Your Next Mexico Family Getaway: Sandos Caracol, Playa del Carmen

Families often struggle to plan the perfect vacation. There are a lot of things to account for, from deciding on a place everyone will enjoy to figuring out how to pay for it all. That’s where Sandos Caracol comes in. Nestled along the coast of Mexico’s Riviera Naya in the state of Quintana Roo, this all-inclusive, family-friendly resort has everything you could possibly need for family travel and more, including some hidden surprises you didn’t even know your family vacation need.

Jade River © Sandos Hotels & Resorts

Playa del Carmen has plenty of all-inclusive resorts to choose from, but from the moment I first arrived at Sandos Caracol, I knew without a doubt I was someplace inherently special. It wasn’t just the friendly welcome I received from every staff member I encountered, or the colorful way everyone was dressed for the pending festivities (I arrived on Dia de los Muertos, one of the biggest holidays of the year in Mexican culture). It wasn’t even the spider monkeys swinging through tree branches or the adorable coatis quietly making their way through the outdoor seating area between the lobby and giant cenote in the center of the property. (Although these things certainly helped!)

It was the fact this resort had everything a family could need, all in one place, in a setting truly representing and respecting the local culture and landscape. As an eco-resort, everything is done with sustainability in mind, and protecting the native landscape and the wildlife who call it home takes precedence. But amid the conservation and preservation going on, there is plenty of fun to be had. The property is right on the beach, and you can enjoy water sports or simply order food and beverages while you relax in a cabana on the sand.

Cenote © Sandos Hotels & Resorts

There is a waterpark on property with 28 slides of different sizes. You can also take a bike ride through jungle trails, visit the on-site animal rescue farm, plant a tree to help rejuvenate the jungle or swim among mangroves in the Jade River.

You’ll also want to make some time for swimming in the big cenote, Cristalino. This sinkhole, along with others in the property (although you can only swim in Cristalino), was sacred to the ancient Maya, and today the space is equally respected. The cenote is open for swimming during the day but closes every day before the sun goes down (legend has it there are ancient spirits guarding cenotes and caring for them, and if you enter at night, they just may play tricks on you). Make sure you check in with staff to get a life vest and goggles, and be careful not to wear sunscreen, as it is harmful to the cenote.

© Sandos Hotels & Resorts

Each afternoon you can visit the cenote with a guide who will teach you all about the cenote, the fish in it and what makes it such a special experience. During our swim we saw many fish and turtles, but what made it an extra-special experience was the spider monkeys playing in trees above us while we swam, including a mother with a baby monkey clinging to her chest.

The resort also includes kids’ clubs for different ages, all part of the all-inclusive experience. The clubs give kids a chance to experience activities customized to their age group and meet other kids the same age. (It also gives parents some time to explore the resort on their own, whether they want to visit the adults-only beach club or simply enjoy some private time.)

© Sandos Hotels & Resorts

The crowning jewel of Caracol just might be the Maya ruins tucked away on the property. You won’t find them on the resort’s website, but they are authentic and beautifully preserved. And since Caracol is an all-inclusive property, guests are able to tour the ruins at their leisure or take a tour through the resort to learn all about Xcalacoco, the ancient Maya merchant town the remains were once a part of.

The best way to reach Sandos Caracol is via Cancún (CUN), less than an hour by car away. The resort doesn’t provide transportation, but they will help you make arrangements with a local transportation companiy like Seek & Go, which also offers tours and excursions of the local area beyond Caracol.

Sandos is currently running a Black Friday special on its Caracol property, along with its other two resorts in the area, Sandos Playacar and Sandos Cancun (the adults-only property), so now is a great time to plan ahead for next year’s family vacation to Riviera Maya.