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Playa del Carmen TRAVEL GUIDE AND DEALS

Situated on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, just 42 miles south of Cancun, Playa del Carmen is a long way away from the hard-partying ways of its northerly neighbor. That’s not to say that there’s no fun to be had here, but white-sand beaches, eco-parks, and nearby Mayan ruins are what this place is all about.

Why Go

Powdery beaches, great diving and snorkeling among protected reefs, must-see Mayan ruins, and eco-adventures in nearby jungles and parks.

Playa del Carmen Travel Guide: Deals to Playa del Carmen | Playa del Carmen Neighborhoods | Things to do in Playa del Carmen | Playa del Carmen Hotels | Playa del Carmen Restaurants | Playa del Carmen Nightlife | Playa del Carmen Shopping | Playa del Carmen Day Trips | When to go to Playa del Carmen | Getting to Playa del Carmen | Playa del Carmen Tips | Playa del Carmen Additional Resources

See Also: Central America | Mexico | Yucatan Peninsula | Quintana Roo

Playa del Carmen Hotels

The last few years have transformed Playa del Carmen from a quiet beach community to a happening home for some of Mexico's most interesting hotels. New properties open practically every month, running the gamut from Miami Beach-style boutiques to luxury resorts. If you’re looking for a beachfront room, you’ll have to dig deep into your wallet and book one of the top tier properties (300+ per night) which, with just a few exceptions, hog the sand. Moderate hotels in the range of $150-300/night tend to be within walking distance of the beach and, ironically, sport some of the trendiest design in town, occasionally making them a better value than their more expensive siblings. Budget travelers will likely end up somewhere downtown as rooms by the beach for under $150 nightly are practically nonexistent. On the up side, downtown is only a few minutes' drive to the beach.

= Smart Splurge

= Great Value

ALL
BUDGET
MODERATE
HIP & TRENDY
LUXURY

Acanto Boutique Hotel and Suites
With only seven stylish and intimate suites, this is a choice find for the money. Expect Mexican hacienda architecture with a... romantic | great value

Hotel Lunata
In the budget category, there's no better option than the Lunata. The stylish little inn right on Fifth Avenue has just ten... great value

Illusion Hotel
This four-level Asian/Italian-themed hotel located just a few walkable blocks from the beach would seem far more posh in any... views

La Tortuga Hotel and Spa
This quiet, 51-room hotel is located steps from the action of downtown Playa del Carmen but offers a tranquil refuge with a...

Deseo Hotel & Lounge
This 15-room boutique retreat – one of the trendiest properties in an already trendy city – shares the same owners... moderate | boutique

Fairmont Mayakoba
This fresh resort is located in what’s planned to be a luxury development just north of Playa del Carmen. The 401 rooms...

Hotel Le Rêve
This stylish, 25-unit hotel and spa, three miles north of Playa del Carmen at Playa Xcalacoco, combines European-style luxury... pool

Shangri-La Caribe
At first glance, Shangri-la Caribe¹s cluster of thatched cabanas on the beach looks like an indigenous village. Take a... waterfront

Hotel Basico
Just one block from the beach, this miniscule 15-room hotel from the owners of the nearby Deseo has drawn accolades for its... trendy | views | expensive

Tides Riviera Maya
Formerly known as Ikal del Mar, Tides is the ultimate romantic resort, perfect for honeymooners. Thirty 1,000-square-foot... romantic | smart splurge | trendy

Esencia
This 29-room hotel, which occupies a nearly empty two-mile stretch of perfect white sand at Playa Xpu-Ha, is located in a... spa | expensive | waterfront

Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental chain made a huge splash in early 2008 when they opened their first Mexican hotel here in Playa del... spa | smart splurge | expensive

Maroma Resort and Spa
Maroma’s sparkling white-sand beach is renowned for its beauty, and this resort is perfectly located mere steps from the...

Paraíso de la Bonita
This 90-room, adults-only luxury spa resort north of Playa del Carmen is one of the most lavish accommodations on the Yucatan... spa | views | expensive

Royal Hideaway Playacar
This adults-only, all-inclusive, 200-room Occidental resort is hard not to like. It’s neither small nor independent, but... all-inclusive | pool | expensive | waterfront

Acanto Boutique Hotel and Suites
With only seven stylish and intimate suites, this is a choice find for the money. Expect Mexican hacienda architecture with a... romantic | great value

Hotel Lunata
In the budget category, there's no better option than the Lunata. The stylish little inn right on Fifth Avenue has just ten... great value

Illusion Hotel
This four-level Asian/Italian-themed hotel located just a few walkable blocks from the beach would seem far more posh in any... views

La Tortuga Hotel and Spa
This quiet, 51-room hotel is located steps from the action of downtown Playa del Carmen but offers a tranquil refuge with a...

