Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Okay.
Pros:
Those most amazing natural habit we have ever been too
Great vaca for family a week is plenty to do everything
Most of the staff were very friendly and accommodating
Lots of fruit and vegetable selections
Nice pool areas
Cons:
-sales people pounce on you the very first day. Extremely friendly until you say no. Rude comments and the rest of the vaca if they saw you, you bet your bottom dollar they remembered you. Cold shoulder. Made us feel extremely uncomfortable.
- freezing c[... read more]old water in the shower brought to the service counters attention three times and each time they had no complaints recorded
On our eighth day after demanding a new room, they decided they were going to move us.
In the end, we chose not to move because there was a god-awful stomach flu going around people dropping them off like flies didn’t want to take the chance and pick up a bug
-The Mexican buffet was our favourite place to go but in general the buffets never served hot food unless you were getting it prepared
Water park closed down pump issues
-I would not go back to this resort because of their sales people
Not enough activities around pool areas
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Family Vacation -
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Sandos Playacar Beach Resort: Great Family Vacation
The resort itself was clean, a little difficult to navigate around, we got lost a few times. Figured it out by the time it was time to go. Buffet food was ok, we were very disappointed with the resort when it came to booking restaurants. We were told many different things.. 1. booking opens 8am daily to reserve a spot first come first serve. 2. bookings open at midnight 3. You need to book 1 week in advance from your trip only if you are elite.
So we were very board with having buffet food the[... read more] entire trip. The pools were nice, staff were very friendly. The shuttle could have been more consistent. Sometimes you only waited 5 mins other times you had to wait 20 mins. Most of our group could walk but we did have 2 with some mobility issues and walking wasn't always an option. The spa was amazing! The couples massage was far beyond what we expected and would do it again. The gym was very nice, but get there early or you won't be able to do a proper work out due to the lack of equipment.
The beach was beautiful! Soft white sand and clear warm water. We would come back again, knowing what we know now about the restaurants we will be more prepared.
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SuzieJ -
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Sandos Playacar Beach Resort: Had an amazing time!
This hotel was huge but the grounds were so beautiful and full of wildlife that walking it wasn’t bad at all! The food was amazing at the buffet and the à la carte restaurants were even better! Drinks were super good! Staff was all very friendly and accommodating! Nothing bad to say about this resort! I will definitely be back!
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Gail -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Great family resort
Great family resort with lots to do for kids. We were busy from morning until night.
We stayed in the family section, which was further in the back offering more tree areas. This provided lots of entertainment from the monkeys in the trees. A truly unique experience and a highlight for us. Our accommodations were one of the renovated areas. We had a king bed and bunkbeds which were sufficient.
The main buffet was standard resort food. The Mexican buffet was really good. It was very difficult t[... read more]o book à la carts and this was very frustrating. We only managed to get to one à la cart.
The grounds are beautiful with lots to see and do. The staff work extremely hard to keep it clean and it shows. The grounds were spotless, considering there was wildlife all around us.
We really liked the fact that our room key was our bracelet. One less thing to worry about.
The pools were ice cold. Literally felt like you were swimming in ice cubes.
Overall, it was a wonderful family holiday for us. We would recommend this resort as a family resort not a party resort. Lots of kids.
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Private -
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Sandos Playacar Beach Resort: Below expectations!
Very nice resort. Nice beach .Clean , quiet .Food was a huge disappointment,about as Mexican as Taco Bell on a bad day . Staff were below what I expected. Communication was a huge problem, language barriers.
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Unhappy traveler -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Spinning ceiling fan fell on child
First room was not fit to stay in, should never have been assigned considering no shower head, wall sconce was on bench, patio door unable to open, 2 huge holes in ceiling
Second room the spinning ceiling fan fell on a child in bed, hotel did nothing, no credit or new room, and zero communication from hotel management or the travel agent
Waterpark supposedly closed due to water pipe burst yet it was obviously to paint the kid area as they miraculously opened for one afternoon when people c[... read more]omplained
Most restaurants were closed including buffets and beach bar for our whole trip, impossible to get reservations to the a la cartes
Beach was terrible, we travel twice a year and by far this was the worst resort and beach of all the places we've been..... I will never go back or recommend this place or travel agent..... extremely disappointed to say the least.
