! What are you most looking forward to? 🤩
Going the last week of July this year! can't wait! How are the crowds? We're staying in the Arte side. Should we make reservations for eating and excursions? Thanks for the packing tips
Whoo hooooo!! 🥳🥳 I’m going to be having withdrawals this summer, lol. Excellent time of year to visit! The beauty of these resorts is they are sooo BIG, it can be full of guests but it doesn’t feel “crowded.” Definitely make reservations for your dinners and any of the theatre shows. Our group loved the Caribbean show at Hotel Mexico! 🎶 Don’t worry as much about park reservations, as your concierge will make recommendations and do bookings for you. But you can at least look at the days you have ahead and access which ones you’d prefer to stay at the resort and relax (do a theatre show those nights), and which ones could take up most of the day due to a park adventure, so you’ll need to book dinner a little later. I’m so happy to hear the packing tips were of benefit to you, thank you! Don’t hesitate to reach out with other Q’s 🙋✌️
So beautiful! Always great to travel on the internet right now. I am an artist and I like to share my painting demos and studio tours here. So much variety on UA-cam. Have a great day!
Hi Traci. We just watched your video again. It is very helpful. I have a question. When you visit the parks, since you’re a guest at the hotel and everything is included there, food, drinks,etc. is it the same at the parks? Or do you have to pay for your alcoholic drinks?
Hi James! I’m so happy to hear this has been helpful for your family, thank you. The answer is a big YES! 🙌 The beautiful thing of staying at Xcaret Hotel is that you never have to take your wallet! If you do end up purchasing something not in your hotel package, you can sign off using your name and room number. When you first get to the hotel, you’ll have a lovely meeting (drinks and spicy peanuts included) with a concierge who can answer any questions you have. The parks have several buffet style dining, but it’s great! I’m plant-based and they offer a wonderful variety of dishes. Alcohol is included in your package; may just want to confirm with your concierge as we stayed in Casa Fuego which came with some extra perks, I believe. However, you should be fine. We did always bring cash for tips though! The servers and bus drivers truly appreciate it. (We gave at least $1/person per ride) At the parks there are add-on adventures, but you can sign up for those ahead of time. I’m so excited for your family - have a wonderful adventure! Definitely try the zip lines, and at night is amazing!! (Xplor Fuego 🔥)
Hi EL! I love cruises! Where are your stops in Mexico? 🇲🇽 How much time on land do you have? Xcaret has a new one called Xenotes, but with a cruise, you may not have time :/ Depends how late you need to be back at the ship. We’ll be back at Xcaret next May, I’m soooo stoked!! 🤘🫶
@@tracistickler May 31st in Roatan Honduras til 5pm, June 1st in Costa Maya Mexico til 5pm, and June 2nd in Conzumel Mexico til 5:30pm. This is our first travel and our honeymoon
@@el3103 How wonderful for you both, Congratulations!! 💕 🥂 You’ll have a great time cruising, as you don’t have to worry about a thing - it’s all right there for you and staff is always so nice! Since you’re ON the ocean 🌊 for the cruise, I really like having days relaxing AT & IN the ocean on port days. When we had a stop in Costa Maya, we toured some Mayan ruins on an excursion and it was REALLY COOL. Recently discovered in the 70’s! 🤯 I bought a colorful, small bowl from some locals and I use it allll the time. Cozumel is known for its snorkeling, so if you’re interested in that, spend the day at Chankanaab Park or Money Bar. Chankanaab has a lot of things to do/see, including massage if you’re not into snorkeling! I’ve never been to Honduras; you’ve got some great stops and I’m so excited for ya! What cruise line?
I truly appreciate the feedback, thank you! We literally just returned from there last night 😂, so info is fresh if you need it!! I’m thrilled you’re going! Prepare to be spoiled! 🥰
Hello Traci. We just watched your video. Thank you so much for the tips.. We are going in November for our ten year anniversary and we are so looking forward to it. My wife had a question. At the parks, are there rest rooms all over the parks or only by the lockers?
Hi James! Good question! Adam and I discussed this and we’d say in general, they are scattered throughout the park. Some of the bigger restaurants in the parks have restrooms. I laughed when he said, “At Xelha, people likely just peed in the water everywhere” 😂 Xcaret is HUGE, and there’s several restrooms. You should be good always having access to one, just keep an eye out for the symbols on their major signs. I’m so happy for you both, happy anniversary!! Are you in Casa Fuego? I just saw there’s a NEW park opening next year, I’m so stoked!!
@@tracistickler thank you for getting back to me. I was thinking the same thing as Adam. But my wife is like, Oh hell no! LOL. Thank you for the information and for posting the videos. It is very helpful. It'll help us plan our trip. We went to Xel Ha, Tulum Mayan ruins and Chichen Itza 10 years ago on our Honeymoon and we are looking forward to going back. We've been watching the videos on UA-cam and we can tell that it is huge. We are not staying in Casa Fuego unfortunately. We booked a River view suite. We're kind of hoping they will upgrade us since it is our anniversary. Wishful thinking, right? LOL We are meeting up with two couples we met on our Honeymoon. One couple is from England and the other from Chicago. It's going to be a blast. No I didn't see that about the new park opening. Do you know what it is? Anyway, Thanks again for getting back to me and for the valuable information. I'll let you know how it went.
@@tracistickler I have another question. No one has mentioned tipping. When we stayed at the Rui on our Honeymoon, tips were included. So are tips included or is there tipping?
