El Centro Best Area For Budget Travelers
At the heart of Playa del Carmen, there is the Centro neighborhood. This is also where all the cheap restaurants and affordable hotels are concentrated making it the best choice where to stay in Playa del Carmen if youre on a budget! This neighborhood starts at the beach and goes up to the freeway and north to Constituyentes Avenue meaning you have a bit of everything here.
As the name would suggest, this is downtown Playa del Carmen, where the 5th Avenida begins, and its known for unique attractions, excellent nightlife, and delicious savory food. Here youll have a real journey through traditional Mexican flavors, street food, and succulent dishes! If youre looking for even more culture, I highly recommend you rent a car and go on a trip to Cancun!
Back in downtown Playa del Carmen, youll also find several interesting attractions, such as Los Fundadores Park , where you can check out the bronze Portal Maya sculpture or assist at the amazing Dance of the Flyers and the Mayan dancers. In the center of the park, there are local women with carts selling cheap and super fresh cut-fruit in a cup, a thing that youll see a lot in Mexico and something not to miss out on!
Best Hotel In Fifth Avenue : Quinta Margarita Hotel
An incredible swimming pool, large rooms, and a central location its no wonder this is one of the best boutique hotels in Playa del Carmen. This hotel is small but perfectly located, being just a short walk from many of the main attractions in Playa. The private terrace on the roof is the place to be, though guests should note that this four storey building does not have an elevator. Theres also free wifi, laundry services, and airport transfers.
Fifth Avenue Where To Stay In Playa Del Carmen For First Timers
If you dont mind being in tourist areas, Fifth Avenue, locally known as Quinta Avenida, is the perfect spot for you! This pedestrian-only main street has the widest range of shopping, dining, and nightlife options.
The colorful and vibrant Fifth Avenue is safe, close to all the best beaches and downtown, everything first-time visitors are looking for! Thats why if you intend to book a hotel here, you should do it well in advance! Very close by theres also Point Esmeralda, known for brilliant white sands and turquoise waters typical of the Riviera Maya.
Even if la Quinta is mainly known for its entertaining range of great shopping and bustling bars, it also has some cultural options too! On this street, youll find the Museum of Frida Kahlo, one of the most influential artists in Mexico, who became a real symbol of courage.
With her numerous portraits, she explores Mexicos diverse cultural history: this museum is your opportunity to understand more about Mexican culture and traditions! Gaston Charo Gallery is another absolute must when strolling around 5th Avenue. Here youll see super interesting interactive works with elements that change depending on the viewers mood! Crazy, isnt it?
Things to do in Fifth Avenue
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Budget Hotels In Playa Del Carmen
Hotel 52
Hotel 52 is located right in the center of Playa del Carmen with fun decorative touches from the owner, including a rooftop pool and great beach views. They offer massage services and are completely smoke-free for the health-conscious!
Hacienda Real del Caribe
One of my favorite places to stay in Playa del Carmen, it has a very tranquil atmosphere that really lets you escape the noise of downtown. The ornate hotel balconies frame a central swimming pool located right in the middle of the courtyard.
Despite being a budget hotel, Fiesta Inn has all the luxuries you might expect from a higher-priced place, including air conditioning in every bedroom and private showers. A shuttle to and from the airport is also very convenient.
Best Hotel In Fifth Avenue : Grand Fifty Suites

This excellent four-star hotel is set in central La Quinta, one of Playa del Carmens best neighborhoods. They offer spacious rooms with great views and a vast array of features and amenities, like free wifi and a kitchenette. Theres also a great outdoor swimming pool. Plus, theyre affordable too, which makes it one of the best Playa Del Carmen hotels for those on a budget.
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Viva Wyndham Azteca Hotel
Av. Xaman-Ha Manzana 8 Lote 1
The in the restaurant serves a continental breakfast for the perfect start of your day. The resort features EL Nopal restaurant. Guests can enjoy house wines, soft drinks and beers at the cocktail bar.
Viva Wyndham Azteca Hotel offers such entertainment options as live performances and karaoke. There is a fitness room with a wide range of sports.
- Wi-Fi
Best Resorts In Playa Del Carmen
Sunny, white-sand beaches and the endless sight of the ocean are two of the main things people love when it comes to a vacation. Playa del Carmen is in not short supply of both those things. Located along the coast of the Caribbean Sea, Playa del Carmen is a city in Solidaridad in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Popular for tourists, Playa del Carmen is the one of the most perfect places to go when youre craving a few days in the sun, with beaches and the ocean at your disposal.
Not to mention the authentic Mexican culture. Due to its location, Playa del Carmen is known for its hot summers and warm, mild winters, making it one of the best vacation destinations regardless of the time of year. If youre a couple or honeymooners looking for a quiet, private place to spend time together, youll be sure to find an adults-only hotel tucked along a private stretch of beach.
