Hotel Xcaret: Our First Vacation During the COVID19 Pandemic

But with precautionary measures in place, travel has slowly found its pace as resorts operate at reduced capacities but still a welcome change to those whose feet are just itching to trot the world again.

As healthcare workers during this unforeseen pandemic, my wife and I felt obligated to minimize any health risks both for ourselves and for the lives we touch. Here’s a glimpse of our first travel experience during this COVID19 pandemic to the luxurious Hotel Xcaret in Quintana Roo Mexico.

Flight Experience

A face covering is required for everyone at the airport. We also kept a small container of hand sanitizer handy just in case. There are also signs at the airport reminding everyone to follow social distancing guidelines at all times and to cover your nose or mouth when coughing or sneezing. However, there are no temperature checks. Just a quick question at the airline check in counter whether or not we’ve experienced symptoms in the last 14 days.

American Airlines requires all passengers to wear a proper face covering onboard to prevent viral transmission of Covid19 within the aircraft.
Being healthcare professionals requiring direct care of mostly geriatric patients, we did buy these great N95 masks that are surprisingly comfortable and coated with antimicrobial agents to kill viral particles upon contact. We were not able to do a fit test but we made sure we did our seal checks once we out them on. Regardless, it’s a step up from a regular surgical mask.

N95 mask? Check. Protective eye goggles? Check. First flight was roomy with plenty of social distancing. However, our flight to Cancun from Chicago was absolutely packed! At least everyone onboard has a mask on and we didn’t hear a lot of coughing or sneezing.

At the Hotel

First off, the hotel was gorgeous! Hotel Xcaret has earned the AAA’a 5 Diamond Award, their highest designation for hotel luxury, comfort, service, and gastronomic experience. Talk about an all-inclusive experience, they even have all their parks and activities included with your stay! Promotion, however, ends this year unless they decide to extend.

Hotel Xcaret offers free airport transfers for all their guests. Once you step outside the airport terminal, watch for guys in pink shirts with the hotel sign. They are the ones who will arrange your transportation to the hotel. Bus schedules are 30 mins apart so you don’t have to wait too long.
Before getting on the bus, they will spray your bags and shoes with disinfectant, provide hand sanitizer for your hands. and check your temperature. You also need to stay masked up in the bus.

At the hotel, you will be offered treats while one person in your group falls in line to be checked in. Hotel staff is available all over the lobby to help you with questions and make sure everyone practices social distancing guidelines.

Once you’re checked in, head to the concierge area to get your reservations on their specialty restaurants and excursions. Even though the hotel is open to visitors from all over, hotels and excursions are open at partial capacity due to the Covid19 pandemic. Reservations are on a first-come-first-serve basis and fill up fairly quickly.

Dining Experience

Dining at Hotel Xcaret is in itself a phenomenal experience. We’ve been to several all-inclusive resorts and have never been truly impressed with resort dining up until now. Talk about an elevation of Mexican cuisine from the simple tacos with all sorts of meat to an amazing dining experience at Ha! A Michelin-star restaurant within the resort serving gorgeous Mexican fare with a stunning selection of wine pairings offered by their sommelier. There is, however, a surcharge of $150 per person for an 8-course dinner and wine. As a foodie traveler, that was the definitely highlight of our stay. It even came with a handful exotic varieties such as venison tartare and some escamoles or Mexican caviar.

All guests are required to wear face coverings in any of the 10 restaurants except when you are seated and enjoying your food. Before walking in, you will also be required to sanitize your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizers and step on a pad saturated with disinfectant to clean your shoes.
Buffet dining is available at various restaurants at the resort. Only difference is that the food is served by staff assigned at each station instead of guests serving themselves. Be sure not to miss out seafood night at the Mercado. Crab legs, jumbo shrimp and lobsters. Yum!

Excursions

With excursions included in your all-inclusive escapade, you really don’t want to miss out all the exciting excursions Hotel Xcaret has to offer. Xplor, Xenses and Xcaret park are just a bus ride away. As I mentioned, temperature checks are done before getting on board. Face coverings are required everywhere including the parks, zip lines, river slides and buses. I even find it humorous wearing a mask while doing the river slide when you know your mask will get soaking wet!

One thing to keep in mind is to get a reservation at the concierge as soon as you complete the check-in process. We were looking forward to experiencing Xoximilco, but unfortunately there were no available spots. Still, all the other parks were a lot of fun!