@@jamesmancilla90 I’ve been wanting to make a video about this!! Yes, bring cash for tipping! $$ It is NOT included in your bill, and those employees depend on them. We asked our concierge upon arrival and he suggested 5-10% of bill. We were one of the few who tipped for the rides too. Just a buck per person, per ride. We tipped for drinks, food, our room cleaners, and our butlers (at the end). Everyone was so grateful, it felt good to give. Thank you so much for asking; I’ll have to make a video about this. My gosh, I LOVE your story! That is so fun to circle back with the friends you met on your honeymoon. 🥰 Have a great time reconnecting and I’ll cross fingers you get an upgrade! 😉
@@tracistickler thank you so much. We are too looking forward to our reunion. One other question I forgot to ask you. Are there any night clubs there on property?
Im going in december and wanted to know if you go to any of the parks do you pay for food or is it still all inclusive since youre a guest at the resort??? Any tips and advice is welcomed trying to not over pack or be unprepared thank you!
Hi Omar! I’m so excited for you and we will be in Puerto Vallarta this December! What a fun experience, celebrating Christmas in Mexico 🇲🇽 When you stay at Xcaret Hotel Mexico or Hotel Arte, all of your food and drink is included at the surrounding parks! So great, right?! However, I highly recommend taking cash for tips! Drivers and servers truly appreciate it and they survive on those tips. What’s included in their income is very minimal, so save a stash of tipping cash. Trust me, you’ll receive excellent service, as not everyone is as thoughtful, so you’ll stand out and be much appreciated! Anything else you’re unsure of? Ask away! We’re going back May 2023 and can’t wait!!
Delayed response, sorry! Like I told Rubigloria above, make reservations for dinners at the resort! I'm so glad we did, as there was never any waiting. The dinner theatre show is awesome and on limited days. We loved the Caribbean themed show! Any guest services manager can send you an activity list. Pack lighter than you originally plan ;) If you're going to their parks, it's nearly an all-day adventure, or you'll have time to come back and get ready for dinner. Night time dress is most of the "nice clothing" you'll want to pack, where everything else is swimwear and lounge gear. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions, and I wish you a wonderful holiday adventure, Omar!!
Great question! I brought BARE Republic Sport, SPF 50 & water resistant, and I highly recommend a spray sunscreen since you’ll be applying throughout the day. I’ve been loving non-aerosol Coconut Glow SPF 30 by Pacifica! Water resistant and adds a nice bronze. We also had thinksport SPF 50 for daily use, but I totally broke out on my face. I just ordered Daily Matte SPF 30 by IMAGE Skincare for my face, as I have combination skin and am sensitive to sunscreens. My girlfriend loves this brand and I found out it is reef friendly 👍 I tried it on our recent road trip and so far so good!
Hi Melissa! You know, it’s funny, I heard horror stories of mosquitoes from a friend who vacationed in the similar area, so I was prepared with organic spray….but I honestly don’t ever remember swatting at one! Maybe there was just enough breeze to keep them away? However, I’d still suggest bringing one that’s reef friendly or making your own (they are easy to make with essential oils & smell nice too!), as it might depend on the time of year and weather patterns. We went first part of August. Good question!
Hi! There’s no regulations from what I saw, but the key is to get something 1) That is securely on your feet for water slides, River swimming/walking/zip lines, etc and 2) that won’t create a dang blister when walking in it all day and potentially several days in a row. Have a fantastic time!! 🤘🤘
Yea! any closed toe water shoe works amd are necessary for some adventures my wife had water shoes, my daughters had crocs and I had some water sandals. all worked out fine
Yea! any closed toe water shoe works amd are necessary for some adventures my wife had water shoes, my daughters had crocs and I had some water sandals. all worked out fine
Well, at least you listened & took time to comment ;) Not gonna make supply packing extremely thrilling; the hotel is MUCH more exciting indeed. Might wanna double check your spelling before making rude comments (I’m kind of a Stickler about it, lol). Sending you peace ✌️
@tracistickler 😂. Why even respond? These jerks don't need acknowledgement. Personally, I'm going in a few weeks and appreciate this video. Will definitely look for the spray.
Thank you for your video I loved listening to your voice it bought peace to my heart! I love how passionate you are about XCARET and the history behind it I am so excited to visit my country and learn more about the XCARET! life ♥️🫶
You just made my day, Karla! That’s why I made this video - to help people see and experience the vision, compassion, and dedication to Mexico Senior Pali had and still has for Xcaret! I know you’re going to be so amazed by it all and I can’t wait for you to experience it. Please keep me posted! You inspire me to make more videos, bless you.
Hi Traci! I will be going to Xcaret in May 2024 as a college graduation celebration trip. Thank you so much for the all of the tips about what to pack. I wrote everything down that you
recommended, even the room spray and the book. I’m so excited and I can’t wait to go! Thanks again ☺️
Hi Marla! Awww, thank you so very much for leaving a comment and letting me know this video is helpful! We’ll be going just a few months apart, haha! We’re honeymooning at Arte! 😻 💍 Sooo EXCITED!!
GIRL, that room spray is a MUST!! I STILL have that original can I bought years ago, and used it a few days ago when one of the friends we went with came over 😉 We all smile and go to a happy place when we smell this amazing scent!! Please don’t hesitate to comment here with questions that come up, as I want this to be an unforgettable Xperience for ya! And more importantly, Congratulations, Graduate!! 👩🎓 You deserve a vacay!!! 🥂
@@tracistickler Hi Traci. Aww thank you so much for your very sweet words. I have now officially graduated as of March 26, 2024 and I can’t wait to celebrate at Xcaret in May. I will leave you a comment when I return to let you know about my trip and I’ll be sure to get a couple of cans of the room spray to make sure I don’t runout. Thank you again and congratulations on your upcoming wedding and enjoy your honeymoon! Marla S. 🫶🏻
@@marlasmith3405 I look forward to hearing about your trip, I'm so excited for you! Oh my gosh, you JUST graduated - HOORAY!