Only positive thing was the monkeys.... DO NOT trust the reviews on trip central or trip advisor
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Private -
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Sandos Playacar Beach Resort: Family centred place
Very roomy property. There were so many lounge chairs with lots of access to shade.
Only drawback was the water system in the rooms for showers. I am sure things will get updated but no warm water in the mornings and poor water pressure.
One other detail. The lights outside our rooms turned off during the night so it was pitch black when we had early departures. Maybe safety lights in the staircases would be an improvement.
The children enjoyed the kids and teen areas and we liked the sho[... read more]ws
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Amaya family -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An unforgettable experience surrounded by nature and excellence
From the moment we arrived, this hotel exceeded every expectation. It’s not just a place to stay — it’s a full experience that perfectly blends luxury, nature, comfort, and entertainment.
? Nature & Forest Setting
The hotel is immersed in a breathtaking natural environment. Being surrounded by lush forest made every walk feel peaceful and grounding. You truly disconnect from stress and reconnect with nature here.
? Cenote – Absolutely Magical
The cenote is hands down one of the most beau[... read more]tiful features of the property. Crystal-clear water, perfectly maintained, and a magical atmosphere that feels straight out of a dream. Swimming there was one of the highlights of our entire stay.
?️ Gym & Spa
The gym is modern, clean, and very well equipped — easily one of the best hotel gyms I’ve seen. Everything is thoughtfully laid out, making it easy to keep up with your routine while on vacation.
? Entertainment & Events
The entertainment team deserves a special mention. Every event was well organized, fun, and inclusive without ever feeling forced. There was always something happening — shows, activities, and experiences for all ages — creating a lively but balanced atmosphere.
?️ Food – Outstanding Variety & Quality
The food was exceptional. From variety to presentation to flavor, every meal felt carefully prepared. Whether at the restaurants or buffet, quality and freshness were consistent throughout our stay.
?? Staff & Service
The staff truly made the difference. Everyone was warm, professional, attentive, and genuinely kind. You can feel that they care about guests and take pride in what they do. Service was fast, personalized, and always delivered with a smile.
✨ Final Thoughts
This hotel offers the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, luxury, and nature. The cenote, forest setting, food, entertainment, gym, and incredible staff make it a destination we would return to without hesitation.
Highly recommended — an experience we will never forget.
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Private -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Excellent Resort for families with young children.
Check in and check out process absolutely atrocious.
Not enough staff to handle the amount of people.
Rooms were only adequate with no hot water.
Food was very good in the buffet.
Forget about À la cart unless you stay up till 12pm to try and book for the next day.
This resort is not for seniors unless you have your grandchildren with you,a tremendous amount of walking involved.
Resort did not get information from AC vacations regarding special needs requirements which caused a lot of aggr[... read more]avation at time of check in.
