Celebrating My Birthday in Playa del Carmen: Our Family Stay at Occidental at Xcaret Destination
By Ana Cruz, Founder and Editor-in-Chief
This summer, we traveled to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, to celebrate my birthday surrounded by nature, family and the beautiful scenery of the Riviera Maya.
Leave me a comment if you want to know how old I turned!
This was not one of those vacations I spent months carefully planning. I booked it at the last minute, with only about a week and a half of preparation.
Sometimes last-minute travel can work in your favor. Hotels and airlines may still have availability, and you can occasionally find special offers that make an unexpected family getaway possible.
I booked our flights and hotel as a package through Expedia. I have used Expedia for many years because it feels convenient and secure to have most of the trip organized in one place.
In fact, I have booked many of our family vacations through Expedia packages.
Over the years, however, I have learned that booking directly through the hotel, airline or activity provider can sometimes be less expensive or include better benefits.
When we are traveling somewhere for the first time and do not know the local companies, I sometimes feel nervous about trusting an unfamiliar website. After this experience, however, I would feel completely comfortable booking directly with Occidental at Xcaret Destination.
Communication with the hotel was fast, clear and professional, and we did not have any meaningful complaints about our stay.
An Unexpected Comment at Cancún International Airport
When we arrived at Cancún International Airport, one of the transportation vendors asked where we were staying.
When I told him Occidental at Xcaret, he became visibly upset.
“That is a Spanish company,” he said. “Why are you giving them your business? Support Mexican companies.”
For a moment, I felt guilty.
As a Mexican woman, part of me understood what he was trying to say. Supporting Mexican-owned businesses is important to me.
A few minutes later, however, I separated myself from my emotional reaction and began thinking about the situation more logically.
Mexican companies have a major opportunity to improve how they market themselves to consumers living abroad.
Those of us who live outside Mexico do not always see information about a company’s ownership prominently displayed when we search for hotels, transportation or activities. We normally see prices, photographs, reviews, location and availability.
If Mexican companies want travelers to choose them specifically because they are Mexican-owned, that identity needs to be clearly communicated through their websites, social media, advertising and partnerships.
Consumers cannot support a story they have never been told.
The experience also made me curious about the company behind our hotel.
The Business Behind Occidental at Xcaret
Occidental is part of Barceló Hotel Group, a Spanish, family-owned hospitality company with more than 90 years of experience in the tourism industry.
The larger Barceló Group operates two main business divisions: Barceló Hotel Group and Ávoris, its travel division.
The company reported approximately €7.55 billion in revenue and €302 million in net profit for 2024. It also reported having no financial debt at the group level.
As someone who loves business, I was impressed by the company’s ability to recover after the enormous disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hotels depend on travel, confidence and human connection, three things that nearly disappeared overnight during global restrictions.
Barceló’s recovery offers several important business lessons.
A strong company cannot depend on only one destination, one customer group or one source of revenue. Barceló operates different hotel brands, serves multiple markets and has both hotel and travel operations.
Diversification can help a company survive when one part of the business is disrupted.
Its recovery also demonstrates the importance of customer trust. Beautiful buildings and destinations matter, but the experience customers receive is what makes them return.
Why I Arranged Our Airport Transportation in Advance
One part of the trip I was not willing to leave to chance was our transportation from Cancún International Airport to the hotel.
Ten years ago, I traveled to Cancún for the first time with my son Caleb, who was only seven years old at the time. We were also visiting Xcaret.
I have always been adventurous, although I will admit that sometimes I can be a little impulsive and distracted.
On that trip, I took a taxi at night while traveling alone with my young son.
Thank God, we arrived safely. As far as I remember, the driver also charged me a relatively standard price.
However, after hearing about negative transportation experiences involving tourists over the years, I did not want to repeat that decision while traveling with my entire family.
This time, I called Occidental at Xcaret directly. The hotel helped me arrange transportation through a company it trusted.
Our private round-trip transportation cost 4,300 Mexican pesos, which was approximately $245 USD based on the exchange rate during our trip.
The drive from the Cancún airport to the hotel generally takes between 40 minutes and one hour, depending on traffic.
The vehicle was private, clean and comfortable. The transportation company had a child safety seat available, and cold bottled water was waiting for us.
Communication with both the hotel and the transportation company was clear, fast and friendly. They sent confirmations, instructions and all the necessary details by email.
When traveling with children, especially after a flight, that peace of mind is worth paying for.
My strongest transportation recommendation is simple: arrange your airport transfer before arriving and verify that the provider is authorized, insured and trusted by the hotel.
