Guide to make the most out of the unlimited food and beverages at Xel-Há

International buffet or authentic Mexican food? 

Take advantage of your all-inclusive admission! 

We always talk about Xel-Há’s natural wonders (obviously!), but today we want to take you on a tour through its culinary wonders.

One of the many attractions of this water park is undoubtedly the all-inclusive admission, with which you can enjoy unlimited food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) throughout the day (8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.). As true food enthusiasts that we are, here we present some of the traditional dishes, refreshing drinks and desserts that you must try during your visit.

Before starting this banquet, you should know that the gastronomic offer of the park is so wide and tasty that this blog could be 100 pages long… but for practical reasons we decided to highlight those that included:

Regional ingredients

Original recipes

Unique preparation methods

Simply, some great favorites among the visitors

Let’s go!

Main consumption centers 

Within the park, there are four main consumption centers (all operating under the “assisted buffet” scheme as part of the safety protocols)

Xula Vista

-International food and drinks at Xel-Há.

-The menu changes from breakfast to lunch starting at 12:30 p.m. 

-Location: a few steps from the Island of Hammocks. 

-Open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

#40 on the Xcaret APP. 

“La Cocina del Pueblo”

 -100% Mexican food. 

-Open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

-Location: next to the nursery and entrance to the Scenic Lighthouse. 

#41 on the Xcaret APP. 

“El Bar del Puente”

-Order your favorite drinks and cocktails here. 

-Open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

-Location: next to Fish Therapy. 

#44 on the Xcaret APP. 

Note: around the park you can find other smaller bars freshen up as well. 

“La Terraza”

-Snack bar where you’ll find hamburgers, pizzas, and traditional side dishes.

-As a new measure, this consumption center isn’t always open, but from 12:30 p.m., you can find its menu in “Xula Vista”.

A great tip is to download the XCARET! APP, which has an illustrated map and GPS. It is available for Android and iOS.

Related blogs: 15 frequently asked questions about Xel-Há.

Time to freshen up: drinks 

– Soursop water 

Soursop is a tropical fruit that only grows in warm climates. It’s green on the outside and white on the inside. Its inner pulp is soft, very juicy and has a delicious acid taste to it. Its aroma is similar to pineapples, and it goes well with the paradisiacal landscape. Don’t forget to mix it well before drinking.

Where can you order it? Order it to accompany your meals at Xula Vista or La Cocina del Pueblo.

– Tamarind water

If you live in Mexico, tamarind water might seem quite common to you, but it’s always exciting to order it while visiting Xel-Há because it’s not tamarind syrup, but natural pulp. Such a delight! Its sweet and sour flavor is extremely refreshing and as with soursop, you’ll want to mix the content of your glass well to get a good taste of the pulp.

Now, if you’re not from Mexico and have yet to try tamarind water, let me tell you that you’re about to try one of the most emblematic drinks of our culture. It’s common to find tamarind trees in the southeast of the country and the fruits can be eaten right after harvesting without any special treatment. You might also stumble upon tamarind sweets during your visit to Mexico, which are sometimes covered in chili powders and others, sprinkled with sugar.

Where can you order it? Order it to accompany your meals at Xula Vista or La Cocina del Pueblo.

– Michelada

It was especially tough to choose which drinks to feature on this list, but to play by the rules, we selected the michelada as one of the most popular beer preparations. This delicacy is served in a frosty glass with lemon juice, salt or chili powder. Its color is the result of different sauces that give it that Mexican spiciness, and of course, don’t forget the beer! If you’re interested in trying other preparations, try the “chelada”: lemon juice in a frosty glass with salt; or the “clamato”: which has tomato juice instead of hot sauces.

Where can you order it? Order it to accompany your food at Xula Vista or La Cocina del Pueblo and in the bars around the park.

Note: Drinks are served in glass cups inside restaurants, but plastic cups are used in bars. They’re not disposable, so you can deposit the empty glass in the designated containers for disinfection and washing.

Other drinks you should try: our signature cocktail, “Xel-Há” (gin, lemon juice, blue curaçao, and mineral water), and a very cold Margarita. Cheers!

