Occidental at Xcaret Destination, listed as Occidental Grand Xcaret, is a Barceló resort next to the Xcaret park, south of Playa del Carmen. Plan the ceremony about 90 minutes before sunset; the beach faces Cozumel, so the sun sets behind you.
Occidental at Xcaret Destination, listed as Occidental Grand Xcaret, is a Barceló resort next to the Xcaret park, south of Playa del Carmen. Playacar is a quiet, gated resort area of gardens and golf, south of the busy centre. This guide is the photographer's view: venues, light, timeline and vendor rules.
The Resort at a Glance
- ResortA Barceló resort next to the Xcaret park, south of Playa del Carmen
- AreaPlayacar, south of the centre
- Beach facesEast, toward Cozumel
Venue names and capacities come from the resort's wedding listings and change with renovations and packages, so your coordinator's current sheet is the final word.
Where the Ceremony Happens
Ask Occidental at Xcaret Destination's wedding team for the current ceremony and reception venues. On this coast the strongest settings are the beach and any raised terrace facing the sea, with pools and loungers out of the frame.
Parque Fundadores, with the Portal Maya sculpture and the ferry pier to Cozumel, is the classic Playa del Carmen backdrop, busiest in the evening and quiet at sunrise.
Sunset and Light by Month
Times for this beach on the 15th of each month in 2027.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:27 am | 5:57 pm | 6:29 pm |
| March | 6:57 am | 6:29 pm | 6:58 pm |
| May | 6:12 am | 6:47 pm | 7:18 pm |
| June | 6:08 am | 6:58 pm | 7:30 pm |
| July | 6:17 am | 7:01 pm | 7:32 pm |
| September | 6:36 am | 6:22 pm | 6:51 pm |
| November | 6:58 am | 5:37 pm | 6:08 pm |
| December | 7:17 am | 5:38 pm | 6:10 pm |
Playa del Carmen faces east toward Cozumel, so the sun rises over the channel and sets behind the town, leaving the beach in soft, even light at the end of the day. Plan the ceremony for roughly 90 minutes before sunset; the portraits then land in the softest light of the day. From roughly October through March the sun rises from behind Cozumel, which makes a sunrise session here unusually striking.
Bringing Your Own Photographer
Like most all-inclusive resorts on this coast, Occidental at Xcaret Destination charges outside wedding photographers for access, either as a vendor fee or as a per-person day pass, and the amount changes by season and package. Ask for the exact figure in writing before you sign, and ask whether it applies per vendor or per person, because a photographer and a second shooter are two people. We send our insurance and identification paperwork to your coordinator ourselves. Our guide to outside photographers at resorts explains how these charges work.
Weddings in the Riviera Maya, Through Our Lens
Real IVAE Studios weddings and portraits along the Riviera Maya, so you can see how this light and water look on camera. They show our work in the area, not necessarily at Occidental at Xcaret Destination.
Coverage and Prices
What does it cost? Half-day coverage, up to four hours, is 1,800 to 2,800 USD. The full day, eight to ten hours with two photographers, is 3,500 to 5,500 USD, the right choice for larger weddings. With a wedding film added, 5,500 to 8,000 USD. We deliver every wedding gallery within one to three business days, not the weeks or months that are common elsewhere.