June 6, 2026 · Your complete resort guide
Wedding Party Edition — Includes rehearsal & assembly details
Until the wedding ceremony
You are here, and that means everything to us. Hotel Xcaret México isn't just a resort — it's the most extraordinary place we've ever experienced, and we cannot wait to share every corner of it with you.
This guide is your personal playbook for the entire trip — every restaurant, every hidden bar, every park, every insider tip we've gathered. Whether you've never been to Mexico before or you're a seasoned traveler, this place will surprise you.
Explore freely. Try things you normally wouldn't. Find the hidden cenote bar. Wander through the underground rivers. Stay up too late at Cantina Los Faroles. This is what we built this trip for — you deserve every single moment of it.
We love you all dearly, and we cannot wait to celebrate with you.
— Lance & Cherie
Resort: Hotel Xcaret México — Family-friendly luxury, 5-Diamond AAA award winner. Now 1,800 suites across 10 themed Casas following the 2025 expansion.
Wedding Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Ceremony 5:00 PM · Cocktails 6:00 PM
Reception 7:00 PM
All-Fun Inclusive™: Your stay covers all dining (except HA'), all bars, unlimited park access with transportation, round-trip airport transfers, ferry tickets to Isla Mujeres & Cozumel, and your mini-bar.
Your Bracelet: Received at check-in. It's your room key, park pass, and payment method. Wear it always — it's waterproof.
Everything you need to know for the big events. Additional details and exact locations will be communicated closer to the date — keep an eye out for updates from Lance & Cherie.
Hotel Xcaret México has expanded to 20 restaurants following its 2025 renovation — an unmatched culinary program built entirely around Mexican cuisine, led by celebrity chefs from across the country. Almost all are included in your stay.
Ten themed stations transporting you through a traditional Mexican market experience — complete with piñatas, ceramic vases, and the intoxicating aromas of real Mexican cooking. Hand-made tortillas, tamales, fresh crepes made to order, rotating gelato, fresh cheese cart, quesadillas, smoothies, omelettes, and a legendary candy and sweets wall. Lance's go-to for breakfast and late-night snacking.
Buffet format — stations rotate daily. Visit multiple times for the full experience.
A jaw-dropping dining experience tucked inside the natural caves of the resort, lit by candlelight with the nearby river reflecting the amber glow. Rodizio churrascaria — cuts of juicy meat brought to your table continuously — plus seafood, vegan options, and an extensive wine cellar. One of the most romantic settings on property. Book this for a special night.
Rodizio style — meats served continuously. Seasonal menu, confirm specialties with concierge.
The resort's vibrant all-day food hall — market-style buffet with international and Mexican options, plus the Cafeteca coffee shop for grab-and-go drinks and snacks. Located in Casa Cielo near the lobby. Also shows park shuttle departure times on screens inside — practical and delicious. Perfect late-night stop when everything else is winding down.
The soul of the resort's nightlife. Chef Alejandro Ruiz's Oaxacan cantina pays homage to his homeland through tlayudas, mezcal cocktails, traditional snacks, and shared plates that evoke the bustling squares of Oaxaca. By night it transforms into a live music venue with performers and dancing. Adults-only on the top floor after dark.
A tribute to the colorful trajinera gondola boats of Xochimilco. The menu celebrates Mexico's coastlines — from Yucatán and Veracruz to Baja California — with ceviches, grilled seafood, and regional specialties. The swim-up Trajinera bar is attached, making this a great lunch destination when you're near the pool area.
A stunning tribute to Puebla's culinary legacy, decorated with authentic Talavera tiles. Chef Lula Martín del Campo offers buffet or à la carte options featuring the flavors of Puebla — moles, chiles en nogada, traditional tamales. The outdoor terrace is exceptional for an evening meal. Private area seating up to 16 available.
Chef Roberto Solís — himself celebrated internationally for his work with Lebanese-Yucatecan fusion — brings the purest expression of Yucatán cuisine to CHI'. Cochinita pibil, panuchos, sopa de lima, and the bold spices of the Yucatán Peninsula. A must if you want to eat the food that Mexico is most proud of.
