Sandos Caracol Eco Resort – All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

• 

  Just the way we saw it...

  Just got back from a week stay at Sandos Caracol. This was our 2nd time to this resort. Check in process was pretty smooth. We were in the Select Club and were taken to a separate check in area (used to be the wedding shop). We got there around noon so had to wait until 3 until our room was ready. We were offered the time share pitch and we declined and that was the end of it. While waiting for our room we walked around a bit to see what changes had been made since our last visit. Just past the theater there is a circular bar area that was empty our last visit but is now a taco bar. In addition, the snack area by the main pool is just sitting empty now. There is also a new Mexican buffet located next to the sports bar area. We had an early check out, so the Select Club wasn't open, had to check out at the main desk but it was quick and efficient. At 3 we were able to get into our room. Our only issue with the room was that it had 2 beds, and we had asked for a king room. Other than that, our room was cleaned every day, mini fridge was stocked, and we had clean towels. We also had very hot water in the shower when needed. I must admit, at first, I didn't think we did until my wife showed me, I was turning the handle the wrong way. Wonder how many others have done this and thought they didn't have hot water?? I do have to agree with everyone else, the system for dinner reservations is awful and really needs to change. I'm not waiting up or getting up at midnight to make the reservation. We did once and tried a second time but even if you were attempting to book so where others so slots would fill up fast. We had one dinner reservation at 8:30 and for us, it was too late. If you didn't get 6:30 or 7:30 right away they were gone, and you were left with 5:30 or 8:30 or later. Our one reservation was at Los Lirios (steakhouse) and the service and food were excellent. We ate dinner at the Mexican buffet twice, the main buffet twice and the Italian buffet once. We also ate dinner at the Taco Bar once. The Mexican buffet was excellent. The other two buffets were ok. If you couldn't find something to eat, then you must be a very picky eater. The Taco Bar was great! The pastor and chorizo tacos were excellent. In addition to the one dinner, we had there we ate lunch there three times. Can't say enough good things about that spot. Especially if you get Jesus as your waiter there. The rest of the time we ate lunch at the Select Club, either in the restaurant or poolside. Each morning was started off by breakfast in the Select Club. The hotcakes, crepes and back were excellent. The staff in the Select Club for breakfast and lunch and around the pool were excellent, especially Juanna! The Select Club pool had some issues with leaves, but once clean, it was beautiful and not cloudy at all. Same for the jacuzzi area. Didn't try the main pool or the water park. Did swim in the main cenote, that was a nice experience to have without leaving the resort. Also went and put our feet in the water at the Tortuga cenote and had the small fish nibble on them. The evening entertainment was great from the stuff for the kids to the main shows. One night they had a street fair event which was great from the entertainment to the food to the games and even the vendors. Took a walk along the beach but didn't try and go swimming. Yes, the beach is rocky and there is a lot of seaweed, but it was still very walkable. Then there are the monkeys. Each afternoon around 5 they were very active around the Select Club. People need to remember these are wild animals and feeding them Oreo cookies probably isn't a good idea. There is plenty of wildlife around this resort. Animals poop so remember that. The staff works hard to keep everything as clean as possible but it is an endless job. Overall there are some things that could improve but a vacation is what you make of it. We can find fault in everything, it's our reaction that determines if it's going to ruin our time or not. We enjoyed ourselves and this resort and would consider returning sometime for a 3rd visit.

  Mar 17, 2025
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  Adult only lovers, go find another resort

  We were booked in the adult only area, but are wondering why they name it adult only. Loud kids were around moat of the time, with nobody telling them that is an area where they were forbidden access. Just to make this funnier the adult only restaurant wasn't for adults only for dinner...a joke!

  Mar 16, 2025
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  Never again

  I am glad I spent money on this experience if only to tell others to stay away. Our room was constantly filled with mosquitos as they seem trained to wait by the door to force entry by the dozens upon opening it. I actually paid for two separate rooms on my one week vacation and was completely surprised when I was told I was not able to personally have keys to both rooms as it’s against hotel policy. As such the bracelet around my arm did not even open the room I was staying in. Both rooms air conditioners broke everyday and required the maintenance staff to recharge them on a daily basis. Although multiple restaurants are available, they all serve the same food so your options are in fact limited. The pools are always cloudy most likely due to the bodily fluids expelled by the patrons. The beach and ocean experience are filled with rocks and dangerous to walk about. The cenote and “rivers” only exist to breed mosquitos for the displeasure of the guests. The staff is friendly and the drinks are free. The monkeys are cute. Maybe just buy a day pass and bring insect repellent.

  Mar 16, 2025
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  Family focused resort

  Booked as part of a package, we picked this resort for quieter, family feel, and on site activities. We had good service at check- in, but after that they direct you to their app which did not seem to work for us. They have several buffets that don’t require reservations but specialty restaurants do and we couldn’t book because the app wouldn’t let us. We also could not get help with our bags at checkout and had to drag them up to the main building ourselves. It was also hard to exchange currency here when we needed to get smaller bills for tipping staff. They have entertainment each evening, and a lot of activities each day. One of the nice things is they have a cenote on site that you can drop in to explore. There are also some small Mayan ruins at one edge of the property, and lots of wildlife - coati, iguanas, agouti, cats, and bats. The beach was very windy in the evening while we were there, but that was a good thing because the one night it was calm there were lots of mosquitoes (and bats). We enjoyed our stay, but they could improve service.

  Mar 16, 2025
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  Good Resort for Families

  Stayed at the resort over Canadian (Ontario) March break. Second time at this resort. This is a great place for young children. Many pools and a great waterpark. The beach directly in front of the resort is small and somewhat rocky, but when we were here there was some work being done to expand the size of the beach. We enjoyed the food. We could always find something to eat at any time. The main buffet had many options, which is helpful with young kids. Do not expect that the non-Mexican food is anything to gush over - I would not expect pasta or pizza to be particularly good in a country where those foods aren’t generally a part of the cuisine. However, the Mexican food is fantastic - flavourful and well cooked, with many different options. For al carte, we did the steakhouse, the Mediterranean, and the teppenyaki. The teppenyaki was the best by far, and the other two were just fine but we preferred the buffet. Room (eco family suite) was spacious and generally clean. Monkeys came to our balcony every morning. Only complaint is with the bracelet system. My daughter’s bracelet fell off in the kids club (she is petite and the bracelet wasn’t put on very tight by staff). We went to the lobby to get a new one and we were told it would be $100 USD to replace the bracelet. In front of my 7 year old, the staff said that if she didn’t get a new bracelet she wouldn’t be able to stay on the resort and go to the restaurants. This upset my daughter as she interpreted the message as she wasn’t allowed to be on the resort any longer. There is surely a better way to communicate by staff.

  Mar 16, 2025