If you’re interested in food and drinks at Xel-Há, you might enjoy this blog: Most requested cocktails at Xel-Há

The most important meal of the day: breakfast 

– Seasonal fruits with pineapple yogurt and granola 

For some of us, a delicious breakfast always includes fruit. At Xel-Há there’s a whole section of seasonal delicacies, with their respective complements. Today we want to recommend the amazing pineapple yogurt, but if you prefer, you can always reach for the classic natural or strawberry yogurt. Add chopped coconut and granola for an extra touch of flavor and that’s it, the start of a great day. Don’t forget to ask about the juices and fresh water (watermelon is my personal favorite).

Where can you find them? During breakfast at Xula Vista.

– Chilaquiles

This traditional Mexican breakfast is so powerful, that it’s now the classic hangover cure. Tortilla chips served with red or green sauce, cream and cheese. Some people prefer them crispy and others, softer. By the way, at Xel-Há, the sauce isn’t spicy at all, so they’re suitable for children and other non-chili eaters (like myself —sorry, mom).  

Where can you find them? During breakfast in Xula Vista (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) 

Bring in the main courses!

– Stew tacos

I must say that we’re kind of cheating on this one because thanks to the extraordinary variety of stews, there are many possible combinations: potato with chorizo, pork rinds in green sauce, chicken tinga, cochinita pibil, rajas poblanas (to name a few). Nothing like a plate of tacos with rice on top to fall in love with Mexico. 

Where can you find them? Enjoy them at Xula Vista during lunch and at La Cocina del Pueblo. 

Food and drinks at Xel-Há: The importance of Mexican gastronomic culture.

– Ceviche and aguachile

The fresh ingredients of the Xel-Há shrimp ceviche are the best remedy for a hot day (and we have a lot of those around here). If you want a dish that’s just as fresh but spicier, try the aguachile with lemon juice, serrano peppers, cucumber, coriander, and red onion. You’ll want to drink every last drop of that juice, believe me.

Where can you find them? Enjoy them at La Cocina del Pueblo.

– Salbutes

A round of applause for Yucatecan cuisine! Food and drinks at Xel-Há. You cannot leave without trying one or two salbutes. They are mainly characterized by their fried and fluffy tortilla, resulting in a crunchy but soft dough (it’s not a tostada!). They are regularly served with pork, but today, we enjoyed them with potatoes and chorizo, and they tasted just as exquisite.

Where can you find them? Enjoy them in La Cocina del Pueblo.

– Beans with pork

Another Yucatecan dish because these are the delicacies of the Southeast. We debated a lot about what soup/broth/consommé to include on the list. Due to its iconicity, the bean with pork won, but you can also enjoy red pozole or lime soup. This dish is really comforting, and it’s the different Mexican spices used in its preparation that make the flavors stand out even more.

Where can you find them? Enjoy them at La Cocina del Pueblo.

The best for last: desserts 

 – Churros and fritters

Happiness is: sugar on the fingers! These are desserts that you might typically find on Mexican streets, markets, and fairs. They are fried and sweet thanks to their outer layer of sugar. Accompany them with a warm pot of Café de Olla (Mexican coffee) to amplify the sweetness.

Where can you find it? Enjoy them at La Cocina del Pueblo.

– Xel-Há’s signature flan

At this point in the blog, we’re all very hungry, aren’t we? I recommend you not to leave Xel-Há without trying at least two or three desserts and the flan is quite high on that list. Fluffy, creamy and sweet, this traditional custard-based dessert is the perfect ending. If you still have room for something extra, I recommend you try the arroz con leche. 

Where can you find it? Enjoy them at La Cocina del Pueblo. 

Some honorable mentions: iconic food and drinks at Xel-Há

Guacamole: A delight to complement any dish (it’s not spicy)

Ice creams: Seriously, everyone loves them!

Cannelloni: The Italian corner of Xula Vista shines with dishes such as lasagna, cannelloni and different sauces so you can make your own pasta

Burger with potatoes: Universal and completely delicious

Finally, we must remind you that as part of the hygiene protocols, the buffets are assisted and the food is served by the friendly restaurant team.

I really hope you enjoyed this tour through the culinary gems of Xel-Há. It was brief, considering the park's wide gastronomic offer, but I’m sure that these options will have you praising the chef or, better yet, rediscovering your love for Mexican food.

Now that you know more about the food and drinks at Xe-Há, let’s chat! What Mexican dish do you hope to find on the menu?