Beach Hotels in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

For the quintessential white sand getaway, head to Playa del Carmen, a coastal resort town in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, right along the Riviera Maya strip of shoreline. Known for its crystal clear waters and coral reefs, Playa del Carmen offers all of the restaurants, boutique shops, and cocktail bars you'd want from your Seaside vacation. And if traveling with kids, this is an incredible spot for some family fun in the sun with its wealth of tours, outdoor activities, and local parks perfect for the little ones! So pack your bags (and a snorkel or two) and get ready to have an incredible time on this sunny escape from the best Playa Del Carmen beach hotels.

Playa del Carmen’s Quinta Avenida pedestrian thoroughfare runs parallel to the beach and makes for a great afternoon of window shopping and pursuing the town. You could spend hours visiting stores full of textiles and home goods (the perfect presents for friends and family back home), or sipping mojitos from one of the avenue’s awaiting cocktail bars. And while in town, you won’t run out of food options to tickle your tastebuds, from authentic pizzerias to local seafood and taquerias. Check out La Quinta 5th Ave, a bustling street right up from the beach that is lined with cafes, vendors, tour shops, and of course— tequila tasting rooms. Spend a fun evening sipping different Tequilas till you find your favorite bottle to bring back home! And before you leach your beach hotel in Playa del Carmen head in for the night, check out one of the town’s seaside nightspots ranging from breezy bars to dance clubs for a fun night out.

A big excursion day starts at Xcaret Park— a resort, theme park, and ecotourism development. Part of Xcaret Experiencias Group, this incredible park is located in the Riviera Maya, a portion of the Caribbean coastline of Mexico. Here, you can expect to witness some amazing wildlife, a stunning river, Mayan ruins, caves, and snorkeling, all within a lush jungle landscape! After a day of exploring everything the park has to offer, head to the on-site buffet and fuel up before heading back to your beach hotel in Playa Del Carmen for the evening.

For a great day trip, leave town for the afternoon and make a two-hour trip inland to the famous ruins of Chichen Itza. This fun excursion will give you the opportunity to observe the massive pre-Columbian city built by the Maya people of the Terminal Classic period and even climb the steps of the huge pyramid! Walk the grounds of this spectacular archeological site in the Tinúm Municipality, and learn about its fascinating history from the on-site museum before stopping by for traditional Mexican fare for a bite to eat before heading back to the beach!

Remember to bring plenty of sunscreen and your best flip flops for your Caribbean getaway in Playa del Carmen and don’t forget to check out our top beach hotels nearby in West Palm Beach, Orange Beach, and Miami.