Chilean Family Sues Xcaret Over Quadriplegic Fall Incident

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — A family of Chilean tourists has filed a lawsuit against Grupo Xcaret after a devastating fall left Cristian Cáceres González, a young man with Down syndrome, quadriplegic. The incident occurred on July 15 at Xcaret Xailing, a ferry dock operated by the company in Cancún, when Cristian fell from a ramp lacking guardrails.

Grupo Xcaret Attempted to Shift Blame to Family

The accident resulted in irreversible spinal cord damage, leaving Cristian with quadriplegia. According to his sister, Paulina, medical staff at the park initially downplayed the severity of his injuries, suggesting there was no certainty of long-term harm and implying the family was at fault for not canceling their trip.

During a press conference in Playa del Carmen, the family expressed frustration that Grupo Xcaret’s parks, marketed as inclusive, failed to provide adequate accessibility for Cristian. Despite his lifelong independence, the lack of safety measures at Xcaret Xailing led to the tragic fall.

Quadriplegia Diagnosed After Multiple Medical Evaluations

Paulina recounted that Cristian arrived in Cancún on June 20 with prepaid services for Grupo Xcaret, believing the company to be reputable. On June 24, while boarding the Xcaret Xailing ferry, he tripped on an unmarked ramp without guardrails and fell.

Initial first aid from park staff dismissed serious injury, but after Cristian reported numbness and loss of mobility, further tests at Hospital Azura revealed spinal cord damage consistent with quadriplegia. He underwent emergency surgery and remained hospitalized for two weeks, incurring medical costs of 2.5 million pesos (approximately $125,000 USD). His insurance covered only 500,000 pesos, while Grupo Xcaret has refused to take responsibility, citing lack of documentation and insisting on communicating solely through legal representatives.

Legal Action Filed for Negligence

With direct medical expenses exceeding 500,000 pesos and estimated total costs surpassing 2 million pesos, including ongoing therapy, the family has pursued legal action. Attorney José Luis González Navarro confirmed formal complaints have been filed against Grupo Xcaret for negligence, inadequate emergency response, and victim-blaming.

The case has reignited scrutiny over Grupo Xcaret’s safety protocols and accountability in visitor incidents. The family seeks justice and compensation for Cristian’s life-altering injuries.