In Cancún, 3 Sandos Resorts Bring Culture Into the All-Inclusive Stay

When it comes to stays that take care of your every need, Sandos Resorts focuses on showing how all-inclusives can also match the character of their locations. According to Xavier Ulloa, the Corporate Marketing Director at Sandos Hotels & Resorts, that’s what makes it special.

“While all of our properties are united under our common brand, they each offer completely different guest experiences and their own unique personality,” Ulloa says, adding, “Whether you’re swimming in a crystal clear cenote at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, kayaking on the turquoise waters of Sandos Playacar’s beach, or listening to incredible live poolside music at Sandos Cancún, Sandos is dedicated to providing every guest with an unforgettable vacation unlike any other offered in the destination, all within our all-inclusive price tag.”

Of the 10 Sandos resorts in Mexico and Spain, three are in Cancún. I stopped by all three in one trip to find out which is best depending on the type of traveler and found plusses and minuses to each depending on the goal of the trip.

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort: A green resort in every way

Cancún is best known for its beaches. About an hour’s drive south, Sandos Caracol is known for its jungle-like atmosphere, Maya ruins, and events around holidays like Día de los Muertos. While the resort does have a beautiful beach, its unique appeal lies in its wild-feeling grounds. That, along with the colorful Día de los Muertos decorations on display during my visit, was enough to make me feel giddy upon arrival.

My giddiness only grew as I explored the grounds, wandering through forested trails, searching for wildlife, and finding cenotes and ruins along the way. The only drawback to spending all of my time in the jungle was the occasional mosquitoes.

In keeping with the property’s natural ambiance, Sandos Caracol prioritizes an eco-conscious approach to hospitality through solar energy, water conservation, and comprehensive recycling programs — all while providing comfort, convenience, and relaxation. Rooms come equipped with energy-efficient lighting and water-saving systems to reduce the resort’s carbon footprint (without sacrificing classic amenities like flat-screen TVs and minibars).

My room had a queen-size mattress, a bunk bed for kids, and a private terrace. The rooms (941 in total) are divided into three sections: the jungle-view Family Section with superior room, suite, or penthouse options for four to five people; the adults-only, jungle-view Select Club with superior room, deluxe room, or penthouse options for two adults; and the Pool View Section with superior room, penthouse, or one-bedroom suite options for three adults or families of four.

Beyond the rooms, there’s always something to do at Sandos Caracol, from beachgoing and nature walks to pool and waterpark time. There’s also a spa with a variety of holistic treatments, including classic massages with herbs and oils. This is also where the fitness center is located, complete with a handful of machines, cardio equipment, and a rack of weights.

As someone who loves both active and passive vacations, Sandos Caracol was ideal for me. When I was feeling energetic, I wandered through the flora and fauna. When I was ready for a nap, I headed for the closest beach hammock. And when I needed to pacify my thirst for adventure, I took a dip in the cenote near check-in, which is available for snorkeling for a few hours each day.

But the biggest highlight of my trip was the immersive experiences available to guests for free during the resort’s two-day Día de los Muertos festival.

Of course, those who visit Sandos Caracol outside of Día de los Muertos in November still have access to plenty of events and experiences. You can see Maya ceremonies where you’ll learn about the region’s traditions and history. Dance and music performances are also common. Elsewhere, eco-conscious explorers can join one of the resort’s free tours where Sandos guides walk you through the local plants and animals and some of the property’s unique features.

All of that activity is bound to make you hungry. No problem: Sandos Caracol has seven restaurants, including a Mexican restaurant, a Brazilian steakhouse, and a Caribbean fusion restaurant. Many of the ingredients you’ll encounter at the restaurants are locally sourced, including produce like papaya, dragonfruit, avocados, and tomatoes. The breakfast buffet is another highlight, featuring international cuisine in a smart-casual environment. There are also a number of bars scattered throughout the resort that serve craft cocktails all day long.

