Playa del Carmen holidays start in a proper Mexican beach town, in Quintana Roo on Mexico's Riviera Maya stretch of Caribbean coastline. You’re about an hour south of Cancun airport, with calmer beaches than the Hotel Zone and 5-star All Inclusive resorts by the sea. Quinta Avenida’s restaurants, shops and bars are just back from the sand. Ferries leave from town for Cozumel too – think morning by the pool, afternoon across the water. That’s the joy of holidays to Playa del Carmen: staying at your resort is always an option, but never the only one. See where else you could stay with our Riviera Maya holidays.
Why choose Playa del Carmen for your holiday?
Playa del Carmen has eco-parks, cenotes and Cozumel close enough to fit more than one day trip into a week’s holiday. Xcaret is just 6km from town, and Xel-Há is 48km south, with cenotes dotted along the coast in between. Cozumel takes about 45 minutes by ferry, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy a day of snorkelling or diving there. Back in town, evenings end on Quinta Avenida, over tacos and a drink. The Caribbean water here is generally calmer than along Cancun’s Hotel Zone, so it’s easier to spend more of your beach day in the sea. Your 5-star All Inclusive hotel takes care of the days you don’t want an itinerary.
Where to stay in Playa del Carmen
Playacar is the resort-led family base, El Centro keeps you close to the action and the Xcaret coast has the eco-parks nearby.
Playacar
Playacar sits immediately south of Playa del Carmen, in a gated resort area with beachfront hotels and its own golf course. Many of the larger All Inclusive hotels have kids’ clubs and children’s pools, and the wider streets and private security make it an easy base if you're travelling with young children. Quinta Avenida is only 5–10 minutes away by taxi when you want to head into town. From Cancun Airport, allow 50–60 minutes for the drive. Check out Playacar holidays to see the hotels on offer there.
El Centro and Quinta Avenida
El Centro has taquerias, cafés, boutiques and nightlife, with Quinta Avenida running through the neighbourhood as a pedestrianised strip of shops, bars and restaurants. Flea-market stalls just off the main strip sell artefacts, handcrafts and souvenirs, and prices can be haggled down to a good deal. Stay here if you like heading out on foot rather than spending most of your time at a resort. Smaller hotels sit among beachfront properties too. Transfers from Cancun airport take about 45–50 minutes, with journey times changing based on traffic.
Xcaret coast
South of Playa del Carmen, the Xcaret coast has resorts away from the town centre and Xcaret Park close by. It makes sense if the eco-parks are high on your list and you’re happy to take a taxi for a night in Playa del Carmen. The drive into town takes 10–15 minutes. Allow about an hour to reach your hotel from Cancun airport.
Best hotels in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen’s hotel line-up covers big family resorts, 5-star All Inclusive stays and adults-only hotels with very different settings.
Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort & Spa
Three pools and a lazy river cover days in the water, with Yal-ku Lagoon nearby when you want to see more of Akumal.
The Fives Beach Hotel
This 5-star beachfront hotel has family-sized residences with up to three bedrooms, handy if you’re travelling with children or a bigger group.
Occidental at Xcaret Destination
This 5-star resort has a private cove and 11 restaurants, plus resident monkeys and iguanas who you might spot in the grounds.
Sandos Playacar
The water park and supervised kids’ club keep younger guests busy, with the Caribbean right outside for the rest of the family.
Riu Tequila
Set on the Xcaret coast, this All Inclusive resort has several pools and direct beach access, with Xcaret Park a short taxi ride away.
Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen
An adults-only stay near Quinta Avenida, with six restaurants and a spa for time spent back at the hotel.
Hotel Xcaret Arte
Adults only, All Inclusive that’s built around Mexican art and culture, with access to the Xcaret parks included in your stay.
All Inclusive, 5-star, adults-only and family holidays
Playa del Carmen All Inclusive holidays are the mainstay here, with many 5-star resorts including most meals, local drinks and activities in the price. Knowing more of your holiday is paid for upfront takes some of the guesswork out of budgeting for a week or two away. It’s one reason All Inclusive is so popular when it comes to our Mexico holidays. Adults-only stays include hotels near the centre and resorts further along the Riviera Maya. For families, Playacar trades El Centro’s nightlife for a more resort-focused stay, with hotels set back from the busiest streets.
Explore more of the Riviera Maya
Mexico holidays
See the bigger picture beyond the Riviera Maya, from Puerto Vallarta's Pacific coast to Cancun's Hotel Zone. A good starting point if you're still weighing up which part of Mexico suits you.
Cancun holidays
Go wild in Cancun, with late nights, big-name hotels and the restaurants and beach clubs of the Hotel Zone. A great choice if you want a holiday where evenings carry on well after dinner.
Riviera Maya holidays
Follow the Caribbean coast beyond Playa del Carmen to Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum. See what you’ll find in each area and where you might want to stay.
Playacar holidays
Got Playacar on your shortlist? See the hotels you can book there, with beachfront All Inclusive stays and family resorts with kids’ clubs and pools.
More Travel Guides
We also have travel guides available for destinations, including Cancun | Playacar | Playa Mujeres | Puerto Vallarta | Riviera Maya
Our Playa del Carmen holidays guide was last revised and updated in October 2026.
