Uncover the Endless Adventures of Quintana Roo

I recently enjoyed staying at three unique hotels in Quintana Roo (Cancun), Mexico. I was invited to a two-night stay at Xcaret Arte, part of Xcaret Park, followed by three nights at Paradisus Cancun and two nights at Paradisus La Perla. I had such an incredible time that I didn't want to leave! I walked so much that I got lost a few times trying to find my room at Xcaret Arte. Read on to learn more about my adventure.​

Xcaret Arte, Playa del Carmen - Photo by Sheyla Paz

When I arrived at the Cancun airport, I found the Xcaret bus waiting for me at the exit. The bus ride to Xcaret Arte took about an hour and a half, stopping at Xcaret México to drop off other guests. Did you know that Xcaret Arte is an adults-only resort, while Xcaret Mexico is a family resort with one adults-only building? Adjacent to Xcaret Arte is Casa de la Playa, an exclusive luxury brand dedicated to honeymooners and special occasions.
Upon arrival at Xcaret Arte, a staff member took my luggage and gave me a ticket. Another staff member welcomed me and walked me through a hanging bridge to the reception area to check-in. They waited with me until I received my bracelet, which is also the room key. They then walked me to my room.

The room was spacious and luxurious, with a jacuzzi tub, two double beds, a desk area, a mini-fridge stocked with drinks and snacks (all included), a double sink, a spacious closet with robes and slippers, a safe, an iron, and a dual shower head. The most surprising feature was the glass wall in front of the toilet, which allowed me to enjoy the view of the lush green scenery. However, if I wanted privacy, I could press a button by the light switch to fog up the glass. This was a very clever design!
The beds were very comfortable, and the maid came in while I was working (I work from anywhere, and since my travel company was about two hours away, I had some time to get some work done) to service the room and leave me a little gift on the bed.

My friend arrived around 5 p.m. local time, and we immediately went to find something to eat. The all-inclusive resort has 10 incredible restaurants, but I only had the opportunity to try two.
The first was Apapachoa, which offers the best vegan cuisine with its 100% plant-based menu. As a vegetarian, I was eager to try it and was not disappointed. The service was exceptional, and the food was absolutely delicious. Even my friend, who is not a vegetarian, enjoyed the dishes. The exotic non-alcoholic drinks were also excellent, made with herbs and fruits.
After dinner, we walked around the resort to explore. It's truly a magical place with something for everyone.
We got up early the following day to make the most of our one full day at the resort. We had breakfast at Mercado de San Juan, which offers flavors from Mexico's towns. When you walk into the market, you feel the essence of Mexican culture with all the pinatas hanging from the ceiling, the decorations with ceramic pieces, and the marketplace atmosphere. In this buffet-style restaurant, you can find anything you'd like to eat, from fruits and vegetables to Mexican cuisine, mole, and tacos!
After breakfast, we explored the hotel's many amenities. We started with the incredible infinity pool with a swim-up bar, followed by Cayuco restaurant right next to it. Then, we crossed the hanging bridges connecting different hotel sections to the beach. Under the hanging bridges, we found a lazy river (with ocean waters!) where people were swimming, kayaking, or paddle boarding. There were many other hidden places to explore, such as bars, restaurants, activities, and parks. We even made it to the chapel on the top of the hill, which offered stunning views of the three properties and the park.

We only had two days at the resort, but it felt like we only got a taste of what it offered. Stay an entire week to experience everything the resort offers, including the Xcaret parks.