@@tracistickler Hi Traci! Yes I did at 55 years young with my Associates degree in Healthcare Administration 🎓 and will start the Bachelors program in Spring 2025. More than likely I will go back to Hotel Xcaret when I finish that program and celebrate that degree! Life is good! 😊
@@marlasmith3405Congratulations! I took will be going May 2024. Who knows, we may run into each other.
I appreciate you taking the time to make this video to help make our adventures at the hotel and parks better. I go in December and I'm so excited, I am watching at least 1 video a day to make sure I am well organized and ready to make the most out of our 5 day adventure. We are limited on time there so I want to make sure we don't miss a thing.
Thank you so much, and I’m glad you now have the right products for an AMAAAZING VACAY!! With 5 days (is that 4 nights?) , you’ll want to spend time at the resort, so maybe 1 park? Xcaret Park is phenomenal and takes a whole day, easy to get to as well! Don’t exhaust yourself & allow time to enjoy the beauty and xperience Xcaret Hotel offers guests. It’s soooo big, there’s plenty to do! Please don’t hesitate to ask questions! I’m so excited for ya!
great tips! just came back everything you mentioned is a must, I wish I watched this before i went w my family ! I'd also add a couple 1) long sleeve water shirt/rash gaurds for further protection from the sun 2) sunglasses 3) lightweight waterbottle with a strap to refill at water stations around the park
Hi Edward! Thank you for this positive feedback, and I'm 100% behind you with these Add-Ons! LOADS of sunshine, so we've got to protect AND hydrate (I don't think tequila counts, so water bottles are important)! I hope your family had a BLAST at Xcaret, and I'm sorry if you missed packing something! There's always next time right? ;) ;)
we’re going next week, this video was so helpful. i’m so excited!
@@riverab1089 oh thank you so much for the feedback, and I am excited for you!! Here is some insight, as we just returned from Hotel Arte: don’t brush your teeth with sink water, stay away from salads, and perhaps even drinks with fruit. We experienced some “digestive issues,” first time after 3 visits, so you’ve just got to be cautious. We forgot and used sink water for brushing 😬 All that said, we will return and LOVE Xcaret! It’s a Mexico thing, not a resort specific issue.
@@riverab1089 let me know if you have any other questions for the trip! 😉
So excited to see someone else that spells their name with an I!!
My husband and I are going to Secrets Maroma Beach in December & Xcaret is one of the trips we're planning. Thanks so much for all the great tips & info!
Errrmargerd, another Traci S! Lovely to connect 😃 AND you’ve got some fabulous adventures ahead of you! I’ve heard great things about Secrets and I promise Xcaret will be a game changer for ya! We’re heading back in May & I’m contemplating another video. Anything in particular you’d like to know that I didn’t cover?
I’m going 11/2023 with a group of friends - can’t wait!!
Ohhhhh, how exciting!! Like I said, I feel it’s best enjoyed with more people, cuz you all have a unique experience with the parks. Please reach out with any questions while you’re packing! 😉
How was your vacay?? I hope you had maaaany wonderful memories at Xcaret!!
Ooh my husband and I are looking at going in November too! The week of the 13th 😁
My fianceé and I just got back . We we're lucky enough to stay at Xcaret Arte for 8 days and everyday was absolutely amazing!!!! We cant wait to go back, we visited 5 parks and all we're spectacular. I don't see how any other hotel beats this one .
I know, right??!! Xcaret knows how to vacation 😉🥳🌊🇲🇽🤩 We have plans for this year, but I’m hoping to make a trip back in 2023! Which parks did you go to? What was your favorite and which do you suggest as a MUST SEE? 🥇 🥈 Thank you so much for watching and commenting, @carloscordova!
Carlos, I would love to hear what you thought of with Arte vs Hotel Mexico. I know it’s adult only (18+), but are you able to eat at restaurants from BOTH resorts? They are right next to each other & you share the same beach! 🏝
@@tracistickler I apologize for the late response. We went to Xenotes (absolutely amazing), Xavage (crazy adrenaline),Xel-ha(so beautiful), Xenses(super fun), Xcaret Mexico(adventurous). Plenty of walking in all parks but it's needed with all the food one eats at the hotel lol
I don't think we have a favorite, because all were so different but all were fantastic! No complaints about anything. I would suggest you go to all parks but if I only have a couple days available, I would say Xenotes and Savage but I feel bad leaving the other parks out lol They're all fun!
@@tracistickler Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to check out hotel Mexico cause we were so amazed by Arte lol . From what we know if you stay at Arte you have the privilege to go to Mexico at anytime (if you stay at Mexico you can't come into Arte) , eat at there restaurants and experience the hotel. Hopefully next year we're able to visit Arte again and definitely explore more of Mexico. From the food to the hospitality, amenities , Xcaret Arte is absolutely incredible. It's a must to visit this place. Can't wait to go back!!!!
@@carloscordova6229 thank you so much for the feedback, and I’m delighted (but NOT surprised) to hear it was an unforgettable trip! Sounds like me, where after the first year, I can’t imagine going anywhere else, haha! We didn’t make it to Xenotes in 2021, they were closed, but we absolutely LOVED the cenotes at Xcaret Park! That park is a MUST for anyone visiting. We totally loved Xplor too, and I was happily surprised as to how much I enjoyed zip-lines!
