These are the dreamiest beach escapes in one of Mexico's most beloved resort towns. Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, and content marketer. She is an expert on Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, as she lived and worked in four different countries in that region. Carley founded the digital travel publications Loosely Local and Home to Havana. This is a suites-only property and there's an ocean view in every room. A stay here gets you unlimited access to Grupo Xcaret's two neighboring resorts and more than seven theme parks, making it impossible to see all in a short stay. This picturesque property recently went through a huge renovation and it has all the luxury of a Belmond hotel while still feeling rooted in the local culture. This boutique property has two incredible restaurants, but if you're here for several days, you might long for variety. Nikolas Koenig/Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai This resort feels like an architectural marvel hidden among mangroves—it's cool, cosmopolitan, and secluded in the tropics. The property sits back a ways from the beach, and ocean views here are more like ocean slivers. Families will love the unlimited access to Grupo Xcaret's nearby theme parks and an array of all-inclusive excursions and experiences. The resort is about to get much bigger, debuting additional rooms, dining destinations, and amenities this summer. There's an incredible balance of amenities for families, including a kids club and an oversized family-friendly pool that keeps other pools and beach areas quiet. Some guests say that the butler service could be more efficient and user-friendly. It's hard to say which of the property's newest features is most appealing: the expansive spa or the beach club with a rooftop pool, or oceanfront dining. This resort is so big, you'll need golf carts to get around. This resort has incredible options for drinking and dining. This property can be tough to navigate solo. Every room here has ocean views and the spa is stunning. There are just three restaurants, though guests also have access to the dining options at the other resorts within the Kanai community. Suites are oversized and incredibly spacious. You'll need to book ahead to secure a table at some of the resort's most coveted restaurants, especially the famed Cocina de Autor. Villa-style accommodations featuring private outdoor pools and hammocks feel special even at the entry-level rate. The property's smaller boutique size means amenities and dining options are somewhat limited. It's all tropical vibes here, with palapa-style oceanfront restaurants and rooms that feel at once perfectly laidback and luxe. Though the property feels relatively private, it's within walking distance of downtown Playa del Carmen—a major plus for some. Newer over-lagoon villas steal the show with their split-level layouts and fun features like open-air bathtubs and showers. Like its neighboring Mayakoba properties, the resort feels challenging to navigate, and some buildings are located deep within the mangrove forest. Wellness is the name of the game at this luxurious resort. There are just two onsite restaurants to choose from. Spring for a stay at the property's Palafitos overwater bungalows, which have glass-bottom floors and direct ocean access. Though there are six restaurants on the property, you may want to explore nearby options as well. Playa del Carmen, now one of Quintana Roo's largest cities, ranks right up there with Tulum as one of the Riviera's trendiest spots. Sitting coolly on the lee side of Cozumel, the town’s beaches are jammed with super-fit Europeans. The waters aren’t as clear as those of Cancún or Cozumel, and the sand isn’t quite as powder-perfect as they are further north, but still Playa grows and grows. Playa del Carmen Back to topAttractionsMust-see attractionsParque Los Fundadores Playa del Carmen’s most iconic park is bordered by the famous Quinta Avenida on one side and by a popular local beach on the other side Parque la Ceiba shady picnic spots and walking trails as well as activities such as movie… Punta Esmeralda Emerald Point has become a favorite beach among Playa del Carmen locals Museo Frida Kahlo Riviera Maya This 'museum' is mainly info about Kahlo rather than displays of her artwork But if you're looking for something to do on a non-beach… Quinta Avenida stores and craft stalls line a 2km stretch of this busy pedestrian thoroughfare View more attractionsPlanning ToolsExpert guidance to help you plan your tripBest Things to Do Yoga on the beach, dining among jungle greenery, diving in cenotes and more: here is our guide to the top things to do in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The vibrant beach town of Playa del Carmen has something to offer all year long. Here’s our month-by-month guide to when to visit. Our guide features important things to know before your visit to Playa del Carmen in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, including safety tips, etiquette and more. We round up the top 10 free things to do in Playa del Carmen so you can stay and play for longer. Explore the beauty and wildness of the Yucatan Peninsula on one of these 7 fun day trips from Playa del Carmen. We give you the lowdown on how to enjoy the best of Playa del Carmen on the Rivera Maya without breaking the bank. Plan with a localExperience the real Mexico Playa del Carmen doesn’t mess around when it comes to good eats From the best tacos to finding a traditional Mexican restaurant Read more articlesBuild a memorable collectionGet to the heart of Playa del Carmen with one of our in-depth Visit in ShopCancun Visit in ShopPocket Cancun & the Riviera Maya $13.99 Go to checkout (0 items)in partnership with getyourguide No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission Quintana Roo is a state in southeastern Mexico The cities that many people know about in this state include: Cancun Although these are not precise numbers in 2022 it was reported that close to 13% of all moves from the USA to Mexico were to the state of Quintana Roo State Department estimates that approximately 1.6 million United States citizens live in Mexico I have the directions to Playa del Carmen on my phone, it is one of my favorite places. When I asked a few friends about moving to the area, I was referred to Felipe Barganier and was surprised to learn that his number was local to Atlanta Felipe Barganier joins us today to speak about the increasing number of African Americans who are relocating to Mexico I asked Barganier to tell us about himself and how he came to know the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico He spoke about his career in business which took him to many places He shares that many people say “you don’t choose Playa del Carmen he says that the energy and peace of the area allowed him to feel his level of stress decrease The cost of living is lower than in the USA and most people survive on between $600 - $800 USD I asked him what people needed to know if they were considering a move to Mexico He explains that you cannot come with an “American” mindset You also need to get a temporary residence VISA They will want to know that you can support yourself economically Barganier also shares the rules concerning owning property Only a few folks have moved back to the USA and often only if they couldn’t gain economic traction or if their jobs required them to move back to the US Barganier also speaks about the food being healthier with fewer preservatives than the same brands found in the USA. His young son is flourishing with more friends and is bilingual. You can keep up with Barganier on Instagram. MexicoChevron Quintana RooChevron Playa del CarmenChevron Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links Playa del Carmen still seems to strike the necessary balance of accessibility and exclusivity the area has blossomed into one of the most coveted areas in the region The town’s original allure remains intact: a paradise where cerulean Caribbean waters lap against powdery white shores with the pedestrian-only Quinta Avenida playing host to restaurants with outdoor terraces and boutique shops that offer the necessary wares for a day on the water We've selected these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, editor stays, and previous guest reviews. 7 bathsTop amenities: Private swimming pool 2 bathsTop amenities: Private garden and terrace with hammock 3 bathsTop amenities: Private outdoor pool 4 bathsTop amenities: Private outdoor pool Within the gated community of Corasol, Casa Ka’an is a perfect rental for a large family. The home can accommodate up to six guests across three bedrooms and features plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy—especially the outdoor pool with hammocks positioned nearby. To further explore the Mayakoba complex, guests can use the villa’s golf carts to visit the on-site cenote, restaurants, Mayakoba El Camaleón Golf Club, and Mayakoba Country Club. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Airlines Cancel Flights to Israel After Missile Strike Near Airport Bowman’s Travel Brief: Avoid Newark Airport Mastering the Art of Group Travel Bookings Fiesta Americana Travelty Celebrates Travel Advisors The Top 24 Most Powerful Travel Agencies of 2024 The Strategic Art of Pre-Planning Luxury Vacations: A Perspective for Travel Advisors Billy McFarland, the controversial figure behind the original Fyre Festival debacle, insists that a second iteration of the infamous event is coming to Playa del Carmen, Mexico despite firm denials from local officials who say no such festival has been authorized In a statement posted to Instagram on April 4 McFarland and the official Fyre Festival account asserted that their plans are in the works claiming they’ve been collaborating with Playa del Carmen authorities since early March to obtain permits for the music festival “FYRE has been working directly with the government of Playa del Carmen (PDC) and their officials since March 5 to ensure a safe and successful event,” the post reads “All media reports suggesting our team has not been working with the government of PDC are simply inaccurate and based on misinformation.” It adds "FYRE has operated as a good partner with PDC government and has followed the proper processes and procedures to lawfully host an event."  The Instagram post also features several photos of purported documents environmental permits and receipts of payments made to the Playa del Carmen government all of which were allegedly filed or submitted in the past month However, the destination itself disputes these assertions. In a statement issued April 3 “Neither this event nor any event with its name will occur in our city.” It further stated “After looking over the information around the situation we can confirm that there have been no registrations planning or conditions to indicate that this will happen in our municipality.” According to People this isn’t the first location to deny ties to McFarland’s plans Fyre Festival 2 was originally announced for Isla Mujeres an island located about an hour north of Playa del Carmen but officials there also stated they had no knowledge of the event tickets for Fyre Festival 2 remain on sale According to its website the festival is slated to occur between May 30 and June 2 with a top-tier package for eight people listed at more than $1 million McFarland has said the event will feature luxury experiences and a full artist lineup although no performers have been officially announced McFarland first teased the return of Fyre Festival in September 2024, telling Today that he’d secured a production company and was developing a private island off the coast of Mexico “We have a private island off the coast of Mexico in the Caribbean and we have an incredible production company who’s handling everything from soup to nuts,” he said at the time adding that the island had existing infrastructure to support guests became a global scandal when attendees arrived in the Bahamas to find makeshift tents and folding chairs instead of the promising luxury accommodations and no major musical performances—a far cry from the luxury experience that had been advertised McFarland was later convicted of wire fraud and served four years in prison For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter Collette - Expertly Crafted Tours for the Modern Traveler Cross Border Xpress Mexico: What Travel Advisors Need to Know Editor Assistant Editor true lbaratti@travelpulse.com 9174 14744 Laurie Baratti is an Assistant Editor for TravelPulse She is a San Diego-based journalist whose work has previously appeared in publications like TravelAge West are threatened by the arrival of a massive amount of sargassum leading up to Easter The local city council said it will present a contingency plan for Holy Week — which begins Sunday — in collaboration with the state Government and the Naval Ministry (Semar) to address the problem “We’ll present the contingency plan in case of a significant arrival [of seaweed],” Municipal Public Services Director José Antonio de la Torre Chambé said “We’ve already established schedules for sargassum response Sargassum is a brown seaweed that floats on the open ocean it can be harmful when large quantities reach the shores as it decomposes and produces hydrogen sulfide a gas that smells like rotten eggs and may cause respiratory issues In the Riviera Maya, sargassum season usually lasts from May to November, although it varies each year. In 2024, the season officially ended on Nov. 14. De la Torre said that sargassum collection has increased in recent weeks due to strong winds from the south, which have carried the algae to shores. In the last few days alone, he said 80 cubic meters of sargassum have been removed, mainly from Playa Delfines, one of Mexico’s most visited beaches. Playa del Carmen has also been affected by sargassum The buildup has impacted at least 60 maritime service providers at El Recodo Beach in Playa del Carmen further complicating port closures for smaller vessels due to wind gusts of up to 40 kilometers per hour The Regional Harbor Master’s Office has suspended nautical and recreational activities in Puerto Juárez These climatic conditions have led to cancellations in the tourism industry with estimated economic losses of US $300,000 per day affecting everything from ticket sales for tours and other services to clients’ and employees’ ability to access businesses located in locations like Isla Mujeres Municipal workers of Playa del Carmen have removed sargassum, using heavy machinery and other tools to keep the beaches clean before the Easter holidays. Data from the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) shows that Cancún is anticipated to experience one of the highest occupancy rates during the holiday season good beach weather is expected for Holy Week The National Meteorological Service (SMN) forecasts partly cloudy skies and scattered showers in Quintana Roo with warm to very hot temperatures during the afternoon With reports from Reportur and 24 horas Quintana Roo ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The future of Fyre Festival 2 continues to remain rocky, as Mexican government officials claim the second take of the infamous festival isn't happening, again In late March, the festival announced it would be held in Playa del Carmen, Mexico from May 30 to June 2, a change from the initially-promoted location of Isla Mujeres, Mexico. After Isla Mujeres government officials claimed they were unaware of such an event "The municipal government of Playa del Carmen informs that no event of that name will be held in our city," Playa Del Carmen's city hall shared in a social media statement on Wednesday "After a responsible review of the situation plans or conditions that indicate the holding of such an event in the municipality." During a Fyre Festival 2 press conference in Playa del Carmen on March 27 Martina Beach Club Founder Fernando Delgado told local journalists that the festival had secured the necessary permits in the city Fyre Festival staff nor Playa del Carmen city hall staff immediately responded for comment when contacted by USA TODAY on Friday In 2018, Billy McFarland was sentenced to six years in prison for engaging in several fraudulent schemes related to the first Fyre Festival the festival's organizer acknowledged that he had defrauded investors out of $26 million and more than $100,000 in fraudulent ticket-selling schemes Fyre Festival 2 was promoted to be held on Isla Mujeres a small island off the western coast of Mexico about an hour's drive and ferry ride from Cancun But in February, Isla Mujeres government officials and the management of a five-star hotel that was listed on the festival's website claimed they weren't working with Fyre Festival 2 or even knew about it McFarland responded by saying that the festival had terminated contracts with two Isla Mujeres hotels "We have been working on building Fyre in Mexico since September (2024)," McFarland previously told USA TODAY in a statement "We were blindsided by comments made to the media and we ultimately found the perfect home for Fyre Festival 2 in Playa del Carmen." Only 2,000 tickets are available for Fyre Festival 2 ranging between $1,400 for one person to $1.1 million for a group of eight Lostnights head of artists and commercial relations said fans could expect a lineup of 40 entertainers to be shared this week and ticketholders were promised acts like Blink-182 and Migos festival-goers learned that the artists had canceled with the promised luxury accommodations and gourmet food nowhere to be found attendees only stayed one night before they were evacuated The festival inspired two documentaries, Netflix's "Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened" and Hulu's "Fyre Fraud." Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Go cenote hopping on the Yucatan Peninsula on a day trip from Playa del Carmen Flanked on one side by the world's second-biggest reef and acres of untamed tropical forest on the other, Playa del Carmen is the perfect hub from which to explore the wild and wonderful Yucatán Peninsula As one of Quintana Roo's biggest cities, there is plenty of fun to be had in Playa del Carmen and the warm welcome you receive will make it difficult to tear yourself away But everyone needs a break from the urban buzz and there's a wealth of fun adventures on your doorstep From laidback islands and outdoor adventures to stunning Maya ruins in the depths of the jungle these are the best day trips you can take from Playa del Carmen If there’s one thing worth dragging yourself away from the shores of Playa del Carmen, it’s the cenote (freshwater springs) Under the thick jungles of the Riviera Maya lies a dreamy underworld of natural turquoise pools and water-filled caverns with stalactites overhead and ancient boulders beneath your feet while spider monkeys and iguanas roam the lush tropical forest surrounding you The Maya civilization revered the cenotes and made sacrifices here as offerings to the gods they are equally venerated by outdoor adventurers drawn to this unique setting Over 6000 of these freshwater pools are peppered around the Yucatán Peninsula and a few of the lesser-known ones are found near Playa del Carmen making it easy to do a cenote-hopping tour of your own in just one day All three are open-air pools with water deep enough for grownups to plunge into from the cliff’s edge and shallow pools for the little ones to wade in How to get to the cenotes from Playa del Carmen The three cenotes are just a 25-minute drive south along 307 Highway head to the lineup of colectivos (shared vans) on Avenida Juarez and catch one going in the direction of Tulum and he’ll drop you off at the cenote’s entrance Don’t let the inviting panorama of swaying palm trees and sugary sand fool you – the real star of Akumal lies beneath the waves that lap its shores Thanks to the seagrass meadows and the protective Mesoamerican Reef Akumal is the best place to snorkel alongside turtles in the Riviera Maya It’s mandatory to join a guided tour if you want to snorkel within the protected area Standard prices of M$400 Mexican pesos (US$19.60) per person include snorkeling gear and life vests Seafood restaurants and hotels line the beach How to get to Akumal from Playa del Carmen and there’s plenty of parking close to the entrance take a colectivo from Juarez Avenue towards Tulum Let the driver know you’re going to Akumal and he’ll drop you by the highway exit – from there As the ferry sails towards the dock in Isla Cozumel the first thing you’ll notice are the schools of technicolored fish swimming in the shimmering spearmint water beneath the pier The beach by the ferry terminal is clean yet gloriously empty which begs the question: where are the tourists Cozumel is where Playa del Carmen's locals go to escape from the hubbub of the mainland Time your visit when there are no cruises docked here hire a Jeep for the day and drive the 30-mile (48km) loop around the island where you can swim off the Mesoamerican Reef How to get to Isla Cozumel from Playa del Carmen Cozumel is an easy 45-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen High-speed ferries depart regularly every day Ultramar and Winjet run the route but on different schedules but both have comfortable air-conditioned ferries that leave on time Ticket prices start from M$290 (US$14.20) each way Reclining majestically on clifftops overlooking azure waves, the Tulum archaeological site sets itself apart from other ancient cities with an atypical coastal setting. These ruins may not have the immaculately restored pyramids of Chichén Itzá but they capture your imagination with a clear grid layout and temple structures You can easily see the ruins in two hours – don’t forget your swimsuit so you can enjoy the beach beneath the site A refreshing dip in the ocean is a wonderful way to cool down after exploring the site under the hot sun This is a very popular attraction; arrive at 9am for the best chance to have the place to yourself How to get to Tulum ruins from Playa del Carmen The Tulum archaeological zone is an easy one-hour drive south along the 307 Highway from Playa del Carmen. If you prefer public transport, take a colectivo from Avenida Juarez towards Tulum and let the driver know where you're going – he'll stop next to the entrance. The ADO bus also runs hourly services from Playa del Carmen to Tulum with comfortable reclining seats and air conditioning take time out in the little-known Laguna de Kaan Luum a perfectly circular lagoon that sparkles with different shades of blue in the sunlight A cenote sits right in the middle of the lagoon its dark indigo waters shimmering in contrast to the shallow aqua patches Climb the viewing tower for a perfect view of the contrast Kaan Luum has miraculously escaped the major tourist radar despite being just a 15-minute drive from Tulum town You’ll find a trickle of visitors if you get here before 11am or after 3pm Bring a picnic lunch – fresh coconuts and beer are sold here – and you can combine a visit to the Tulum ruins with an afternoon swinging on the rainbow-colored hammocks laying out on the dock and soaking in the knee-deep water How to get to Kaan Luum from Playa del Carmen Kaan Luum is an hour’s drive from Playa del Carmen A taxi or private car is the easiest way to get there Traveling by public transport is possible but tedious: you’ll need to change at Tulum to a colectivo heading towards Felipe Carillo and it can be challenging to find one on your way back book a standup paddleboard tour – transportation is usually included In the nearby town of Puerto Morelos a 23-mile (37km) paved road cuts through the dense jungles inland connecting a melange of cenotes and eco-adventure parks These parks are one-stop shops complete with zipline circuits but they promise both adults and children a thrilling good time and rarely disappoint One of our favorites is Selvática, which boasts 10 different zip lines, flying fox circuits and a bungee swing. Cenotes Zapote Ecopark is home to four different cenotes, including one with prehistoric sloth fossils found 50m (164ft) deep. Siete Bocas is a massive underground cenote with seven openings where shafts of sunlight beam in and create a dramatic setting How to get to Ruta de los Cenotes from Playa del Carmen The driving time to the start of the Ruta de los Cenotes is roughly 35 minutes from Playa del Carmen Depending on which eco-park you’re visiting it’s another five to 30 minutes from there by car; there are no public transport options Tours to the eco-adventure parks are plentiful with transportation from Playa del Carmen included As the closest town to Chichén Itzá, Valladolid is a popular launchpad for visitors to the new world wonder Yet it’s somehow retained a strong sense of Yucatecan identity The cobblestoned streets of this pueblo magico (magical town) are flanked by pastel-colored colonial buildings Women saunter around in the traditional embroidered huipil buying fresh tortillas from street stands and shopping for fruit Its historical center, crowned by the prominent stonewalled Iglesia de San Servacio Grab a snack in the Mercado Municipal (town market) before wandering down the photogenic Calzada de los Frailes a street lined with boutiques and galleries converted from old colonial houses Drop into Casa de los Venados to admire one of the largest collections of pre-Hispanic artwork in Mexico. Try Yucatecan staples at the historic Mesón del Marqués a glorious hacienda-style restaurant overlooking the main square End the day trip with a dip in Cenote Zaci How to get to Valladolid from Playa del Carmen Valladolid is one hour and 55 minutes northwest of Playa del Carmen. It’s easily accessible by car – take the 305D highway north and then west along the 108 tolled highway. There’s a toll fee of M$230 (US$11.30) each way, but the new road cuts down travel time by 20 minutes. ADO bus has regular departures from Playa del Carmen to Valladolid, with one-way fares starting from M$259 (US$12.70). have reported that the region has thus far collected 1,700 tons of sargassum seaweed off the coast of Playa del Carmen The numbers remained in the normal range in February Sargassum season typically runs from spring through October when warmer Caribbean waters cause the type of seaweed to bloom and grow Collection is being carried out at beaches in the city center each day Playa del Carmen has not asked the Navy to install sargassum barriers off the coast reported 37,000 tons of sargassum that officials had collected from the state’s beaches and coastlines Lacey Pfalz is Associate Editor at TravelPulse She's a passionate advocate of responsible travel and believes the best travel experiences happen outside of a planned itinerary She can be reached at lpfalz@ntmllc.com A March 21 post on Fyre Festival’s official social media account says that the second edition of the musical festival is moving to Playa del Carmen following a February announcement that it would take place in Isla Mujeres Fyre Festival, a fraudulent, disastrous music festival held in 2017 saw its creator Billy MacFarland face criminal charges in the United States after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud bank fraud and making false statements to federal officials he’s now attempting a second edition of the festival dubbed Fyre Festival 2 PLAYA IS ON FYRE 🇲🇽 FYRE 2: MAY 30 – JUNE 2 pic.twitter.com/lWyD57Ul0C — Billy McFarland (@pyrtbilly) March 21, 2025 The latest announcement changing the venue’s location was met with skeptical comments from social media users like: “How is this dude even legally allowed to try this again Lol,” and “Does this guy not know how to plan Responding to the negative reaction to the event said in a video on Twitter early in March that “Fyre 2 is real,” claiming that he has contracts with partners that include a production company in Mexico According to its official Instagram page, Fyre Festival 2 is set to happen from May 30 to June 2 A press conference is scheduled for Thursday “This press conference marks a major milestone in bringing Fyre 2 Festival 2 to life as an intimate and adventure in the heart of the Riviera Maya,” the statement says details about the musical lineup remain scarce leaving fans and skeptics wondering who might perform at the festival Tickets to the event start at US $1,400 for general access which in addition to the general access package includes a shuttle service from a selection of local hotels fans can get backstage access to the “Water Stage accommodation for two nights amongst the artists and performers As if those packages weren’t enticing enough the festival’s site advertises a ticket priced at $1.1 million dubbed the “Prometheus God of Fyre” ticket which includes the aforementioned “Artists” package plus access to the Prometheus Marina and accommodation in any of the following alternatives: the Marina four-stateroom yacht a four-bedroom villa provided by the Nemesis Group or a three-bedroom Presidential Suite at the Chablé Maroma Neither Chablé Maroma nor Nemesis Group have confirmed this collaboration It remains to be seen how Fyre Festival 2 unfolds and if MacFarland has regained the public’s trust coral reefs and cenotes (natural swimming holes) It's no secret that Playa del Carmen – and the Riviera Maya as a whole – is a magnet for tourists but the beach town maintains a sense of convivial authenticity that appeals to travelers looking for a well-rounded destination I have learned a thing or two about navigating this energetic beach town Here are my first-hand tips to help you make the most of your time in Playa del Carmen As the fastest-growing town in the Riviera Maya Playa del Carmen attracts hordes of travelers especially during the peak season from December to April Picture-perfect skies and cool nights are standard – but so are high prices And the streets bulge at the seams during Christmas and spring break The low season runs from May to June and from September to November we recommend visiting during the shoulder season in July and August While there may be some downpours and a power outage or two if a tropical storm hits the sun always makes an appearance in between showers Playa del Carmen may seem small-scale at first but once you venture out to the various neighborhoods weekend markets and authentic taquerias to discover Centro – stretching from the ferry terminal to Calle 8 – is tourist central and the city's bustling heart This is where you'll find plenty of bumping nightclubs Gonzalo Guerrero is a lively jumble of international restaurants taco trucks and supermarkets sprawling to Calle 40 This area suits those who aren't hard-core partiers but still want to be near the center of the action an up-and-coming area that appeals to medium-term visitors and creative types with its affordable short-term rentals and co-working spaces South of Centro lies the gated community of Playacar, which caters to couples and families with young children seeking green spaces and tranquility. Here, you'll find several family-friendly all-inclusive resorts, plenty of short-term rentals and one of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen Note that you'll need to be ready to pedal or walk 15 minutes to town The thing that sets Playa del Carmen apart from next-door neighbors Cancún and Tulum is the town's remarkable access to the sand In a bid to avoid coastlines jam-packed with waterfront resorts and private beach clubs Playa del Carmen was laid out to allow the public easy access to most of its beaches This means that you don't have to spend extravagant amounts on a beachfront hotel room or an overpriced day pass to enjoy the powder-puff white sand It's wise to book boat tours and day trips well in advance, especially if you're visiting in high season. (A month ahead will usually suffice.) An exception is the ferry to Isla Cozumel which has regular departures daily and can be booked at the ferry terminal only one day ahead of travel Making reservations beforehand also means you won't have to deal with tourist touts and other pier-side hassles Leave your denim jeans or high heels at home: the fashion style in Playa del Carmen is low-key and casual Laid-back backpackers and well-heeled travelers alike tend to sport singlets It's perfectly fine to wear a linen shirt and cargo shorts to a plush dinner and even a night out at Coco Bongo Beachwear is a free-for-all; you won't be judged no matter what you want to wear Bring a light jacket for chilly nights if you're traveling in the rainy season One of Playa del Carmen's winning traits is its walkability this is a compact city that's easy to navigate on foot Most of the action is centered along Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) a pedestrianized boulevard lined with knickknack shops the less traffic and more local hideouts you'll find Playa del Carmen isn't quite as keen