Are you dreaming of a Caribbean getaway and looking for the best beach hotels in Playa del Carmen? You've come to the right place!
As a travel blogger that lives in Playa del Carmen, I've had the time to personally visit all the best Playa del Carmen beachfront hotels.
And now I know which ones are the most luxurious, which ones have the best beach area, and which ones provide the best value.
So you can trust me when I say, if you're traveling all the way to Playa del Carmen, you're going to want to stay at a hotel on the beach!
MY TOP PICK
Don't have time to read the full article?
The best beach hotel in Playa del Carmen is Mahekal Beach Resort, offering a jungle oasis in the heart of downtown Playa del Carmen.
If your budget allows, there's really no better way to experience some of the most world-renowned Riviera Maya beaches.
In this post, I'm sharing my top recommendations for the best beach hotels in Playa del Carmen whether you're looking for something luxurious, budget-friendly, or in-between.
Ready to find out where to stay in Playa del Carmen on the beach? Let's get started!
Mahekal Beach Resort
Jungle oasis
Modern Mexican style
Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
Modern Luxury
Central Location
Thompson Beach House
Boutique Luxury
Trendy Pool
These are the best hotels in Playa del Carmen on the beach:
Location: Google Maps | Guest Rating: 9.0/10 Wonderful
Personally, I think Mahekal Beach Resort Playa del Carmen is the most beautiful hotel in Playa del Carmen and it would probably be my first pick if I had to choose the best beach hotel in Playa del Carmen.
Located on the beautiful 38th Street, Mahekal is located on one of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen.
With bungalow-style accommodations, private terraces, and personal hammocks, the resort exudes a bohemian vibe and offers an authentically Mexican experience.
It also has multiple pools and restaurants, boutiques, and a full-service spa. And its beautifully landscaped grounds offer a serene tropical retreat while being still close enough to the liveliness of 5th Avenue.
It's the only resort in downtown Playa del Carmen where you'll find such lush greenery and landscaping.
Travelista Takeaway: Choose Mahekal Playa del Carmen for an elevated jungle escape with luxury Mexican influences and full service amenities.
Location: Google Maps | Guest Rating: 8.6/10 Excellent
If you're looking for modern luxury in downtown Playa del Carmen, I would definitely recommend staying at the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen. It's one of the newest and most modern hotels on the beach in Playa del Carmen.
The Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen has an impressive ocean view lobby, infinity pools, and canopy lounge beds directly on the beach.
Accommodations include oceanfront rooms with balconies and some suites even have private plunge pools.
With multiple restaurants and a unique Cenote Spa, it's the best option if you're looking for modern accommodations and luxury level service right in the heart of Playa del Carmen.
Travelista Takeaway: Choose the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen for a modern luxury experience with fine dining options and a prime central location.
Location: Google Maps | Guest Rating: 9.0/10 Wonderful
Another of the top Playa del Carmen oceanfront hotels is the Thompson Beach House, which is a contemporary Playa del Carmen boutique hotel on the beach with only 27 rooms and suites.
The beach area here is pretty small, but the pool and outdoor seating area is very cute and trendy.
It's located right in the center of downtown Playa del Carmen, so it's a great option for small groups, intimate weddings, or family celebrations.
Travelista Takeaway: Choose the Thompson Beach House for its trendy design elements and a contemporary boutique experience.
Location: Google Maps | Guest Rating: 8.8/10 Excellent
Recently renovated, the Hilton Playa del Carmen is one of the best beachfront all-inclusive adults only hotels in Playa del Carmen.
Located right next to the Constituyentes ferry, it has a great central location just one block from the shopping on 5th Avenue.
I used to think the resort was pretty outdated but it's gone through a complete renovation with impressive new suites, restaurants, bar, and lobby.
All of the rooms are suites with private balconies, jetted tubs, and daily stocked minibars.
Travelista Takeaway: Choose the Hilton Playa del Carmen for newly renovated suites and an adults-only all-inclusive experience.
Location: Google Maps | Guest Rating: 8.6/10 Excellent
Located right across the street from the Hilton you will find Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen (formerly Panama Jack), which is now an adults-only all inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen.
Featuring an oceanfront swimming pool, beachfront lounge beds, and a beach volleyball court, the resort offers many amenities for a relaxing getaway.
The beach area right in front of Wyndham Alltra is pretty small and a little rocky but the views from the oceanfront pool are pretty great.
Plus all of the accommodations have a private terrace, stocked minibars, and 24 hour room service.
Travelista Takeaway: Choose Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen for an adults only all inclusive experience in the heart of Playa del Carmen.
Location: Google Maps | Guest Rating: 8.8/10 Excellent
Playacar Palace is another one of the best all inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen that offers an amazing location as it's closest to downtown Playa del Carmen and just steps from the shops on 5th Avenue.
The resort can be seen just on the other side of the Cozumel ferry as you pass through the entrance to Senor Frog's.
Playacar Palace offers 201 tastefully decorated suites with ocean views, whirlpool tubs, and in-room liquor dispensers. All inclusive packages also include brand name liquors.
Travelista Takeaway: Choose Playacar Palace for access to Playacar beaches but still within walking distance of the liveliness of downtown Playa del Carmen.
Location: Google Maps | Guest Rating: 8.4/10 Very Good
Paradisus Playa del Carmen is one of the best beach resorts in Playa del Carmen and is located less than 2 miles north of the downtown area.