Why We Chose Occidental at Xcaret
I chose Occidental at Xcaret because the hotel looked beautiful, family-friendly and completely surrounded by nature.
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love natural environments.
The resort truly feels as though it was built inside a jungle.
There are opportunities to take beautiful photographs almost everywhere you turn. During our stay, we saw monkeys, iguanas, coatis and tropical birds walking or flying around the property.
Instead of feeling like a traditional hotel surrounded by concrete, Occidental feels like a tropical sanctuary hidden within the Riviera Maya.
Its location was another major reason for our decision.
The resort is only steps away from Xcaret Park. The transition between the hotel and the park feels so natural that, unless someone explains it to you, you might assume they are part of the same property.
From the hotel, you walk along a path beside a river with colorful trajineras until you reach the park-access area.
Guests must present their tickets at a booth, where the purchase is validated and an admission wristband is issued.
Our only frustrating experience occurred on our first day. We waited approximately one hour even though only about six families were ahead of us.
We shared our feedback with the employee working at the booth.
Still, when we considered the entire vacation, that delay felt like a very small inconvenience.
What We Loved About the Hotel
The natural setting was one of the biggest highlights of our stay.
Walking through the property felt like exploring a tropical sanctuary. There were plants, pathways, water features and animals almost everywhere.
The resort offers multiple pools, a private cove, dining options, activities and entertainment. Guests can also purchase the hotel’s Unlimited Xcaret Xperience package, which provides repeated access to Xcaret Park during the stay.
Some of the amenities and experiences include:
Multiple swimming pools
A private beach cove
An adults-only saltwater pool
Tennis courts
Sports and recreational activities
A kids’ club
Daytime entertainment
Evening shows
Buffet restaurants
Specialty restaurants
Bars and snack areas
Tropical walking paths
Wildlife throughout the grounds
Walking access toward Xcaret Park
The beach is more of a calm, protected cove than a long stretch of open Caribbean shoreline.
Some travelers may prefer a large white-sand beach, but the calmer water can be especially comfortable for families traveling with younger children.
Our Honest Review of the Food
I would rate the food 9 out of 10.
Because Occidental is an all-inclusive resort, food is available throughout much of the day.
The buffets offered enough variety for different tastes, including options for children and adults who wanted different kinds of food.
The hotel also has specialty restaurants for dinner. These were included in our plan, but reservations were required.
The reservation times filled quickly, so I recommend making your dinner reservations as soon as possible after checking in.
Do not wait until the same evening to ask for a table.
Is Occidental at Xcaret Good for Families?
Yes. I believe the resort is especially well suited for families.
The natural environment makes the property feel like an adventure for children. They can see monkeys and iguanas, explore the tropical paths, swim in different pools and participate in organized activities.
The buffet also makes family meals easier because everyone can choose something different.
The hotel’s proximity to Xcaret Park reduces the stress of arranging transportation before and after a long day of activities.
Is It a Good Resort for Couples?
Occidental can also be a beautiful option for couples.
The jungle environment feels romantic, and there are countless places to take photographs.
Couples can enjoy the adults-only saltwater pool, specialty dinners, quiet walks, evening entertainment and time near the private cove.
A couple looking for a completely adults-only atmosphere may prefer a resort designed exclusively for adults.
However, couples who do not mind sharing the resort with families can still have a relaxing and romantic experience.
Is It a Good Choice for Solo Travelers or Friends?
Solo travelers and groups of friends may enjoy Occidental if they want a peaceful and nature-focused all-inclusive experience.
The resort provides food, pools, entertainment and activities without requiring guests to leave the property every day.
Its proximity to Xcaret also makes it convenient for travelers interested in nature, culture and adventure.
Someone who is mainly interested in clubs, nightlife and walking to Quinta Avenida may prefer staying closer to downtown Playa del Carmen.
Would We Stay There Again?
We returned home extremely happy.
We probably should have added a couple more days to our itinerary so we could rest at the hotel and spend more time enjoying the pools, private cove and natural surroundings.
We were so focused on activities that we did not leave ourselves enough time to simply slow down.
During our flight home, my husband and I talked about the vacation. We were both surprised when we realized we did not have a real complaint about the hotel, transportation or overall experience.
The one-hour wait at the park entrance no longer felt important.
This trip reminded me that sometimes a last-minute decision can become one of your family’s favorite memories.
Occidental at Xcaret gave us the natural beauty I wanted, activities for our children, convenient access to Xcaret and a comfortable place to celebrate my birthday with the people I love most.
And yes, I would stay there again.
Have you stayed at Occidental at Xcaret Destination? Leave me a comment with your experience or any questions you may have.
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