on two-wheeled transport as Tulum – yet. But it's getting there. The city now boasts a city-wide bike-sharing system, with lime green BiciPlaya bikes for rent from numerous kiosks dotted around town and you'll be able to unlock a bike and bop around town for just M$129 ($6.77) per day The best bike path in the city runs along Tenth Avenue from Playacar residential area to Avenida Constituyentes You'll often find pedestrians spilling onto the bicycle lane If you're planning to explore the ruins cenotes and adventure parks surrounding Playa del Carmen hiring a car will give you the freedom to explore at your own pace While it's relatively easy to drive in Riviera Maya car rentals in Mexico come with their own set of challenges You'll find no shortage of attractive deals online – but they don't usually include third-party liability insurance (required by law) Be prepared to pay a higher price than your initial quote There isn't a lot of traffic in Playa del Carmen itself but once you venture to the 307 Federal Hwy you'll find a constant barrage of vehicles as there are more speed bumps than you can count as it's hard to see all the speed bumps and potholes in the dark Although credit cards are accepted at more and more small businesses and you'll need small bills to enjoy its local taco joints Avoid changing money before getting to Mexico Note that not every ATM is safe to use in Playa del Carmen as there have been cases of card cloning and counterfeit notes and always use an ATM inside a bank rather than one on the street We recommend taking cash out at Cancún airport upon arrival for peace of mind banks and ATMs tend to have long lines at the middle and end of every month and many of them are eager to withdraw their earnings ATMs not only have a long wait at these times Playa del Carmen has a slew of dining options with varying etiquette and tipping expectations Ten to 15% is the standard at most restaurants that don't fall into the high-end or gourmet category Tipping is not expected in casual cafes and local joints where you order at the counter though most have a tip jar if you're feeling generous Note that prices listed on menus in Mexico represent the total price; neither taxes nor tips are supposed to be added Some restaurants offer a suggested sum for tips which is fine; others sneak the tips into the total price Make sure to always check your bill carefully Hassling is common on the streets of Playa del Carmen, especially along tourist-clogged Fifth Avenue and Parque Fundadores you can get by without speaking a word of Spanish as English is commonly spoken here – just be prepared to pay gringo prices learn some Spanish vocabulary that goes beyond the standard "Una cerveza For those planning to stay more than a week in town, sign up for an intensive Spanish class at the established International House Riviera Maya. If you already have a basic level, join in the free conversation evenings run by Chichén Itzá Language School to meet new people and improve your language skills over cocktails. An unfortunate string of shootings has plagued Playa del Carmen in recent months, sounding alarm bells in the tourism industry. Two Canadian tourists were shot dead in Hotel Xcaret in January 2022, and the manager of Mamitas Beach Club was found murdered in the same week. The Mexican authorities have admitted an increasing presence of drug-related crime in Playa del Carmen. Be mindful that the crimes here are usually organized and cartel-related, and violence tends to be targeted rather than random acts of terror. Playa del Carmen, for the most part, is safe for tourists and expats who steer clear of illicit activities. The only way most tourists interact with cartel members is when they buy drugs – and make no mistake: all the dealers are part of a cartel. It is important to always keep your wits about you and stay vigilant. Keep yourself informed of the latest happenings in Playa del Carmen before you travel. Don't be surprised to find military troops and police cars whizzing through the streets of Playa del Carmen: recent incidents have caused a need for heightened security. Several police checkpoints have been set up along the 307 Hwy, including one at the Playa del Carmen exit. With a raving bar scene, Playa del Carmen inevitably has its fair share of petty theft and robberies, which tend to happen at night. Solo travelers should avoid getting drunk alone or taking drugs on the streets. Stick with your group if you plan on late-night shenanigans. Keep an eye on your drink, and don't accept drinks from strangers. Mexicans are a friendly bunch – yet it can be hard to differentiate between genuine hospitality and a sales gimmick. Follow the rule of not trusting anyone selling on the streets, and you'll do just fine. When a local approaches you saying, "Do you remember me? I'm your waiter!" just smile, nod and walk away. It's almost certain that your "friend" is just trying to lure you into their overpriced shop. A common scam in Playa del Carmen (one familiar to expats) is the distraction scheme. A couple usually approaches and offers to clean the bird poop from your hair or the tomato ketchup on your back, distracting you and thus swiping your valuables while your guard is down. Uber does not operate in Playa del Carmen, but official white-and-green cabs are readily available. They tend to charge tourists more than residents, so check with a local to suss out how much you should pay. Always agree on a price before getting in: a ride within Centro should not be more than M$50 ($2.50). Alternatively, ask your Airbnb host or hotel concierge for a reliable driver that you can contact through WhatsApp. The water in Playa del Carmen is not potable, and you should never drink water from the faucet. It is OK, however, to brush your teeth using it, and many find local tap water acceptable for rinsing vegetables, cooking pasta and washing rice. The water served at restaurants is always purified drinking water, and so is the ice, so feel free to ask for a vaso de agua when you dine out. Several companies in Playa del Carmen deliver large 20-liter barrels of purified water right to your doorstep. You can also stock up at any OXXO convenience store in town; there's one at almost every corner in the town center. Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana: Where Relaxation and Adventure Meet Discover Paradise Under the Sun at Hilton Rose Hall Paradise Awaits: Last Chance to Win an All-Inclusive Caribbean Escape Paradise Meets Fun at Wyndham Alltra Vallarta The Facts and Figures Behind a US Tourism Decline TravelPulse Podcast: Mexico’s Rising Tourism Destination and Top News of the Week Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission McFarland posted a statement on Instagram with alleged documentation showing that he was working with the city for the festival the documents show approval for an event with a maximum of 12 hours of music over three days for 250 people a huge contrast to the party McFarland has been promoting The cheapest ticket to 2 Fyre 2 Fest is $1,400 Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York In 2010, we left the United States and retired abroad to Cuenca Although we're fortunate to enjoy a fabulous retirement life abroad we've always wondered if there's an even better place for us out there we set off on an adventure that lasted more than two years to explore other potential retirement spots around the globe to find out Our journey started in Mexico, a popular spot for American retirees in part due to its proximity to the US While there, we spent two weeks each in Cancún and Playa del Carmen, two of the country's popular Caribbean vacation spots we tried to get a taste of daily life by staying in neighborhoods outside the main vacation and hotel areas Located on the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancún is a major tourist destination in Mexico Cancún has a "hotel zone" along the beach that's miles away from the city itself Most visitors (like us on an anniversary trip years ago) arrive at the airport and never leave the vicinity before departing for home we rented an Airbnb in a residential section of downtown to attempt to see what it might be like to live there We found downtown Cancún to be quite different from the miles of fancy resorts we passed numerous modest single-family homes and locally owned shops and restaurants We liked that the downtown had everything we could need for daily life within walking distance which had a surprisingly impressive selection of affordable products and produce Plus, there's a major international airport just 20 to 30 minutes away from downtown — ideal for American expats who want to visit family back home but an inexpensive bus ride made getting there a snap once we got to the miles of public beaches we were disappointed to find very few designated access points It was harder to enter the beach than we expected especially since we'd been used to walking from an oceanfront hotel directly onto the sand when we'd stayed in Cancún as tourists we were pleasantly surprised at how similar downtown Cancún felt to our current neighborhood Located about an hour south of Cancún is the coastal town of Playa Del Carmen Playa del Carmen doesn't have an isolated hotel zone separate from its residential areas the famous 5th Avenue a couple of blocks away and then local housing and businesses all the way to the major highway that runs from Cancún past Tulum I liked that nearby neighborhoods could easily access the beach and popular spots like 5th Avenue The lively area felt like Mexico's version of Bourbon Street in New Orleans though I worried it could eventually be annoying to navigate while trying to do chores and run errands on a daily basis the area felt overflowing with outstanding food and shopping options we found popular American chains like Walmart and many familiar chain restaurants in the area that US expats missing home would surely enjoy Although Playa del Carmen doesn't have its own international airport the one in Cancún is only about an hour away It was exciting to see what else is out there for other Americans looking to retire abroad We appreciated how Playa del Carmen and Cancún both felt beautiful and walkable which is great for retirees moving away from family We can definitely understand why the warm weather and other perks would bring expats to either place we also realized the area's generally hotter temperatures weren't quite an ideal fit for us FYRE Festival 2 is not happening in Playa del Carmen a city official has exclusively told The U.S In a stunning revelation, a representative at Playa del Carmen's City Hall called the event "fake news" and went on to claim that there is no event called Fyre Festival 2 scheduled in the area "I am sorry there is no Fyre Festival 2 Playa del Carmen knows nothing about it," the official told The U.S The city hall elaborated on the subject in an official statement written in Spanish "In light of rumors about an event called 'Fyre 2' we inform that no event with that name will be held in Playa del Carmen there is no registration or planning in the municipality public order and social coexistence," the statement said before adding any further information will go through "institutional channels." During a press conference last week, Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland's group claimed they had the appropriate permits for the event and introduced a local official as well. Playa del Carmen’s secretary of citizen security, Raúl Tassinari González, was briefly introduced by a woman hosting the event. the official said: "We are already in coordination with the whole group You are obviously having a formidable event." During the press conference Billy called on his Fyre 2 partner Mike Falb who has been living in Mexico for the last six months he handed the microphone over to someone who he only called his "partner Fernando." Fernando said: "As you know we already have the authorities here We are very happy to have this festival...in Playa del Carmen and we are very happy to have the Fyre Festival." A comment call to Billy was not immediately returned Sun reached out to local officials for clarification on Playa del Carmen’s secretary of citizen security's participation in the press conference The event's location has already changed twice in a month's time from Isla Mujeres to Playa del Carmen after the former's tourism board said the event didn't exist The statement from Isla Mujeres read: "General Directorate for Tourism of Isla Mujeres informs that no person or company has requested permits from this office or any other municipal government department for said event." Billy and his team made big promises about the event currently scheduled for May 30 through June 2 Billy announced that the second Fyre Festival will serve as a chance for him to redeem himself following the catastrophic 2017 event which left attendees stranded on a Bahamian island without proper food The convicted felon, who was seen on a screen at the press conference last week from Playa del Carmen, in Quintana Roo, Mexico "Being a traveler and being an adventure seeker around the world converging on Playa del Carmen to live like Jack Sparrow The team claimed they were preparing for 1,800 guests and said they would have 40 live performances The team said they weren't ready to announce performers yet and there would be an update this week over social media Later in the press conference, Manuel Reta, the head of artists and commercial relations for the Mexican event organizer Lostnights, said the Fyre Festival 2 team has found a home for the festival in Playa del Carmen doubts and concerns are fixed with a very simple thing - we are in Mexico," he said The inaugural FYRE Festival remains one of the most infamous event disasters in history Attendees were left devastated after spending tens of thousands of dollars to attend the event only to arrive on an island in the Bahamas lacking food and accommodation- not to mention the musical acts all pulled out at the last minute with disgruntled influencers sharing their outrage after stepping onto Great Exuma expecting the party of a lifetime festival-goers were greeted by re-purposed emergency FEMA tents Enticed by the allure of world-class cuisine ticket holders found themselves served cold cheese sandwiches in foam containers Despite the spectacular failure, Billy exclusively told The U.S. Sun in an interview that he has his reasons for attempting the event a second time Billy said: "This is the most tangible way to repay the $26 million that I owe and having real partners gives an opportunity in the next five to seven years no one's offering me $26 million to work somewhere else." who faced charges for misleading his investors went on to say he is taking full advantage of his notoriety "We are literally the most talked about music festival in the world We've had three times as many mentioned this Coachella which is in second place and there's a huge drop-off after that."It's an incredible opportunity to steer that ship into the storm and embrace everything that's happened." There is no lack of 5-star hotels or 5 star culinary experiences." As The U.S. Sun previously exclusively revealed in the agreement for ticket holders, there are a slew of ominous warnings for what one might expect with their pricey purchase Among a complex maze of cautions is a direct warning that reads "All Ticket sales are final He agreed to forfeit the $26 million, and had previously claimed to The U.S. Sun that his attempt at Fyre Fest 2 would help him pay down his restitution. Pirates Open Spring in Playa del Carmen This Weekend2/1/2025 10:00:00 AM | Men's Golf In August, I traveled from the UK to Mexico for a two-week vacation with my extended family of eight We stayed at The Fives Beach Hotel & Residences, an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen that has five pools We previously vacationed at the same resort in 2016 and loved it so much that we decided to stay there again on this trip for my uncle's 60th birthday the hotel didn't meet all of our expectations and I would now think twice about booking an all-inclusive resort Our group of eight collectively paid at least £19,494 I'd rather spend my money on an Airbnb or a different hotel that can better accommodate large groups Half of my extended family lives in England, while my parents, my partner, and I live in Scotland We each booked the trip separately since we were traveling from different locations