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The Xcaret photo package gave us some of our favorite pictures from our entire trip, but at $359 for our family of four, my husband definitely questioned whether we really needed it. After coming home with 537 photos from the hotel and three Xcaret parks and experiences, we were both glad we bought it.
The photos from Xenotes alone made the package worth it for us. We left our phones behind that day, and a professional photographer captured more than 200 photos of our family doing things we never could have photographed ourselves.
Not every photo was perfect, and the automatic cameras could definitely be hit or miss. Here’s what we actually received from the Xcaret photo package, how it worked at each park, and whether I think it’s worth the extra cost.
How Much We Paid for the Xcaret Photo Package
We paid $359 for the Xcaret photo package for our family of four. We went with the highest package, which covered three or more parks and experiences plus photos at Hotel Xcaret México.
We used it at Xenotes, Xplor and Xplor Fuego, Xcaret Park, and throughout the hotel. Altogether, we ended up with 537 photos.
When we went, the one- and two-park packages did not include hotel photos. You had to choose the 3+ parks package to get those too. We ended up taking 143 photos just at the hotel, so I’m glad those were included.
Quick Tip: We paid $359 in August 2026, but Xcaret can change its photo package prices and options. Check Xcaret’s current Photo Pass information before your trip.
Our Xenotes Photos Were the Best Part of the Package
If there was one experience that made the Xcaret photo package worth buying for us, it was Xenotes. We came home with 221 photos from that day alone, and they were easily our favorites from the entire trip.
Xenotes was different because there was an actual professional photographer with our group. Instead of relying on automatic cameras, we had someone there capturing us jumping into the cenotes, swimming, zip lining, and doing the different activities throughout the day.
We also left our phones in the van for Xenotes, and I was so glad we did. There was so much swimming and jumping in and out of the water that carrying phones around would have been a pain. We could just enjoy the day and still have tons of pictures from it afterward.
If you only plan to purchase photos from one Xcaret experience, I would choose Xenotes. Having a photographer there made a huge difference, and many of the pictures would have been impossible for us to get on our own.
Xplor and Xplor Fuego Photos
We got 146 photos from Xplor and Xplor Fuego, and I loved that we could get pictures even though our phones were locked away in the lockers while we did the activities.
For some of the attractions, a chip in your helmet connects the automatic photos taken of you to your account. We got some really fun action shots riding the ATVs, going down the huge waterslide, and zip lining into the water. These were exactly the kinds of pictures we never could have taken ourselves.
There was zero chance I was taking my own picture here. 😂There are also photo stations where you scan your wristband and pose for the camera. We used these while swimming through the caves and kayaking, so we were able to capture those parts of the day without having our phones with us either.
Another fun part was seeing our photos pop up on screens while we waited in some of the lines. Pictures that had been captured of our family throughout the day would appear when our wristbands were nearby. My kids especially liked seeing what showed up.
Hotel Xcaret México Photos
We ended up with 143 photos from Hotel Xcaret México, mostly taken at the automatic photo stations around the resort.
You scan your wristband, get into position, and wait for the camera to take your picture. We usually took several at each location because you weren’t always sure exactly when the flash was about to go off. Holding the pose for an extra second definitely helped.
The cameras weren’t perfect. Sometimes we weren’t lined up quite right and someone ended up partially cut off. We also had a few times when we thought we had taken pictures that never appeared in our account. Unfortunately, this happened with every photo we tried to get on the waterslides.
I usually had my phone with me around the hotel and took plenty of my own pictures, so I didn’t rely on the photo package nearly as much here as I did at Xenotes or Xplor. I really liked having it when we were in the pools without our phones nearby, though. It was also an easy way to get all four of us in the picture without handing my phone to someone else.
The hotel photos weren’t the reason I would buy the package again, but I’m still glad they were included. We got some fun family pictures, and taking a few ridiculous poses along the way was part of the fun.
🌴Planning a Hotel Xcaret Mexico Trip? Start Here.
Hotel Xcaret Mexico is different from a typical all-inclusive resort, so compare your dates carefully and leave yourself enough time to enjoy both the resort and its included experiences.
Helpful booking tools for your trip:
- ✈️ Check flight prices for your travel dates.
- 🏨 Book Hotel Xcaret México directly here.
- 🛡️ Compare travel insurance options before your trip.
Why I Buy International Travel Health Insurance
I always buy travel health insurance when we leave the country, and it feels especially important for an active trip like Xcaret. For me, the relatively small cost is worth having coverage in case someone gets hurt or needs medical care outside the U.S. I compare travel insurance options here before our international trips.
More Help Planning Your Xcaret Trip
- Not sure whether the resort is right for your family? See who I think Xcaret is best for.
- Thinking about buying the photos? Read my experience with the Xcaret photo package.
- Getting ready to go? See what we actually packed for Xcaret.
What I Liked About the Xcaret Photo Package
What I liked most was that the photo package filled in the gaps in my own vacation pictures. I still took plenty of photos on my phone, but there were times when I couldn’t, or simply didn’t want to.
It also meant I was actually in more of our family pictures. I’m usually the one taking the photo, so I loved coming home with so many pictures where all four of us were together.
Some of my favorite photos from the entire trip are ones I never could have taken myself. That, more than the total number of pictures we received, is what made the package valuable to me.
