Overwhelmed. That is one word to describe Xcaret Arte. Overwhelmed. Overwhelmed in an amazing way! I have never had any special experiences with all-inclusive stays, and that includes cruise ships, because I always feel like you’re forced to stay on the property to get the most of your money. In that same logic, you always feel like you have to engorge yourself on the food and the drinks that are provided to you, since again, it’s all paid for. Xcaret is something completely different.

It is a true all-inclusive and possibly the pinnacle of the term. Starting from your arrival at the Cancun Airport, everything is taken care of - you’re immediately greeted by resort staff who escort you to the large bus shuttle to the resort (included in your stay). Once you arrive, you’re greeted by delicious and very much needed ice-cold helado (the mango is my favorite). The check-in process is a bit tedious and lengthy but once you’re situated and have your bracelets, everything melts away. 

The grounds and the parks (Xel-ha, Xcaret, Xenses, Xplore, etc.) are all included in your stay. You can even go to the main Hotel Xcaret and check out that scene. Of course we stayed in Xcaret Arte because we like the adults only aspect. There are so many things to do that they even have an app for the parks and the hotels, so you know the opening/closing times, the different options, the number of pools, the schedules of the classes (pottery, weaving, dancing, cooking, etc.). 

Arte has 10 restaurants, plenty of bars (many pool-side), a cafe, and a speakeasy! Mercado de San Juan is the main restaurant and serves a buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Encanta and Chino Poblano were excellent tasting menus and required reservations (food is included, although some of the wine might be for purchase). Arenal (meats like Rib Eye, T-Bone, and Tomahawk, although ours was a bit fatty) and Cantina VI.AI.PY (Pancho Villa Cocktail was my favorite and try the chapulines, or grasshopper, guacamole with chicharones). I still need to try the others! The speakeasy, El Deseo, is a cool, hipster kind of vibe with a live band and a DJ. 

In general, Arte is comprised of different buildings (Diseno, Artistas, la Piramide, Musica, Paz) which have their own themes. Artistas is the most exclusive, requiring a special access bracelet to enter the compounds. That doesn’t mean that the other houses don’t have amazing stays! There are something like 4 rooftop pools, all with bar service. There’s a main infinity pool that’s gigantic! The beach is a little small but clean and safe. Around the grounds, you can also paddleboard, kayak, snorkel, and swim. There’s a central area in between Arte and the main Xcaret Hotel that has around a 1.2 km path with different work-out stations like monkey swings over the water, pull up bars, balance beams, etc. There’s even a church, perched high up!

The rooms are spacious with large walk-in showers. They’re cleaned twice a day by the hard-working and friendly staff. They provide all toiletries including a shaving kit, dental supplies, the expected shampoo/soap/conditioner as well as bubbles and bath salts for your bath tub!

Their concierge desk operates from 7 am - 11 pm and truly try everything they can to make your stay as memorable as possible. They help coordinate your dinner reservations as well as your reservations to other parks like Xel-Ha.

On check out, they even provide shuttles back to the airport (again, included in your stay).

This truly is the epitome of what a vacation and an all-inclusive resort should be. There are plenty of activities for everyone.