and had slightly different budgets a travel group that specializes in package vacations The price included our round-trip flights from Glasgow to Cancún and our standard room at The Fives Beach Hotel & Residences with all food and drinks included Our standard room was supposed to have a king-size bed we noticed two single beds with a dresser between them we were upgraded to a suite the following day for no extra cost an open-plan living room and kitchen with two flatscreen TVs and a balcony that overlooked the pool below This is the same type of suite that my parents booked We were delighted with the free upgrade; the resort more than made up for the mix-up ranging from Mexican to Italian and Mediterranean food there was a booking system for guests to reserve dinner each night We never had an issue getting a reservation we found out that the booking system had been scrapped and guests were now required to show up without a booking We were probably impacted more than other guests because we were a large group we had to wait for two hours to get a table for dinner but this was because we were often asked to dine separately at two tables of four The only meal that presented no obstacles was the breakfast buffet which was held in a giant restaurant with plenty of tables and staff We had paid a lot of money for this trip to celebrate my uncle's birthday But this situation made my family and I feel as if we were an inconvenience or an annoyance to the staff a staff member asked for feedback on our overall experience My mom mentioned the issues we'd been having at the restaurants the staff member said the resort would make an exception for our group and allow us to reserve tables for the final week of our stay Our party was then given a timetable with reservations for dinner each night but even after we were given the timetable two of the restaurants completely forgot about our reservations when we showed up for dinner We tried ordering room service a couple of times as the menu options were limited to mostly fast food and snacks such as pizza and nachos It's not unusual for all-inclusive resorts to host large groups such as wedding parties I couldn't understand why this resort would implement a system that worked against larger groups who would evidently be paying a lot of money to be there Citing figures from the country's tourism department, Visit Mexico reported in June that Mexico ranked among the top 10 most favored tourist destinations worldwide It also reported that Miguel Torruco said Mexico's tourism industry saw growth of 5.5% in the fourth quarter of last year — almost double the growth of the country's GDP told me that all-inclusive resorts had "maintained their popularity" in recent years though he'd noticed a general shift toward luxury-focused properties "as major brands like Marriott and Hyatt expand their portfolios in Mexico." But for groups who want something different he recommends renting a property in Puerto Vallarta or Tulum which he said have "plenty of space and personalized services." and we appreciated that the resort addressed our concerns I'm not saying I'll never try an all-inclusive resort again but I won't be returning to this resort or any others without a booking system I'll follow Greenfield-Turk's suggestion to rent a private property that can better accommodate larger groups The Fives Beach Hotel & Residences didn't respond to a request for comment Edited byEmmy Favilla The best all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen allow you to enjoy the region’s cenotes activities and more—all rolled up into your rate this strip of Mexico’s Riviera Maya is constantly welcoming new hotels with its all-inclusive options being some of the country’s most diverse Every suite offers a jetted tub, balcony or a terrace. Suite options range from swim-up to garden view. Waterpark at Paradisus Playa del Carmen. Signature Suite Ocean View at Impression Moxché By Secrets. Azul Restaurant at Grand Velas Riviera Maya. Beach Aera Suite at Fairmont Mayakoba. Suite options include oceanfront suites, swim-out suites, family suites, and meditation suites. be sure to book Casa Viento as it is situated near the pool Each overwater bungalow has a king size bed an aromatherapy shower and a ladder for direct access to the ocean The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides for destinations across the globe We selected the top contenders based on personal stays as well as extensive research Playa del Carmen has warm, balmy weather year-round, but late November through February is the most popular window for visitors looking to escape the cold. Remember that the winter months will be much busier, and prices might increase slightly. The rainy season peaks in September and October, and hurricane season typically lasts from June through October. Both Playa del Carmen and Cancun are excellent destinations offering travelers world-class dining options, white-sand beaches and plenty of activities. However, Playa del Carmen has a more laid-back atmosphere and nature-focused experiences thanks to its beautiful cenotes, coral reefs and beach coves. The Xcaret theme parks—which provide outdoor excursions like jungle hikes, ziplining and snorkeling tours—are conveniently located about 15 to 20 minutes south of the Playa del Carmen resorts.  Velas Resorts have a reputation as all-inclusive resorts that offer excellent, high-quality dining, and Grand Velas Riviera Maya is no exception. This resort is our pick for the best cuisine in Playa del Carmen, thanks to its eight diverse restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Cocina de Autor. Go to Home PageSubscribeAdvertiser disclosureSearch The Points Guy Miss out on what this means for your next getaway Hyatt plans to convert the Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House and Beach House in Mexico into the Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen later this year The downtown Playa del Carmen hotel will continue to offer adults-only and family-friendly experiences; this includes a "Downtown House" meant for adults and a "Beach House" for families the brand switch comes because the hotel's downtown location better fits Hyatt Centric's ethos of being in the center of the action embracing the locale and inspiring exploration The new Hyatt Centric will feature 119 guest rooms and suites with 92 rooms in the adults-only Downtown House and 27 suites at the family-friendly Beach House "We are thrilled to join the growing Hyatt Centric brand and offer guests and World of Hyatt members a true launch pad that sparks curiosity to explore La Quinta Avenida and Playa del Carmen," Ankara Angulo general manager of Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen "I look forward to leading this chapter of Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen's journey and introducing new experiences to this vibrant and dynamic beach town." World of Hyatt fans making the trek to Southwest Asia increasingly have more options Hyatt plans to open the Hyatt Regency Lumbini in partnership with Golyan Group's Veda Hospitality Private Limited The property will be the fourth Hyatt-branded hotel in Nepal Lumbini is best known as the birthplace of the Buddha and it has UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to its numerous gardens and historic artifacts like the Ashoka Pillar Hyatt Regency Lumbini will be on the banks of the Dano River It'll be within driving distance of the Mayadevi temple a highly frequented pilgrimage destination and Gautam Buddha International Airport (BWA) "Nepal continues to play a significant role in Hyatt's growth strategy in the Southwest Asia region and we look forward to continued collaboration with Golyan Group to bring international standards of hospitality to the province of Lumbini with the Hyatt Regency brand," Dhruva Rathore vice president of development for India and Southwest Asia at Hyatt "The profound cultural and spiritual appeal of Lumbini positions it as a compelling destination for travelers and locals alike It also reaffirms Hyatt's commitment to thoughtfully expanding our brand footprint in destinations preferred by our guests When you think of Hyatt's Alila brand, you're probably thinking of luxe resorts in leisure-oriented destinations like California's Big Sur area or the Maldives Hyatt fans can experience Alila in its first urban destination Alila Shanghai opened its doors earlier this fall in the Chinese city's Jing'an District The urban resort is meant to be an oasis from all the city hustle and bustle Arriving guests can expect soothing landscaping a small lake and even a 17-foot "gathering" tree as they make their way to check-in The new hotel features 186 guest rooms and suites with finishes inspired by historic mansions Alila Shanghai features the flagship Chinese restaurant 500 Weihai Road from chef de cuisine Scott Bao a coffee bistro by day and a hotter-than-hot cocktail bar by night "Marrying the striking design and artisanal luxury experience that the Alila brand is globally known for tranquil moments of retreat are perfectly combined with vibrant cultural experiences creating a beautiful dichotomy not to be missed," Yap Jtwen "Our team is honored to welcome the local community and travelers to be immersed in our new luxury resort-style hotel in the center of Shanghai." Mexico isn't the only place where Hyatt Centric is expanding its footprint. Hyatt Centric Malta officially opened this month and is the seventh Hyatt Centric in Europe Julian's and features 170 guest rooms and it's 7 miles from the UNESCO World Heritage city of Valletta The hotel also features the Mediterranean-inspired Jumu restaurant as well as a rooftop pool and a wellness center for spa treatments "Today, as we open our doors, we are not just welcoming guests but inviting them into the world we have lovingly brought to life," Amr Ghazy, general manager of the Hyatt Centric Cairo West, said in a statement late last month. "On behalf of our entire team, I can say this journey has been one of passion, dedication, and excitement, and we look forward to creating shareworthy moments with World of Hyatt members and guests." The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach That’s why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality One of Hyatt’s popular resorts in Mexico will be rebranding though probably not for the reason that Hyatt is claiming On December 1, 2024, we’ll see the opening of the Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen this is just a rebranding of the existing Thompson Playa del Carmen and is just closed for a period of several weeks The 119-key property consists of a Main House and Beach House:The “Downtown House” will feature 92 guest rooms and suites and will be adults-only; this will feature a lively rooftop social bar and restaurant and moreThe “Beach House” will feature 27 suites and will be family-friendly; this will be a bit more serene and is beachfront and has a signature restaurant Don’t expect much to change about the property with it rebranding as it’ll have the same mid-century modern(ish) decor that the Thompson brand is known for The Hyatt Centric brand is supposed to offer properties in the heart of cities Rebranding Thompson Playa del Carmen Main and Beach House to Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen was a strategic decision based on the hotel’s location in the heart of Playa del Carmen a key differentiator for the Hyatt Centric brand which is known to be in the center of the action embrace the locale and inspire exploration. The hotel is ideally situated on Fifth Avenue or ‘La Quinta Avenida’, a vibrant street filled with shopping entertainment and nightlife stretching five miles long through the center of Playa del Carmen’s downtown The hotel’s standout location allows savvy travelers to discover the best of what the coastal Mexican beach town has to offer with premium lifestyle accommodations But let’s be honest — this explanation is a bunch of malarkey Thompson is unarguably a higher end brand than Hyatt Centric There are people who seek out Thompson properties but I don’t think there are nearly as many people who specifically seek out Hyatt Centric properties So it’s pretty clear what’s going on here — this hotel was no longer adhering to Thompson brand standards so got “demoted.” For context:Hyatt management has made it clear that it’s holding properties to brand standards and is reflagging properties that aren’t to the expected levels (which I very much appreciate)This has been known for being one of the weaker Thompson properties out there it has also historically been pretty reasonably pricedWhile Hyatt Centric is a brand that consistently has properties with central locations it otherwise doesn’t have much in the way of brand standards with huge variance in terms of the quality and design of propertiesSo I feel pretty confident that this rebranding isn’t for the reasons that Hyatt is claiming there are lots of Thompson properties right in the heart of the action (in Chicago but you don’t see them suddenly becoming Hyatt Centrics The Thompson Playa del Carmen is being rebranded as a Hyatt Centric While Hyatt claims this rebranding is intended to better reflect the property’s central location it’s pretty clear that the property is being kicked out of the Thompson brand presumably based on the owners being unwilling to update the property to be up to brand standards Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" We stayed at the Arlington DC Centric which was clearly a worn out Regency It appeared to be just a name change because we couldn't see any changes from a worn out Regency We were there a few months ago and decided against going there We were there a few months ago and decided against going there you've to continually refresh or your hotel will be old within a year We did manage a few day at the Grand Hyatt but they sell out every year to a huge Jewish group from the states who takes a week holiday there Actually I happen to know the HC Arlington was purpose built as an HC and I'm not sure HC as a brand is actually below HR I dare you to stay at the nearby HR Crystal City or HR Dulles and say you prefer them over the HC Arlington It's the only Thompson that I found very disappointing The rooftop noise level with the effin' DJ was beyond obnoxious I stayed at that Andaz about 5 years ago and it was subpar I’m not sure that the area that has screeching adults and screeching children is going to be more serene than the area with only screeching adults but it’ll be interesting to see Keep in mind that Hyatt requires that Thompson properties are operated by Hyatt corporate the owner can operate it themselves or go with a third party Trying to resolve an issue with a newer Thompson and consumer affairs is acting like they have no influence I've seen at least a couple people ask about purchasing condos there in the last few weeks Can't imagine buying a condo at Thompson only to have it rebrand to Centric There are Thompson condos going up in Puerto Vallarta I've stayed several times and generally have good stays Why does it even matter that they rebranded Stayed at main house 2x and thoroughly enjoyed it Was planning to stay a 3rd time starting this Thursday but rehab/maint Took Hyatt up on the offer to shift to GH in Playa at no increase in points Took Hyatt up on the offer to shift to GH in Playa at no increase in points Nobody tries to impress a date by taking the to the Hyatt Centric even if the beach is gone (not sure of current beach state) just don’t be on the north side or there will be noise from the club during the day Is the erosion in front of GH Playa really that bad Evan it’s been as bad as completely gone with stairs falling into the ocean and no direct beach access You can go just north to mamitas beach which is notoriously crowded The pool at GH is definitely the place to be given the options Sounds like the move is to split up a trip between Andaz Mayakoba for R&R/seclusion/beach and GH PDC for pool Caesar’s Scottsdale is soft rebranding as a Hilton but interesting given the Caesar’s/Wyndham partnership and Hilton Resorts World They should be removed from Hyatt altogether The upstairs restaurant is run by slimy management and waiters Menu items are in USD and pesos and bills are presented the same way in an attempt to rip off the customers This is not normal for the area (I’ve spend months living in PDC) with two other tables there on a Monday night and a DJ starts blasting