Sandos Caracol Beach Resort Reviews

Don't expect the 5* luxury of the Moon Palace but if you want a good value 4* all inclusive resort then this is for you.

Location - Admittedly it is built in the middle of the jungle so you are likely to get bitten by mosquitos but how many times do you get the chance to see iguanas (some huge), blue crabs, raccoons and bull frogs to name but a few at first hand ?

Rooms - OK nothing fancy but comfortable, cleaned and linen changed daily, mini bar restocked every couple of days.

Meals - 6 restaurants, 3 of which you need to make a reservation. The chinese is only average at best but the others are good with a wide choice.

Bars - Several to choose from serving a mixture of local and branded drinks, unfortunately most only serve using plastic glasses which is not great. Sports bar shows a wide selection of sport both UK and non UK Entertainment - not great and could be improved but they try there best.

Beach - fantastic white bands but very rocky to get into the sea.

Hotel staff - excellent, they cannot do enough for you and always have a smile on their face, just remember a small tip to these guys and girls goes a long way.

Excursions - Thomson offer a F1 speedboat experience at approx 120 USD per person, do it ! 2 speed boats race each other on the Caribbean sea stopping twice to so some fantastic snorkelling. Xcaret is also a worthwhile day out.

Playa Del Carmen - Perfectly safe and is only a 10 USD taxi ride away if you cannot get on the free shuttle bus (please note it seems the Spanish and Italians do not know what a queue is !). Shopping is OK and when you get a bit tired of the resort it is a great night out. NB - only drink in the bars in the side streets off 5th avenue as they are about half the price as those on 5th avenue. General - For the price you pay I don't think you can argue or complain. Another tip log on to sandoshotels.com before you go and join the select club.

Arrived at Cancun Airport definately an improvement as we visited 3 yrs ago and can see a drastic change for the better. 45 min tfr time to resort stayed 2 wks. Cannot fault the service from the staff they make you feel so welcome and there is no need to tip everday. Rooms are spacious, basic but always cleaned daily. Minibar restocked 3 times duing our stay with beer, pop and water. Sheets and towels changed daily. All bars stock some international and local spirits, very rare to find a que. Gardens and grounds kept very neat and tidy - look out for the local wildlife!!! (Iguana's, Crabs, Frogs, Fish and Turtles.)
It all adds to the enjoyment.

Various Restaraunts to try inc 3 speciality restaraunts that you reserve at the lobby. Well worth a try. Buffet resteraunts good selection of meats, seafoods, pastas and desserts and fruits. You will never go hungry!!

Failing that you can get food 24 hours at 1 bar or another i.e Burgers!

Beach is a bit rocky in places but lovely and warm with white sand, very pretty. All in all a great good value holiday will be returning.!!!

What a brilliant hotel. I would rate it at 4*. When we arrived we where a bit dubious about the dirt track road which we went down to the resort but our fears where soon diminished when we got to the lobby.

During our stay there was construction of a new and better road which was being used 12 days after we arrived. When we checked in we where the only ones so this was quick and painless. We where taken to our room straight away and helped up with our luggage form the bellboy. Our room was a junior suite and looked out onto the trees. Our rep asked us the next day if the room was ok, it was but it just looking out on to the trees. So we went to the reception and he asked if it was ok for us to change rooms and the lady on the reception did so for us. The room we got was amazing, it was much bigger than our original one and it looked out over the La Iguana pool. Brilliant view.

We had a massage while we where there, it was lovely and relaxing. It was 2 for 1, so listen out for any offers they may do. My husband and I had the same massage and went in the same room. The big jacuzzi and hydro-pool outside where lovely too.

We enjoyed looking at the wildlife around the resort, blue crabs!!!! iguanas, birds, fish and turtles. We often fed the fish and turtles, with bread from buffett. It was funny to watch.

We thought the layout of the resort was really good. The walk to all the restaurants, beach, pools, bars etc, where not as far as people make out. In fact it was nice to walk around and walk some for your meal off!!!! The food was really good, so much choice you would not go hungry. The waiter/ess would always come and fill your glasses with water or wine, at lunch and dinner times. Breakfast would be tea or coffee. The main buffet restaurant would have a themed night every night, these would be Mexican, Spanish, French, international, Caribbean, gala and fine cuts. One each night. So never the same meal and always a large selection, something for everyone, even fussy eaters. The entertainment was good the staff worked hard, but a bit more variety and it would be great.

The bars where good especially our pool bar La Iguana, Valerio and Roman where brilliant, they would make you any drink you wanted. They would even make you some of their own drinks for you to try. In the evening we would go to the show, then have a few drinks in the theatre bar and then go to the piano bar and then the lobby bar. All very good. The staff worked really hard.

The security was good in the resort. Very prominent. We did use our safe in the room and had no trouble like other people said there would be, with things going missing from it. We checked our things a few times and it was all still there.

If the mosquitoes like you then take all precautions. Including antihistamine cream. They like me, although I covered myself in deet the little bu***rs still got me, but not as much as some people. Put insect repellent on in the day too.

If you intend to go to Playa del Carmen on the shuttle bus get there about 20-30 minutes before the bus goes, the buses will only take a maximum of 22-24 people, and it is a first come first serve basis. The buses leave on the hour from 8am break for lunch at 12 then start again at 1pm until 5pm. Coming home meet in the same place you get dropped off on the ½ hour. It takes 10 minutes on the bus to get there. To get to 5th Ave walk down the road and when you come to the roundabout turn right, this is 5th avenue.

All in all we had a wonderful honeymoon and would come back again.

I and my boyfriend stayed in the sandos caracol in march - april this year and i have to say it was excellent. when arriving to our hotel we were a bit nervous due to the long derilick road that you travel on down to the hotel being very off putting however when we arrived here it was fantastic. All staff made you feel very welcome at all times.

Our room was great with two double beds, the shower room was clean and maids cleaned the room every day and restocked the fridge every other day.

the complex is huge with lots to do. The brochre states there are 4 pools however i only found 3 of these and one was for select club guests only. however the pools were spacious with plenty of sunbeds despite this they filled up very early any later than 8.30 and it was a struggle to find one.

The resturants were excellent and drink was plentyful having all the local and national brands. cocktails were also fab.

when here in mexico we swam with dolphins at dolphinus which is a must and a magical experience. we also visited xel-ha which was a great day out and went on an evening out on two pirate boats which included your meal of lobstar and steak and all the drink you need this was a fab night out.

in late march and early april the resort gets very busy especially with young americans due to spring break and i will worn you if its peace and quite you want avoid this time of year because they can be Very annoying. English people are also out numbers aswell due to the majority of guests being america and canadian's which were so friendly.

overall a fantastic holiday and i hope you enjoy yours!

Flew Star Class with First Choice, which was faultless 10 1/2 hours outward and 8 1/2 hours return.
Hotel is 5* plus , food is exceptional, premium drinks unlimited, accomodation large and spotless.

wouldn't hesitate to return