Located in Casa Cielo, Monarca celebrates the diversity of Mexican regional cooking with dishes that honor traditions from across the 32 states. A rotating menu concept keeps things fresh each visit. Great option for a more relaxed dinner in a beautiful, architecturally stunning Casa Cielo setting.
Fresh-focused coastal cuisine celebrating Mexico's Pacific and Atlantic coastlines. Ceviches, aguachiles, grilled fish and shellfish, and the bright flavors of Mexico's seafood traditions. Perfect for a lunch when you want something light, fresh, and thoroughly delicious.
One of the most spectacular dining experiences in the Riviera Maya. A 6-course seasonal tasting menu — committed to Grupo Xcaret's sustainability ethos — accompanies either the México Olé folkloric dance show or the vibrant Caribbean performance. Set in front of the Xpiral pyramid. This is a must-do. Book immediately.
Menu changes seasonally and differs between Caribbean and México Olé show nights.
The newest signature restaurant at the resort, located in the exclusive Casa Eclipse adults-only section. Chef Sheyla Alvarado's menu showcases Baja California and northern Mexico — bold, fire-influenced cooking set against panoramic river views and a jaw-dropping indoor waterfall that flows right through the restaurant. One of the most dramatic dining environments on property.
Seasonal menu. Confirm specialties with concierge on arrival.
A once-in-a-lifetime 9-course tasting menu experience from Chef Carlos Gaytán — the first Mexican chef to earn a Michelin Star. Set in Casa Tierra with a water feature as its architectural centerpiece. HA' has held its Michelin Star for two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025. Not included in the All-Fun Inclusive package. No pressure at all — every included restaurant here is extraordinary. But if this calls to you, it's unforgettable.
9-course tasting menu with Mexican wine pairing · ~$149/person · Menu changes seasonally
Chef Luis Arzapalo's flagship Asian experience offers four distinct dining formats: Teppanyaki (live theatrical cooking in front of you), Robatayaki (Japanese charcoal grill), Fusion (elegant creative à la carte), and Omakase (chef's seasonal surprise menu — the most ambitious option). Book well ahead and specify which experience you want when reserving.
Specify your preferred format when booking: Teppanyaki, Robatayaki, Fusion, or Omakase.
Chef Luis Arzapalo's second Asian venue — a spectacular, larger-format experience. A magnetic sushi train circles the dining room continuously, plus three live Teppanyaki islands, a Mongolian grill, and a dim sum and ramen bar. Great for groups and families. A unique and surprising dining environment that's truly unlike anything else.
Set inside the natural caves of the resort — a stunning location with rock formations and filtered light. The menu is 100% plant-based but designed to delight non-vegans equally. Noble, vibrant, nutritious cuisine rooted in Mexican Mayan tradition. Also the best option for guests with celiac disease or dairy concerns — ask your server for guidance. Even confirmed meat-eaters rave about it.
100% plant-based. Celiac-safe and dairy-free options clearly marked. Seasonal menu.
An open-air dining experience with some of the best views of the resort's stunning Caribbean coves. International menu ranging from fresh salads and grilled fish to steaks and desserts. Relaxed, fresh atmosphere with Caribbean breeze and sunsets. Locals recommend the cheesecake and the corn cake with eggnog sauce as standout desserts.
Celiac-safe and dairy-free options available — ask your server. Vegan menu also available.
Cherie's absolute favorite on the whole property. A multi-sensory cinema-restaurant experience where you watch movies while being served from individual food carts — popcorn, Mexican snacks, and creative bites. The menu is curated by Michelin-starred Chef Paco Méndez. Privileged view of the slide pool with one of the water slides passing through a crystal-clear section of the ceiling above you. The atmosphere in here is entirely unlike anything else at the resort. Seek it out.
Cinema snack format — delivered to your seat from individual food carts.
