“One resort can change the world.”

 A beautiful sentiment engrained in a wooden sign attached to a Framboyan tree sprawled through the 485 acres of natural rainforest and jungle-like beauty situated in a backdrop of clear blue ocean waters.

Sandos Caracol is just one of three Sandos resorts off the Caribbean of Mexico. Natural beauty, cultural history, and sustainability initiatives are a priority at all three properties, which also include Sandos Cancun and Sandos Playacar. Regardless of which resort you select – you’ll be able to create some of the most vibrant and hospitable vacation memories.  

For Tranquil Adventurists and Happy Environmentalists: Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

It’s not every day you can visit a property with authentic Mayan ruins onsite, seven cenotes, and the chance to snorkel through a mangrove river. Any given moment a crew of monkeys might start swinging through Sandos Caracol Eco. Or you might spot a Kudamundi (a member of the Raccoon family) peacefully napping in a tree. Rainforest vibes are in full action – but in Riviera Maya style. Relax and explore. You’ll find everything from a suspension bridge overlooking a waterfall to a nine-slide waterpark.

Authentic Mayan Ruins on Resort Property

 

This is one of the best kept secrets along the Riviera Maya. Two areas with stone walls, steps, and small dwellings were uncovered in 1999 during construction of Sandos Caracol Eco Resort. The sites are believed to have been trading posts for the Mayan Xcalacoco community.  

Because any ruins discovered in Mexico technically belong to the public, the resort doesn’t market the authentic ruins, but they are there exclusively for guests to view. Opt to trek the trail to the Mayan sites on your own – or book a guided tour where you’ll learn all about Mayan culture from a reputable historian.

Cenotes on Property

Formed by meteorites believed to have hit the Earth around 66 million years ago, Cenotes (pronounced ce-note-ay) are unique to Quintana Roo and Yucatan Mexico. Seven Cenotes are onsite at Sandos Caracol and Cenote Cristalino is available for snorkeling. Book a session and snorkel gear will be provided. To protect the natural elements of the Cenote, guests are asked to not wear sunblock and required to rinse off in showers located directly outside the Cenote before dipping in.

Snorkeling the cool waters (around 75-77 degrees in temperature) is refreshing in the tropical heat, and you’ll be able to see a variety of fish, from tilapia to mojarras, and mollies, along with the unique natural limestone structures beneath the cenote’s clear blue waters.

Mangrove River Snorkel

 

Tall and thin tree roots are both above ground, in ground, and in water. They grow only in tropical areas with low oxygen soil and help avoid coastal erosion. Seeing a Mangrove Forest via snorkel is a unique experience where you can see what the roots look like directly under water. The Jade River waters are slightly swampy, yet clear, and the unique glimpses of natural formations and fish are worth seeing. Turtles are also prevalent along this route and great creatures to have as they are known for keeping the river clear of certain pests.

But please don’t swallow any of the water – or as our guide suggested, if you do – make sure to take five shots of tequila after, as a remedy. (Joking, but I’d still recommend not swallowing the water, even though it’s clear, cool, and tranquil.) 

Plant a Tree

To give back to the environment, arrange to plant a tree in the Mangrove Forest or along the sandy beaches. Our group each planted a palm tree. You’re encouraged to give your tree a name, so I named my Esperanzada, which means “hopeful” in Spanish. This is a great activity for families who plan to return to the property. You’ll be able to see the tree’s growth over the years and will have truly left your own mark within the Mexican Caribbean.

Rescue Animal Farm

Donkeys, pigs, goats, and bunnies roam the property’s animal rescue farm. Feeding times are held three times a day for children to interact with animals.

Lodging

 

The rooms at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort are my favorite by far. Overlooking plush greenery and trees, when you pick up your keys (which are on a bracelet for easy access), it’s immediately advised to not leave windows open, as monkeys will, in fact, come into your room! This is accurate advice, as someone in our group (truly not me, I promise!) did in fact, have monkeys visit their room. Imagine coming home after a long day of exploring to have a monkey hanging out in one of your bunk beds? “The monkeys really own the resort – we are just the visitors,” explained a staff member as we arrived, which couldn’t be truer of these playful and interactive creatures.  

Family-friendly, most of the rooms also include both a king size bed and a set of bunk beds.

Chocolate and fruit amenities, along with a fridge full of soft drinks are also provided. 

Dining 

Boasting seven onsite restaurants and a buffet, the chilaquiles and fresh squeezed orange and green juices are truly the best at Los Lirios, which also overlooks the coastline. For an entertaining hibachi experience, a dinner reservation is a must at El Tiempo, where the sushi is freshly and nicely done, and you’ll be able to watch a chef perform an interesting show with fire while cooking your meal.

Adults-Only Area

The most quiet and serene part of the resort is located around a gorgeous asymmetrical circular pool plastered in a deep blue for an oceanic effect. Here you’ll find the best poolside snacks. (We recommend the chips and guac. Also, if the friendly hotel staff will grant you an ‘exception’ to order dessert by the pool, a cool and fluffy textured multilayer slice of chocolate cake topped with a maraschino cherry is a must.)

A large hot tub area is also nearby along with the La Jungla restaurant, which serves a variety of offerings including a plate of fish tacos topped with fresh veggies. La Jungla turns into Fogo de Brazil at night, offering a tasty Brazilian steakhouse experience.

Evening Entertainment

 

Traditional Mayan ceremonies, coupled with authentic Mexican live music provide for a fun end to each day. One performance called Sacred Cenote depicts the importance of cenotes in ancient Mayan times. Captivating through dancing and music and fire tricks, the performance is great for all ages. During our stay, we also enjoyed a pop-up vendor market one evening with options to buy authentic souvenirs – everything from jewelry to handcrafted Playa Del Carmen-themed items.

