- The Xcaret 2026 programme will feature events of great cultural significance, including the Platino Awards, the Xcaret Mexican Folk Art Fair, the Festival of Life and Death Traditions, and Apapaxoa.
- In 2026, new access schemes, day passes, and memberships will be implemented, allowing visitors and residents of the peninsula to enjoy a range of experiences.
- This year, the All Kids and Teens Inclusive promotion continues as a valuable option for travelling families.
- Grupo Xcaret announced the addition of chefs Karime López, Jonatan Gómez Luna, and Antonio Bachour to its Apapaxoa Gastronomic Collective, as well as the opening of the new restaurant Le Chique.
As part of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR Madrid), Grupo Xcaret hosted an event called Xcala Xcaret, an immersive gathering where they shared some of the news that reaffirms the group’s evolution and leadership in hospitality and gastronomy, such as the addition of new chefs to their Xcaret Apapaxoa Gastronomic Collective, the opening of Le Chique at Hotel Xcaret Arte, the return of the Platino Awards to Xcaret, and the announcement of the All Kids and Teens Inclusive promotion for guests of Hotel Xcaret México.
During the evening, Lizeth Álvarez, Executive Commercial Director of Grupo Xcaret, highlighted how, over the course of 35 years, Xcaret has managed to become a comprehensive destination with parks that connect visitors with nature and adventure, hotels with differentiated offerings under the All-Fun Inclusive model, and a calendar of events that links Mexican culture, highlighting Xcaret México Espectacular, which to date has been seen by more than 23 million visitors.
At the event, Lizeth shared that ‘although many experiences are enjoyed from the resort, there is an audience that wants to visit even without staying overnight, which is why we are promoting access and memberships for those who visit the destination or the peninsula to enjoy: day passes, family wellness experiences at Muluk Spa, as well as gastronomic routes and themed dinners.’
As a value proposition for families, Lizeth Álvarez shared that the All Kids and Teens Inclusive promotion will continue at Hotel Xcaret México, where children aged 0 to 17 stay for free.
Xcaret Apapaxoa Gastronomic Collective: a constellation of Michelin stars in the Riviera Maya
For his part, Akis Neocleous, Executive Director of Hoteles Xcaret, shared the latest news for the Xcaret Apapaxoa Gastronomic Collective: Karime López, the first Mexican chef to win a Michelin star, is joining the collective to lead the Xaak restaurant at Hotel Xcaret Arte, elevating the destination’s culinary offering.
The Hotel Xcaret Arte will also be the new home of Le Chique, run by chef Jonatan Gómez Luna, one of the most important names in contemporary Mexican cuisine, who received a Michelin star in 2024 and 2025 as Chef Mentor.
The executive also highlighted the addition of pastry chef Antonio Bachour to the Collective, curating Xcaret’s entire pastry line. The evening was also attended by Chef Carlos Gaytán, from HA’, and Paco Méndez, from the Encanta restaurant, as well as Andoni Luis Aduriz, from Xal.
Xcaret 2026 programme
The Xcaret 2026 programme reaffirms the destination’s role as a benchmark for Mexico with international reach. Proof of this is the 13th edition of the Platino Awards, which this year will be held at Xcaret in May, becoming for a few days the home of talent that will welcome the stories, voices and dreams of all of them. During the meeting at FITUR, the evening was also attended by actor Álvaro Morte, one of the most recognisable faces in Ibero-American cinema and television.
This year will also see the return of the Festival of Life and Death Traditions, celebrating its 20th anniversary, and the third edition of the Xcaret Mexican Folk Art Fair, which generates more than 2,369 jobs and brings together more than 144 master artisans from 22 states across Mexico. Akis also shared that the third edition of the Apapaxoa Gastrocultural Festival will be held from 18 to 23 September, consolidating Xcaret as the gastronomic epicentre of Mexico.
Destination of the Year
Finally, Grupo Xcaret announced that it had been named ‘Destination of the Year’ by Travel + Leisure magazine, an international recognition that celebrates more than three decades of evolution and a different way of understanding tourism. This designation distinguishes Xcaret for its ability to connect travellers with extraordinary natural landscapes, its celebration of Mexican culture, and its commitment to sustainability.
About GRUPO XCARET
Grupo Xcaret is a 100% Mexican company with more than 30 years of experience offering unique and unforgettable experiences inspired by respect for nature, culture, and love for Mexico. Currently, Grupo Xcaret has different business units: 1) Parks, operating the most emblematic parks in Cancún and the Riviera Maya, such as Xcaret Park, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xoximilco, and Xenses; 2) Hotels, with the All-Fun Inclusive® concept, which began in 2017 with Hotel Xcaret México, followed by Hotel Xcaret Arte and La Casa de la Playa; 3) Tours, offering cultural and nature tours to destinations such as Chichén Itzá and Tulum, as well as the Xenotes tour; and 4) Xcaret Xailing, its maritime connectivity unit, which provides ferry transfers from Cancún to Isla Mujeres and from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, as well as catamaran and yacht experiences. In 2026, Xcaret was recognised by Travel + Leisure as Destination of the Year, consolidating more than three decades of evolution as one of Mexico’s most iconic tourist destinations.
Source: COMUNICACIÓN IBEROAMERICANA