Or, if youre booking a family vacation, youll be able to find a large resort with plenty of pools and resort or nearby activities to make sure the whole family stays entertained. Theres so much to see and do in Playa del Carmen, but the first step is to make sure you have the resort thats right for you.
Lets have a look at the best resorts in Playa del Carmen:
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Luis Donaldo Colosio Coolest Place To Stay In Playa Del Carmen
The Luis Donaldo Colosio district is located at the northeastern end of the city. It is one of the coolest places to stay in Playa del Carmen because of its laid-back attitude, colourful street art, and access to great water sports and outdoor adventures.
This is also the place to stay if youre looking to indulge in fresh and delicious regional Mexican fare. Tucked throughout this calm and cool neighbourhood is an array of restaurants, eateries, bistros, and cafes that serve everything from traditional Mexican fare to eclectic European and fantastic fusion. Theres no doubt about it, your tastebuds will love staying in Luis Donaldo Colosio.
Where To Stay In This Area
Hotel La Semilla is a hidden gem. It has only 9 rooms and Tulum style. The adult only hotel will keep you relaxed in simple elegance. For a condo building we like Horizonte. It is a small building with nice rooftop pool. It is walkable to 5th Avenue and in a nice open area of Playa Del Carmen. Here is one condo for rent in the Horizonte you can check out. The Palmares is a new condo building right in Constituyentes Avenue. This handsome building is perfect for a week stay if you want to be a little more independent. You also have easy access to the grocery store. Check out what a one bedroom unit is like here in Palmares.
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Gran Velas Riviera Maya
This resort is the only all-inclusive family resort in the Caribbean to achieve AAA Five Diamond status. The all-suite resort offers three different all-inclusive experiences with three different types of accommodations, each of which is aimed at a different type of guest.
The Grand Class Experience is aimed at couples and offers a more luxurious, oceanfront vacation. The Ambassador Experience is great for families, as you get accommodations near the kid and teen clubs and also near the beach. The Zen Grand Experience is a more luxurious stay for families.
The Gran Velas Riviera Maya is right on the beach, about five minutes from the downtown Playa del Carmen area. At the beach, snorkeling, kayaks, and boogie boards are all provided for you. Other gear and equipment can be rented.
There are five signature restaurants to choose from plus a beachfront buffet. The restaurants each offer a different type of cuisine including French, Mexican, Italian, Asian , and Japanese . A tip: make reservations for your desired specialty restaurants immediately on arrival, as space can fill up quickly. Also, most of the restaurants, except the Azul buffet, have dress codes in the evening, so pack accordingly.
Carretera Cancun Tulum Km 62, Playa del Carmen 77710, Mexico
Paradisus Playa Del Carmen Resort
Book a room at Paradisus Playa del Carmen Resort using Hotels.com now!
Another contender on our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen for families is The Paradisus Playa del Carmen Resort. Set in a stunning mangrove forest overlooking a private bay, its also one of the best Mexico family resorts with baby clubs! Perks included within your stay vary from nursery service to complimentary water sports, ideal for travelers of all ages. Rooms and suites include Junior Suites with a terrace or one and two-bedroom suites. Most have a choice of one king bed, two queens, or one king bed and two double beds. Some even have swim-up pools, a whirlpool, or a kitchenette for families to enjoy.
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Newport House Playa Del Carmen
If you’re willing to forego a beachfront location, you can find some incredible deals on very upscale accommodations in the Riviera Maya. The Newport House Playa del Carmen is a few blocks from the beach and is a combination condo and boutique hotel.
There are 15 apartments that really feel residential. Each is very stylish and unique, with cool touches like custom handmade furniture and original photographic prints by a local photographer. These are luxury units with full modern kitchens, central air, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and two smart TVs. Some units even have washers and dryers. The Newport House has a rooftop pool with day beds providing an excellent location to relax and enjoy the sunshine.
It’s a great place to stay for visitors who want to explore the town of Playa del Carmen, as you’re only a block from the shopping and dining of the 5th Avenue area. You can borrow beach cruiser bikes to get there or to the beach . They will supply all the beach toys you need, and the white sands of Coco Beach are about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Guests get access to the Canibal Royale beach club there.
Address: 10 Avenida Norte | Manzana 141, Lote 1, Colonia Zazil-Ha, Playa del Carmen 77710, Mexico
Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Heres another great all inclusive for kids and parents alike.
The white sand beaches are stunning year round and the waters always gorgeous.
With three different styles of amazingly clean, comfy, luxurious suites available, theres something for everyone but the Ambassador suites are the most geared towards families.
Kids will love playing sports and games on the beach, taking a snorkel tour, and supervised fun at the kids club which is filled with activities for four to twelve year olds.
All of this is included in the Ambassador package, along with much more.