A delicate and elegant fusion of Italian cuisine with a Mexican twist — designed for the adults-only Casa Fuego guests with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. If you're lucky enough to be staying in Casa Fuego, this is an evening dining experience not to be missed. Reservations required for dinner only.
A relaxed breakfast and lunch spot in Casa Cielo celebrating the flavors of Michoacán, Veracruz, and other regional cuisines of Mexico. Great for mornings when you want to ease into the day before heading to a park, or a quick midday refuel before afternoon activities.
This is not a flip-flops-everywhere resort at night. Plan your wardrobe accordingly — especially men. Lance learned this firsthand: more dress pants and closed-toe shoes are essential for evening dining here.
Eleven bars on property, all included. From a cenote you wade through to reach a hidden bar, to a retro arcade that'll have you there for hours, to a rooftop perched over the Caribbean. Every drink is covered.
Your stay includes unlimited access to seven world-class Xcaret parks plus ferry trips to Isla Mujeres and Cozumel. Shuttle service from the motor lobby runs every 20–30 minutes to the nearby parks. All included — just show up with your bracelet.
The original. Mexico's most iconic eco-park and the crown jewel of the group. So vast that one day is never enough — plan two partial days. The underground river swim is Cherie's #1 favorite thing in all of Mexico — ancient Mayan cave systems with life jackets required, three routes to choose from (Azul, Mayan, Manatee), and stalactites overhead the entire way. Also features a coral reef aquarium, aviary, jaguar island, butterfly sanctuary, Mayan village, and horse exhibitions. The México Espectacular evening show runs nightly and is absolutely not to be missed.
Seven zip-line circuits including the highest in the Riviera Maya, amphibious vehicles through jungle and flooded caverns, hammock zip-lines that splash into cenotes, underground river swimming through stalactite caves. Full day of adrenaline — food included. Locker rental available. Wear a swimsuit you don't mind getting wet in caves.
Everything Xplor offers but by fire torchlight under the night sky. The zip-lines, cave rivers, and amphibious vehicles are all more dramatic and haunting in the dark — flames lining the paths through the jungle, stars overhead. A completely different experience from the daytime park. Go on a night you're not too tired — it's worth staying up for.
One of the most beautiful natural environments in all of Mexico. A stunning natural inlet where freshwater meets the sea — unlimited snorkeling among tropical fish and marine life, river floating, cenote dives, zip-lines into the water, a 130-foot scenic lighthouse with spiral descent into a cenote, cliff jumps. Food and drinks included all day. Book through your concierge ahead of arrival.
Unlike anything else you've ever experienced — a half-day park built entirely around your five senses. The Xensatorium is completely dark and you navigate by touch alone. Optical illusions that will make you question reality. Slides, tunnels, and sensory challenges. Wear a swimsuit you don't mind leaving permanently altered. Also offers "Xenses Insomnia" — a neon nighttime version.
A floating fiesta on colorful trajinera gondola boats through the canals of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Traditional music, regional food from across Mexico's 32 states, folkloric performances, mariachi serenade, and open bar all evening. One of the most purely Mexican experiences available to anyone visiting the country. Don't skip this.
An intimate, private tour of four stunning cenotes — each representing a different type (semi-open, open grand, ancient, cavern blue). Activities at each: assisted rappel, zip-lines, kayaking, exploration swimming, cliff jumping. Includes certified guide, professional photographer, food, and drinks. The most personal and nature-immersive experience in the program.
Ferry tickets and transportation to both piers are fully included. Isla Mujeres: rent a golf cart at the dock, explore Punta Sur, visit the sea turtle sanctuary, access the panoramic Xcaret tower — all free of charge. Cozumel: world-class snorkeling and diving, vibrant San Miguel town, and stunning beaches. Budget for food and activities on the islands — those are your own expense.
These are the places we'd stake our names on. Do not leave the resort without hitting every single one.
