Packing for an Xcaret Vacation Part 1
The Essentials
I’m pretty anxious in general (thanks to my autism/ADHD I’m a pretty high-functioning anxious human). As I mentioned in this post, our family vacation to Playa del Carmen’s Xcaret was our family’s first non-road-trip since before the pandemic began and our first trip out of the country since 2014, I was pretty much freaking out. The way I freak out is hyper-fixating on preparation. And one of those hyper-fixation planning topics I dove into was what to bring.
Packing. It’s overwhelming, amiright? And packing for Xcaret takes a good amount of advance thought and planning. What Xcaret Parks do you plan on going to? Xel-ha, Xplor, Xavage, Xenses, Xcaret Park? What about the the tours? Xenotes, Tulum, Xichen, Xailing? Each park and tour requires a bit of planning ahead to be prepared and comfortable during the time you’ll be spending there.
There are absolutely stores at the parks (I purchased a bathing suit at one of them, because, yes, even though I research, planned, and prepped - I still forgot my swim gear the day we went to Xel-ha - the water park), and sometimes you’ll run into stores while on the tours (like Tulum and Xichén), but on some tours you’re kind of in the middle of nowhere (looking at you Xentoes). So, here’s a list of the essentials I suggest bringing along. And if I forgot something please let me know in the comments because we’re already booked to go back next year!
Sunscreens
Xcaret Groups claims to be a “leader in sustainable tourism in the Mexican Caribbean”. They’ve won a few awards related to the environment and eco-tourism and they seem to take a commitment to the land they’ve build on seriously. One way that comes through - sunscreen. Xcaret has banned all non-eco-friendly sunscreen and as per the company's website, visitors can only use sunscreen with titanium oxide and zinc oxide, as in, “reef-safe” sunscreen. You’re going to need reef-safe sunscreen when at Hotel Xcaret resort pools, beaches, parks (Xel-ha, Xcaret Park, Xplor, Xavage, Xenses), and on tours that involve water actives like Xenotes and Xailing. I mean, at this point, we should all be using reef-safe sunscreen, right? Mother Earth will thank us.
I did a deep dive on this, because sunscreen is one of those sensory issues that pop-up for my kids and husband. I didn’t want having-to-put-on-sunscreen to become a barrier to my kids actually getting out of the room and onto the bus to go on whichever adventure we had planned for the day, so I needed to have options in case one or two didn’t work. Here are the sunscreen winners:
Coola Reef Safe Sunscreen SPF 50
Coola Organic Sunscreen SPF 50 Sunblock Spray was a winner for sure, and a “winner” as in, my kids didn’t battle me when it was time to apply it. This “Classic Sunscreen Spray” from Coola has 70%+ Certified Organic ingredients, is gluten free and vegan (I didn’t even realize there could be animal products or gluten in sunscreen?), has broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, and is water resistant (up to 80 minutes). The smell is pleasant and mild-enough that my super-smeller kids weren’t bothered by it. We brought three cans of this and our family of four ran out before the week was done. I’d say five would have lasted the entire time.
After I get sunscreen on my kids’ faces, I feel like I should win The Great Negotiator Award (that’s a real thing). Finding a facial sunscreen which was reef-friendly and didn’t have a super strong smell was crucial in making that negotiation a bit easier. Thrive SPF Mineral Sunscreen was the winner. I’m not saying there is no smell, but it’s mild enough that my super-smell-ability kids weren’t put off by it. I used it under make-up a few times and it absorbed a bit like a primer, with a sort of dry finish.
Goddess Garden - Sport SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion - Sensitive Skin
The Goddess Garden Mineral Sunscreen Sport SPF 50 was my husband’s favorite sunscreen. Like the kids, he has a tough time with sunscreen from a sensory perspective, but this one works for him. He also burns to a crisp, even with sunscreen on, but The Goddess Garden protected him well even through him being super adventurous and doing EVERYTHING in all of the Xcaret parks. He went though two 6 oz tubes in the week we were there (we used some on the kids’ necks and tips of ears too.)
If you’re a product of the 80’s, like me, and want to come home from vacation with a tan and cute tan lines, but also you’re a product of the 80’s and that means you’re a certain age and really need to protect your skin - this Mango Bay reef-safe sunscreen SPF 15 is for you. It is cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, smells lovely, and goes on even and clear - no white cast! I came home with a nice, subtle, golden tan (this is where in my head I’d say I’m not like a regular mom, I’m like a tan mom, like I talked about here, hence the blog name). I brought two cans and ran out around day five, so next time I’ll bring three.