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Sandos Playacar: An all-ages beach haven

If Sandos Caracol is the land of the jungle, Sandos Playacar is the dream beach resort. This property has a private beach on the Caribbean coastline in Playa del Carmen that’s kept pristine by bulldozers that move seaweed from the shore and employees who are always on the lookout for trash. The beach provides a relaxing atmosphere that’s slightly separated from the area of the resort where parties and festivities tend to take place.

Accommodations at Sandos Playacar are luxurious and spacious, with 819 rooms spread across the resort’s 60 acres. My visit brought me to an oceanview suite with two patios and one of the best views of the trip. I spent the majority of my time at the beach and the pool, but the rooms come with modern features like flat-screen TVs and minibars to keep you entertained when you’re not out enjoying the rest of the property. Some of the rooms have private jacuzzi tubs for a bit of added luxury.

Sandos Playacar’s list of amenities is extensive. The property is home to multiple pools, including a swim-up bar that’s connected to an area with an in-pool volleyball net. There’s also an adults-only Select pool, which is extremely quiet and relaxing. Those looking for a restful experience might head to the spa while others might go to the pickleball courts for a feisty outdoor game.

While both Sandos Playacar and Sandos Caracol are kid-friendly, Sandos Caracol seems to place a heavier emphasis on family activities with its waterslide park and wide variety of sporting activities while Sandos Playacar provides many of the same amenities but seems to attract more adults. Nonetheless, there’s a Kid’s Club and a Teens Club, the latter of which has video games, pool tables, and other activities.

Sandos Playacar also hosts regular entertainment on its main stage in the middle of the resort. During my visit, there was a historical show about the Maya that included elaborate costumes and dances. Rumor has it that the theater also hosts singers and bands showcasing both traditional and modern takes on music. While I didn’t experience one of the beachside events that are free for guests, the resort has been known to host themed parties late into the night.

One area in which Sandos Playacar blew me away was its food selection, with a whopping 17 bars and restaurants ranging from Italian fare to traditional Mexican cuisine (although the greatest selection is regional). The on-site Mediterranean restaurant provides a nice opportunity to celebrate food with sweeping views of the beach. The breakfast buffet also comes with one of the widest selections of foods and treats that I’ve ever seen, with piles of bread, omelets, and fruit galore.

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Sandos Cancún: A party on the hotel strip

Centrally located in Cancún’s hotel zone, Sandos Cancún creates a fun, upbeat atmosphere with regular DJ shows and a big focus on music. Converting to an adults-only resort in January 2025, it’s the place to go if you like to dance, hang by the pool, and revel in the sunshine.

Sandos Cancún is the smallest of the three resorts with 214 rooms. That helps to explain why the accommodations are modern and massive — many come with terraces where you can sip your morning coffee. Room types range from deluxe rooms with or without balconies to four-person suites. My room had a king-size bed, a bathtub, and a shower.

Like Sandos Playacar, this property features beautiful beaches, but it also has a three-tier pool. Compared to the other two Sandos properties, Sandos Cancún’s main focus seems to be on the pool and the beach but with more of a party vibe than Sandos Playacar since there’s generally a DJ or some other type of entertainment available.

The bulk of Sandos Cancún’s entertainment is centered on music — predominantly dance-y contemporary music — but shows are also held in the northern part of the building. I caught a free aerial show that featured a number of balancing acts, including a man who stacked moving targets on a table before he stood on top of his wiggling tower. Another act demonstrated one woman’s strength while she balanced on her hands, using her flexibility to bring her toes to her head among other poses. The resort also hosts some themed evenings and beach parties.

The Spa del Mar offers a nice side quest with its relaxing facials, variety of massages, and hydrotherapy. The fitness center is located in the same building as the spa. Group fitness classes like yoga and stationary biking are also available.

Where dining is concerned, Sandos Cancún plays host to an Italian trattoria, a steakhouse, and an Asian fusion restaurant among its five restaurants (plus four bars). Each takes a sophisticated approach to the culinary experience, but the standout restaurant is French-leaning St. Trop due to its sweeping beach views and delicious bites like bouillabaisse, chicken cordon bleu, and caramelized apple tarte tatin for dessert.

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