Hotel Arte is gorgeous and adult only, but it does cost more, so I’d encourage people to check out pricing for both resorts to see what works best for your budget.
Cheers to vacations that literally change our life, Carlos! 🤘🌞🤩 🏝
Thank you for the list. Going next week. Can’t wait!
Errrmagerd, Yaaaaay!! Do you have reservations for any of the parks or restaurants? If not, I do suggest setting up dinner reservations, as it might be busy. That way, you may not need to wait for a table! I just built them around our planning of if we were at a park all day or not. There’s also a dinner theatre show on certain nights that I highly recommend! Have soooo much fun and I’d love to hear from you upon return! 🙏
@@tracistickler Thank you! ❤️. Yes, staying at XCaret resort and made all the reservations for parks and dinner. I’ll be recording some of it to post on my channel. Hope to have enough energy for it all. Recovering from three broken ribs😏
@@DianeRoma1 omgosh, I hope you did alright with the broken ribs, you poor thing! :( How was the trip? I saw your videos - nicely done!! Love how much you two travel!!
We went in 2019 for our honeymoon and are going back this December to Arte this time. There really is no other vacation like it that I have taken. Everything about it is perfection and I am spoiled for life now LOL! Literally obsessed! And you are so right on the swim leggings, I didnt have them on our trip to the Xcaret park and after the river swim my thighs they were rubbing together like crazy from being wet! The chub rub was real! LOL! Great tips!!
Katherine, you’re so awesome to share this, thank you! Annnd you’re adorable ☺️ Hey, honesty gets us moving forward and I’m sure several ladies out there will appreciate reading your feedback 🙏 I am soooo happy I found these leggings cuz I feel I can do water outings with more confidence now. I am NOT a fan of my legs and these are cute!
Anyhoo, how FUN is it going to be to have Christmas season in Mexico?? 🇲🇽 Adam and I are going to an all-inclusive resort for 4 nights shortly before Xmas too! (Foreshadowing of another video to come after we visit, wink wink 😉)
Also, I’m in full emotional withdrawal syndrome from Xcaret, and am looking at prices for going next year! Prices are definitely higher than when we went in 2021, which makes sense, so we’ll have to save dollars 💵 ahead of time if we book it! I too am spoiled by this vacation and cannot wait to get my Soul back. ♥️ 🌊 🇲🇽 XCARET
Oh yes I hit swim knee high leggings with long sleeve swimwear. I’m older and don’t need my sagging arm all over the place. But I think it will help us stay warmer in cold water. And to walk around after the connotes. I feel like there no time fir real clothes after going to the parks or hanging out at the pool.
The Pacifica spray sunscreen WAS reef and coral safe?. Thank you
Yes, Pacifica is great! I am a big fan of the spray on when you’re using it throughout the day or several days in a row. Just do it OUTSIDE of the room, lol
Friends! Always always pack the Pepto Bismal chewables! Be prepared for any unfortunate tummy upsets and it’ll help “in the moment”, whereas the probiotics help build your internal bacteria.
I’m obsessed with great scents as well! Thank you for the bonus content.
I can’t believe I haven’t made it to Macy’s yet to check out the recommended scent, but it’s honestly been on my mind this week. I’ve got to see if that white tea vanilla is similar, but in the meantime I’m using this spray on my clothes, lol! 😂 It’s a very happy moment of my day when I do make this choice 😊
@@tracistickler thank you! I visit the resort in two weeks. What restaurant do you recommend? We’re staying at Arte.
@@TheCHYNAG ohhhh I’m so freaking EXCITED for you!! Can you use the restaurants at Hotel Mexico next door?? I don’t know how many restaurants Arte has, would love to learn from you! Wish we took the tour of it but we were so dang busy. I hear their night club is tons of fun! 💃🏻 Ok food: definitely visit Bio for breakfast! Freshly made juices and pastries; everything on the menu is delicious 🤤 and starts you off well for a big day ahead! The place is gorgeous too, overlooking water inside an open cave 😍 Xin Gao is beautiful and offers many Asian dishes, and if you can get reservations ahead of time for Teatro del Rio, I highly recommend the Caribbean show!! 🎶 Keep me posted! I’ll live vicariously through my UA-cam friends that visit Xcaret ♥️ 🌟 #favoriteplaceintheworld
I’m going on 11/25 for a week. Can’t wait!! You helped me so much! I have all this stuff packed? However I have tons if clothes!! I knew I wasn’t going to beed all those clothes! You confirmed that! Thank you. Do we need restaurants reservations? Oh I’m staying at Xcare Arte.
Ohh, @Rubigloria I'm sooo excited for you!! And what an amazing time of year to Xperience Xcaret, right?! We are going to Puerto Vallarta 12/12 and I can't wait to see Mexico for Xmas :D Thank you for the feedback, I'm delighted to know I helped you! Girl, save yourself some suitcase weight and take like 25% of it out, lol. If this is your first time, you'll likely be spending a LOT of your days at the mind-blowing parks, which means swim gear. Bring dry clothes to change into (if you have time before the bus comes, it's like a 15-minute drive back). Just roll up some cute dresses for dinner, and pack easy lounge gear for those days you're grabbing breakfast or wandering around the ginormous resort! You definitely want to make time for that. and YES, make dinner reservations!! I'm so glad we did, cuz you don't want to wait when you're hungry, or miss out on a lovely xperience at a cool restaurant. Also, be sure to attend one of their dinner shows! I think it's on a Wednesday, and we really liked the Caribbean show. Arte looks so gorgeous, and with it being new, you'll want to make sure you're RSVP'd for dinners. Please let me know if you have any other Q's! Happy holidays!!