Walk through the water, pass under the natural rock archway, and find yourself at a bar built into the cave at the back. The hanging lights shift and change color to music after dark. Feels like discovering a secret. This is the one Lance will ask you about at the reception — "did you find it?" Find it.
The ultimate food playground. Hand-made tortillas, every Mexican dish you can imagine, fresh cheese cart, the candy and sweets wall, rotating gelato, and the kind of sensory experience that makes you realize how extraordinary Mexican food really is. Lance eats here multiple times per day and still finds something new. Don't rush through it.
Classic arcade games, pinball, billiards, air hockey, foosball — all in a retro Mexican nostalgia setting. Lance will be there. Find him. Challenge him. Lose to him at pinball or claim you let him win — either outcome is acceptable.
A 24-hour cinema-restaurant where you watch movies from individual seats while food carts come to you — popcorn, Mexican snacks, bites from a Michelin-starred chef. One of the water slides passes through a glass ceiling panel directly above. The atmosphere is completely unlike anything else at the resort. Cherie loves this place unreservedly. Go at night for the full experience.
Float through ancient Mayan underground cave systems with a life jacket — stalactites overhead, emerald water below, three different route options. Cherie says this is the single most magical thing she has ever done in Mexico. Life jackets required. Intermediate exits available if needed. Go early in the day when the light filters in through the cave openings.
Return to the Casa Sol cenote bar after dark specifically to see the color-changing lights overhead. They shift and pulse to music in a way that genuinely takes your breath away. Lance and Cherie both agree — this is the most unexpected, most beautiful thing they found at this resort.
Cherie loves it just as much. Every age, every personality. There is no one who doesn't have fun here. See Lance's description above and double it.
The only spa in the world located inside natural caves — carved into the living rock of the Riviera Maya jungle. This is not a hotel amenity. This is an experience.
Located in Casa Agua — itself the most serene and adult-oriented section of the resort — Muluk Spa is a Mayan oasis where ancient ritual meets modern technique. Natural rock caves with glowing illuminated passageways connect all the treatment rooms. Plunge pools built into cavernous spaces. A relaxation lounge with tea station overlooking the pristine emerald river below.
The name "Muluk" refers to a Mayan calendar sign associated with water and cosmic renewal — fitting for a spa that uses water as the central element throughout. Rooms in Casa Agua come with volcanic stone tubs on the terraces and a sauna in the bathroom, extending the spa experience into your suite.
Treatments are not included in your stay but are available as add-ons. Book as far in advance as possible — treatment slots fill fast, especially for peak evenings.
The resort is all-inclusive, but the staff who make your experience extraordinary genuinely appreciate gratuity. It's not mandatory — but it is deeply appreciated in Mexico, and it absolutely comes back to you in the form of legendary, personal service all week long.
💵 Before You Fly: Stop at your bank and withdraw $150–200 USD in small bills — specifically $1 bills and $5 bills. Your bank is the cheapest place to get these. Do not count on ATMs near the resort or airport exchange desks for a good rate. Your digital bracelet handles all resort charges, so cash is only needed for tips and off-property purchases. Keep it in your room safe when not in use. This is the single most impactful thing you can do to ensure a magical week.
A few actions that separate an amazing trip from a legendary one. Take 20 minutes now and your entire week is better because of it.
Kristen Buckshire at Travel Ease LLC is your first call for everything. She should be reaching out around 60 days before arrival — but don't wait. Reach out now to confirm reservations and start coordinating restaurant bookings.
Chef Carlos Gaytán's Michelin Star restaurant requires advance reservation with full prepayment. Tables fill 3–6 weeks out. ~$149/person. Book through Kristen or the resort at +1-844-795-4525. Do not wait.
Both require advance booking and fill up fast. Teatro del Río: pick your show night (Caribbean or México Olé). Las Cuevas: reserve for a romantic dinner in the caves. Do both before arrival.
Interactive resort map, park schedules, restaurant reservations, weekly entertainment calendar. Essential for navigation on a property this size. Download before you fly.