Deseo Hotel & Lounge
This 15-room boutique retreat – one of the trendiest properties in an already trendy city – shares the same owners... boutique | trendy

Fairmont Mayakoba
This fresh resort is located in what’s planned to be a luxury development just north of Playa del Carmen. The 401 rooms...

Hotel Le Rêve
This stylish, 25-unit hotel and spa, three miles north of Playa del Carmen at Playa Xcalacoco, combines European-style luxury... pool

Shangri-La Caribe
At first glance, Shangri-la Caribe¹s cluster of thatched cabanas on the beach looks like an indigenous village. Take a... waterfront

Deseo Hotel & Lounge
This 15-room boutique retreat – one of the trendiest properties in an already trendy city – shares the same owners... moderate | boutique

Hotel Basico
Just one block from the beach, this miniscule 15-room hotel from the owners of the nearby Deseo has drawn accolades for its... luxury | views | expensive

Tides Riviera Maya
Formerly known as Ikal del Mar, Tides is the ultimate romantic resort, perfect for honeymooners. Thirty 1,000-square-foot... luxury | romantic | smart splurge

Esencia
This 29-room hotel, which occupies a nearly empty two-mile stretch of perfect white sand at Playa Xpu-Ha, is located in a... spa | expensive | waterfront

Hotel Basico
Just one block from the beach, this miniscule 15-room hotel from the owners of the nearby Deseo has drawn accolades for its... trendy | views | expensive

Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental chain made a huge splash in early 2008 when they opened their first Mexican hotel here in Playa del... spa | smart splurge | expensive

Maroma Resort and Spa
Maroma’s sparkling white-sand beach is renowned for its beauty, and this resort is perfectly located mere steps from the...

Paraíso de la Bonita
This 90-room, adults-only luxury spa resort north of Playa del Carmen is one of the most lavish accommodations on the Yucatan... spa | views | expensive

Royal Hideaway Playacar
This adults-only, all-inclusive, 200-room Occidental resort is hard not to like. It’s neither small nor independent, but... all-inclusive | pool | expensive | waterfront

Tides Riviera Maya
Formerly known as Ikal del Mar, Tides is the ultimate romantic resort, perfect for honeymooners. Thirty 1,000-square-foot... romantic | smart splurge | trendy

Playa del Carmen Restaurants

Cuisine along the Riviera Maya is very similar to the cuisine found in the rest of Mexico, with corn, chilies, and rice featuring prominently in dishes. The onslaught of luxury accommodations filling much of the city limits means that many of the best dining options can be found in and around hotels. The downtown area and the avenues near the beach to the north are home to numerous fine restaurants, especially on Avenida Quinta. Head west for authentic Mexican fare without a tourist in site.

= Smart Splurge

= Great Value

ALL
MODERATE
EXPENSIVE
BUDGET

Babe's Noodles and Bar
This sleek, Swedish-owned, Euro-Thai fusion eatery has been one of Playa’s most popular options for dining and drinking... trendy | restaurants

La Cueva del Chango
You’ll actually feel like you’re in a cave at La Cueva del Chango, or “The Monkey’s Cave.” While... family | open late | mexican | restaurants

Palapa Hemingway
This open-air, thatched-roof building adorned with hand-made artisan plates and Yucatecan décor is probably not what... mexican | restaurants

The Glass Bar
This Italian and Mediterranean restaurant on Quinta Avenue has been a Playa favorite ever since it opened in 2003. White... italian | restaurants | mediterranean

Casa Adela
This charming, two-level, thatched restaurant is also an art gallery filled with paintings, vases, mosaic tiles, and hand... international | seafood | restaurants

Karta Bar
Karta, a Mediterranean-Mexican fusion restaurant, attracts some of Playa’s hippest visitors thanks to its... trendy | seafood | mexican | restaurants | mediterannean

Yaxché
The native foods of the Yucatan peninsula and the Mayas are explored in this downtown restaurant (pronounced Jag-shey). Soups... smart splurge | mexican | bar | restaurants

Java Joe's
Java Joe’s is a Playa institution. The American expat hangout has been open since 1997, though no longer in its original... american | restaurants

La Pesca
This simple, local seafood restaurant is a bit off the main tourist drag, but it’s well worth the detour for delicacies... seafood | restaurants

La Tarraya
La Tarraya is one of the last remnants of Playa del Carmen pre-jetset days. It’s as basic as it gets: a wood shack,... great value | restaurants