Playa del Carmen is the best destination in the Mexican Caribbean for combining a beach vacation with some downtown city action. Not only does Playa’s Quinta Avenida pulse with nightlife, great shopping, and fine dining, it’s only a short walk from some of the region’s poshest resorts (not to mention the ferry across to Cozumel island, a whole other destination to explore).
When you’re looking for a Mexican beach getaway that also embraces local life and culture away from the beach, consider one of these top Playa del Carmen resorts.
Rosewood Mayakoba It will take a little longer to get to Playa del Carmen from the exclusive Mayakoba enclave, but then again, you may not want to leave. The Rosewood Mayakoba is placed between lagoons, mangrove forests and the sea, with accommodations ranging from luxury suites to private villas. The property includes multiple dining options and a top spa offering wellness rituals that extend over multiple days. But it’s the service, pervasive and impeccable, that has luxury travelers coming back again and again.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba Banyan Tree is one of the world’s most distinguished luxury hospitality brands, and the chain’s Mayakoba location doesn’t disappoint. This five-star resort features 162 luxury villas, all with private pools, a new beach club, and tapas cruises through the canals that weave through the Mayakoba jungle, among other high-end experiences. Golfers will enjoy play on the Greg Norman designed El Camaleón, the only PGA Tour course in Latin America.
Viceroy Riviera Maya Each of the 41 villas at the Viceroy has its own private plunge pool, sun deck, and outdoor shower — some surrounded by jungle foliage, others open to the beachfront views. The two on-site restaurants feature authentic and nouveau Mexican dining as well as international dishes, and the resort spa incorporates Mayan traditions into treatments.
Secrets Moxche Playa The sleek, modern high-rise hotel building at this luxury AM Resorts property hugs a huge pool alongside the azure Caribbean Sea, yet just 10 minutes by car from the heart of Playa del Carmen. Guests in all 485 rooms enjoy Secrets’ signature Unlimited Luxury amenities, including lounging in cenote-style pools, shows in an open-air amphitheater, tennis and classes on cocktail making and dance.
Thompson Playa del Carmen Okay, so it’s more of a boutique hotel than a resort. And it’s actually two resorts, not one. But the Thompson, set in the heart of the city’s downtown area, has for years set the standard for Playa del Carmen, centered around its ever-popular rooftop pool scene.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya On the Caribbean coast between Mayakoba and Playa del Carmen you’ll discover this five-star all-inclusive resort, which tailors unique experiences to romantic travelers, families, and solitude seekers. Dining at seven restaurants (including the 5 Diamond rated Cocina de Autor), accommodations that include plunge pools and ocean, jungle, or koi pond views, kids clubs, and beach and poolside concierge service are all part of the all-inclusive package.
Oceanview rooms and plunge-pool suites deliver comfort and privacy at the Grand Hyatt, but getting off property to explore Playa del Carmen is as easy as rolling out on one of the resort’s bicycle tours. The all-inclusive plan covers dining at the resort’s steakhouse, sushi restaurant, and modern Mexican eatery — and accommodations for your cat or dog at one of Playa’s most pet-friendly hotels.
Andaz Mayakoba The newest addition to the Makayoba community, Hyatt’s luxe Andaz brand has 214 colorful, bright guest rooms, 41 of which are suites. It’s a sleek, contemporary addition to Playa del Carmen’s most luxurious enclave. What makes the property unique is the sheer number of plunge pool options, more than any other resort in Mayakoba, from ocean view plunge pool studios to bi-level plunge pool suites right on the beach.
Playacar Palace The Playacar resort district lies on the southern outskirts of downtown Playa del Carmen, just a short walk from downtown. Among the residents is the Playacar Palace, an all-inclusive hotel that’s part of the Palace Resorts chain and has a variety of ocean-view and oceanfront rooms, including some that walk out directly onto the sand. Expect gourmet dining at your table and top-shelf drinks at the bar, and while there’s plenty of places for adults to unwind, kids and teens stay free with adults at this family friendly resort.
Fairmont Mayakoba One of four Mayakoba resorts, Fairmont’s Playa resort has 401 rooms, from casita suites to beachfront suites to the stunning El Camaleon presidential suite, set on Mayakoba’s stunning-beach meets-the-mangroves campus. Amenities include a varied, layered poolscape, outstanding dining and, following a series of upgrades, a new centerpiece beach club called Maykana.
Palmaïa, The House of AïA A different kind of luxury all-inclusive experience, this wellness resort incorporates plant-based cuisine, sustainable amenities, holistic activities and healing experiences based on ancient Mayan practices. The resort’s 234 guest suites are separated into adult and family sections and include both oceanfront and swim-out accommodations.
Hilton Playa del Carmen An all-inclusive with the Hilton name, this beachfront resort is a new adult-only property close to Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue. A tequileria is among the seven restaurants and five bars at the resort; all-suite accommodations include beach walk-out and swim-up rooms.
This adults-only all-inclusive resort is actually located on Calle Cinco, albeit the quieter beach end of the busy commercial street. Fringed by mangroves, the hotel is an oasis of freeform pools and swim-out suites, wellness at the YHI Spa, and dining that includes Sal Steak Cave serving aged beef and the Latin fusion restaurant Fuego.
The Fives Downtown Playa del Carmen A chill, upscale boutique resort, this hotel is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, and an impressive portfolio of resorts all under The Fives brand on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. It’s the essence of Playa del Carmen hip, with an anchor rooftop bar, a fantastic mezcal and tequila bar and even the only Caribbean Marley Coffee Shop outside of Jamaica.
Paradisus Playa del Carmen This sister resort to the La Perla is co-located on the Playa del Carmen beach and shares amenities. Like its Melia resorts twin, the resort offers both standard and premium room classes, the latter called “Nikté suites” after a Mayan word for water flower; perks include access to VIP areas and priority restaurant and activity reservations.