In 2024, Amy’s son Jaxton reached a significant milestone in every American teenager’s life: high school graduation.

Well before this special moment, Amy had envisioned a unique gift for Jax—a senior trip to mark the beginning of his adulthood.

Having previously enjoyed a Costco Travel all-inclusive resorts package to Cabo San Lucas on a girls’ trip in 2021, Amy was thrilled when Jax chose a similar experience for his graduation celebration.

It was the ideal way to launch him into post-high school life, blending adventure, relaxation, and the thrill of new beginnings.

Returning to a Costco Travel package, Amy and Jax decided on the Occidental Xcaret Resort.

The Occidental Xcaret Resort Mexico

Nestled in a lush tropical setting, the Occidental Xcaret Resort perfectly blends natural beauty with modern luxury.

Located just a short 45-minute car ride from Cancun International Airport and close to Playa del Carmen, the resort is ideally situated for relaxation and exploration, and we got plenty of both while we were there!

Its design reflects traditional Mexican architecture, featuring thatched roofs, natural stone, and vibrant colors. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens and winding rivers and on the coast of the Caribbean Sea, the resort offers a serene, picturesque atmosphere.

Guests at the Occidental Xcaret Resort benefit from exclusive perks due to its prime location next to Xcaret Park. This renowned eco-archaeological park features a tropical landscape, underground rivers, and cultural exhibits.

Resort guests can enjoy unlimited park access with a private entrance near the ocean beach, allowing them to explore its natural beauty and historical sites at their own pace.

Exclusive experiences include guided tours of a Mayan village and archaeological ruins, river explorations, and wildlife encounters like bird-watching and butterfly visits.

Evening entertainment includes preferred seating for “Xcaret México Espectacular,” a vibrant show celebrating Mexican history and culture with over 300 artists.

The resort also offers themed dinners with traditional Mexican cuisine, private beaches, pools, and exclusive spa treatments inspired by Mayan rituals.

Jungle Arrival

Upon our arrival in Cancun, it was immediately clear that we were in a jungle environment. The dense greenery surrounding us was unmistakable, but if that didn’t give it away, the intense humidity certainly did. Given that it was the end of July, the oppressive heat shouldn’t have been a surprise.

Fortunately, there were plenty of air-conditioned spaces to retreat to, but it took Amy and me a couple of days to acclimate. Once we did, it felt like any other hot summer day, though more humid than we were used to.

During check-in, we were all given wristbands that served as electronic room keys—something I found particularly convenient since I have a bad habit of leaving card keys in my room. Thankfully, Amy has saved me from this mishap on several occasions.

By the time we were settled in, it was already late evening, and everyone was starving. Using the site map, we made our way to the nearest restaurant, which specialized in seafood. After a satisfying meal, we retired for the night, exhausted but content after our long flight.

Resort Adventures Begin

The resort features several smaller hotels spread across the property. As we headed out of our room the next morning for breakfast, we were warmly greeted by a front desk staff member named Alexandra.

She shared helpful information about the resort’s amenities and guided us to where everything was located. Alexandra also handed us pocket-sized versions of the larger “you are here” maps placed along the resort’s footpaths. Additionally, she introduced us to the Occidental Vacation Club package.

The Occidental Vacation Club (OVC) is a membership program offering exclusive benefits like preferred accommodations, discounts on resort services, and access to private areas, along with personalized services and flexible vacation options.

Members can use or exchange points for stays at various resorts worldwide, but specifics can vary, so it’s recommended to check with the resort for the latest details.

Typically, vacation club memberships like OVC can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars upfront, plus annual maintenance fees.

The resort employees who sell the vacation club package are on commission only, so you might be approached about signing up more than once during your stay. Fortunately, they’re less pushy than timeshare salespeople. Just a heads-up!

Jungle Wildlife Encounters

After our lengthy flight, we spent the first two days adjusting to our new surroundings and relaxing at the resort.

We explored the grounds, admiring the scenery and indulging in delicious food and drinks. To our surprise, we encountered an array of wildlife on the property.

Coatis, with their young, crossed our path, while capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, emerged from the jungle and strolled across the grassy areas.

The resort even introduced a flock of flamingos to a pond near one of the pools. To add to the excitement, colorful macaws and parrots were brought into the lobby, where they posed for photos with delighted tourists.

Iguanas were plentiful, though they typically resided in the shaded jungle areas along the trails.

However, they were more likely to be seen in open areas near the resort’s ocean beach. I found these iguanas particularly entertaining as they blended seamlessly with the ground and would dart away just before you might accidentally step on them.

Their sudden movements gave me quite a few “jump scares.”

My favorite wildlife encounter was with the Black-handed Spider Monkeys that would unexpectedly appear around the resort. We saw a mother and her offspring on multiple occasions, often near the buffets.

The resort employed a falconer to scare the monkeys and birds away, with no harm being done to them, ensuring diners could enjoy their meals without disruption. The young monkey was quite bold and, on one occasion, managed to help himself to food from a table, much to the delight of the diners.

Over a few days, we spotted the mother and baby several times, and once, the young monkey even made a brief appearance on our balcony but quickly left when we didn’t offer any treats.

Paradise Found: Relaxation and Adventure

Our stay at Xcaret was primarily focused on relaxation and enjoying the resort’s amenities. After all, isn’t that the appeal of an all-inclusive resort?

Our favorite activity was unwinding under the shade of palm trees on the resort’s secluded ocean beach, followed by a refreshing swim to escape the heat and humidity.

Conveniently located nearby was a buffet serving breakfast and lunch and a bar closer to the water.

The saltwater swimming area provided the perfect respite from the hot days, and the beach offered plenty of shade from palm trees, lounge chairs, and our preferred option, palapa beds.

We often arrived before breakfast to secure a palapa for the day and then grab a bite at the buffet.

Fortunately, the resort offered a variety of additional activities for those willing to pay extra. Parasailing, snorkeling with sea turtles, catamaran and jet ski rentals, and scuba diving were just a few options.

Naturally, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity for adventure, so Jax and I decided to try scuba diving, as neither of us had ever done it before. We took a short class in one of the resort’s pools to learn about the equipment and safety procedures.

Afterward, we embarked on our first dive just off the beach in approximately 30 feet of crystal clear Caribbean water, lasting for 45 minutes.

During our dive, we were amazed by the abundance of colorful fish and manta rays. We also encountered a beautiful coral reef, where we hovered peacefully, taking in the serene underwater world.

The entire dive seemed to pass in a flash, and I was astonished when our instructor announced how much time had elapsed once we surfaced. Time truly flies when you’re having fun!

The remainder of our stay was filled with relaxation, complemented by an abundance of delicious food and drinks.

The resort featured several short, easy hiking trails winding through the jungle, offering a secluded escape from the main pathways.

Evenings were especially lively, with free entertainment, vibrant clubs, and inviting bars ensuring the fun never stopped.

As our time at the Occidental Xcaret Resort came to an end, we couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible experiences we shared.

From relaxing on the secluded beach to exploring the jungle trails and encountering exotic wildlife, every moment was a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility.

Jax’s graduation trip was everything we had hoped for—an unforgettable way to celebrate his milestone and embark on the next chapter of his life.

With memories of breathtaking scenery, thrilling scuba dives, and endless laughter, we left Xcaret with hearts full and a newfound appreciation for the magic of all-inclusive travel.