techno for no reason The entire hotel’s response is various descriptions of the location Very reminiscent of the former Andaz Wall Street Your feedback is important in helping us keep our community safe The comments on this page have not been provided approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered Actually I happen to know the HC Arlington was purpose built as an HC and I'm not sure HC as a brand is actually below HR You have successfully joined our subscriber list Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. See more about our ethics policies here Advertiser DisclosureAdvertiser Disclosure Travel Partnerships Manager and Podcast Co-Host 495 Published Articles 783 Edited Articles Opinions and recommendations are ours alone the Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House and Thompson Playa del Carmen Beach House closed for unexpected maintenance Hyatt just announced that they will reopen next month as Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen Here’s what we know so far about this rebrand Given the location of these 2 hotels and the amenities offered, the switch from the Thompson Hotels brand to the Hyatt Centric brand makes sense Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen is taking reservations beginning on December 1 The hotel will continue to have 2 locations but will switch to just 1 name Guests will now have the option of booking a room in the Downtown House (formerly Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House) or the Beach House (formerly Thompson Playa del Carmen Beach House) all under 1 hotel name Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen Downtown House will continue to be an adults-only property The focus of this location is the lively rooftop which features UMI Urban Kitchen and the Alessia Dayclub with an infinity pool Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen Beach House is the beachfront option that welcomes guests of all ages a restaurant serving Caribbean and international flavors using local ingredients The Thompson Playa del Carmen hotels (Main House and Beach House) are being rebranded They will reopen in December 2024 as Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen (Downtown House and Beach House) Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen will continue to be a Category 4 property, costing 12,000 (off-peak), 15,000 (standard), or 18,000 (peak) points per night. Rooms in both the Downtown House and the Beach House are available to book on points, and it could be a good option for your Hyatt Category 1-4 free night certificates If you’re going to pay with cash instead of World of Hyatt points rooms cost between $316 to $587 (before taxes) in January and February With the recent loss of Thompson properties near Hollywood and now these moves in Playa del Carmen, the only remaining Thompson property in the Americas that you can book with a Hyatt Category 1-4 free night is the Thompson Washington D.C. The Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House and Beach House are being rebranded These 2 hotels will reopen in December 2024 as the Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen which should help eliminate some confusion as the hotel’s downtown location and amenities fit more in line with the Hyatt Centric brand than the Thompson brand Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016 and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. 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If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. bang in the middle of the Playa del Carmen action with plenty of shops Its slick rooftop pool has views over the city’s skyline all the way to the twinkling Caribbean and is the perfect place to kick back a swim-up bar with swings and DJs playing live music Guests also have access to the hotel’s sister property the beachfront Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen Beach House where you can wander from pool to beach in a few minutes."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"heading2","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Overall score 7/10 "},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"link","attributes":{"href":"https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/"},"children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Become a subscriber"},"children":[]}]}]},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times,"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners especially for Times+ members"},"children":[]}]}]}]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This article contains affiliate links mid-century modern-style furniture and slatted wooden screens dividing the bedroom and the travertine-tiled bathroom — the wardrobe All rooms in the modern curved building have floor-to-ceiling windows; some have balconies to relax on with music pulsing from local bars and restaurants so earplugs are on bedside tables as standard tell the hotel before your visit — there are quieter rooms available."}}]},{"name":"heading2","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Food and drink"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"bcffa9bc-7b3c-4d3a-81fd-c49e9a5108c4","display":"fullwidth","caption":null,"title":"Rooftop restaurant where the menu combines Mexican standards such as tacos with popular international dishes ranging from poke bowls to pizza — all served by helpful The dinner menu is similar in the chic Umi Urban Kitchen while breakfast consists of a beautifully presented fruit bowl with yoghurt and chia seeds a choice of egg dishes or smoked salmon and avocado toast There’s also a small gym and guests have access to sister property Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen Beach House restaurants and bars; the popular Coco Bongo Show & Disco is a short walk away This is the ideal spot if you want to make the most of everything the lively city has to offer You can walk to the beach in around five minutes Xcaret theme park is a 15-minute drive away luxurious beachfront all-inclusives and jungle retreats right next door to ancient Mayan ruins.","slug":"best-family-hotels-in-mexico","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/central-america-travel/mexico/best-family-hotels-in-mexico-9c5606slr","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"It’s like an Indiana Jones film made real a family adventure in the Latin American country whose ancient"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"It’s like an Indiana Jones film made real a family adventure in the Latin American country whose ancient civilisations"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"It’s like an Indiana Jones film made real a family adventure in the Latin American country whose ancient civilisations dynamic culture 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share a white-sand shoreline and be lapped by the blue blue waters of the"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"They may both be located on the Yucatan Peninsula but"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"They may both be located on the Yucatan Peninsula but the twin pinups"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"They may both be located on the Yucatan Peninsula but the twin pinups of the Mexican"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"They may both be located on the Yucatan Peninsula Whichever you choose"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Stays in Cancun present two options: the chance to party all night or recuperate from life back home you can spend your"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Stays in Cancun present two options: the chance to party all night or recuperate from life back home you can spend your days making the"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Stays in Cancun present two options: the chance to party all night or recuperate from life back home you can spend your days making the most of the"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Stays in Cancun present two options: the chance to party all night or recuperate from life back home The TimesThis adults-only boutique hotel is on lively Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) where you can wander from pool to beach in a few minutes Become a subscriber and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners Score 7/10The 92 rooms have a neutral colour scheme with muted grey walls tell the hotel before your visit — there are quieter rooms available TADEU BRUNELLIScore 7/10 Head to Downtown House’s roof for all-day drinks and dining at its Alessia Rooftop Dayclub • Best all-inclusive hotels in Mexico• Best hotels in Tulum TADEU BRUNELLIScore 8/10The buzzzy rooftop pool is the showstopper here and attracts locals on a day pass as well as hotel guests loungers on the sand and a seafront restaurant with Mexican dishes and plenty of fish options Score 8/10Right at the heart of Playa del Carmen on busy Quinta Avenida — next to an open-air mall restaurants and bars; the popular Coco Bongo Show & Disco is a short walk away while the ferry to Cozumel is less than ten minutes by car Price B&B doubles from £140Restaurant mains from £15Family-friendly NAccessible Y Cathy Toogood was a guest of Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen Downtown House (hyatt.com) • Best places to visit in Mexico• Best hotels with swim-up rooms in Mexico McFarland has shared what he claims are copies of permits and approval letters from local officials Controversial promoter and convicted fraudster Billy McFarland remains adamant that Fyre Festival 2 is happening despite the insistence of Mexican government officials that no records of the festival exist In February this year, eight years after the ill-fated first edition left attendees stranded in the Bahamas, McFarland told Today about plans for the second iteration of his festival was headed to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, from 30th May to 2nd June. “Fyre 2 is real,” he said at the time. “My dream is finally becoming a reality.” However, last month, the local tourism board claimed “Fyre Festival 2 ‘does not exist’” from the tourism directorate of Isla Mujeres nor contact with any person or company about it a City Hall social media account for Playa del Carmen which is a few hours drive from Isla Mujeres said: “In response to rumours about a supposed event called ‘Fyre 2’ we inform you that no event of that name will be held in Playa del Carmen there is no record or planning of any such event in the municipality.” In response, McFarland took to X and Instagram to insist that “Fyre has been working directly with the government of Playa del Carmen and their officials since 5th March All media reports suggesting our team has not been working with the government of PDC are simply inaccurate and based on misinformation.” He added: “Fyre has operated as a good partner with PDC government and has followed the proper processes and procedures to lawfully host an event.” In an effort to reassure those who may have purchased a ticket for between $1,400 USD and $1.1 million USD, McFarland shared what he claims were copies of permits and approval letters from local officials McFarland also took to Fyre Festival’s Instagram to claim that the festival had hosted a press conference at Playa del Carmen’s Martina Beach Club which he said was “one of the official venues for Fyre 2” He went on to say that production and hospitality partners were on hand I've also stayed at some that were pretty darn nice But my recent vacation at the adults-only Secrets Moxche in Playa del Carmen raised the bar on my expectations from an all-inclusive resort In fact, I'd say it was one of my best uses of World of Hyatt points ever It's not just that my redemption was a good value per point (though it was) it was a vacation we booked for essentially $0 cash where we weren't nickel-and-dimed for every meal and activity and that was so nice it didn't feel like a stereotypical all-inclusive hotel It felt like a high-end resort that could have easily been charging $18 per cocktail and $40 for entrees Here's everything that made my stay at Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen so special Secrets Moxche opened in 2022 on Mexico's Riviera Maya along with the other resort on the same property Riviera Maya typically refers to an area along the eastern edge of the Yucatan Peninsula that's south of Cancun and that includes cities such as Playa del Carmen and Tulum The Impression side of the resort costs more than the Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen and guests over there can use all of the amenities of the Secrets Moxche in addition to the ones at Impression But we'll get back to that point in a bit Secrets Moxche is an all-inclusive, adults-only beach resort that is one of a couple dozen Secrets resorts around the world. And as of 2022, those resorts are bookable using points as a part of the World of Hyatt program This resort caught my eye initially because you can book it with World of Hyatt points And using Hyatt points will probably be the best way to book it most of the time for those who like to travel on points and miles it's always smart to check cash rates to ensure you are getting a good return for your points Expect rooms to start between $500 and $600 in the offseason and around $1,000 during more popular times of the year As a bonus, if you have Hyatt Globalist status it's common to be upgraded to the Preferred Club level This doesn't necessarily change your room type but it does mean you can get into the Preferred Club lounge with its own snacks and bar and — more importantly — the rooftop pool and restaurant This isn't a must-have for a good stay as that was one of our favorite pools and places to have breakfast You don't have to already have Hyatt points in your account to make this booking. You can transfer Hyatt points from other programs, including Chase Ultimate Rewards and cards such as the widely popular Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card In fact, if you have a card like the Sapphire Preferred that allows for Chase Ultimate Rewards point transfers, then you could even get the no-annual-fee Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card that's currently offering its best-ever offer of $750 bonus cash (aka 75,000 points) after spending $6,000 in the first three months of account opening You can combine the points you earn on the Ink Business Unlimited with those from your Chase Sapphire Preferred and transfer those to Hyatt to book awards Rooms at Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen are relatively oversized at an impressive 668 square feet for the base-level room the standard room you can book with points is actually a junior suite with either one king bed or two double beds Previous slideNext slide1 of 4SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY0123The styling of these rooms is dark takes inspiration from the natural beauty of the Yucatan with rough-hewn wooden elements and handsome dark stone floors the Wi-Fi did the job just fine and the air conditioner was responsive and kept us cool despite the high Riviera Maya summer temperatures Previous slideNext slide1 of 2SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01The minibar was stocked and its contents were free since this was an all-inclusive there's a pretty good selection of three different versions of Coke but the selection of snacks and beer included only Pringles and it can be delivered into what they call the "secrets box" that is attached to your room This means you don't need to have any face-to-face interaction with another human to receive your order Previous slideNext slide1 of 3SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY012The bathroom was a treat with its double vanity oversized shower and big soaking tub in the shower area all stocked with high-end Le Labo and Pharmacopia products Previous slideNext slide1 of 3SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY012If I had one thing to giggle at about our room The website describes the entry-level junior suite as one where you can "enjoy spectacular views." I suppose if you enjoy a view of a parking lot but more likely it's not widely thought of as a selling point We were offered a paid upgrade to an ocean view at check-in for around $300 per night but declined so I suppose this was our "punishment" for making that choice Since we hardly wanted to enjoy