@@tracistickler Oh thank you Traci! Yes I have packed clothes like we are going out to fancy dinners and doing things that require evening wear all the time. When am I safe to say a nice lite summer dress or nice jeans and cute blouses would do? Because oh boy I have packed. However I don’t understand how we’re going to enjoy both the parks and the resort if there’s only a week? So that’s got me stuck. Yes I do have a few bathing suits I’m taking with longsleeve swimsuits. Now I’ve called the hotel and it won’t let me get through to make reservations
@@rubigloria9457 oh yes, try this email! However, this is for Hotel Mexico, which is like steps away from Arte. dxguestservice@hotelxcaret.com
Try this and do a CC simply adding “arte” after Xcaret to see if it makes it. Otherwise, someone from the main hotel can get you a proper email contact. This is how I arranged all of our events and they are all so kind :)
Parks! When looking at your calendar for the week, plan a day (two, if possible. Otherwise, you WILL have evenings to roam around) where you will just be at Xcaret Arte resort. That’s a great day to attend a dinner-theatre show! Swim around the rivers, play in the ocean, check out the pools, eat whenever you want, just relaaaax ;) Xenses is a half-day park and DON’T go there with a hangover, trust me, hahaha! We did Xplor around 4:00 (which becomes Xplor Fuego 🔥) and it lasted into the evening, which was super fun! They light torches and you can zip line at night - whaaaat?! :D They have a dinner buffet too! Plus, the lines aren’t crazy long, score 🤘
Dress 👗: Xcaret really doesn’t have dress rules; I wore maxi dresses to every restaurant. You don’t need uber fancy, but if it’s a special occasion evening, have fun with it! The guys had button-up shirts and linens or nice slacks for evening attire (cuz it’s fun, right?), but if you want to wear cute jeans and a top, you’re totally fine! Know you’re safe with whatever you bring. Keep it casual during the day, cuz you’re gonna want to lounge near a pool, their little beaches, or you’ll be running around at a park in swimwear.
I hope this helps! 😉 👍
@@tracistickler Oh you are too nice!! Yes yes!! this did help. We’re super excited. We really just want to relax. And catch a couple of tours. I want to enjoy the resort and a week is not enough to do everything. But we’re going to get a taste of the Cancun hype. Then maybe go back if we like it that much. We are already checking out where to go for Christmas. We want to get away. So give me a hint if you know if a great Christmas vacation. 23rd- 1st ifJanuary.
I’ll be in-touch for sure dear. Thank you so much. I’ll try that email. Thank you!!
@@rubigloria9457 Omgosh, you leave TMRW!! 🤩 I get ridiculously excited for other people when they are going to Xcaret 😂 I think it’s like an adult Disneyland experience!
So my Sweetie and I are going to Puerto Vallarta Hyatt Ziva All-Inclusive just before Christmas! Again, so stoked 🥳 I hear the Ziva Cancun is more of a favorite, but I bought this short trip totally unexpected at a live auction for my favorite animal rescue, haha! It was a win-win, we were in the moment of watching people doing good for the community, there weren’t a ton of bids on it, and I was like, “I love Mexico 🇲🇽, why not raise my hand?!” Annnnd no one bid after me 😆 So we’re going for 4-nights just before Xmas and during whale 🐋 watching season!! 🎄🤩 I’d like to make a video for this resort too, but check out Hyatt Ziva Cancun!! We are also going on a luxury yacht sailing and snorkeling tour, so hoping to see some fabulous ocean life! 🐠 🐢 🌊 💜
Try white tea from Macy’s vanilla an orchard Smells just like xcaret
Ohhhh my gosh, I might just stop by today, haha! Thank you so much, I’m addicted to that smell!
Favorite dinner spots at Occidental? Heading there in a few months with the family.
Ohhhh I’m so excited for you!! The kids will love all of the parks! I wish I could give some insight, but Occidental has its own set of restaurants - 11 to choose from! 🤩 I believe we took a boat through Occidental from Xcaret Hotel Mexico in order to get to Xcaret park. It’s so fun and colorful and there are free-flying parrots in the main area! We’ll be back at Xcaret in May and I can’t wait!!
Great very informative video! Very clearly explained and delivered the idea! I would add to take extra charging battery for the cell phone and changing clothes! Thank you so much for awesome content!!
Thank you, Olha! I’m happy to hear you appreciate the info, as I was thankful for the many videos I watched to prepare for such a UNIQUE vacation!
Thank you. Going in June for seven days .
I am soooo excited for you! Do you happen to be going with your family in August? I just received a comment from someone else with the same last name. If so, August is a great month to go! June may be as well ;) I’m sooo excited for you & am here to answer questions that come up during your prep! Anticipation is part of the FUN!!
Mic, how was your trip??
Thank you for the info!
You're so welcome, and I hope it helps you have a FABULOUS vacay at Xcaret! I need to put together my newest video - BARS of XCARET! ;)
Hello Traci,
I am going to Xcaret soon and I’m curious about the restaurants’ dress code. I don’t want to over pack so I’m thinking of bathing suits and cover ups for the day time and dresses for the evening. Can I go into all of the restaurants for bf and lunch in cover ups?
