Riviera Maya

Playa Del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, located just over an hour south from Cancun, is a lover’s wonderland with in-credible white-sand beaches, funky shopping, nightlife galore, dining options from casual chains to french bistros, and tucked-away neighborhoods lined with swaying palms.

This walking-friendly city is perfect for exploring on foot. The vibrant pedestrian-only shopping district known as 5th Avenue is a long, cobblestone-lined street with a huge array of fun restau-rants, bars and shopping, all close by to the white-sand beach. A bit off that more crowded path, up near 38th Avenue, you’ll find a quieter area with higher-end cafes and cozy restaurants, gar-den-like plazas and even more shopping to get lost in.

Playa is a perfect day trip from Cancun, but once you discover all the nooks and crannies of downtown, you might decide to book a hotel and stay a few days!

The 6 Best Honeymoon Resorts in Playa Del Carmen

1

Royal Hideaway Playacar

5-star hotel
8.8
Great
Our Rating

Set on the most pristine stretch of white sand beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico sits Royal Hideaway Playacar. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, this elegant adults-only all-inclusive resort features 200 rooms and suites along with highly personalized service, a dedicated concierge for every villa and…

2

Paradisus La Perla

4½-star hotel
8.6
Great
Our Rating

Paradisus La Perla is conveniently located just 45 minutes from Cancun International Airport. With the lush, protected mangrove forest as its backdrop, the resort is just a stone’s throw away from palm-lined, white-sand shopping and thrilling outdoor activities. Exquisite international cuisine in 8 restaurants and 6 bars exclusively for adults,…

3

Paradisus Playa Del Carmen

5-star hotel
8.4
Good
Our Rating

Located in a spectacular tiny bay, is the family hotel Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda, one of the most luxurious hotels in Riviera Maya. The newest LUXEclusive reinterprets All Inclusive into a world-class 5-star luxury resort, combining a prestigious Caribbean setting with world-class facilities, including 512 exclusive, elegant and…

4

The Reef 28

5-star hotel
8.4
Good
Our Rating

Honeymooners seeking a luxurious, all-inclusive, adults-only oasis will find it at The Reef 28. The Reef 28 includes 104 elegant junior suites featuring spacious lounging areas and a private terrace or balcony and 16 deluxe master suites designed for honeymooning couples. Romantic amenities include everything from rainforest showerheads to indoor…

5

The Reef Playacar

4-star hotel
8.0
Good
Our Rating

A boutique beachfront resort that fully embraces the beauty of its natural surroundings, The Reef Playacar is an exceptional illustration of the magnificence of the Riviera Maya. The exclusive gated community is a Caribbean wonderland for honeymooners thanks to prime access to a pristine white-sand beach and a terrific selection…

6

The Reef Coco Beach

4-star hotel

Along Playa del Carmen’s pristine shoreline is where honeymooners will find The Reef Coco Beach with its endless romantic charms. Detail-oriented service is the hallmark of the boutique-style beachfront resort, which focuses on attending to your honeymoon wants and needs before you even realize them. In addition to being near…

About Playa Del Carmen

At a Glance

  • There are 16 beaches at Playa del Carmen. You can go swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and boating in the crystal clear waters. And relaxing on the beach is something of an art form here.
  • Playa may be quieter than Cancun but it still has a vibrant night life, with clubs that stay open all night. Coco Bongo has some of the most spectacular shows.
  • Fifth Avenue is the main tourist thoroughfare, lined with boutiques, handicrafts stores, bars and restaurants and wandering musicians serenading passers by.
  • When you want a change from urban buzz, head off to the Rio Secreto (Secret River) to ex-plore the world of hidden caverns and waterways.
  • Take a day trip to see the archeological site at Coba. The remains of the Mayan city date back a thousand years.
  • There are plenty of cenotes and zip lines in the area for a day of adventure.
  • There are a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts in Playacar in the south to condominiums, boutique hotels and lodges.

Honeymoon Hints

  • Swim with the turtles at Akumal beach, a marine life sanctuary.
  • Treat yourselves to a performance by Cirque du Soleil at the Vidanta Theater. The theater was built specifically for the show Joyà, inspired by Mexican culture.
  • Surprise your partner with a candlelit dinner on the beach.
  • Enjoy a day’s sailing on a catamaran along the beautiful coastline.
  • The only thing more romantic than a gondola ride is a sunset and dinner cruise on a gondola-type boat.
  • Every romantic holiday needs a relaxed spa day. You’ll find a range of wellness treatments in-cluding yoga on the beach, state-of-the-art spa treatments and, temazcal, which is a traditional Maya sweat lodge.

Travel Tips

  • GETTING THERE: The nearest airport in Cancun International Airport (CUN). ADO abuses run between the airport and the terminals in Playa. You can also rent a car at the airport.
  • GETTING AROUND: You don’t need a car to get around Playa but it is useful if you want to visit other attractions in the area. Local bus and taxi services are available.
  • MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS: If you’re planning to get married here, make sure you meet all legal requirements. You’ll find all information on marriage regulations here (link: https://www.mexicancaribbean.travel/weddings/requirements/)