Since it's a little further away from the city center you still get the resort experience with the convenience of being closer to downtown.
The resort offers an expansive beachfront property with 22 restaurants and bars, free form swimming pools, and a swim-up bar. It's also one of the best family-friendly resorts in Playa del Carmen with a water park on site.
For an adults only option with elevated service, check out Paradisus La Perla.
Travelista Takeaway: Choose Paradisus Playa del Carmen for an all-inclusive experience with the most widespread beach and resort options for families or adults.
Location: Google Maps | Guest Rating: 7.4/10 Good
Located on the northern end of Playa del Carmen's downtown area, the Reef Coco Beach is a more secluded oceanfront property with a beach area that is completely separated from the main beaches in Playa del Carmen.
The Reef Coco Beach Resort Playa del Carmen offers an all-inclusive experience with five dining outlets, including a premier Japanese restaurant.
Accommodations feature private balconies and terraces, while amenities include oceanfront pools, canopy lounge beds, and an on-site spa.
Travelista Takeaway: Choose the Reef Coco Beach for an all inclusive experience on a more widespread and secluded beach.
Location: Google Maps | Guest Rating: 8.4/10 Very Good
Colibri Beach Hotel is a quaint, older Mexican-style beachfront hotel in Playa del Carmen.
Located on the same site as the charming Lido Beach Club, hotel guests can utilize the restaurant and beach loungers.
The hotel offers a budget-friendly beachfront option with convenient access to the highly-rated Lido Beach Club, as well as close proximity to 5th Avenue and the nearby Playa del Carmen nightclubs.
Travelista Takeaway: Choose Colibri Beach Hotel for an authentic Mexican style beachfront hotel that doesn't break the bank.
Location: Google Maps | Guest Rating: 8.0/10 Very Good
The Carmen Hotel is a smaller adults-only beachfront property in Playa del Carmen featuring funky, colorful decor and an expansive rooftop infinity pool.
Accommodations feature mod design touches with bright turquoise and pink accents. Guests are also treated to the highly-rated Keel Restaurant where you can dine with your toes in the sand.
With a prime central location, The Carmen Hotel offers a more budget-friendly option for staying directly on the beach.
Travelista Takeaway: Choose the Carmen Hotel for a budget beachfront option with colorful accommodations and an amazing rooftop pool.
Check out the map below for the specific locations of the Playa del Carmen beach hotels featured in this post:
Map of beach hotels in Playa del Carmen
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Playa del Carmen beach hotels:
The town of Playa del Carmen is located right in the middle of the Riviera Maya region, which is the name of the coastal resort district that spans from Cancun all the way down to Tulum (see map below).
When searching for hotels in Playa del Carmen, you can either choose to stay in downtown Playa del Carmen to be at the heart of the town's dining, nightlife, and shopping OR at an all-inclusive Riviera Maya resort for more widespread beaches and expansive pools.
In this article, I've covered the best beachfront hotels in downtown Playa del Carmen which really gives you the best of both worlds.
If you want to learn more about the best hotels in the entire Riviera Maya region, head over to my full Riviera Maya resort guide.
If you're traveling all the way to Playa del Carmen then you're probably attracted by the allure of the Caribbean beaches.
Staying at a beachfront hotel is definitely the way to go, giving you prime beachfront access with private lounge chairs and food and beverage service.
When staying at a Playa del Carmen beachfront hotel, not only will you have beach access but you'll still be in the heart of Playa del Carmen's lively downtown area with restaurants, shopping, and nightlife all within walking distance.
There are beachfront hotels available for every budget. For Playa del Carmen hotels on the beach, you can expect to pay around $150-$600 USD per night depending on the room type.
If you choose an all-inclusive hotel with unlimited food and beverage, the rates will be much higher.
You can also expect to pay more for accommodations during high season which typically runs from December-February.
Lower rates will typically be available during the summer months (June-August) but the weather will be much more hot, humid, and have a higher potential for rain.
Travelista Tip: If you're looking to save money, I've found that the shoulder months of high season (October-November and March-April) are still very nice weather wise but the hotels will typically be less expensive.
Many of the beachfront hotels in downtown Playa del Carmen are not all inclusive. However, some will have all-inclusive packages available so be sure to check the food and beverage plans when confirming your accommodations.
The great thing about being in downtown Playa del Carmen is that you don't really need to have an all-inclusive plan as there are so many great restaurants and bars within walking distance.
To be honest the beaches in downtown Playa del Carmen are not as widespread as those you'll find at Riviera Maya resorts. However, they are still beautiful and definitely worth visiting.
Depending on the time of year, the beaches can also get crowded so it's definitely a treat to stay at a beachfront hotel and have lounge chairs in a more private beachfront area.
Are you ready to book your beach hotel in Playa del Carmen?!
I hope this top Playa del Carmen resorts guide was helpful in choosing the perfect Playa del Carmen beachfront hotel for you.
My top pick for the best beachfront hotel in Playa del Carmen is Mahekal Beach Resort, offering an upscale jungle oasis in the heart of downtown.
But no matter where you end up, you'll get to enjoy the incredible white sand beaches and lively downtown area in Playa del Carmen.
For more amazing hotels in Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya, check out my other hotel guides:
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