Hi Jocelyn! Would you believe we JUST left Xcaret yesterday?! Had an AMAZING week there and my now fiancé and I just discussed this conversation while packing (yup, he proposed at Xcaret!! 🤩 🥰)!! While there are places you could eat with a nice looking cover-up, there are some more formal places as well, so I’d bring a simple dress or skirt and tank top to wear as well. They don’t want you eating in straight up “swim wear.” Two or 3 casual outfits should be fine, depending how long you’re going for. Just be sure to bring the various shoes: water shoes for parks or the resort river, pool flip flops, whatever you want for dinner time, and perhaps another pair of shoes for walking around the parks if you do both dry and wet activities 👍
Please let me know if there’s anything else you need! I may be making a few videos, so the more I know what travelers are thinking, the better! You’re going to have A BLAST, I’m sooo excited for you!!!
Can you timestamp the video? Would make it easier to use this as a reference!
like in the video description.
Mea and my girlfriend are going next week! This video was super helpful!
Did you do any extra paid activities has xcaret or xel ha (if you went)
What were your favorite restaurants?
Any secret tips?
I’m so excited for you!! You’re going to have the time of your life! Be SURE to spend an evening at the Mexican restaurant that later turns into a music/light party! You can find out from the hostesses when the male or female mariachis perform (it’s brief but amazing!) and there’s also rock music shows. We had so much fun dancing 🕺 there one evening, but didn’t plan well cuz we had reservations for Tulum EARLY the next day - oops! Erg!
Definitely check out their spa, it’s gorgeous! The $35/person water circuit is a great experience, relaxing and pampering (ok, except for the “cold plunge!” 🥶) Score yourselves a swinging bed by the vines!
Xplor Fuego is suuuuper fun! (Night time) Go before the park closes for a bit to get some daylight experiences, but the zip lines at night are amazeballs 🤩 🔥
Look for the hidden water slides around the resort! 😉 Adam and I enjoyed swimming around the resort “River”, and hardly anyone did it; we were by ourselves and went to the spa, passed the outdoor theatre (the Caribbean show is awesome!), and through fun caves.
Do Xcaret Park first, make it a whole day! It’s HUGE, the cenotes are fabulous, and the food is great. We didn’t get to see the evening show :( but I know it’s awesome.
Thank you for the suggestion to timestamp! I’m such a rookie and have been slacking lately 🤦♀️, need to get back in the game!
Oh, final tip! Bring plenty of cash FOR tips! The employees are AMAZING and work for their tips, but a lot of people don’t realize that. You’ll get super service, they’ll remember and appreciate you! ♥️ Tip your housekeeper a little each day, they work hard. Which building are you in?
Oops, restaurants: gosh, they were all amazing. Definitely go to Bio for breakfast! It’s absolutely gorgeous and sooooo delicious!! The Mercado is fun for late night snacking and quick bites; great selections. We loved the beauty and experience at the Asian Fusion restaurant, and you’ve got to get table-side made guacamole 🥑 at the Mexican restaurant! We didn’t pay extra for any activities, which is why this place is AWESOME. Bring snorkel gear if you want to snorkel 🤿 at the resort. Small beach area, but fun to hang out at for an afternoon!
We went to Tulum (cool to see and learn about, but nothing truly amazing. We’ve seen other ruins in the area that had more visuals. It was also crazy hot and we didn’t have a lot of time there, so we hustled back to the tour bus) and then Xelha. Didn’t do any paid activities there, and the place is so big, I don’t think we saw it all! Snorkeling down the lazy River wasn’t as cool as I hoped, not much to see in the water, and there’s people all around on floaties, lol. It would be better to snorkel in the open area near the stingrays!
@@tracistickler awesome thank you!
We don’t know what room/casa we have yet but we are bringing $600 each for tips, other activities and the spa.
We are doing a spa day also and even booked a 80 minute massage and 25 min body scrub and they gave us a great discount.
I’ve heard about the secret water slides, super excited to find those.
Do you know which restaurant have the live music?
We are there 11 days so we are planning on doing at least 2 days at xcaret park to get a fuller experience.
@@tracistickler for xel ha we were planning on tubing down the river and snorkeling in the open area. We are also going to do the speed boat thing and zip bikes.
Do you recommend bringing a backpack?
@@melissaprice8043 Hello! We often used my husband’s backpack when we went to a park. We would carry various items like water shoes in a bag, sunscreen, dry clothes, snacks, etc. You will receive a cloth bag from the hotel, so you could use that around the resort. We seemed to use his backpack daily out of sorting and carry convenience, so I am going with a YES! 👍
Try white tea from Macys vanilla an orchard smells like Xcaret
going on monday to stay at xcaret for a week!! i loved reading all the comments. they were very helpful. i am so sad about the shooting though 😭
Macie, hi! 👋 I’m so glad this has been fun and helpful for you, and yes, very sad time for Xcaret 😢 They want to ensure your safety and it isn’t an easy vacation to just reschedule, so I’m sure the hotel will be on top of protocols for you now that this is in their awareness 👍 Aside from that, I am so freaking excited for you!!! Hopefully we’ll be getting some more insight from @Bry G from his recent stay 🙏 so stay tuned! Please let me know if any other curiosities come to mind before your trip! What are you most looking forward to? 🤩
@maciepowell I’d love to hear how your week vacation went!! What were the highlights?? (If you can narrow it down 😉)
Going the last week of July this year! can't wait! How are the crowds? We're staying in the Arte side. Should we make reservations for eating and excursions? Thanks for the packing tips
Whoo hooooo!! 🥳🥳 I’m going to be having withdrawals this summer, lol. Excellent time of year to visit! The beauty of these resorts is they are sooo BIG, it can be full of guests but it doesn’t feel “crowded.” Definitely make reservations for your dinners and any of the theatre shows. Our group loved the Caribbean show at Hotel Mexico! 🎶 Don’t worry as much about park reservations, as your concierge will make recommendations and do bookings for you. But you can at least look at the days you have ahead and access which ones you’d prefer to stay at the resort and relax (do a theatre show those nights), and which ones could take up most of the day due to a park adventure, so you’ll need to book dinner a little later. I’m so happy to hear the packing tips were of benefit to you, thank you! Don’t hesitate to reach out with other Q’s 🙋✌️
Heath, how was your trip? Any highlights you want to share??