the view we did have we just closed the blinds and that solved that issue but it was a pretty abysmal situation if you were looking forward to making full use of the balcony To give a sense of different options at the resort here was the ocean view from a room we toured on the Impression side of the resort if your view is truly important to your experience you may want to try to take them up on some sort of upgraded situation If you want to play "musical pools" here — and I absolutely did — you can keep rotating for quite some time before you'll need to start over it's fair to say there are about 10 pools at the Secrets Moxche which we had access to by having a Preferred Club booking the crown jewel lagoon pool (shown above) and the zero-entry pool that was somewhat closer to the beach with the swim-up Sugar Reef bar I give especially high marks to visiting the rooftop pool during sunset and sunrise (shown below) though note that the pools all closed around 6-7 p.m. The pool closest to the beach also had a swim-up bar and was home to festive games and activities in the afternoon and this water was a little too cool for me to get in fully some of the pools here were noticeably warmer than others so give them all a try to see what works best for your preferences which may be perfect if you want a calmer pool potentially all to yourself Previous slideNext slide1 of 2SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01And that doesn't even count some of the other pools many with private-ish nooks and crannies that you could explore Previous slideNext slide1 of 5SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01234As for the beach .. especially compared to the postcard-worthy beach you find in Cancun's hotel zone The resort does a valiant job battling sargassum seaweed We didn't use the actual beach at all and I'd imagine most guests don't I'd say just enjoy the view of the water from a distance Previous slideNext slide1 of 3SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY012Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen restaurantsSome of the food we enjoyed at Secrets Moxche was so delicious it was easy to forget we were at an all-inclusive resort .. It felt like we were just at a really nice bar or restaurant and magically never got a bill we had our favorite spots we liked more than others Pro tip: If you want the hibachi seating at Suki request that booking with the concierge as soon as you check in to the resort It was booked solid for the duration of our three-night stay so you may need a longer stay than we had to get a spot there if that sounds fun to you The good news was that you could still eat in the other seats at Suki without a problem Reservations were not taken for any of the regular seats in the included restaurants so everything except hibachi was first come the best plan if you don't like to wait is to get there a few minutes before opening (often 6 p.m.) and then you won't have a problem being seated right away for anything other than hibachi at Suki if instead you come during peak dining hours there can be quite a bit of a wait on busy nights you'll be given a pager that will go off when it's time to return which could easily be 30 minutes to an hour Restaurants at the Secrets Moxche include: There were also walk-up tacos available outside each evening so you are not going to go hungry even if you aren't in the mood for a restaurant meal We didn't get a chance to try every restaurant both because we only had a three-night stay and because not every option was open every night This caused us to miss some venues we would have liked to try so try and get a schedule of when the restaurants are open if you have a shorter stay like we did and strategize your meals Previous slideNext slide1 of 5SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01234Our least favorite restaurant was Dos Almas but that doesn't mean it was bad; it just wasn't as good as some of our favorites It was elevated Mexican cuisine that tasted fine but seemed to go out of its way to make things too fancy for their own good Previous slideNext slide1 of 5SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01234We really enjoyed a pad thai lunch at Bamboo next to the lagoon but there were some dishes where you can add animal-based protein like chicken and shrimp Previous slideNext slide1 of 4SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY0123Breakfast (or even lunch or midafternoon snacks) at the Observatory rooftop that we were able to access with Preferred Club status was an absolute treat for us each day We tried the motulenos eggs with plantains French toast and basically anything else that sounded remotely interesting each day and we loved it all Previous slideNext slide1 of 7SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY0123456The open-air Seasoul restaurant next to the beach was a great choice for lunch I especially liked the mixed seafood ceviche Each dish tasted ultrafresh and flavorful thanks to the simple preparations and ingredients Previous slideNext slide1 of 5SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01234Don't skip the Market Cafe just because it is a buffet It is a very extensive spread with some pretty unique and enjoyable options a poke bar and even a station where they fry up bunuelos (like powdered sugar donuts) right in front of you And all of that is just the tip of the iceberg for what is offered at Market Cafe Previous slideNext slide1 of 8SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01234567If you just want a quick and it was the perfect quick meal when we didn't want to leave the pool area there were also grab-and-go ice-cold waters and sodas so remember that tip if you just want a quick beverage Previous slideNext slide1 of 3SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY012Last but not least an afternoon green smoothie from Coco Cafe (open 24 hours per day) was a fun post-workout treat Previous slideNext slide1 of 2SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01Drinks and bars at Secrets MoxcheIn addition to the pool bars there were multiple other bars at Secrets Moxche worth mentioning One of my favorites was again on the rooftop at the Observatory where those with Preferred Club access can visit I had some fabulous margaritas there made with Casamigos Reposado If you don't see the type of alcohol you're hoping for out on display then don't be shy about asking if they have it behind the bar The most prominent standalone bar at Secrets Moxche is Dark Horse This two-story sports bar got pretty lively in the evenings and is home to not only a bar If you end up having to wait for a table at dinner this is a good spot to bring your table buzzer and pass the time Previous slideNext slide1 of 2SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01Not to ruin the surprise but the pharmacy at Secrets Moxche was not just a pharmacy Try to learn the secret password of the day (it's often the name of a medication) from the staff members around the property and then once the evening gets a bit later go speak that word in the pharmacy and see what happens Previous slideNext slide1 of 3SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY012Once you get past the door you might just find yourself in a trippy speakeasy that tends to be pretty popular though it only opens late so I personally didn't get there for drinks You can order drinks from just about anywhere on the property don't be shy if you want it made in a certain way or with a certain liquor but they may be able to point you in the right direction .. Previous slideNext slide1 of 2SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01Secrets Moxche spa and gymSecrets Moxche Spa is one area where you will get an extra bill for services There were 16 treatment rooms and five VIP double treatment rooms with plunge pools There was also a salon and outdoor pool with a hydrotherapy circuit be sure to pick up a packet from your concierge that is sometimes when they try to pitch you on signing up for a '"vacation club tour," so just be aware.) You may notice some spa prices are a bit inflated as they probably assume everyone is using those coupons to knock the cost down a bit Example prices include $135 for a 25-minute express foot massage and $229 for a 50-minute relaxation massage Previous slideNext slide1 of 4SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY0123We booked a couples "Moon and Stars" massage package for $435 that included an 80-minute couples massage if you trade away some other inclusions the package could come with it seemed to be one of the better deals on the menu The regular coupons did not work toward this package but the $350 in property credit we got by doing the "vacation club tour" (aka timeshare pitch) did count toward this treatment The physical setting was beautiful with junglelike greenery a cenote-inspired lounge area and cozy treatment rooms so I am glad we did it but might not book it again The pool at the spa was worth visiting just by itself — and had the only actual heated hot tub we found on the property I recommend getting the day pass to do this if you have multiple days at the resort and want a slight change of pace We were also told you get an included visit as a Hyatt Globalist so that may be another option to keep costs down if you have that status Previous slideNext slide1 of 2SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01The gym was located just next to the spa and in my time there it was either totally empty or full They did host some classes there periodically but otherwise it covered the basics with some treadmills Previous slideNext slide1 of 2SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY01Secrets Moxche Preferred ClubWe were told at check-in that we had been given access to the Preferred Club by virtue of my Hyatt Globalist status and there were some tangible perks and access that really elevated our stay as a result but there's no shortage of either around the property Previous slideNext slide1 of 3SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY012What we loved was the Preferred Club's access to the Observatory on the rooftop This meant we got to enjoy the rooftop pool and I'd personally say if you are deciding between paying for a better room view or Preferred Club access I'd take the Preferred Club route and enjoy the views up here as much as you want I did get to tour the Impression side while on the previously mentioned Secrets Vacation Club sales pitch tour and chatted up as many guests at the resort as I could but so did the "regular" side of the resort I didn't personally see anything on the Impression side that made me regret my choice of paying fewer points to stay on the less-premium side of the resort I'd imagine the biggest selling point for the Impression side comes into play on longer stays when you might want the additional restaurant bar and pool options you'd get by staying at Impression quieter pools and some higher-end eateries then that's another selling point for the Impression side of the resort But for a three- or four-night stay like we had you aren't going to run out of things to do and eat at Secrets Moxche so I don't personally see a strong case for paying more cash or points to stay at Impression for a shorter stay if you are trying to stick a budget if the pricing is pretty much the same or price isn't a big concern for you then staying at Impression gets you access to all the features of the resort Previous slideNext slide1 of 6SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY012345AccessibilitySecrets Moxche didn't strike me as a resort that was designed with accessibility in mind I didn't notice any pool lifts; the grounds were very spread out and the main pathway between many of the pools and amenities was not a smooth surface .. there were plenty of uneven stone stretches where it was very easy to stub your toes let alone maneuver a wheelchair or walk with a visual impairment There were some pools with a zero-entry feature which may help with some accessibility issues especially since some of those access points are sandy I ran searches for wheelchair-accessible rooms on a half-dozen dates and didn't find any with availability and cannot find an accessibility section on their website In case you couldn't tell by this point in the article It's one of those places that made me happy that I collect points Our three-night vacation booked with points (other than the trip to the spa which was mostly covered by the vacation club tour we did) didn't cost us one single cent from the time we arrived until we reluctantly headed back to the airport I've stayed at all-inclusive resorts that made you wear unsightly wristbands had bottom-shelf liquor and served overwhelmingly mediocre food Previous slideNext slide1 of 6SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY012345We very much enjoyed most of the food and drinks we ordered we had entire pools to ourselves (though note we were there in the September offseason when the threat of hurricanes loomed) The rooms and public areas at Secrets Moxche felt decidedly high-end and the service was generally very friendly and accommodating I would absolutely return to Secrets Moxche and staying at this resort has actually opened me up to wanting to try more resorts in the Secrets brand to see if they can reach the high bar set by this Playa del Carmen paradise And if you want more looks at what it was like to stay at the Secrets Moxche https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEXb5s-u23D/ From the tastiest tacos to finding the most delicious seafood here are the best places to eat in Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen’s diverse gastronomy scene is a destination in itself. Thanks to an influx of digital nomads and travelers worldwide the culinary scene in Playa del Carmen has evolved from streetside taco stands and casual beach shacks into a more worldly melange of hip vegan cafes Many restaurants are concentrated along Playa del Carmen's beachfront and its iconic 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida) Veer off the busy areas and duck into the side streets if you prefer cheap eats and traditional bites that offer less gimmick and more value From no-frills taquerias to sophisticated fine-dining establishments here are the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen Best for authentically Mexican staple dishes La Perla Pixan feels like a culinary time machine that blasts you back to a delectable past The open-concept restaurant features a rustic setting with a palapa thatched roof overhead and the scent of copal – Mayan’s ceremonial incense – wafting through the air The restaurant pays homage to traditional Mexican cuisine through staples like pozole verde (green chili stew) and tacos gobernador (shrimp tacos with onions peppers and Oaxaca cheese) – all served on clay pots and pottery plates Adventurous foodies will love the chapulines con queso fresco y nopales and vegans can rest assured that the menu also has plenty of plant-based dishes Best for the freshest takes on local favorites Ask anyone where the best place to eat traditional Mexican food in Playa del Carmen is and they’ll inadvertently point you in the direction of La Cueva del Chango “The Monkey’s Cave” awes with its verdant setting complete with hanging roots and running streams in the outdoor terrace jungle-like atmosphere of this restaurant.  the food at La Cueva is just as impressive consisting of top-quality Yucatán dishes prepared with the freshest homegrown ingredients Hot favorites on the menu include chicken in poblano mole sauce and sopa de lima (Yucatán-style tortilla soup with lime) with chicken breast and caramelized habanero Alux isn’t just a restaurant: It’s a one-of-a-kind dining experience, and it may really be one of Playa del Carmen’s must-see attractions Alux brings new meaning to the concept of fine dining plating haute cuisine in a rustic grotto setting The multi-colored lights and neon signs may be kitsch but its contemporary Mexican menu and impressive wine selection add a touch of decadence.  