Sandos Caracol Eco Resort All Inclusive

“Ok BUT… beware!”

My family of 4 years are here right now on day 11 of our 13 day vacation. It is a nice resort, the facilities are nice, including the pool waterslide and pathways to walk around. BUT… there is lots to be aware of that doesn’t work in your favor, unless you buy into their “club”. No matter what they… more

My family of 4 years are here right now on day 11 of our 13 day vacation. It is a nice resort, the facilities are nice, including the pool waterslide and pathways to walk around. BUT… there is lots to be aware of that doesn’t work in your favor, unless you buy into their “club”. No matter what they call it the presentation that they want you to go to it is a TIMESHARE presentation, with your typical sales tactics showing all the benefits and the hefty price tag that comes with it. We did the presentation and agreed to try it comfortable that there was the option to refuse. Suddenly you’re given the five star +++ treatment, with the black bracelets on there is better portions, top shelf everything, better food, better towels, better areas EVERYTHING is better better better. One of the safeguards now for potential buyers is a Mexican law that allows you to have five business days to decide if you really do want to sign up for timeshare. Not a lot of people know that, I did so I was willing to try it out and see if it was really worth it so once I got all the contracts to be able to crunch the numbers based on their financing, interest rates, and 15 year term commitment it wasn’t for us) So then if you choose to not be a part of the vacation club / the black bracelet gang you are now just a lowly guest. Trying to get reservations for the restaurants; black bracelet - easy automatic reservations, no black bracelet: you have to get up at midnight to try to even be lucky to get a reservation, and I’m not even kidding you really do have to get up at midnight so set your alarm. No reservation you’re eating at the buffet, in which the food is mediocre and repetitive at best. Beds and rooms are nice… The showers are lukewarm if you’re lucky. The list does go on but I do try to always look at the good and move on. BUT now here’s the real kicker! One of the big selling features of the Sandos resorts are that you can stay at one and play at two. WRONG!! if you got the black bracelets, yep that is the case, but if you don’t have that black bracelet suddenly even though you’re in Mexico during off-season, it’s not off-season at the play car resort so there’s no room for anybody other than the black bracelets. I always do my research and always read my fine print before I make a decision on our holidays . I researched multiple websites and nowhere is there mention of these conditions. It is a valuable peek for you to be able to take advantage of this bonus feature that they advertise when you’re trying to figure out which resort you want to go to. All in all, we are here right now and making the best of it, we will paying the extra expense and will be taking more trips to Playa Del Carmen to enjoy the beach there, (The beach here at Caracol super rocky) and the abundance of restaurants that are reasonably priced and full of variety. so much for all inclusive value! We have been coming to Mexico since the early 90s and have come to the conclusion that with all of the hidden extras that you end up having to pay for and the extras that you don’t even have access to, including the ability to upgrading while your there, my husband and I will continue to visit but we will rent an Airbnb instead. We know it will be cheaper and better quality overall in comparison.

less