We’ve all been through a lot in the past couple of years and could use some serious spiritual and wellness revival. Self-care has taken a back seat along with travel and socializing. Now, it’s time to put yourself first and rejuvenate your soul. And I’ve found just the perfect place teeming with spiritual and wellness activities – guided by an actual Shaman – to reignite and replenish your inner spark.
Xcaret Mexico, situated south of Cancun along the Riviera Maya, is making wellness a central focus of its offerings. This luxurious resort honors the essence of Mexico while nurturing your own spirit. The property is truly remarkable, a AAA 5-Diamond resort, with one of the most unique landscapes I’ve ever seen in a beach resort.
Nestled among ancient Mayan caves, adorned with underground rivers and cenotes that showcase the natural beauty and history of the region, the resort is a sight to behold. Cenotes, renowned for their stunning emerald green waters, feed all the waterways of the resort enhancing its magical allure. You’ll discover hammocks and lounge chairs tucked away in caves and hidden within coves offering the perfect setting for relaxation, privacy, and seclusion.
The resort’s 900 suites are spread across themed buildings representing the core elements of Mayan culture: Spiral, Wind, Water, Earth, and Fire. With a variety of room configurations, views, and amenities, every guest room ensures a blend of comfort and luxury. For an extra indulgence, opt for the concierge service. Upon my return from a day of exploration, I was delighted to find a hot bubble bath prepared for me by my intuitive concierge.
Although many guests are drawn to the pristine beach, the resort is gaining popularity for its distinctive health and wellness programs rooted in ancient Mayan methods, traditions, and materials.
Wellness Activities
Kickstart your day with sunrise yoga on a secluded beach within the resort, nestled amidst caves and lush tropical flora. Experienced yogis or those curious can join a 50-minute Yoga Bio Ashtanga class to learn conscious breathing techniques that invigorate the body and mind.
The resort’s Shaman, Beto Cuevas, leads various spiritual ceremonies deeply rooted in traditional Mayan practices designed to restore balance to your body and soul.
Educating guests about these spiritual journeys is an integral part of the experience. Sound healing therapy, a practice across many civilizations, aims to harmonize the body and mind. Relax on a yoga mat under a canopy of indigenous trees while listening to the shaman’s sounds created with natural instruments, inducing a state of relaxed consciousness. Post-session, you’ll feel rejuvenated and calm, possibly even experiencing personal visions that bring comfort and peace.
Cacao, which was considered medicine by early Mayans and Aztecs, is used to open the heart and elevate the mood. The Shaman conducts a traditional cacao ceremony, elucidating the history and benefits of consuming raw cacao beans, while demonstrating ancient preparation techniques followed by a ceremonial tasting.
For an intense but highly recommended experience, engage in a temazcal ceremony. This ancient tradition combines meditation with a sweat lodge, purifying your body and offering a sense of renewal. As the Shaman guides you through meditation, the cave’s heat cleanses your body inside out, providing a rejuvenating experience.
To invigorate your senses (and perhaps work off some of the previous night’s indulgences), I highly recommend trying the 4.5-kilometer calisthenics circuit. Venture alone or enlist one of the resort’s fitness instructors to accompany you through the rainforest path equipped with exercise stations. At the circuit’s end, you’re rewarded with a slide into a refreshing cenote and access to a smoothie bar.
Muluk Spa
No wellness retreat is complete without a visit to a luxury spa. Muluk Spa at Xcaret Mexico focuses on enhancing guests’ health through the therapeutic properties of water. While awaiting your treatment, relax in the open-air lounge where emerald green cenotes flow through the space. The spa’s hydrotherapy circuit, one of the finest I’ve encountered, aims to relax and rejuvenate the body through alternating hot and cold stations culminating in a ludic pool with water jets targeting feet, waist, neck, shoulders, and the delightful bubble bed. The 21 treatment rooms are discreetly carved into the natural caverns of the property.
Muluk Spa offers rituals and healing experiences inspired by ancient Mayan traditions and practices. Many of the spa’s skin and body treatments feature locally sourced ingredients such as honey, cacao, cinnamon, and clay, revered for their beneficial properties by ancient civilizations. The Ikal facial utilizes honey to moisturize and nourish the skin with amino acids, vitamins, and proteins. The Ksakir facial incorporates clay, a traditional Mayan ingredient, to remove toxins and deeply cleanse the skin and spirit.
Guests seeking a sensory retreat can disconnect from daily stress with the float tank experience, equated to six hours of deep sleep as your body rests in a gravity-free environment. A mud bath with detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties offers skin softening benefits.
The Ayurvedic journey at the spa draws on the ancient Indian practice to promote holistic health through personalized treatments. The Ayurvedic massage, characterized by synchronized movements, balances the brain hemispheres to achieve emotional, mental, and spiritual harmony.
For those interested in more therapeutic sessions, guided Qi Yo sessions blend body and mind for emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Dining
Xcaret Mexico distinguishes itself with 12 unique dining venues offering exclusive culinary experiences for all tastes.
Ha’, the cosmopolitan restaurant, pays homage to the resort’s water-centric theme with a stunning fountain display. Renowned Chef Carlos Gaytán, the first Mexican chef awarded a Michelin Star, crafts elevated Mexican cuisine. Indulge in a 9-course tasting menu paired with fine wines for a culinary journey.
Reflecting its commitment to wellness, Bio is the resort’s fine dining vegan and vegetarian restaurant by acclaimed plant-based chef Miguel Bautista. The innovative menu caters to all, including children. Dining on vegan cuisine in an underground Mayan cave is an experience not to be missed.
Xcaret has partnered with renowned chefs to elevate the all-inclusive dining experience. Fuego, led by Chef Franco Maddalozzo, offers Italian cuisine infused with Mexican flair. XIN-GAO, overseen by Chef Arzapalo, presents a fusion of Asian and Caribbean delicacies through Teppanyaki, Robatayaki, Fusion, and Omakase styles. From casual beachside dining to international buffets to curated coastal menus, the resort offers a variety of dining options. For an authentic taste of Old Mexico, enjoy dinner and a show at Teatro del Rio.
Xcaret Resorts and Transportation
Situated 40 miles south of Cancun in Riviera Maya, Xcaret is a mere 10-minute drive from Playa del Carmen. The resort provides airport transportation. Adjacent Xcaret properties include family-friendly Xcaret Mexico, adults-only Xcaret Arte, and the boutique hotel La Casa de la Playa. Guests enjoy access to all Grupo Xcaret parks: Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xavage, Xoximilco, Xenses, and Xenotes. Shuttle services run every 30 minutes to Xcaret, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, and Xenses parks, with additional transportation arrangements available through the concierge. Round-trip transportation to Isla Mujeres is arranged by Xcaret Xailing.
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