There’s been a lot of hype about the huge water park at the new Nickelodeon Riviera Maya.  The only catch is the price one has to pay to stay there–$5,500 for two adults in the off season of January in a basic king room (no airfare)…not everyone can afford that kind of price tag.

Here’s an option if you want a great water park at an all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya.  Sandos Caracol Eco Resort is a large family-friendly property which is located about 45-min. south of the Cancun airport in the Riviera Maya.  This resort is for nature lovers who enjoy lots to do at one’s resort while minimizing their carbon print during a vacation.  Efficient A/C units, solar powered water heating systems, recycling programs, an organic garden, complimentary biodegradable insect repellent stations, and large in-room water containers (not plastic water bottles) are just some of the ways this resort practices eco-sound ways to run a resort.

Here’s some of the major amenities Sandos Caracol offers:

• Aqua Water Park with water slides for all ages.  There are 5 “medium” slides, and 7 slides for older teens and adults.  There is a separate pool area with slides for very young children.
• All Nature Experience–guided walks, bike tours, Jade River swims, mangrove boat rides for couples, and swimming/snorkeling in the main on-site cenote are just part of the lure of Sandos Caracol.
• Xcalacoco Experience–a series of daily interactive activities and shows highlighting Mayan traditions and cultural events.
• As mentioned above, there is an on-site cenote which guests can actually enter and swim/snorkel.
• Lots of opportunity to interact with wildlife–this is a resort which has a lot of monkeys so be prepared to see them in the trees, walking the pathways, or jumping onto balcony railings.  Be aware that some monkeys like to enter guest rooms to gain access to possible food, so use caution in opening your sliding door if they are out on the balcony.
• Four pools (one is for Royal Elite vacation club members), nine restaurants, two snack bars, and 12 bars scattered around the property.  Be aware that COVID restrictions has made the resort close some sections and restrict the total number of restaurants and bars available at this time.  (Adults-only Select Club guest rooms are temporarily located at the beach during COVID).
• An adults-only section, Select Club, has its own guest rooms, pool, Jacuzzi, restaurant and bar, and Clubhouse beachfront lounge which offers its own bar, snacks, pool and foosball tables, computer access, and lending library.  Some of these amenities may be temporarily closed due to COVID, however.

Does the resort sound tempting?  It certainly has enough to keep most guests active and happy.  The only down side (besides COVID restrictions) is the beach area–it has a rather rocky ocean entry, but there are certain narrow entryways which allow guests to swim out into beautiful water to have fun.

Here’s a drone video of the resort so you can see the overall resort layout; this video has a great view of the water park so you can get a look at all the slides.

What do you think?  Would you stay here?