So beautiful! Always great to travel on the internet right now. I am an artist and I like to share my painting demos and studio tours here. So much variety on UA-cam. Have a great day!
Thank you, Kendall! My mother is an artist as well and I love the joy paintings can bring into our homes and work spaces. Keep pursuing your passion!
Welcome and that is great that your mother is an artist! I will.
Hi Traci. We just watched your video again. It is very helpful. I have a question. When you visit the parks, since you’re a guest at the hotel and everything is included there, food, drinks,etc. is it the same at the parks? Or do you have to pay for your alcoholic drinks?
Hi James! I’m so happy to hear this has been helpful for your family, thank you. The answer is a big YES! 🙌 The beautiful thing of staying at Xcaret Hotel is that you never have to take your wallet! If you do end up purchasing something not in your hotel package, you can sign off using your name and room number. When you first get to the hotel, you’ll have a lovely meeting (drinks and spicy peanuts included) with a concierge who can answer any questions you have. The parks have several buffet style dining, but it’s great! I’m plant-based and they offer a wonderful variety of dishes. Alcohol is included in your package; may just want to confirm with your concierge as we stayed in Casa Fuego which came with some extra perks, I believe. However, you should be fine. We did always bring cash for tips though! The servers and bus drivers truly appreciate it. (We gave at least $1/person per ride) At the parks there are add-on adventures, but you can sign up for those ahead of time. I’m so excited for your family - have a wonderful adventure! Definitely try the zip lines, and at night is amazing!! (Xplor Fuego 🔥)
We are going on end of month May 2023 cruise to Mexico and Honduras. What’s the best excursions besides these u recommend?
Hi EL! I love cruises! Where are your stops in Mexico? 🇲🇽 How much time on land do you have? Xcaret has a new one called Xenotes, but with a cruise, you may not have time :/ Depends how late you need to be back at the ship. We’ll be back at Xcaret next May, I’m soooo stoked!! 🤘🫶
@@tracistickler May 31st in Roatan Honduras til 5pm, June 1st in Costa Maya Mexico til 5pm, and June 2nd in Conzumel Mexico til 5:30pm. This is our first travel and our honeymoon
@@el3103 How wonderful for you both, Congratulations!! 💕 🥂 You’ll have a great time cruising, as you don’t have to worry about a thing - it’s all right there for you and staff is always so nice! Since you’re ON the ocean 🌊 for the cruise, I really like having days relaxing AT & IN the ocean on port days. When we had a stop in Costa Maya, we toured some Mayan ruins on an excursion and it was REALLY COOL. Recently discovered in the 70’s! 🤯 I bought a colorful, small bowl from some locals and I use it allll the time. Cozumel is known for its snorkeling, so if you’re interested in that, spend the day at Chankanaab Park or Money Bar. Chankanaab has a lot of things to do/see, including massage if you’re not into snorkeling! I’ve never been to Honduras; you’ve got some great stops and I’m so excited for ya! What cruise line?
I loved all the tips!
I truly appreciate the feedback, thank you! We literally just returned from there last night 😂, so info is fresh if you need it!! I’m thrilled you’re going! Prepare to be spoiled! 🥰
Hello Traci. We just watched your video. Thank you so much for the tips.. We are going in November for our ten year anniversary and we are so looking forward to it. My wife had a question. At the parks, are there rest rooms all over the parks or only by the lockers?
Hi James! Good question! Adam and I discussed this and we’d say in general, they are scattered throughout the park. Some of the bigger restaurants in the parks have restrooms. I laughed when he said, “At Xelha, people likely just peed in the water everywhere” 😂 Xcaret is HUGE, and there’s several restrooms. You should be good always having access to one, just keep an eye out for the symbols on their major signs. I’m so happy for you both, happy anniversary!! Are you in Casa Fuego? I just saw there’s a NEW park opening next year, I’m so stoked!!
@@tracistickler thank you for getting back to me. I was thinking the same thing as Adam. But my wife is like, Oh hell no! LOL. Thank you for the information and for posting the videos. It is very helpful. It'll help us plan our trip. We went to Xel Ha, Tulum Mayan ruins and Chichen Itza 10 years ago on our Honeymoon and we are looking forward to going back. We've been watching the videos on UA-cam and we can tell that it is huge. We are not staying in Casa Fuego unfortunately. We booked a River view suite. We're kind of hoping they will upgrade us since it is our anniversary. Wishful thinking, right? LOL We are meeting up with two couples we met on our Honeymoon. One couple is from England and the other from Chicago. It's going to be a blast.
No I didn't see that about the new park opening. Do you know what it is?
Anyway, Thanks again for getting back to me and for the valuable information. I'll let you know how it went.
@@tracistickler I have another question. No one has mentioned tipping. When we stayed at the Rui on our Honeymoon, tips were included. So are tips included or is there tipping?