On day three, I headed to Paradisus Cancun to meet with other travel advisors and my BDM from Meliá Hotels International. I had a day to enjoy the resort, so I indulged in a hot stone massage with hydrotherapy treatment. This is a must-do if you spend too much time sitting in front of a computer, as I do. I always rave about the massages I get while traveling, but this was exceptional!
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The resort is inspired by Mayan culture and cenotes, natural sinkholes found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. The five pyramids on the property are designed to resemble the cenotes, with the sky visible through the openings at the top. I stayed in a Nikté suite with a separate reception area and two free hydrotherapy treatments at the spa. This was a welcome treat, as my back was very tight from carrying my backpack.
The staff was incredibly attentive and welcoming. Upon arrival, the staff greeted me with a bottle of sparkling champagne and a fruit salad. At dinner, they offered me cold coconut water. We had a delicious welcome dinner at Sal Steak Cave, an adults-only restaurant serving top-quality meat cuts from around the world. The restaurant is not included in the all-inclusive plan, but worth the splurge.

The resort offers two sections: The Reserve, which is adults-only, and Nikté, which is for families. Both areas are all-inclusive and offer a variety of amenities, including multiple swimming pools, restaurants, and bars. We had time to check out four different room types and relax at the beach before our farewell dinner, which was held on the lawn by the beach and included a traditional ritual ceremony.
I had a wonderful time at Paradisus Cancun and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious and relaxing vacation or a destination wedding.

Our last stop was Paradisus La Perla, one of the most beautiful resorts I've stayed at in the Meliá Hotels International chain. We were welcomed by a Mariachi band playing in the lobby and offered a tropical, non-alcoholic drink while our luggage was cared for. We checked in at the separate area for The Reserve, which was a smooth process. We were each given a beautiful bracelet as the room key and a keepsake.

My room was a suite, and it was absolutely stunning! The décor was earthy and clean, with beautiful double sinks and a hot tub with two rain shower heads next to the shower. The fridge was fully stocked with water, sodas, beer, spirits, and snacks. There was a delicious dessert with a fruit salad on the table and another bottle of champagne. The suite also had a living room area with a sofa, a coffee table, a balcony with two rocking chairs, and a jacuzzi tub overlooking the gorgeous pool below. A hat and a personalized postcard from the hotel were on the bed.

Paradisus La Perla is an all-inclusive VIP hotel with 6 restaurants and 8 bars. It has 148 adult-only suites with private access to the beach and a variety of other benefits, including a personalized pillow menu, an immersive experience to a local cenote, access to international digital press, a private lounge area with snacks and drinks during the day, and a personalized concierge.

The adjacent Paradisus Playa del Carmen is an all-inclusive resort with 488 luxury suites, 186 Nikté suites, 2 presidential suites, 62 swim-up suites, 8 dining options, and 7 top-shelf liquid bars. It has a swimmable beach, a Kidsdom area, the YHI Spa open 24 hours, an Eco-spa, life-enriching activities, a gym, entertainment for teenagers, shops, 24-hour taxi service, and WiFi. The resort has everything you need to have an incredible family experience, and it also offers astonishing group packages for conventions and destination weddings.

The farewell dinner at the spa was the perfect end to my stay. As we walked through the spa, we were greeted by surprises along the way, including a saxophonist playing smooth jazz by the gorgeously decorated table by the pool. We enjoyed a five-course meal with refreshing non-alcoholic drinks and wine while belly dancers entertained us throughout the night.
Should you or your family or a group of friends would like to enjoy a luxurious and relaxing vacation, I highly recommend these three distinctive resorts. Give me a call, and let's start planning your adventure!

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About Sheyla Paz
Sheyla was born and raised in Cuba and has been in the United States since 2000. She is a Journalist, Actress, Producer, and Photographer with a passion for travel. Sheyla launched the travel agency out of her desire to share her culture, music, dance, and the architecture of her homeland with others. Her agency provides travel arrangements to Latin countries, the Caribbean islands, and Europe. She is an award-winning short film producer and was recognized as a leading media personality in the Latino community in Tennessee with the award “Beacon of Light” in 2019. Sheyla was one of the few Cuban-American journalists who traveled to Cuba with President Barack Obama in 2016 as part of the White House Press Corps. She is an ASTA Verified travel advisor, Signature Travel Network Luxury Certified Travel advisor, and several destination specialists in the Caribbean and Latin America. She is also certified in Luxury River and Ocean cruises.

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