For Adults Only – Poolside Entertainment and Spa Treatments at Sandos Cancun

Adults-only is the theme of this all-inclusive. A smaller, more intimate property, Sandos Cancun features 91 Superior Rooms and 96 Deluxe Rooms which can sleep up to three travelers, along with 27 Sandos Suites. Nightly entertainment and live entertainment daily by the pool, along with a spa make for a fun Cancun experience. Electric violin performances provide a nice and calming backdrop of relaxing afternoon sounds by the pool.

Spa

Treatment cabins for a massage or facial, along with a sauna, steam room, hot tub, cold plunge and quiet room for relaxation make Spa Del Mar the place to be at Sandos Cancun. Downstairs, you’ll also find a fully equipped and very quiet gym, which I highly recommend to get those vacation day endorphins flowing early in the morning.

Dinner and a Show

 

Nightly entertainment is part of the Sandos Cancun experience. During our stay we enjoyed the Masquerade show, which featured talented violin and saxophone performances, extensive acrobatics, and a live and engaging band that insists on ending the night with a conga line! The four-course dinner is delicious, full of perfect portion savory steaks and light soups, along with an authentic Mexican tart-like flan for dessert.

Beachside

A parasailing company is located beachside along with jet ski vendors and beach cabanas reserved for Sandos Royal Elite members. The resort also occasionally offers seaside yoga and spin classes through its Wellfit Fitness Program.

For Beach Enthusiasts – Relax and Adventure at Sandos Playacar

Activate your inner beach bum because Sandos Playacar is the resort to spend a carefree day relaxing by the ocean. Cabanas, hammocks, and a full-service traditional bar, plus a Healthy Bar with antioxidant-packed, freshly-made juices and smoothies will help elevate your beach day.

If you get hungry, consider going to Chayita, a walk-in restaurant, where you can build your own burrito, tacos, or quesadillas. Authentic in Mexican taste, this burrito bar is better than any burrito bar I’ve visited in the U.S., and it’ll likely leave you eager to go back for lunch every day of your stay.

Next door to Chayita is a Cupcake Café where you can pick up some cupcakes or pastries and a coffee to go.

New Towers with Ocean Views

The rooms with the best views are available at Sandos Playacar’s newest edition – luxury tower suites that boast two showers per suite. My suite had a pullout sofa next to the king-size bed, but there are also options for in-room bunkbeds.

Outdoor Activities

When the weather permits, kayaks and boats are available to take out in the ocean. The water is choppy but gliding a kayak through the crystal blue waters (when safe) is quite satisfying and a tranquil way to get in a small arm workout.

Brand new tennis, pickleball, and paddle ball courts are also onsite. No need to have your own equipment. Book a reservation and the resort will supply you with equipment.

Additional Dining

Asian, French, and Italian restaurants are also available onsite. Make a nightly reservation on the Sandos app ahead of time. The restaurants are recommendable, as opposed to the buffet (which is very convenient) as they provide a nice atmosphere and a flavorful, more intimate dining experience.

Nightly Entertainment

 

An outdoor amphitheater hosts 1-2 shows per night. During our stay we saw the shortest and sweetest rendition of Beauty & the Beast, along with a colorful 80s night musical performance.

Offsite Excursions: Chichen Itza

Any of the resorts will help you book an offsite excursion. Though everything you could possibly need is onsite and it is tempting to not leave the properties, I recommend doing at least one excursion. Less than three hours away – Chichen Itza is one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. The Mayan history site is easily accessible by a Seek & Go tour van. A guide will walk you through the park, explaining interesting areas of Mayan history, including showcasing one area marked where they used to play a game with a ball. Then, you’ll have some free time to explore on your own.

Cenote Chukum was also part of my tour. A limestone cave with stalactite formations and crystal blue cool waters, the site is an interesting visit, also including a showcase of the methods Mayans used for farming and irrigation. A meal is included in this stop. Travel tip: It’s not necessarily advertised during tour registration, but at this stop you’ll also be required to pay a tax. They call it a transportation tax. Mine was around $33 USD.

At the end of the Cenote tour, you’ll also have the option to taste unique tequilas including a coffee tequila, a passionfruit tequila, and chocolate tequila.

The historic town of Valladolid is the last stop of the trip with 30 minutes to wander authentic Mexican shops, restaurants, and my favorite – a beautiful historic Catholic church that was originally constructed around 1543 and later rebuilt in the early 1700s.

Overall

A few final travel tips: visiting during the low season (June – October) isn’t necessarily a bad idea, except for hurricane and tropical storm risks. Any daily rainfall doesn’t last a terribly long time, and in my own opinion, the resorts are enjoyable in a less crowded format.

Also, if you opt to stay at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, consider buying a day pass to visit Sandos Playacar for the beach. The resort can help arrange transportation via Seek and Go to take you to and from the resort. A lot of people consider this option since Sandos Eco Caracol doesn’t have the most swimmable beach (but makes up for it in the most stunning natural beauty and unique experiences). 

A great bang for your buck, with all the amenities in mind, Sandos Resorts in Riviera Maya offers something for every type of traveler. Regardless of which resort(s) you decide to visit, the Caribbean coast of laid-back Mexico is calling and is a less than three-hour non-stop flight from most major Texas cities.

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Cover Photo Courtesy Sandos Resorts

 

Britni Rachal is a full-time marketer and a former television news producer with a life-long passion for written and visual storytelling. In her free time, she enjoys live country music, tennis, fitness, all things travel, and trying new restaurants with friends and family. In addition to journalism, she also has a love for shoes and coffee. Britni is a fifth generation Texan and a proud LSU Tiger. She currently lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.