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Elle -
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Sandos Playacar Beach Resort: Overall an amazing gem in Playacar
This is our first all inclusive experience and Sandos Playacar definitely put a high bar for us. Food - great selections from buffet to ala carte options. If you could book the ala carte restaurant right after you get your room number please do so as they booked up pretty fast. We are lucky to have been able to try all of their ala carte restaurants by booking them in their Sandos App and walk in on others as they were fully booked when we get there. Walk in aren’t guaranteed but its worth the s[... read more]hot, just be genuine and polite to the staff. Pools were great, just a little cold than what you would expect. Beach were great especially if you come when there’s not much wind as these brings huge waves and seaweeds on the shore. Entertainment - the best!!! Theres a night show every night, daily activities by the adults pool and family area. Not to add that there’s multiple food and beverages sections around the beach area. We got the select superior room which gave us a gold bracelet that allows us to have premium liquors and access to places that other tier such as Blue bracelet can’t get into. Service - we really enjoyed our experiences in all of the ala carte as they are more fine dining than your normal buffet. We find that service is much better and amazing ambiance overall. Thank you Isaac, Hermelindo and Pedro for giving us the most memorable experience at Le Gourmet. Spa - we got treated poorly by the front desk staff Sebastian just because we change our treatment from full Body to Relaxing treatment. The massage for my partner was great but the person did mine wasn’t relaxing at all, it was way softer than anything Ive experienced. Booked our tours through seek and go! Thank you Cristobal for going above and beyond and making sure we got our transport sorted even after your shift! Another shoutout to Lorraine for being sweet, and calm. Called midnight to ask for a cream for sunburn and she made sure we got them on time. Overall great experience except for the room quality and spa desk staff experience.
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Private -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Beautiful Resort-Slow service
The grounds where amazing, the service for check in was extremely long and overall service was slow but friendly. the food is ok but not great.
the booking of restaurants is completely ridiculous, need to do online only and only as of mid night so very hard for people with small children or elderly who are not computer technical and impossible to book for more than 4 people at a time. the food at restaurants is disappointing after all the hassle.
the waterpark was shut down several days and n[... read more]ever completely opened, our children hurt there backs and had scratches from the waterpark so not recommended.
the wildlife was the best part. would not return.
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Private -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: I would not recommend
We were a party of more than 20 people and close to half of our group spent at least one full day in bed with food sickness. The hotel does not limit the number reservations people can make so there were zero reservations at the a la carts restaurants unless you paid for wine in advance. The beach was also not great. The staff were kind and lovely and could not do enough for you. I would not return.
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Private -
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Sandos Cancun: Disappointing Experience: Not a 5-Star Resort
• The Rooms: Very dated and in need of a serious refresh. For a "luxury" resort, the furniture and decor felt old and tired.
• The Staff: This was the most disappointing part of the trip. The staff were generally unfriendly and seemed disinterested in helping guests. They definitely need comprehensive customer service training to meet the standards of a 5 star hotel.
• The Food: The buffet is quite small and lacks variety. We found ourselves struggling to find quality options during most meals[... read more].
• The Only Highlight: The beach is nice. It is easily the best part of the property.
. I will not be returning
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Lalatoronto123 -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Unique Experience
I wanted to try this hotel as it seemed different from other all inclusive. The resort is beautifully landscaped and has lots of trails for walking and cenote for swimming.
The bad part was beach as it was very rocky and small lagoon too small to swim. Food was fine just big lineups at buffet.
Overall nice but not for beach and swim lovers.
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Private -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Amazing resort
It was our 7th time going to this resort. So that tells you, that we love it. We were a group of 14 family members. Everything was amazing for us all. Many of us, it was their first time, and all wants to return
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Amyk -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Very beautiful resort!
There is a lot to see and do here, from swimming in the cenote to sliding down water slides or dancing with the staff at the pool, this resort is great for kids! I was disappointed about the bed, it was broken and our door did not lock, but I still rate this a 9/10 resort, especially for nature and animal lovers
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Private -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Average Resort - Good for families with young children
Overall, my stay at the resort was average. While there were some positive aspects, several issues negatively affected the experience.
Check-in & Service:
The website advertised concierge check-in, a fruit basket, a bottle of wine in the room, and assistance with booking à la carte restaurants for the Select Club Adults section; however, none of these inclusions were provided. I raised this with staff during check-in, but unfortunately, no action was taken. Some front desk interactions also [... read more]felt less friendly than expected. That said, most of the wait staff throughout the resort were very friendly and helpful.
Food & Dining:
The à la carte restaurant food was underwhelming, and I ultimately preferred the buffet. Desserts across all restaurants were particularly disappointing, with very limited appealing options.