On days where we were heading to the Xcaret Parks, like Xel-ha, Xcaret, Xenses, Xplor - I wasn’t going to put on make-up on. I knew it was a waste of time because when I’m in the water, I’m constantly rubbing my face and eyes and make-up would have been all over the place. Plus, it’s hot and humid in Playa del Carmen, and I’m not huge on the way make-up feels on my face when humidity is involved. And, sometimes those park reservations mean getting out the door pretty early and I’ll always choose more sleep time over make-up application time. This Pacifica Mineral Bronzing Sunscreen came in super handy. On park mornings, after washing my face, I put on a lightweight serum on, Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion is my go to, followed by under-eye help by the way of Garnier Clearly Brighter Anti Puff Eye Roller and L'Oreal Paris Skincare Rosy Tone Anti-Aging Eye Cream, and topped it off with the Pacifica Bronzing sunscreen. No sticky feeling, absorbed quickly, and my face had a nice, subtle, glittery, bronze-y glow. It actually evened out my complexion and kept me moisturized all day. Like the others I’ve listed so far, the Pacifica face shade is cruelty-free, reef-safe, vegan, and is made the USA with globally sourced ingredients. One of their 1.7 oz tubes lasted the week, and I came home with a bit for adventures here in SoCal. I’ll definitely buy again! Pro-tip: shake before applying, especially after the plane ride.
Swimwear
An Xcaret vacation can be as chill or active as you want it to be. You could easily spend a week at the resort, relaxing without being bored - there’s lots to explore at the Xcaret Hotels and there are special happenings popping up all day long. But, if you’re excited about hitting the Xcaret Parks and tours like we were, knowing what to wear on those excursions is key! For a water-activity type of excursions, I usually just throw on a two-piece with a comfy cover up and hope for the best, but heading out to the Xcaret parks and tours requires a little more thought than that. I read so many different posts, watched a bunch of videos, and agonized over what to wear. Now having been there, and bringing tons of different options, here’s what worked out the best for our (neurodivergent with lots of sensory issues) family.
SWIM/BOARD SHORTS
I’m not really a swim/board shorts wearer. Honestly, the thought of wearing any sort of wet clothes did not sound like a good time to me - bathing suits are fine because they’re small and tight and it’s what they’re made for - but wet clothes are my nemesis, so the idea of wearing “swim clothes” was not my favorite idea. But, I’m also not a confident enough gal to walk around the parks in just a two piece and swim shoes all day (the swim shoes were another point of contention, but we’ll get to that later.) Plus, I didn’t even want to think of what I’d look like zip-lining in just a two piece. (Not very body-positive of me, I know, I’m working on it.) Vanity and practicality won! Here are my and my family’s top picks.
Kanu Surf Women's Darren Stretch UPF 50+ Active Swim and Workout Boardshort
Out of all the board/swim shorts I brought with us, these Kanu Surf Swim Boardshorts were my hands-down favorite. They are super comfy, lightweight, soft, not itchy, not high-waisted but not low-waisted, and most importantly - the fastest drying board shorts out of all the board/swim shorts I had with me (and I got some expensive ones thinking they’d be better.) Bonus - they have actual functioning pockets! And the butt-pocket has a zipper that stays closed! (Functioning pockets on women’s clothing excite me.) I wore these on the Xenotes tour and Xplor Feugo (Xplor’s nighttime experience) and wished I had a second pair for Xel-ha and Xenses. I actually bought another pair when I got home for our return trip next year! I say they run maybe a tad big, so if you’re in between, I say size down. If you have the time, Amazon (yeah, not the best company so shop local if you can, but as a working mom with two kids who need a bit more support than neurotypical kids, Amazon is a huge help) has their “try before you buy” program, where you have seven days to try six different articles of clothing, and only get charged for what you keep after seven days. So, you could always order two sizes and keep the best fitting. I got the basic black (I’m a born and bred NY’er, so this is predictably on-brand), but they have fun prints as well! I wore them over the bottoms of two-piece in the water, out of the water, all around, all day. You’re walking A LOT at the parks and tours,, and going from swimming to walking - so chafing can be an issue, but these helped with that as well. I actually didn’t chafe at all, and it’s not because I have the coveted “thigh gap” - trust.
Jarvanv Women's Swim Shorts with Pockets High Waisted Tummy Control with Liner
These Jarvanv Swim Shorts were my runner-up board shorts. They are comfortable, the material didn’t bug me, they just took a while to dry. Pockets on these as well, but they were just sort of meh pockets. They are lined, and a bit tighter-fitting than the Kanu board shorts up there ^, so you could probably just wear them as a bathing suit bottom. I wore them over a two piece so the lining didn’t make a huge difference to me. I got the solid black (again), but they have other solid colors to choose from and some prints (I almost got the leopard print, but, chickened out).
My 14 year old daughter loved these Baleaf board/swim shorts. I didn’t have a pair, so I can’t speak to them, but these were her favorite. She would come back to our room at the end of an adventurous day, rinse them off in the shower, hang then to dry, and wear them again the next day because nothing else I got for her even compared. They have this meshy material on the outside and then shorter, tighter liner shorts underneath which includes a swim liner, so I think you could probably just wear these as a two-piece bottom. And <drum roll> a front pocket on the inside! I think they run a tad small, so if in between sizes, I’d go up one size. I plan on getting another pair for my daughter and trying a pair for me (because they’re cute and apparently I wear board shorts now.)