feast on (sustainably caught) seafood risotto in poblano-parmesan sauce shredded Yucatán deer meat with chiltomate (cooked tomato and habanero) salsa and 8-hour slow-cooked pork belly with beet mole wander around the cavern into an underworld of icicle-like stalactites and rocky hideouts A revered institution in Playa del Carmen, El Fogón is the go-to taqueria for locals and visitors alike, and it’s perfect if you’re aiming to do Playa del Carmen on a budget The open-air eatery dishes out the city’s most beloved and authentic tacos al pastor: marinated meat grilled on the flames of a Lebanese shawarma grill served on a handmade tortilla and garnished with tomatoes Other must-tries include the torta de arrachera (skirt steak sandwich) nopales con queso (cooked prickly pear cactus with cheese they’ll likely find something on the menu they’ll want to eat El Fogón has gained such a loyal following that it’s opened up ​​several locations throughout Playa del Carmen If you find a long line to get in the original Avenida Constituyentes shop Best for scenic ocean views and cool beach vibes A short walk from the Museo Frida Kahlo Riviera Maya, Lido Beach Club is where Centro meets the beach Though it’s part of the Colibrí Beach Hotel Lido Beach Club is open to the general public all day and they even have spots where you can dine with your feet in the soft sand With a vast and varied menu that ranges from kid-friendly chicken fingers and hamburgers to Mexican favorites like aguachile (shrimp marinated in lime juice with chiles and cilantro) and arrachera borracha (marinated and grilled skirt steak) there’s likely something on the menu to please everyone Lido Beach Club hosts bands to play live music every Wednesday through Sunday.  Best for Yucatán-style pork tacos and other regional delicacies Steps from Fifth Avenue and the beach on Calle 10 Norte, La Cochi Loka is a tiny unassuming stand that serves the best cochinita pibil in town Slow roasted pork cooked with a blend of Yucatán spices – including axiote and cinnamon – is dished out on freshly handmade tortillas and sprinkled with pickled pink onions try the costras (griddled cheese-crusted tacos) that are griddled to perfection There are just a couple of bar tables and high chairs – but don’t bother looking for a seat as you may feel the urge to line up for more tacos soon enough Best for authentically local food truck flavors Tucked into the corner of the HSBC bank near the Súper Akí grocery store in Centro, the nondescript Hermanos Taco Cart may look like your typical food truck but it slings some of the best tacos in Playa del Carmen Of all the competing food trucks lined up on the curbside Hermanos consistently has the longest line of eager diners The stand only has a couple of plastic chairs during the day but come on a weekend night to enjoy the makeshift outdoor market atmosphere The house specialty here is the tacos de suadero (made with thinly sliced beef brisket) but regulars also dig their tacos campechanos (​​a mixed bag of grilled pork Be warned: every taco comes with a generous dollop of habanero chili Best for haute Mexican/French fusion cuisine  While HA’ may have an unconventional name, the exceptional dining experience at Chef Carlos Gaytán’s Michelin-starred restaurant at Hotel Xcaret is no laughing matter Chef Gaytan regularly changes the restaurant’s nine-course tasting menu which may include anything from escamoles (insect caviar) and tetelas (corn masa triangles) filled with green pipian and duck to langostino (squat lobster) with vanilla beurre blanc and saffron bernaise and onion tartelette with comte cheese and roasted poblanos and you almost certainly will need to book a table in advance don't miss the opportunity to enhance your meal with expertly curated wine pairings featuring some of Mexico’s finest Best for affordable and delectable seafood A long-established fixture in Playa’s food scene, El Pirata is packed with hungry locals eager to dive into their affordable yet indulgent seafood The casual setting of plastic tables and chairs around its front doors may not draw you in but the glorious seafood will get you to stay The restaurants’ headliners are the tangy ceviche and whole fried mojarra fish that crunches on the outside and melts on the inside Lunch hour is always busy here; come for an early dinner instead as the restaurant shuts by 7pm With playful turquoise interiors, this contemporary seafood bar doesn’t just look good; it’s the food that keeps people coming back for more But the star of the show here is the tostada a toasted tortilla topped with all kinds of seafood from chipotle caramelized shrimps to chili marinated tuna on a bed of guacamole Las Hijas de la Tostada has multiple locations in Playa del Carmen including one on 5th Avenue in Centro and one in Gonzalo Guerrero all with the same menu and reasonable prices Good food is best enjoyed with company, and it can’t be more true at The Traveler’s Table This concept restaurant may be a bit of a drive away from town (about 11.5 km or 7 miles south of Xcaret) but the communal dining experience is worth the trip The Traveler’s Table is a meetup-meets-restaurant concept where diners make reservations to partake in a shared dinner in an open-air dining room at a secluded beachfront location you’re seated at a long communal table with a few of the other Traveler’s Table diners.  The idea is simple: the host first sets the tone with flutes of champagne at sunset and provides historical context for the food you’ll be tasting guests are served an elaborate five-course menu designed by Spanish celebrity chef Eva Millán There’s a convivial atmosphere in the air as you dine barefoot on the beach with new friends Located off Avenida Treinta (30th Avenue) in Centro, Peace and Bowl is health-conscious comfort food at its best Fresh raw ingredients and bright colors fill the creative menu with many items you won’t find at other spots in town Top off with a Patcha Matcha smoothie (with banana and matcha) but stay for the ambiance – the cozy swings and plunge pool make it an excellent spot to while your day away Best for baked goods and all-day French café fare This Parisian-style boulangerie might be the only reason to jostle the crowd on 5th Avenue Playa del Carmen locals and visitors have long loved Chez Céline for its freshly baked croissants Late starters will be happy to know that the full breakfast menu is available until 1pm every day so you can sleep in and still have time for omelets you can still pick from a delectable spread of oven-baked toasts With a small waterfall, koi pond, and a jungle setting, Amate 38 is a rare patch of greenery and an inviting space to start your day This earthy restaurant draws high praise for its regional cuisine Its breakfast menu is hugely popular with multi-generation Mexican families who flock here for their chaya omelet with Edam cheese and teko tekoh eggs (slow-cooked eggs) with Temozón pork loin and chiltomate salsa This hip all-vegan cafe is a huge hit with plant-based eaters for good reasons: the long list of mouth-watering vegan dishes are all photo-worthy and ridiculously good its earth-to-table ethos shines through in the restaurant’s bright punctuated with tropical murals and hanging plants Don’t pass up on the ceviche tropical with coconut and matcha the pita falafel with cherry tomatoes and tahini and the little donkey burrito stuffed with mushrooms pick and choose from the arsenal of grains and superfoods to create your very own bowl A mainstay in Playa del Carmen, Nativo ticks off all three Bs on a Mexican’s list – bueno This Gonzalo Guerrero restaurant’s setting is distinctively “Playa”: a palapa roof sits over the wooden hut decked out in rainbow-colored furniture and vibrant wall paintings Nativo serves a repertoire of breakfast classics from fruit bowls to bacon hotcakes and traditional huevos motuleños (eggs on tortillas with black beans and cheese) But what appeals most to regulars are the licuado fruit smoothies Birria is a long-time staple of Mexican cuisine: It’s a meat stew that’s traditionally made with goat but sometimes you’ll find birria made with beef If you’re looking for top-tier authentic birria in Playa del Carmen or even if you’re simply looking for some tasty cheap eats Try the birria-stuffed tacos and quesabirria (quesadillas filled with birria and served with a side of consomé for dipping) at this hidden gem that’s located less than two blocks west of Fifth Avenue If that’s still not enough birria for you and your crew Cielito Lindo also has birria by the kilo.  Cielito Lindo also serves carnitas (Mexican-style pulled pork) even if you’re traveling with anyone who’s not interested in trying Cielito Lindo’s signature birria Cocina de Autor is Playa del Carmen’s other Michelin-starred restaurant located at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort this restaurant serves avant-garde fare like cauliflower with bone marrow and caviar jackfruit and spider crab (which they call “Jack the Crab”) and cerdo pelón (Mexican Creole pork) with black garlic For diners who want to kick their fine dining experience up a notch, the Cocina de Autor wine list includes several interesting Mexican wines, including Chardonnay from Valle de Guadalupe (near Ensenada) and Shiraz from Chihuahua this restaurant is a strong option for a romantic date night.  Things to know before going to Playa del Carmen to make your trip more memorableThe best beaches in Playa del Carmen for spring break relaxationA guide to Playa del Carmen for digital nomads And it's not surprising that the area has garnered so much attention The location is spectacularly beautiful — think powder-soft The script for an idyllic all-inclusive resort practically writes itself The only challenge becomes choosing the right one A dizzying array of possibilities can leave your head spinning as you try to narrow down which all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen is right for you Fear not — we're here to help. From romantic, adults-only all-inclusive resorts with private pools and tailored experiences, to laid-back, family-friendly resorts sandwiched between the beach and the downtown area to resorts that focus on health and wellness here are the best all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen truly has one of the best addresses in town This all-inclusive resort not only overlooks one of the prettiest beaches in the region it is also within walking distance of the energy and excitement of downtown Playa del Carmen The resort recently launched an all-inclusive package which completely changes the game at this Caribbean points-friendly icon a sugary stretch of shoreline and four restaurants this property offers plenty of options without making guests feel overwhelmed The Grill at 1-26 is one of the resort's most popular restaurants serving delectable dishes like grilled steaks Guests who book rooms with Club Access are entitled to the Grand Club Executive Lounge Rates at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen start at $228 or 25,000 World of Hyatt points One look at the fluffy white sand on the expansive stretch of sugary beach and it's hard not to fall in love with Fairmont Mayakoba Arguably one of the most exclusive locations in Mexico this property does not need to work very hard for a spot on this list But the impressive qualities of this all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen don't end at the beach Rooms are bright spaces flooded with natural light and feature brag-worthy bathrooms and balconies or terraces that overlook the ocean Guests can dial it up in the private casitas and residences that have even more enviable square footage from the barefoot luxury feel at Fuego to the chic lounge-style Tauro Steakhouse — it truly feels like there's a vibe for everyone Rounding out the resort's features are 10 glittering pools and a healthy blend of activities geared toward both families and adults Rates at Fairmont Mayakoba start at $777 per night for two guests Related: What's next for Fairmont? Expansion, renovation and all-inclusive resorts The sister resort to the original Hotel Xcaret Mexico (mentioned later on this list) this iteration is everything that's great about the original except it's reserved exclusively for adults The 900-room jungle-themed resort is brimming with fantastic amenities from infinity pools and a cenote-inspired spa to 10 dining venues and unlimited access to the Grupo Xcaret theme parks Rooms at the resort are divided across five separate art-themed Casas The most exclusive casa is Casa de Los Artistas which operates like its own boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and separate gym Guests of Hotel Xcaret Arte can also dine at restaurants at the next-door Hotel Xcaret Mexico though those restaurants are open for families to enjoy The beating heart of the resort is the main infinity pool which extends out from Cayuco restaurant and has incredible Caribbean Sea views though this one may be a bit rocky for beach connoisseurs An alternative water feature is the river that runs through the entire resort where guests can kayak or stand-up paddleboard Rates at Hotel Xcaret Arte start at $770 per night Of the three Grupo Xcaret resorts in Playa del Carmen Casa de La Playa takes the cake as its most indulgent and over-the-top all-inclusive resort all impeccably designed and boasting private en-suite pools from airport transfers to unlimited access to the Xcaret parks But what sets Casa de La Playa apart are the premium activities that are all included from private cenote dinners to customized spa treatments in the Muluk Spa Guests of Casa de La Playa can also sail aboard Xcaret Xailing which has sailing experiences to Isla Mujeres Other exclusive hotel touches include a massive infinity pool and a restaurant that is overseen by Martha Ortiz Rates at Casa de lay Playa start at $1,805 but what about a hotel whose entire concept is wellness-related The holistic set will rejoice when they check into Palmaia one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen Designed specifically with wellness in mind spa rituals and an utterly dreamy location and decor The House of Aia aims to deliver the highest levels of mindfulness and relaxation Even the most wound-up guests will find a way to unclench with one glance at the luxurious stretch of sandy coastline which isn't the norm for many wellness-oriented resorts guests can check into the adults-only tower and a kids pool and activities for the family Wellness extends to the four restaurants and a food truck all of which rely on the "nourishing biome" concept guests can indulge in treatments like the 150-minute Temazcal Ceremony Rates at Palmaia, The House of Aia start at $910 per night for two guests With a boho chic aesthetic and a laid-back Mahekal Beach Resort is one of the best all-inclusive options in Playa del Carmen for families looking to relax together it's so laid back and relaxing that this resort is just as good for couples as it is for families The beachfront resort is built like a tropical village and a beachfront outdoor living room complete with multicolored poufs on the sand and strings of bistro lights Three bars and three restaurants round out the features with Fuego Restaurante y Cantina being a stand-out dining option Guests will also find four different swimming pools Guests can stay on property and enjoy the boho beachy escape or can head off property on foot to explore Quinta Avenida Rates at Mahekal Beach Resort start at $194 per night The Grand Velas name has traveled far and wide in Mexico with four resorts carrying the brand name But Grand Velas Riviera Maya is one of the original all-inclusive resorts to open near Playa del Carmen and has continued to maintain its reputation for luxury The all-suite hotel has a spectacular stretch of beachfront as well as mangrove jungle and on-site cenotes The rooms are among the largest in Riviera Maya with entry-level suites starting at more than 1,000 square feet and each offering a private plunge pool serving everything from French and Mexican to a fusion of Asian cuisine The star of the show these days is its tasting menu restaurant Cocina de Autor which was recently awarded a Michelin star guests can disappear into the SE Spa for hydrotherapy Rates at Grand Velas Riviera Maya start at $757 per night Related: You've never had an all-inclusive experience like Grand Velas Los Cabos Hilton Playa Del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adult Only Resort ticks a lot of boxes and most of them are right there in the resort name perfect location in the heart of Playa del Carmen This palatial playground has everything adults looking for a relaxing getaway could imagine nightclub and a prime beachfront location that's walking distance to Playa del Carmen's iconic Quinta Avenida The all-suite resort has 524 