Facilities:
Some areas near the buildings had a strong and unpleasant odor. The adults-only pool area was very quiet and relaxing, which was a plus, but the restaurant service there was extremely slow, with long waits for orders. My room was clean but very dated. The balcony was quite small, with space for only one chair and no table. Two chairs were provided, but if both were used, there was very little legroom, making it uncomfortable for two people to sit at the same time.
Entertainment:
There was no engaging entertainment specifically offered for the adults-only section in the day, except a DJ on the beach from 1-4 which was not that great. The entertainment available in the family section was largely geared toward families with children.
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Private -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Three Star Resort ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
My wife and I have travelled quite a bit, so we know what to expect at resorts. Here is our honest review of our recent seven-night stay at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort.
The resort gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The resort is large and visually impressive, with a wide range of activities geared toward families. While it is clearly family oriented, there are several well-designed adults-only areas throughout the property, which helps balance the atmosphere.
Our check-in was quick due to our late arrival, alth[... read more]ough during our stay we frequently observed very long check-in lines in the lobby. Dining was mixed overall. Some options were enjoyable, while others were disappointing. The buffet by the bridge overlooking the water was particularly poor, with long food lines and unappealing conditions. In contrast, the buffet across from Nido in the red building was consistently excellent.
The adults-only KIIN beach area stood out as one of the best features of the resort. It offered beachside food service delivered by a waiter, the food quality was excellent, and it also provided an air-conditioned indoor area to relax, enjoy drinks, play pool, and have snacks, including bite-sized sandwiches, pretzels, peanuts, and cookies.
The Sandos app was functional and made it easy to book à la carte restaurants. We were able to secure five reservations during our seven-night stay. However, only the Japanese restaurant and Los Lirios were truly good. Late-night dining options were extremely limited, with Nido being the only venue open after 11 p.m. The menu there is restricted to beef and chicken tacos or burritos, and the quality was poor. On one occasion, I observed uncovered cooked chicken and beef in the kitchen sitting in stainless steel hot pans with insects buzzing about, which was very concerning.
Bar service was another weak point. Many bars appeared understaffed, often with only one bartender, resulting in long lineups. Several bartenders seemed disengaged, with little friendliness or enthusiasm. While drink quality was generally decent and some higher-end brands were available, cleanliness in the bars, restrooms, seating areas, and other common spaces could be significantly improved.
Some of the food safety and handling practices, along with the lack of cleanliness, could be why many people report getting sick. However, we never got sick, as we were careful about where and what we ate.
The beach itself was well maintained, though guests should expect frequent approaches from vendors attempting to sell items. While not aggressive, the interruptions were constant. The main pool area was very crowded, and the water was dirty, with noticeable sand accumulation on the pool floor.
Wi-Fi coverage across the resort was generally reliable, with only minor issues on parts of the beach. The live entertainment was excellent, with the Michael Jackson show being a highlight. The resort’s location is convenient, situated about ten minutes from Walmart and Fifth Avenue, with access to taxis, Uber, InDrive, or a low-cost shuttle that runs twice daily.
Our one-bedroom pool-view suite was quite worn and in need of renovation. The television was outdated, the floors were cracked, and there was broken furniture and damaged electrical outlets. Paint was peeling, and the air-conditioning filters were extremely dirty, appearing not to have been cleaned in a long time. The layout was also problematic, with no door separating the bedroom from the living room and no doors on the bathrooms. While the toilet is enclosed in a small separate room, the overall design felt impractical. This suite is not well suited for families, and housekeeping was below expectations.
The water park was clean and well maintained, but food options were very limited and of poor quality. If you plan to drink alcohol at the water park, make sure to bring a reusable cup, as alcohol is not served there.
Overall, while there were several positive aspects to our stay, the experience was not strong enough for me to consider returning or recommending to others.
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Private -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: An honest review
The resort is big and beautiful, and there are lots of activities for families. The restaurants are pretty good overall, although a few are nasty. The Sandos app is decent but could be better. It was easy for us to book à la carte restaurants through the app, and we were able to book five during our seven-night stay. The only two à la cartes that were actually good were the Japanese restaurant and Los Lirios.