@@jamesmancilla90 I’ve been wanting to make a video about this!! Yes, bring cash for tipping! $$ It is NOT included in your bill, and those employees depend on them. We asked our concierge upon arrival and he suggested 5-10% of bill. We were one of the few who tipped for the rides too. Just a buck per person, per ride. We tipped for drinks, food, our room cleaners, and our butlers (at the end). Everyone was so grateful, it felt good to give. Thank you so much for asking; I’ll have to make a video about this.
My gosh, I LOVE your story! That is so fun to circle back with the friends you met on your honeymoon. 🥰 Have a great time reconnecting and I’ll cross fingers you get an upgrade! 😉
@@tracistickler thank you so much. We are too looking forward to our reunion. One other question I forgot to ask you. Are there any night clubs there on property?
Hi. As far as the cream sunscreen, were you able to use/take in the ThinkSport sunscreen? Thank you in advance ❤
Yes! ThinkSport is vegan, reef friends, and biodegradable! Just goes on a bit ghostly 😆
@@tracistickler 👻 lol thanks.
Im going in december and wanted to know if you go to any of the parks do you pay for food or is it still all inclusive since youre a guest at the resort??? Any tips and advice is welcomed trying to not over pack or be unprepared thank you!
Hi Omar! I’m so excited for you and we will be in Puerto Vallarta this December! What a fun experience, celebrating Christmas in Mexico 🇲🇽 When you stay at Xcaret Hotel Mexico or Hotel Arte, all of your food and drink is included at the surrounding parks! So great, right?! However, I highly recommend taking cash for tips! Drivers and servers truly appreciate it and they survive on those tips. What’s included in their income is very minimal, so save a stash of tipping cash. Trust me, you’ll receive excellent service, as not everyone is as thoughtful, so you’ll stand out and be much appreciated!
Anything else you’re unsure of? Ask away! We’re going back May 2023 and can’t wait!!
Delayed response, sorry! Like I told Rubigloria above, make reservations for dinners at the resort! I'm so glad we did, as there was never any waiting. The dinner theatre show is awesome and on limited days. We loved the Caribbean themed show! Any guest services manager can send you an activity list. Pack lighter than you originally plan ;) If you're going to their parks, it's nearly an all-day adventure, or you'll have time to come back and get ready for dinner. Night time dress is most of the "nice clothing" you'll want to pack, where everything else is swimwear and lounge gear. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions, and I wish you a wonderful holiday adventure, Omar!!
I hope you had a fabulous vacation! Any favorite Xperiences?
What was the brand of sunscreen you use?
Great question! I brought BARE Republic Sport, SPF 50 & water resistant, and I highly recommend a spray sunscreen since you’ll be applying throughout the day. I’ve been loving non-aerosol Coconut Glow SPF 30 by Pacifica! Water resistant and adds a nice bronze. We also had thinksport SPF 50 for daily use, but I totally broke out on my face. I just ordered Daily Matte SPF 30 by IMAGE Skincare for my face, as I have combination skin and am sensitive to sunscreens. My girlfriend loves this brand and I found out it is reef friendly 👍 I tried it on our recent road trip and so far so good!
Hi Traci, do you need to bring mosquito spray?
Hi Melissa! You know, it’s funny, I heard horror stories of mosquitoes from a friend who vacationed in the similar area, so I was prepared with organic spray….but I honestly don’t ever remember swatting at one! Maybe there was just enough breeze to keep them away? However, I’d still suggest bringing one that’s reef friendly or making your own (they are easy to make with essential oils & smell nice too!), as it might depend on the time of year and weather patterns. We went first part of August. Good question!
i brought some but never applied it, was there for 5 night only had 2 bites but im not sure it was even from mosquito
do they let u use crocs as water shoes?
Hi! There’s no regulations from what I saw, but the key is to get something 1) That is securely on your feet for water slides, River swimming/walking/zip lines, etc and 2) that won’t create a dang blister when walking in it all day and potentially several days in a row. Have a fantastic time!! 🤘🤘
Yea! any closed toe water shoe works amd are necessary for some adventures my wife had water shoes, my daughters had crocs and I had some water sandals. all worked out fine
Yea! any closed toe water shoe works amd are necessary for some adventures my wife had water shoes, my daughters had crocs and I had some water sandals. all worked out fine
@@edwardpamintuan i went a couple months ago and they have spare crocs in all sizes for activities that require watershoes
Tan eik fai l am 21 years malaysia loph🌅💽🗽🐷💅🔼🌃hi
Ow my god I’ve never been so board listing to this nearly fell asleep I hope the hotels more exciting
Well, at least you listened & took time to comment ;) Not gonna make supply packing extremely thrilling; the hotel is MUCH more exciting indeed. Might wanna double check your spelling before making rude comments (I’m kind of a Stickler about it, lol). Sending you peace ✌️
@@tracistickler spelling 😂😂 yawn 🥱 yawn 🥱 yawn 🥱
Don’t be a jerk. It was a informative video
Like you said..they sure did take the time to comment though lol 😆 😂
@tracistickler 😂. Why even respond? These jerks don't need acknowledgement. Personally, I'm going in a few weeks and appreciate this video. Will definitely look for the spray.
Thank you for your video I loved listening to your voice it bought peace to my heart! I love how passionate you are about XCARET and the history behind it I am so excited to visit my country and learn more about the XCARET! life ♥️🫶
You just made my day, Karla! That’s why I made this video - to help people see and experience the vision, compassion, and dedication to Mexico Senior Pali had and still has for Xcaret! I know you’re going to be so amazed by it all and I can’t wait for you to experience it. Please keep me posted! You inspire me to make more videos, bless you.