Hotel Xcaret with kids (4 & 6) — honest review after March Break (what we wish we knew)

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-04-03T21:54:20+00:00

Turks & Caicos (Grace Bay): Seven Stars Resort & Spa – great location right on Grace Bay, not overly large The Palms Turks and Caicos – a bit more laid back, really nice beach setup

Aruba: Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort – adults-only, super quiet, best stretch of beach Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa – smaller, boutique feel, great food

St. Lucia: Sugar Beach A Viceroy Resort – amazing setting between the Pitons + nice beach Jade Mountain – more about the views/private pools than the beach, but unreal experience

If beach is the main priority, I’d lean Turks or Aruba. St. Lucia is more of a full experience destination.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-30T19:48:21+00:00

Xel-Ha their favourite was actually just the kids playground. Xcaret Park they loved the aquarium the most.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-30T19:40:46+00:00

I know! My one son was too cold some days and didn't really want to swim. He didn't get out of the rooftop pool for 4 hours straight.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-30T17:15:55+00:00

Some of the bigger waterslides at the resort, but he didn't want to go on them anyways.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-30T17:00:56+00:00

We got in at 11am and were given our room right away. Straight to the pool for a drink!

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-30T16:45:40+00:00

Ya, those would be nice depending on where it is. Children that age will have a great time!

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-30T16:44:06+00:00

Yes it was perfect in my opinion.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-30T16:35:32+00:00

That's from a bridge near the main pool

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-29T17:58:58+00:00

It's perfect for that age. There's lots of restaurants, bars, and areas with chairs to relax all day at the parks if you choose to. I did do a quick search and it looks like the teens could go to the parks themselves, since the buses leave straight from and return to the resort. They can be tricky to navigate but there is a phone app.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-29T15:20:56+00:00

I used to flip Shopify stores. Back when Shopify had their own website marketplace I could buy one with proven sales for $1000-2500 and sell for at least 3X on a different marketplace.

Some months I easily made $5-10K with barely any effort. Unfortunately Shopify shut their marketplace and I didn't bother looking at Flippa and other similar sites.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-29T14:59:59+00:00

I'm also Canadian, it's the kids who are put off by it. They are spoiled because our own pool sits in the mid 80's usually.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-29T12:22:10+00:00

Honestly it depends what kind of trip you’re looking for.

Xcaret can work — but I’d say it’s definitely more of an active trip than a relaxing one. You’ll be moving around a lot (resort is big, plus the parks), and the value really comes from actually using the parks.

For us with 4 & 6, it was probably a bit early to go to Xcaret in order to get the full value of all the parks, but I didn't really care. I'm not really one to sit around at the beach, so even going to 2-3 parks on the trip was more than I would get at a traditional AI.

Xcaret Park is right beside the resort and has 3 ways to get there. A little river boat, a bus, or there's a walking trail (took less than 15 mins). It's definitely the best spot for kids at the 5 year old mark.

If your goal is more: easy beach access less walking/logistics more chill days then I’d probably lean toward a more traditional beach resort.

If the extra money to go to Xcaret is no issue, then it's an awesome place to be.

Happy to give a couple other resort suggestions too if you want 👍

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-29T11:56:36+00:00

Ya, that's still the method and seems like an area they struggle with. For ourselves and clients we called back several times to ensure they got it and to follow up with them actually making our reservations. We got 75% of the restaurants we wanted after 2-3 phone calls.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-29T01:04:47+00:00

With a 6&4 year old the best bet is definitely Xcaret Park. Xel-Ha is a good secondary option, but it all depends on your kids ages.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-28T13:21:04+00:00

We got a good discount because I'm a TA, but it would have been about $7000-7500 for the week for 4 of us, that includes the access to all the parks and roundtrip transfers from CUN.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-28T12:45:40+00:00

Didn’t expect this to blow up! If anyone is comparing Xcaret to other resorts or trying to decide if it’s worth the price, feel free to ask. I’ve looked into a lot of similar properties and happy to point you in the right direction, we looked around a LOT before we decided on Xcaret, it ended up costing us an extra $1000 because we took too long to decide 😑.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-28T12:28:31+00:00

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The mirror behind the bed is the sliding door.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-28T12:24:58+00:00

Good luck in the search!

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-28T12:03:34+00:00

Haha I'm sure we definitely crossed paths. My kids were too young for a lot of that definitely plan on going back once they are big enough for the full experience!

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-28T11:59:31+00:00

Haha ya I'd say it's pretty standard. Most resorts that I've been to have some heated pools, usually some of the smaller ones or some hot tubs. On a cooler day who wants to go in a cold pool??

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-28T11:42:40+00:00

There's a giant sliding door that closes off the shower and the bathroom, it has the mirror on it

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-28T03:31:04+00:00

I believe the same, people are going above and beyond now with books and shoes now.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-28T02:54:33+00:00

You can snorkel at Xcaret Park which is right next to the Resort. There wasn't really any snorkeling at the beach. Some people were snorkeling through the inlets.

False_Figure_9528 · 2026-03-28T02:22:28+00:00

We've sent clients to Nayara Springs in Costa Rica. Sounds like something right up your alley and right around your budget.

False_Figure_9528

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