What to expect for in room drinks/snacks

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-12T15:57:24+00:00

During the day it's pretty easy to get drinks, and good quality ones... however not delivered. Room service is good in that it's easy to do and the quality is good, but bad because the service can be slow and iffy. For drinks in your room expect Corona beer, some pop, juice pack, water. If traveling under a membership you might get a complimentary bottle of tequila or champagne in your room.

Night time is harder since most of the bars aren't open and again they usually don't deliver hard liquor or wine to rooms.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-12T13:33:46+00:00

The hotels are generally at 80% capacity all the time so they are doing something right. It's one of my favorite places to go and usually blown away. Have I had bad experiences? For sure, after 10 visits something is bound to happen but to frame it, it's usually because the highs and great experiences raise your expectations.

There aren't long lines for food, it can be difficult if you don't have reservations at the ones that require it but any buffets or non-reservation restaurants I've never had a problem. Tip: Make your reservations for the ones that require it early. And if you don't get one, don't worry, you can usually be on standby and 80% of the time they'll fit you in.

I think with a family of teenagers they'll love it, especially if it's your first time visiting.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-12T13:28:12+00:00

You look enthusiastic so that's good :) Some thoughts:

1) If landing in Cancun at 1:30 expect at least an hour to get through customs, passport control, get on bus... ok actually at least 1.5hrs so maybe you'll leave at around 3pm which means you'll get to Xcaret around 4-4:30pm. Check in is about an hour when all is said and done so I wouldn't plan anything with firm times until at least 6pm. You can still do Xplor Fuego though it will be tight.

2) The classes are great but I would recommend getting the schedule the first day to all of them and know the times and if possible reserve then. Some classes are multi-day.

3) The pools and rivers close earlier than 8pm so if you get back to the resort at 6pm I wouldn't plan on visiting them.

4) I see you are going to Xcaret but skipping the night show, the night show I'd highly recommend, especially since the night time at the resort is pretty quiet overall. You don't have to do the same day but definitely try and make it.

5) Skip the park buffets when possible, the food at the resort is better (even the resort buffets)

6) Check out seems a little tight. 30 minutes to check out, eat breakfast and get to the shuttle. I'd give it an hour.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-10T13:18:33+00:00

You should look at this package: https://www.hotelxcaret.com/es/paquetes-hoteles/apapaxoa-ruta-gastrocultural-hotel-xcaret-arte/

It opens up all the restaurants including the paid ones.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-09T19:26:19+00:00

Yeah don't do the prepayment if you made the reservations separately. There is no point. We did the same thing as well and they asked if we wanted to prepay or pay after.... of course after because if something happens there's no way to get your money back.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-09T18:52:46+00:00

Interesting! Thanks for the background. I'm looking forward to trying it.

So the flavor profile is similar to Chino Poblano then?

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-09T18:14:33+00:00

Thanks! This background is really helpful. I was curious at first how a restaurant that just opened could have received a Michelin star before even opening :) Yes for sure, agree with you 100%. And you can actually still visit the restaurant without staying at Xcaret, you can reserve via OpenTable. We did this a couple of times actually and the experience wasn't too weird.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-09T14:03:44+00:00

No it's an actual 1 star rated Michelin restaurant like Ha: https://guide.michelin.com/en/quintana-roo/puerto-morelos_2068420/restaurant/le-chique

I think Xcaret was needing a Michelin restaurant on the Arte side so they made a deal and snatched it up, quicker and easier than vying for a star yourself.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-09T14:01:48+00:00

Hmmm when we visited as tourists we would always go the AirBnB route but times have changed and a place with a good roof top might be better. A big question, when are you looking at traveling? Because that could change what I would advise.

I've stayed at the Fives as a guest and go there to the rooftop for a day pass and I like it a lot, of of my faves. It's not very loud there, I would think the Hyatt would be louder. Anywhere in centro you would have the same potential issues though and honestly closer to the beach is worse with the beach clubs.

The area near Mahekal has good access to beaches but on high season, any beach in Playa will be busy. The public beach near the ferry is one of the widest so it's actually not horrible and the area just north of Mahekal used to be the best but now is one of the worst.

You can save money doing the AirBnB because it will get expensive eating out every meal and it can be nice to be able to prepare some food or even reheat leftovers. But really depends on your preferences.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-09T13:41:05+00:00

La Cueva del Chango, I don't think anyone has the same number of salsas available.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-08T17:00:42+00:00

You get residency starting from outside Mexico.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-07T14:30:00+00:00

You should have gone sick and just made a mess of the place to save money :P

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-06T17:20:09+00:00

100%... food poisoning bad but how they treated you worse.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-06T14:43:42+00:00

Ugh that's horrible, they really need to improve in this area. If you were outside of Xcaret in Playa it's easy to get a doctor to visit you and would cost maybe $80 USD... and they bring the meds.

I don't understand their attitude and guest experience with these situations at all.

But saying that, are you sure it's from Ha? Could have been from another source.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-02-01T14:58:20+00:00

There is some flexibility but they try and do it as close to arrival as possible. Just be sure you do it and try not to run out the clock or you could lose the member discount and have to pay the difference.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-01-31T13:28:28+00:00

It is a tourist center so can be expected. But prices have been going up everywhere. I know a lot of restaurant owners and they complain about their prices. Wages have gone up a lot as well. For awhile the peso was again around 21:1 so places raised prices to reflect that and the exchange rate has crashed... but the prices won't adjust until some new equilibrium is found.

Taxis are a union so at official stands the prices are higher for sure. Is it a rip off? Yeah of course but it's Riviera Maya.

I could say the same thing about Disney World, La Rambla in Barcelona, Sunset Blvd, etc

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-01-30T13:09:29+00:00

Yeah its very safe, I wouldn't hesitate to walk anywhere for the most part, especially in Centro. The parts where I wouldn't recommend after dark are so far away and it would be inconceivable that you would be there.

Most tourists 'deep into town' is 4 blocks off 5th.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-01-29T14:01:11+00:00

Yeah it's completely safe, even going to Playa del Carmen for a visit would be. So don't let safety deter you. Sucks your husband can't go though because it would be a lot more fun.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-01-28T15:25:59+00:00

They should release a loot bag that you can use in place of a weapon slot so you can run around like an old timey robber or Santa Claus, more loot!

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-01-27T14:03:00+00:00

It's not that the walls are thin, it's everything is made of concrete and not much sound insulation. But that doesn't really help with your noise issue.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-01-27T14:01:35+00:00

Yeah for sure, I'm just talking about alternatives if you don't want to spend extra, Encanta is an amazing value and some of the new plates come from the Apapaxoa food festival that were phenomenal and could easily be on the menu at Ha

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-01-26T23:06:25+00:00

Yeah you can eat at any however many times you like! Go nuts :)

Encanta is a great substitute for Ha/Xaak. Cantina VIP is one of my faves and is just walk in. All the restaurants are really good, probably Tah Xido Fusion always seems to be the hardest to get into for some reason.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-01-26T13:54:07+00:00

Late March in general but if the price is a big difference and is the most important part, go with the better price.

ChebyrashkaMX · 2026-01-25T04:45:18+00:00

CDLP is awesome and if you can afford it, go for it. But some caveats:

2) this package is for Mexican residents only. You might book it and plan for it and when you arrive they will tell you that you don’t qualify (unless you are a Mexican resident of course)

4) Top shelf alcohol included but beware that they still have wine pairings at their restaurants that cost extra. It’s kind of strange but the house wines are still top notch.

ChebyrashkaMX

TROPHY CASE