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Vacation Rentals In Playa Del Carmen
The Elements Condos
Probably one of the coolest places to stay in Playa, we rented a condo here for 2-months! These vacation apartments come with everything you need to feel at home, as well as a massive pool, nice hot tub, and the best part a private beach! This complex has the only private beach in the area, so youll always have plenty of sand to spread out . Its located in the North End neighborhood, so its quiet, but within walking distance to all kinds of great restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.
BRIC Vacation Apartments
Choosing to stay in a vacation rental apartment is a great alternative to hotels, and might even save you money. They offer more space, better amenities, a kitchen, and give you a feeling of home.
Ive rented from Bric Vacation Rentals before and had a great experience. They have options for all budgets.
Recommended Resorts In Playacar Phase 2
Royal hideaway is an adult only all inclusive. This resort gets good feedback form our readers. It is a quieter hotel so it might be better for older couples. You can also see our article here about the Royal Hideaway. Viva Wyndham Maya all inclusive is another resort that is beautiful and gets good marks from our readers. Not be confused with the last hotel, Viva Wyndham Azteca is all inclusive that gets good reviews. Iberostar Tucan and Iberostar Quetzal are the same resort, just two different sides. Which ever one you choose, it is a good option.
The Royal Hideaway in Playacar Phase 2 is one place where to stay in Playa Del Carmen.
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The Best Restaurants In Downtown Playa Del Carmen
- Las Hijas de la Tostada $$-$$$ Cute, al fresco spot for seafood tostadas and creative cocktails.
- Oh Lala! $$$$ Intimate, upscale restaurant featuring local ingredients and international flavors.
- Ah Carbón! $ Casual, authentic, tacos made with the best al pastor in town.
- Birria Tacos y Consome $ Taco stand known for beef and bone marrow tacos.
- La Brocherie Rotisserie $$ Casual French restaurant known for rotisserie chicken marinated in pineapple juice and herbes de Provence.
Best Airbnb In Luis Donaldo Colosio: Villas Del Mar Azul
With a 150m distance from the beach and 1.5 miles from the city center in a super tranquil neighbourhood, this Airbnb made it to the top of the list. This two bedroom apartment comes with enough space for three people to spread out, either on the large terrace or by the private pool. Youll feel comfortable and welcome as soon as you step in. The whole place is very bright and incredibly charming due to many little details. If youre looking for a relaxed stay, this little Riviera Maya apartment is definitely a great choice.
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Recommended Hotels In This Area
Magic Blue is an urban oasis. This is a small hotel with nice garden and pool just steps from 5th Avenue. Cache Hotel is modern hotel just two blocks off 5th Avenue. It is quiet and has a pool. This would also be the cheapest of the three options here. HM Playa Del Carmen is just on the edge of this zone and a newly renovated hotel. It is stylish with pool in the courtyard. It is very central and everything is at your door. We are impressed with how they turned this hotel around.
Where To Stay In Playa Del Carmen: Best Areas And Neighborhoods
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Once you start looking for places where to stay in Playa del Carmen, you will realize that you have made the right choice in terms of balancing beach time, adventure, cultural travel, relaxation, adventure, family attractions, and nightlife.
Many tourism industry analysts describe the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to be one of the most attractive tourism destinations in the world, particularly because of the many coastal resorts towns that run all the way from Merida in the Gulf of Mexico to Tulum in the Caribbean Sea, a region commonly known as the Riviera Maya.
Since the 1970s, this coastal resort district has attracted millions of visitors in search of vacations in Cancun and Cozumel, two beach towns modeled after Acapulco and Baja California however, Playa del Carmen pretty much flew under the radar until resort developers started paying attention to it in the 1990s.
These days, many of the best areas to stay in Playa del Carmen offer a certain freshness and unique European flair that you will not find elsewhere in the Riviera Maya.
Whereas Acapulco and Cancun have a distinct North American feel similar to Miami Beach or Las Vegas, Playa del Carmen manages to feel classier and sophisticated while still evoking a sense of being laid back.
The tourism history of Playa del Carmen dates back to the late 1980s, when Italian tourists who used to vacation in Cancun became overwhelmed with its Spring Break party atmosphere.
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Enjoy Your Trip To Playa
So there you go, my roundup of the best places to stay in Playa del Carmen while on vacation.
Playa del Carmen is a perfect place to base yourself in Mexico, and each day will bring something new and entertaining to your trip whether you prefer a relaxing holiday or a hefty dose of adventure.
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North End Quieter Rentals

This area is where people mainly stay in more upscale condos and rentals. It is quieter then the center of Playa Del Carmen yet walkable to 5th Avenue, tourist restaurants and shops. As Playa Del Carmen has moved north in development, this area has seen a boom in luxury condo buildings. Most of these go up for vacation rentals.
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