What I Didn’t Like About the Xcaret Photo Package
The biggest downside was that the automatic cameras weren’t always reliable. Sometimes we thought we had taken a photo and it never appeared in our account. We were especially disappointed that none of the photos we tried to take on the hotel waterslides showed up.
The other obvious downside is the price. $359 is a lot to spend on vacation photos, and I wouldn’t automatically recommend the largest package to everyone. Whether it’s worth it really depends on how many parks and experiences you’re planning to visit and how much you’ll actually use the photos.
🌴 A Few Things We Were Glad We Packed for Xcaret
So many of our favorite Xcaret activities involved water that a few things we packed ended up getting used over and over again.
- My Water Shoes: Water shoes were required for many of the activities, so this is one item I would not leave at home. Mine stayed comfortable throughout the trip and held up well. I bought my husband a cheaper pair, but his were not nearly as comfortable and started falling apart.
- Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen: Xcaret asks guests to use sunscreen that is safe for its rivers, cenotes and other natural environments. We brought Blue Lizard mineral sunscreen so we could protect our skin while following the requirements for the activities.
- Waterproof Phone Pouch – So many Xcaret experiences involve water that a waterproof phone pouch is one of the easiest ways to keep your phone protected and still have it available for photos.
- Dry Backpack – This helped keep dry clothes and other belongings protected when most of what we were doing involved rivers, pools or cenotes.
- Wet Bag – I started bringing a few wet bags on this trip and really liked having them. They made it easy to separate wet swimsuits and water gear from everything else in our bag.
- Portable Charger: We used our phones constantly for photos, videos and the resort app. I have owned several portable chargers, and this one is hands down my favorite.
For everything else we brought, my Xcaret packing list has the things we actually used and would pack again.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Xcaret Photo Package
After coming home with 537 photos, there are definitely a few things I would recommend doing to get the most out of the Xcaret photo package.
- Take more than one photo at the automatic photo stations. We usually scanned our wristbands and took several pictures instead of assuming the first one would be perfect. Some were great, while others had someone cut off or caught us before everyone was ready.
- Hold your pose for an extra second. You can usually see the flash, but it isn’t always easy to know exactly when it’s coming. Waiting an extra second before moving gave us a better chance of getting the picture we wanted.
- Don’t assume every photo will show up. We had some pictures that never made it into our account, including the ones we tried to take on the hotel waterslides. If there’s a photo you really want, take another one when you can.
- Take advantage of the photos when your phone isn’t practical. At Xenotes we left our phones behind, and at Xplor they were locked in a locker. Those were the times I was happiest to have the photo package.
- Use the photo stations when you want everyone in the picture. I still took plenty of my own vacation photos, especially around Hotel Xcaret México. The automatic cameras gave us a way to get all four of us in the picture.
- Expect the automatic photos to be a little hit or miss. Almost all 221 of our Xenotes photos were great because they were taken by a professional photographer. The automatic photos at Xplor, Xcaret Park, and around the hotel were much less consistent, but we still ended up with plenty of good ones.
Is the Xcaret Photo Package Worth It?
For our family, the Xcaret photo package was worth it, and I would buy it again.
I think the decision really comes down to what you plan to do during your trip. If you’re visiting several Xcaret parks and experiences and want family and action photos that would be difficult to take yourself, it’s much easier to justify the cost.
On the other hand, if you’re planning a more relaxed trip, usually have your phone with you, or don’t care about having everyone in the pictures, I wouldn’t automatically buy the largest package. Look at the current options and choose based on what you’ll actually use.
For us, I’m really glad we spent the money.
Xcaret Photo Package FAQ
How much does the Xcaret photo package cost?
We paid $359 for our family of four in August 2026 for the 3+ parks package, which also included photos at Hotel Xcaret México. Prices and package options can change, so check Xcaret’s current pricing before your trip.
How many photos did we get from the Xcaret photo package?
We received 537 photos total from Xenotes, Xplor and Xplor Fuego, Xcaret Park, and Hotel Xcaret México.
Are Hotel Xcaret México photos included in the photo package?
When we visited, hotel photos were included with the 3+ parks package. The one- and two-park options did not include hotel photos.
Where did we get the best photos?
Xenotes, by far. We had a professional photographer with our group throughout the experience and came home with 221 photos. Many captured moments we wouldn’t have been able to photograph ourselves.
Do you still need to take your own photos?
Yes. I still took plenty of photos with my phone, especially around Hotel Xcaret México. I looked at the photo package as something that added to my own vacation pictures rather than replacing them completely.
Would I buy the Xcaret photo package again?
Yes. It was expensive, but we got enough photos that I genuinely love that I would purchase it again on a future Xcaret trip.
Final Thoughts on the Xcaret Photo Package
Vacation photos are one of the things I appreciate more after the trip is over, and I’m really happy with the ones we came home with from Xcaret. Some are beautiful family photos, some caught us in the middle of an adventure, and a few are just funny.
The Xcaret photo package wasn’t perfect, but it gave us pictures we never would have gotten on our own. Those are the ones that made it worth buying for me.
Still planning your vacation? Book Hotel Xcaret México directly here.
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Photo Note: Our personal vacation photos are © Stack the Miles. Photos from the Xcaret photo package are used with permission from Xcaret. Select scenic and landmark images may also be courtesy of trusted stock sources and tourism archives.
Welcome to Stack the Miles
Hi, I’m Mel — a teacher, mom, and family travel planner helping families travel farther, spend smarter,
and make unforgettable memories using real-life tested advice from our own trips.
