Sandos Caracol Playa del Carmen
Sandos Caracol Playa Del Carmen Review: I have to admit that I’m not the biggest fan of resorts, but to please my family, I do allow a resort stay every now and then during our travels. Despite my personal reservations, I do enjoy the convenience of a resort – relaxing by the pool or beach, indulging in the variety of buffet options, the exciting evening shows, and the limitless beverages and fun activities.
However, I still prefer to venture outside of the resort’s boundaries, interact with the locals, and explore the unique culture of the area.
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We recently stayed at Caracol Resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for four days with our family. I chose this resort due to its location, pictures and affordable price. It can be challenging to pick the right resort with so many options showcasing stunning photos and positive reviews.
Therefore, I am sharing an honest review of Sandos Caracol in this blog post. I will cover both the positives and negatives to help you make an informed decision before spending your money. If you choose to give it a try, I can offer you some advice on how to mitigate the negative aspects.
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Sandos Caracol has several advantages worth mentioning. It’s situated in a beautiful area with a long beach lined by palm trees along the Gulf. The resort is about 47 minutes away from the Cancun Airport (Map), 1 hour from Tulum and two and a half hours from the Chichen Itza ruins.
A bustling resort town, Playa del Carmen, is only a 15-minute taxi ride away. Being centrally located makes Sandos Caracol an ideal base for exploring the many wonderful sights of the Mayan Riviera.
The price is reasonable compared to the expensive accommodation found closer to Tulum. You can book all-inclusive options for both adults and children on popular websites like Booking.com or Hotel.com for around $250 per night per person. Just be sure to book the right room for your needs, as there are both family and adult-only sections available.
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Sandos Caracol is a verified eco-resort, certified by the Rainforest Alliance for being eco-friendly. It is situated in the midst of a jungle with native animals and plants. The hotel grounds comprise a considerable area of the jungle, which serves as a natural cooling system for guests wandering on the jungle paths.
The jungle is home to various animals like coatis, peacocks, and monkeys. Sandos has a cenote located behind its main lobby which you can swim in. The water is fresher and cooler, and if you wish to swim, you must sign up beforehand and wear life jackets. This is a perfect way to cool yourself down after sunbathing on a hot day.
Sandos offers a variety of activities that cater to everyone. Kids can enjoy the water park that features huge waterslides, including the Kamikaze Slide which ends in a free fall plunge before you shoot out of a tube in a rush of water. For those who prefer less adrenaline-pumping activities, there is an activity room with ping pong and pool tables, and rentals of jet skis, kayaks, and snorkels. Additionally, the pool offers organized activities such as water basketball and water aerobics.
I had a great experience at this place. The gym offers a nice selection of free weights, weight machines and treadmills, and it’s air-conditioned. If you book a spa treatment, you can enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi and relax in the steam room and sauna. I treated myself to the Maya Temazcal Package, which included a Mayan awakening ceremony followed by a one-hour massage on an outdoor table located near the cenote in the jungle.
Sandos has a disadvantage in terms of the quality of their food, which unfortunately applies even to some of their specialty restaurants. One restaurant in particular, La Toscana, served completely inedible food. However, there were good dining options at La Riviera and Lirios. We were not able to dine at El Templo and Fogo de Brazil because we delayed making reservations. I suggest that you make your reservations as soon as you arrive to avoid this.
The beach at Sandos Caracol, while beautiful to look at with its palm trees, is not suitable for wading due to the rocky ground beneath the water’s surface. Additionally, the once-white sand beach is now covered in seaweed, which has become a more common issue in the area due to global warming. Though I enjoy the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the rough terrain prevented me from swimming.
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I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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