Playa del Carmen Hotels, Mexico

Choose from our extensive list of  Playa del Carmen hotels and resorts and book your Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya vacation online.      

Playa del Carmen is a paradise. Come and enjoy the natural beauty of the pristine beaches and coral reefs, Mayan history and culture, luxurious accommodation and the warm hospitality of the local people.

Use our Playa del Carmen Hotels and Resorts Search to book your accommodation instantly, find last minute deals, or simply check availability. Check the Featured Playa del Carmen Hotels & Resorts for the best deals!

 

Playa del Carmen

For many years Playa del Carmen was a small, quiet settlement; however from 1990 to the present day, the population has grown to around 200,000 people. Playa del Carmen is reminiscent of villages in the Mediterranean region of Europe. It has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, with people visiting from all over the world.

During the day you can laze on white sandy beaches and in the evening enjoy a lively nightlife - the streets are full of bars, restaurants, live music, shops and pedestrians. There is a mix of backpackers, archaeological lovers and sun worshippers which makes Playa del Carmen a vibrant and interesting place.

Playa del Carmen has an enormous number of restaurants that offer a wide range of culinary styles to suit any taste. You can enjoy traditional Yucatecan and Mexican cooking right through to fast food, Italian or oriental style cuisine - all in a tropical atmosphere.

Many couples from around the world come to fulfil their dream of getting married in Playa del Carmen. A wedding, on the edge of the crystal turquoise waters, is a dream come true for many women.

 

Accommodation

There is plenty of accommodation to choose from in Playa del Carmen. From hotels located in neighbouring Playacar, to hotels and resorts throughout the Riviera Maya – you will find some of the most luxurious places to stay in the world. Choose from European Plan, luxury all-inclusive hotels or small, budget hotels with special charm – there is something for everyone. Find and book a hotel from our extensive list of accommodation above.

 

Getting Around Playa del Carmen

To visit Playa del Carmen, which is 68 kms (42 miles) south of Cancun, you can rent a car or take a bus from downtown Cancun. The trip takes about an hour and a half.

If you’re staying in the Cancun hotel zone, you will have no problem picking up a cab.

The main road into Playa del Carmen is Ave Juarez (or Ave Principal). It leads you to the ferry pier and the pedestrian-only 5th Avenue, which runs perpendicular to the beach. Fifth Avenue is the main street and boasts many hotels, shops and restaurants.

The bus station at Ave 5 and Juarez is a hub for trips to Tulum, Chetumal and Belize. Many hotels are within easy walking distance from the bus and the street in front of the station is full of men on large yellow tricycles (triciclos). They will take you cheaply to your hotel in a Mexican version of a chinese rickshaw. If your hotel isn't close by or you have to go on the back streets of Playa, take a cab.

Once you have booked into your accommodation you might like to rent a bike. Many hotels rent bicycles.

 

Visitor Information

The post office is three blocks back from the beach on Ave Principal. The police station (telephone 98730291) is right next door. The Centro de Salud Medical Center is across the street.

You'll find tourism information on Ave 5 near the central plaza.

Most of the banks are located on Ave Juarez (most have an ATM which disperse Mexican pesos). Banamex has another branch on the corner of Ave 10 and Calle 12, and this also has an ATM. Be sure to ask around as new banks and cash machines are popping up daily. There are several Money Exchanges (Casa de Cambio) located in Playa.

The exchange rate can vary daily and from place to place. Most shops and restaurants will accept American dollars.

There are plenty of grocery stores and fruit shops in Playa, as well as a few larger supermarkets such as Wall-mart, Soriana, La Comercial and Super San Francisco. Some supermarkets also accept credit/debit cards.

For shopping, the stores of Playa's 5th Avenue and surrounding side streets offer an eclectic assortment of gifts, hand-made pottery, arts and crafts both local and from all over Mexico. You will find beautiful pieces of Mexican silver jewellery from Taxco artisans and Mexican crafts such as sculptures of all types and sizes wood, coconut, or obsidian, hand-knit hats, leather, paintings, Aztec calendars and so on.

 

Playa del Carmen Activities

Most of Playa's activities involve the water.

You can enjoy aquatic pastimes such as deep diving, snorkelling, catamaran rides, windsurfing, fishing, or swimming with dolphins. There are numerous dive shops around. Try the Tank Ha (Ha means water in Mayan) dive shop at the Maya Bric Hotel. The Abyss Dive Shop at the Blue Parrot Inn - Calle 12 North on the beach offers a variety of dives geared to meet each divers needs, from beginners to experts.

Be sure to visit Playa's attractive lighthouse. You can climb its exterior via a circular cement staircase all the way to the top where there are excellent views.

You can hike north along the beach and relax along the way in one or two beachside restaurants. Be sure to wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen.

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of action/adventure activities available in Playa del Carmen. These include the sport of Tirolesa through treetops in the jungle or rope bridges. You can also rent bikes or ride off-road motorcycles.

Golf is available in Playacar on an 18-hole course designed by Robert Von Hagge.
 

Nearby Attractions

From the pier of Playa del Carmen ferries take visitors to the island of Cozumel, one of the most famous places for scuba diving and snorkelling worldwide. The ferry timetable to Cozumel changes constantly, so be sure to ask about times at one of the ticket booths in the plaza. You can catch WJ Mexico, a fast water jet that takes 25 minutes, or the Xel-H or Cozumelero which takes 45 minutes.

There are tours to several of the many archaeological sites a short distance from Playa del Carmen - including Tulum and Coba. You can also see the Cenotes of the region or visit world renowned ecological parks such as Xel-ha and Xcaret.

Xel-ha is the most spectacular natural aquarium of the Mayan Riviera. Inlets go deep into the coast in this heavenly place. The natural underground rivers are a delight for snorkelling.

At the Xcaret Ecological Park you can swim with dolphins and sharks, see the prehistoric looking manatee and the beautiful butterfly enclosure. Don't miss a show featuring Mexican folklore from all regions of Mexico.

For lovers of culture and history, the archaeological ruins of the region are spectacular. Among them is Chichen Itza, 170 kilometers from Playa del Carmen. This ancient Maya city, perhaps the most important of the Mayan world, is perfectly preserved.

Tulum has an abundance of ancient remnants. Three quarters of an hour south of Playa del Carmen, Tulum is an old city built on a cliff by the sea. Heading southeast of Playa del Carmen and half an hour by road from Tulum is Coba, another ancient site not to be missed.