accommodations Foodies will delight at the wide range of dining venues Mediterranean and even a Tequileria for tequila tastings Rates at the Hilton Playa del Carmen, an All-Inclusive Adult Only Resort start at $227 or 52,000 Hilton Honors points per night This TPG favorite resort is a natural fit for our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen. It's a boutique resort-within-a-resort located next to the Secrets Moxche guests will receive a leveled-up VIP experience that includes all suites with fluffy cloud-like beds and private outdoor spaces that have either private plunge pools or hot tubs bathrooms are slices of tranquility with soaking tubs and rainfall showers from the elegant Allora Italian restaurant to the chic Bamboo restaurant serving Southeast Asian dishes a seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings that is worth the extravagant splurge Note that guests staying five nights or more are treated to a complimentary dining experience Rates at Impression Moxche by Secrets start at $950 Adults looking for a fantastic beach resort with a great pool scene spacious suites and fabulous dining should look no further than Unico 20°87° Riviera Maya On a quiet crescent-shaped beach between Playa del Carmen and Akumal this adults-only resort has a little bit of something for every style of traveler Guests can opt to lounge poolside at one of the three pools Active adults will love the lengthy list of excursions from jungle hikes and Maya ruin visits to zip lines and cenote swims The 448 rooms here are spacious and modern featuring both swim-up suites and suites with jetted tubs on the private balconies Three of the most popular are its Japanese restaurant A gorgeous spa and well-equipped fitness center should not be overlooked; guests can also make use of nonmotorized water sports Rates at Unico 20°87° Riviera Maya start at $522 One of the best all-inclusive resorts for families in Playa del Carmen Paradisus Playa del Carmen offers lots of activities guests have the option of daily activities three restaurants and even family-dedicated amenities like a Family Concierge for premium rooms The YHI Spa is perfect for adults to escape for a few hours of relaxation Families who want a little extra oomph can upgrade to the Nike package Rates at Paradisus Playa del Carmen start at around $300 per night for a family of four Overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico all-inclusive resort that attracts guests to its laid-back vibe and stunning beachfront views While the energy here is focused much more on relaxation than entertainment and partying from 11 restaurants and bars to a selection of pools For guests who want to upgrade their experience El Dorado Maroma features some of the only over-water bungalows in Mexico The Palafitos operate like a boutique hotel within a hotel The palafitos are scattered along a long wooden pier that extends into the Caribbean Sea Each suite has its own private infinity pool and ladders that lead directly into the ocean Rates at El Dorado Maroma start at $358 per night One of the splashiest resorts to come into the all-inclusive Playa del Carmen scene was Hotel Xcaret when it opened in 2017 all-inclusive resort is one of the largest in the region But with so many different spaces to enjoy no one area is ever too overwhelmed with guests all-inclusive access to the nearby theme parks that are part of the Grupo Xcaret family this is one of the most beautifully designed resorts The subterranean spa features cave-like treatment rooms and thermal pools while thoughtfully decorated rooms feature terraces with hammocks the resort shines with more than 10 different options the resort's contemporary Mexican venue Rates at Hotel Xcaret Mexico start at $901 per night for two guests Guests of Valentin Imperial Maya return again and again for a reason — they love how low-key and under the radar it is Considering its size (with 540 guest rooms) Maybe it's because it has one of the loveliest beaches in Playa del Carmen or maybe it's because entry level suites start at 516 square feet and feature jetted tubs adults who know this resort are very loyal to it guests can choose from seven different restaurants and 11 bars But the two standout features here are the stark white beach and the lazy river-style pool both of which set the scene for all-day lounging Relaxation goes a step further at the Aromance Spa which features holistic therapies and treatments hot stone massages and even a special chocolate treatment Rates at Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya start at $358 per night. Playa del Carmen was once known as one of Mexico’s most stunning beach destinations with miles upon miles of pristine coastlines and the turquoise ocean the Caribbean is famous for.  But these days, much of Playa del Carmen’s beaches have eroded to the point that they almost don’t exist anymore or are often so full of seaweed that getting into the ocean is not even an option.  The shrinking coastline has been victim to natural disasters but environmental experts argue that corruption and a lack of planning are the true culprits.  “We have had hurricanes in this part of the world since antiquity, it makes no sense to blame weather events. Let’s not fool ourselves, this problem is man-made, the obvious result of corruption and willful negligence,” says Guadalupe de la Rosa Villalba, of the Playa del Carmen-based environmental organization Moce Yax Cuxtal Quintana Roo’s state government has reportedly authorized a campaign to extract and move thousands of metric tons of sand from other locations in an attempt to salvage Playa del Carmen’s reputation.  Many of them have visited before and notice how bad the situation has become For the sake of our community something has to be done,” reads a press statement from city hall.  has several drawbacks which include environmental damage to the areas targeted for extraction and the fact that it is at best a temporary solution.  This is because without a healthy marine ecosystem made up of coral reefs and mangroves newly dumped sand waves and storms (not to mention hurricanes) will eventually erode the added sand requiring repeated and costly replenishment One of the areas approved for sand removal is the Caribbean facing side of Cozumel a fact that has brought much distress to locals of the island.  During a recent town hall meeting in Playa del Carmen in the long term it would actually be cheaper and more responsible to demolish hotels and other constructions in particularly problematic locations There has also been growing pressure on the government of Quintana Roo to be more transparent with the MX$32.57 (roughly US$2) environmental sanitation tax paid daily by every visitor at a hotel Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and translation degrees from universities in Mexico Yucatán faces mounting environmental challenges as its reputation for safety drives rapid development and population growth That’s the message from Bloomberg News columnist Juan Pablo Spinetto who notes that its remarkably low crime rates have attracted both domestic and international migrants to Mexico’s safest state Yucatán’s homicide rate stands at approximately 2 per 100,000 residents,… Photographs by Sarah Fassold: @sarahfassold A “Conferencia del Agua” — or Water Conference — brought together hotel owners and others concerned about the health and sustainability of the famed Bacalar Lagoon opened with remarks from Bacalar’s mayor The mayor emphasized the lagoon’s importance to the region’s tourism… In a bold move that signals a major shift in Mexico’s approach to environmental protection the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) has launched an aggressive campaign against unauthorized real estate developments along the picturesque Yucatán coast “All works that aren’t authorized will have to be demolished,” declared Marina Boy Tamborrel continues their nearly 15-year mission to restore and protect the vital mangrove forests along the Yucatán coastline.  These women have become the unsung heroes of their community As the popularity of cruises continues to grow so does the effort to minimize their environmental impact Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess was heralded for its innovative use of liquified natural gas as it docked in Cozumel for the first time The Sun Princess is also the largest ship of its class ever… If you have 68 million dollars burning a hole in your pocket Advertise With Us Hyatt Hotels Corporation plans to rebrand Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House and Beach House as Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen The hotel is expected to reopen under the new brand by the end of 2024 becoming Mexico's second Hyatt Centric property The decision to rebrand was strategically based on the hotel's prime location in the center of Playa del Carmen a characteristic feature of the Hyatt Centric brand The hotel on Fifth Avenue offers easy access to shopping allowing guests to fully experience the coastal Mexican beach town Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen will have 119 guestrooms and suites including 92 at the adults-only 'Downtown House' and 27 at the family-friendly 'Beach House.' The rooms will feature mid-century modern décor and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer city or ocean views outdoor balconies with day beds or plunge pools and other amenities such as walk-in rain showers and locally inspired art and styling elements The 'Downtown House' will cater to guests aged 18 and above offering a vibrant rooftop social scene inspired by La Quinta Avenida's culture The rooftop will feature UMI Urban Kitchen and Alessia Dayclub providing an exclusive experience with an infinity pool Guests at the 'Beach House' will be transported from the 'Downtown House' in a Volkswagen Vintage Beetle the 'Beach House' offers an oceanfront pool and the C Grill restaurant serving Mexican The hotel will also offer versatile outdoor and semi-outdoor event spaces designed by architectural firm Niz + Chauvet offering a private and exclusive experience "The Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen will offer guests a launch pad to explore La Quinta Avenida and Playa del Carmen," said Ankara Angulo The hotel is set to add new experiences to the vibrant beach town Click here to join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest hotel news and trends Copyright © Hotel News Resource & Nevistas | All rights reserved Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced it will be rebranding the Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House and Beach House into a new Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen expected to reopen by the end of this year The Hyatt Centric brand is a lifestyle brand aimed at taking center stage in destinations across the globe The Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen is located in the heart of the city on La Quinta Avenida a street that stretches five miles long with shopping The rebranded hotel will continue offering an adults-only retreat with the Downtown House and a family-friendly stay option with the Beach House balconies and outdoor day beds or private plunge pools The adults-only Downtown House will offer a rooftop lounge and restaurant cabanas and incredible views of the city and sea will offer a beachfront location with an oceanfront pool and its signature C Grill Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen will also provide outdoor and semi-outdoor event spaces for weddings “We are thrilled to join the growing Hyatt Centric brand and offer guests and World of Hyatt members a true launch pad that sparks curiosity to explore La Quinta Avenida and Playa del Carmen,” said Ankara Angulo “I look forward to leading this chapter of Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen’s journey and introducing new experiences to this vibrant and dynamic beach town.” Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker connecting Playa del Carmen with Felipe Carrillo Puerto This new rail service is designed to improve regional transportation and offers a range of fare options Tickets are now available through the official Maya Train website The initial schedule features daily departures which will leave Playa del Carmen at 8:48 a.m it will continue to the Tulum Airport station and arriving at Felipe Carrillo Puerto at 11:27 a.m A second train will depart from Playa del Carmen at 3 p.m traveling approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes and making stops at Tulum and Tulum Airport Train number 602 will depart from Felipe Carrillo Puerto at noon and arrive in Playa del Carmen at 2:39 p.m will leave Felipe Carrillo Puerto at 6:00 p.m. with both routes stopping at Tulum and Tulum Airport Premier Class fares include a National Premier ticket for 657 pesos and an International Premier ticket for 873.50 and people with disabilities and special rates for Quintana Roo residents Prices in Tourist Class range from 205 to 546 pesos for the full route between Playa del Carmen and Felipe Carrillo Puerto and between 78 and 209 pesos for the Playa del Carmen to Tulum section The fare for the Playa del Carmen to Tulum Airport segment ranges from 106.50 to 283.50 pesos Passenger capacity in the train cars varies from 27 to 48 one of Mexico’s most ambitious infrastructure projects aims to connect the Yucatán Peninsula’s southeastern states the project has become a focal point of debate since its inception The idea of a rail network in the region isn’t new railroads played a key role in the development of the Yucatán Peninsula particularly in the transportation of henequen a valuable fiber crop during the 19th century The concept of reviving a railway system in this area resurfaced in 2018 when Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador formally introduced the Tren Maya as a flagship project of his administration The 1,525-kilometer railway is intended to boost economic activity and make some of Mexico’s most remote areas more accessible to tourists and locals alike Despite the government’s promotion of the Tren Maya as a driver of development and job creation Environmentalists have raised concerns about the potential impact on ecosystems as the railway cuts through sensitive areas like the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve Indigenous groups have also expressed reservations arguing that they were not adequately consulted about the project’s implications on their lands Supporters argue that the Tren Maya will provide essential infrastructure for regions historically neglected by large-scale investment its long-term effects on both the region’s development and preservation remain topics of active discussion covering stops along the Yucatán Peninsula The route from Mérida to Playa del Carmen is also running with stops at locations like Izamal and Cancún International Airport This gives travelers access to major tourist destinations including Mayan archaeological sites and vibrant cultural hubs including southern routes toward Tulum and Bacalar are expected to open soon as the project nears full completion The project remains a work in progress, with the incoming president suggesting Mérida build a rail link to Progreso under the same system Yucatán Magazine has the inside scoop on living here. Sign up to get our top headlines delivered to your inbox every week A “Chopped” champion chef adapted the best of Yucatán’s flavors to the growing Whole 30 diet Yucatan — Chef David Cetina’s La Tradición restaurant has been named one of Mexico’s 120 best restaurants for the fourth consecutive year.  Ku’uk Nectar and Kinich de Izamal are three other Yucatecan restaurants that appear on the list Their names appear in la guía México Gastronómico (Mexico Gastronomic Guide) 2019 the tourism industry on Mexico’s Caribbean coast seems to be doing better than ever A woman from Texas who had been missing for 27 years was found in Monterrey Her friends and family first started to worry about her when she did not show up for work at a Houston tool company on the morning of Nov… Tren Maya passengers disembarking on the outskirts of Pisté on their way to Chichén Itzá Another 152 new cases and 10 coronavirus-related deaths were reported Thursday in Yucatan the second-highest so far in a 24-hour period hospitalizations in the state increased by just three That brings to 3,705 the number infections found in the state since the crisis began