SWIM SHIRTS/RASH GUARDS
To the points above about being a product of the 80’s and liking a tan and not loving wet “clothes,” swim shirts and rash guards haven’t ever been my thing. Because we live in SoCal and I have very fair-skinned kids, I’ve always had them wear rash guards, and they’ve always had preferences on which ones they would wear and which ones they wouldn’t, but it was all new to me. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t in a sensory miserable zone, so I bought some from higher-priced, trendy work out brands, and then grabbed some no-name (to me anyway) cheaper ones so I would have choices. And then I bought a bunch of different ones for the kids and my husband. The winners surprised me!
BesserBay UV Sun Protection 1/4 Zip Short Sleeve Ruched Rash Guard/Swim Top
I was super anxious leading up to going to Xenotes. I’d never been zip-lining, I’m not a great kayaker, and the thought of anything touching me while I’m swimming - fish or leaf or otherwise - freaks me out. But, I was so determined to try everything and do everything and not let all my little quirky things get in the way of the experience. That meant, I needed to get all things around the day, right. And the swim shirt/board shorts were a big factor to get right. I decided on my soon to be new favorite board shorts (no, I didn’t have an old favorite pair of board shorts nor were they my favorite yet - but they wound up becoming my favorite) and this Besser Bay Swim Top - which wound up being my favorite swim top by far and the cheapest! You definitely need to wear a bathing suit underneath (two piece or one piece, but I say two piece because it’s way easier to take care of bathroom breaks) as there is not chest support or padding of any kind. Think of it more of a water proof, sun protection cover up. Dries pretty fast! And is very comfortable - no itchiness. This is it! This is the swim top. I love the sleeve length too, a little shorter than typical short sleeves, so didn’t get a farmers tan.
If you’re not a Tan Mom (no judgement, I shouldn’t be a Tan Mom, but the 80’s brainwashed me with baby oil and fold-up foil tanning reflectors), and want to go with a long sleeved swim top, this one from Sbart was my daughter’s favorite. I know the description says you can turn it into a dress, but - that would be a VERY short dress, so I wouldn’t count on that. (Unless that’s your look, then go on with your brave self!) My 14 year old daughter said the fabric was very comfortable, never got itchy, breathable, and quick drying. There is no built-in chest support or padding and it’s see-through when wet, so definitely plan on using over your swim suit.
My 13 year old son and husband have strong opinions about the way rash guards/swim shirts fit, feel, and how heavy they get in the water. This Speedo option, which was on the pricier side, was the winner for both of them. It’s got a looser fit, so it’s not sitting very close to the body, fits more like a fitted t-shirt. Quick drying, UV protection (which meant less sunscreen, which meant a happier son because it meant less sunscreen), and water repellent (which helped the shirt not get super heavy when wet) made this rash guard the only swim shirt that worked for both of my guys.
SWIM SHOES
I love shoes. The thought of wearing shoes I don’t love makes my insides recoil a little. But you know what makes my insides recoil even more? The thought of stepping on something slippery or gooey or indescribable in the water. Or, even worse, something touching my feet while I’m swimming in water. EEK! I don’t even like TALKING about it. So, water shoes were happening, whether I liked them or not. And, the truth is, you really do need them for Xcaret parks and tours. The water parks aren’t the water parks you’re used to - you’re walking and swimming and walking again, a lot. And! The floors get super slippery. We visited Xplor Fuego and saw several people wearing flipflops and they kept slipping and falling. On the Xenotes tour, there’s a bit of walking through the jungle to get to the various Xenotes you’ll be visiting. Get the water shoes - you need them.
Zhuanglin Women's Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes Casual Walking Shoes
These are it - my favorite water shoes. I wanted to bring more than one pair of water shoes because putting on wet water shoes would have given me body shivers and I knew the humidity in Playa del Carmen meant things would take a little more time to dry. So, I got three different kinds and these were the best. The inside sole liner didn’t bunch up at all, nothing get in them, the bottoms were grippy so I didn’t slip, and I have pretty high arches but experienced no foot pain all day. I found they ran true to size, I’m a 6.5 and I got a 6.5 and they were perfect. I have a special connection to these water shoes because they protected my feet all day at Xenotes and I wound up having a magical time. Bonus - no blisters! (More on that in part 2.)
These Doussprt Water Shoes were my runner ups. My favorites up there ^ just felt better on my feet. Maybe because I have a bit of a wider foot and this pair has the ties that go down the whole foot and the my favs don’t? I’m not 100% sure. In any case, these are a great option as well, and if you’re like me and don’t want to put on wet water shoes, get both, swap them each day, and see which ones wind up being your favorite!
My 13 year old son tolerated these DLGJPA Water Shoes. But, that’s really saying something because he wouldn’t wear any other water shoes we tried out. These too had a very grippy bottom, so no slipping and sliding for my sometimes kinda klutzy guy. I’d say they fit true to size, and you definitely want them to fit well because blisters will form if there is extra room for friction from rubbing. They never slipped off, even when we were a little stuck in the world’s laziest lazy river at Xel-ha and snorkeling for hours at in Xel-ha inlet. 10/10 would recommend.
Phew! This was a lot of info, and we just got started. Don’t get information overloaded - take a break and when you’re ready, head over to Packing for an Xcaret Vacation - The Essentials Part 2. In the meantime, sign up below to get updates when I post again and get in those comments if you have any questions or tips on packing for Xcaret of your own!
