This past August, Chuck turned 65!
He’s not one for big parties or being the center of attention. So, he decided we’d stay close to home, indulge and chill out.

Mark has several friends from the wedding industry who have experienced Hotel Xcaret Arte, an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, about an hour south of the Cancun airport. So we decided to give it a go.
Getting to Xcaret
Carretera Chetumal-Puerto Juárez, Km. 282
L21-3 Colonia Rancho Xcaret
77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Hotel Xcaret Mexico, the family resort, and Hotel Xcaret Arte, the adults-only resort, are about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from our home in Merida.Â
Rather than driving, we chose to take the ADO Platinum Bus from Merida to downtown Playa del Carmen, and then a taxi was a short ride from there.
However, if you are flying into Cancun airport, the resort includes complimentary shuttle service to and from the resort. And they have a nice-looking waiting room just outside of the airport terminal.
What is Xcaret?
Xcaret is pronounced SHCA-ret, but you more commonly hear ESH-cah-ret. The Mayan meaning is a small inlet.
The Xcaret Group markets as “All-Fun Inclusive” as it is WAY more than what you’ll find at a typical all-inclusive resort.
In 1990, Xcaret Park was opened as a place where Mexico’s culture and natural landscape could be celebrated. This was followed by Xel-Ha, a more water-focused park, in 1995 and Xplor, a more jungle adventure park, in 2009.
In 2010, the group added archaeological tours to local Pueblas, such as Valladolid and Chichen Itza.
By 2013, they added Xplor Fuego, a nighttime adventure in Xplor Park, Xoximilco Cancun Park, similar to the floating islands of Mexico City and Cenotes, to tour Cenotes in Puerto. Morelos.
2016 brought Xenses a really unique peak ‘where anything is possible.’ By the end of 2017, Hotel Xcaret Mexico All Fun Inclusive Resort was added with Xavage, an extreme park in 2019.
This brings us to Hotel Xcaret Arte, which opened in July of 2021.
What Makes Hotel Xcaret Arte So Special?
Hotel Xcaret Arte is a 900-suite, adult-friendly (young adults 16 and over) resort inspired by the art of Mexico. We have to admit we saw VERY few young adults.
This 5 Diamond Resort has a really sophisticated feel. It’s separated from Hotel Xcaret Mexico, by a pyramid with a beautiful chapel. As Hotel Xcaret Arte is for adults only, you can enjoy Hotel Xcaret Mexico, but families are not permitted to explore Arte.

The resort faces the Caribbean Sea and has the most incredible gardens and waterways to explore. They blend the design into the natural landscape.
Additionally, not only can you experience the resort with its ten gastronomic experiences (A LOT more on that in a future blog), but you also have access to Xailing (a ferry to Isla Mujeres), the incredible Xcaret parks and the activities in the resort’s casas.
What’s A Casa?
In Spanish, Casa means home; you genuinely feel at home here. However, Hotel Xcaret Arte is broken down into five casas with suites, rooftop pools, activity centers, small shops, and some restaurants.
Casas are each designed after a different art.
- Casa Del Deseño is showcasing incredible textile work.

- Casa de los Artistas focused on painting.

- Casa de la Pirámide on Mexican pottery.
- Casa de la Música is exploding with Latin music.

- Casa de la Paz, or House of Peace, has a fantastic library of some of the best books ever written.
And Casa del Patrón, where many restaurants are located.
Suite Life At Hotel Xcaret Arte
The resort’s suite options include Presidential Suites, about 4,600 square feet, in each Casa, as well as Master Suites, approximately 1,900 square feet, and Junior Suites with approximately 1,300 square feet.
General suites are still sizable at nearly 650 square feet.
Additionally, you have the option of Garden View, River View, Ocean View with partial views of the Caribbean Sea, and Ocean View with a head-on view of the sea.
They also offer optional Spa Suites and Swim-Up Suites with exclusive swim-out pools.
Regardless of what suite category you select, you will be blown away. This was truly a magical experience highlighting everything we love about Mexico.
The staff, service, amenities, food, personal touches, and park access were well worth the investment.
As we were celebrating Chuck’s 65th birthday, he chose an Ocean Front Swim Up Suite in Casa de los Artistas.
We’ll share more about our suite and the amenities in an upcoming blog.



















Amazing photos
Thanks, Doug! The resort is really beautiful.
Once again fabulous pictures of your adventures. You guys are living the dream.
Thanks, Doug! Retirement is highly underrated!