Check-in was quick for us because we arrived late, but we often saw very long check-[... read more]in lines when walking through the lobby. Staff could have more positive attitudes. The resort is definitely family oriented, but there are nice adults-only sections throughout the property. It is very hard to get smaller peso bills, so it’s best to get them before you arrive.
The beach was really well kept, but be prepared for someone trying to sell you something every couple of minutes. They are not aggressive sellers, though. The large pool area where most people swim was quite crowded and the water was dirty, with a lot of sand on the floor. Drink quality was pretty decent and they do have some good high-quality brands.
The Wi-Fi throughout the resort was pretty good, with only a few spotty patches on the beach. The live shows were amazing, especially the Michael Jackson one. The resort is only ten minutes from Walmart and Fifth Avenue. You can take a taxi, Uber, InDrive, or the shuttle that runs twice a day for a couple of dollars.
There is a lack of staff at the bars, which causes big lineups because most bars only had one bartender. The resort could have much better cleaning practices in the bars, sitting areas, and other common spaces. Housekeeping was subpar.
You can’t get any good food on the resort past 11 p.m. The only place open after that is Nido, and they only serve beef and chicken tacos or burritos, and they are not great.
The one-bedroom pool view suite we stayed in was pretty run down. The TV was old, the floors had cracks, and there was broken furniture and broken electrical outlets. The paint was peeling on the walls, and the air-conditioning filters were disgusting, looking like they had never been cleaned. There is no door separating the bedroom from the living room, and there are no doors on the bathrooms, which seemed very odd. The toilet is in a separate little room with a door, which is also strange. This suite is definitely not ideal for families.
The water park is nice and clean. The food there is terrible and there are not many options. The ice cream is okay. You can’t get alcohol there, and if you want to smoke there is no smoking hut nearby.
All in all, the experience was positive, but not enough for me to consider coming back.
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Apexian13 -
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Family trip to Sandos
This resort is well laid out with beautiful shaded pathways getting you anywhere you need to be with the feel of a jungle adventure. Lots of wildlife to see including Monkeys and Coatis , Iguanas and even some friendly cats make for a great time for everyone especially the kids. The animation team did a great job keeping kids happy with daily activities and the resort has so many natural features to explore there is something for everyone. The disappointing part which is mentioned on all rev[... read more]iew platforms is the check in process and the inability to reserve Al La Carte restaurants. Check in was extremely long ( it took honestly 1 hour and 50mins start to finish) , and quite frustrating. Travel days aren't fun for anyone, and after the 1 hr 40 min bus ride from the airport... standing in another line and being told repeatedly that if we bought an upgrade we wouldn't have to wait in line isn't well received. We finally got our family of 4 checked in and our bracelets, then told we needed to line up at the Concierge desk to have the room number assigned and the bracelets programmed. Frustrating ? Absolutely!!!
We have traveled to several Caribbean countries , to many different resorts... this was absolutely the worst check in we have have experienced.
We were informed of the Sandos App, and that's how we were instructed to book the Al La Carte's throughout our stay. Once we logged in with our room number, we could see NO availability ... for any restaurant ... ALL WEEK ! Great....
This resort could be great, with some changes to the administrative section. The maid staff, gardeners, wait staff and cooks... all amazing and deserve our thanks. The food was as expected, ok resort food with the usual buffet selection.
The beach was ok , definitely rocky with one small section behind a barrier that was safe for kids. Lot of shade and we could always find a lounge chair so no issues there. The pools were dirty unfortunately, especially the main pool with the swim up bar. It had tons of sand in the bottom and we honestly didn't see any staff cleaning like other resorts do in the evening or early morning.
Would we go back? Maybe if we knew they had resolved the restaurant reservation system and the check in process with some additional staffing for bars. Only having one bar to serve the entire beach as well as the pool area just doesn't work. Always long lines unfortunately.