Both require reservations and sell out fast. Xenotes operates small groups. Xochimilco runs specific evening times. Coordinate with concierge at check-in if not pre-booked.
Men: minimum 2 pairs of dress trousers + 2 pairs of closed-toe shoes. Non-negotiable for 5+ restaurants. Women: resort evening wear for 3–4 nights minimum. See the Dress Code section.
$1 and $5 bills from your bank before you leave. Only needed for tipping — your bracelet covers everything else. This is the move that gets you great service all week.
Office: 859-486-5124 · Mobile: 239-413-4085 · Email: kristen@teplanners.com. Open your contacts and add her this second. You'll want her number when you need it.
Check-in: 3:00 PM. Check-out: 12:00 PM. Early check-in (1PM) and late check-out (2PM) available for a fee, subject to availability. If you arrive early, the resort holds your luggage while you enjoy full facility access — your bracelet is activated at check-in.
Room key, park access, and payment method — all in one waterproof band. You need it to board shuttles and enter parks. Wear it 24/7. Linked to the credit card used at booking.
A heads up for two of our guests — both needs are handled very well at this resort, but here's what to know.
Bio and Las Playas are the strongest options for lactose intolerance. Bio is 100% vegan/plant-based and entirely dairy-free. Las Playas has excellent dairy-free options across the menu. Cantina Los Faroles also accommodates well. Always alert your server at the start of the meal — staff are well-trained in dietary restrictions and will advise on safe options. The Mercado de la Merced also has plenty of naturally dairy-free dishes clearly labeled.
If you have celiac disease, not just a gluten-free preference — Bio and Las Playas are the strongest dedicated options for celiac-safe dining. Traditional Mexican cuisine is naturally corn-forward, making many dishes naturally gluten-free. At every restaurant, specifically use the word "celiac" or "enfermedad celíaca" — not just "gluten-free" — these kitchens are sophisticated and take celiac seriously when they understand the severity. Ask for the celiac-safe options at each restaurant before ordering.
Add all of these before you travel. When you need them, you won't have time to search.
Following the 2025 expansion, Hotel Xcaret México now features 10 themed Casas with 1,800 suites. It's a large, beautiful property — plan 10–15 minutes to walk from one end to the other. Download the Xcaret App for the live interactive map before arrival.
The lobby hub. No guest rooms. Main reception, information desks, most restaurants, and the starting point for your entire stay. Where you check in and find your bearings.
Close to the beach and main infinity pool. Home to HA' Michelin Star restaurant. Family suites with ocean front options. Best location for beach access.
Adults-only (18+). The most exclusive section. The famous Casa Fuego glass rooftop pool with Caribbean panorama. Fuego Italian-Mexican restaurant (exclusive to guests). Changarrito Fuego oceanfront bar.
Named for its views of the Xpiral pyramid (dividing landmark between the two hotels). Direct beach access. Diamond-shaped infinity pool with wet bar. Large concentration of rooms.
Central location. Octopus pool for families with young children. Three pools total. Beach access via the saltwater river. One of the largest Casas on property.
Adults-only. Home to Muluk Spa (inside actual natural caves). Volcanic stone tubs in every suite terrace. Sauna in bathrooms. The most tranquil, wellness-focused Casa on property.
Families with children 0–9. Xiquit Inn mini-hotel for kids. Lunateca early learning area. Nature rooftop. The most nurturing family environment on property.
Families with children 10–12. DéCadas Arcade Bar (Lance & Cherie's favorite). Xinema cinema restaurant (Cherie's top pick). La Xentral food hall. Water slides connecting to large pool.
Teens 13–17. Home of the iconic cenote-style pool with walk-through water bar (Lance's #1 pick). Three pools. Rooftop with bar and DJ. Dixtrito 1317 urban art experience.
Eclipse: adults-only tranquil retreat with Arriba Baja fine dining restaurant and indoor waterfall. Cielo: multigenerational hub with 6 restaurants, Xupes nightclub, Pava Jarla tacos, and business center. The evening heartbeat of the expanded resort.