Mexico’s New Gov Ties with Xcaret in $700M Hotel Launch

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — In a notable shift from the previous administration’s stance, Mexico’s Fourth Transformation government has extended a conciliatory gesture to Grupo Xcaret, whose leadership presided over the inauguration of the new Hotel Xcaret México this Saturday. The event was attended by Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, signaling a new chapter in the relationship between the government and the prominent tourism group.

A $700 Million Investment with Major Economic Impact

Miguel Quintana Pali and Carlos Constandse Madrazo led the ceremonial proceedings at the Playa del Carmen complex. The hotel’s expansion represents a $700 million investment, adding 900 rooms to the Mexican Caribbean’s hospitality offerings and creating 2,130 direct jobs.

Secretary Rodríguez Zamora emphasized the alignment of such projects with President Claudia Sheinbaum’s "Plan México," stating, "Investments of this scale, which benefit workers, are precisely what Plan México seeks: job creation and well-being for Mexicans."

Marcos Constandse Redko, Vice President of Administration and Finance for Grupo Xcaret, welcomed attendees and outlined the group’s expansion plans. The event also featured Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama, state and municipal officials, and Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo Cárdenas of the Cancún-Chetumal Diocese.

Past Tensions Under López Obrador

The inauguration marks a departure from the adversarial relationship between Grupo Xcaret and the administration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who repeatedly criticized the company for alleged environmental violations, appropriation of archaeological sites, and opposition to the Tren Maya project.

On May 2, 2022, López Obrador accused Grupo Xcaret of collaborating with "pseudo-environmentalists" to undermine the Tren Maya, alleging unauthorized development at the Xibalbá project in Yucatán: "They were connecting cenotes and underground rivers without permits." He further claimed the company wielded media influence, stating, "Xcaret has many connections with media outlets. I’ve even read columnists who likely have ties to its owners."

In January 2023, López Obrador doubled down on his criticism of Xibalbá, calling it an "ecocide": "They did whatever they wanted with aquifers, underground rivers, and cenotes—even building a church below ground." He also raised concerns about private control of archaeological sites like Polé, located within Xcaret Park, urging the company to lower entry fees for public access.

Challenges in Reclaiming Archaeological Zones

López Obrador acknowledged that many archaeological sites remain in private hands, citing judicial corruption as a barrier to expropriation: "Even in cases like Chichén Itzá, judges often side with private owners."

The inauguration of Hotel Xcaret México underscores a pivot toward collaboration under the Sheinbaum administration, though the legacy of past conflicts lingers.