When choosing accommodation on the Riviera Maya, location is absolutely crucial for an enjoyable holiday.

A hotel called ‘Tulum’ may be situated dozens of kilometres from Tulum itself, and a resort listed under Puerto Morelos may have practically nothing to do with the town.

So first choose an area, and only then a specific hotel. In this section, we compare prices, locations and hotels that make sense for different budgets and types of stay.

Still not sure whether you want to stay in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Akumal or Tulum? First, read our comparison of holiday destinations and suggested itineraries. Here, we’ll focus solely on accommodation.

We’ve personally tried out four hotels in the area. For the other recommendations, we’ve based our selection on their specific location, the type of services on offer and current guest reviews.

Find accommodation on the Riviera Maya

Quick selection by type of stay

• Ifyou’re travelling without a car and want to go on day trips and eat out: stay in the centre of Playa del Carmen.
• If you’re looking for a smaller seaside town near the airport: choose the coastal area of Puerto Morelos.
• Ifyou’re looking for a modern all-inclusive resort and plan to spend most of your time at the hotel: choose Costa Mujeres.
• If you want a resort and day trips to Tulum and the cenotes: look around Akumal.
• If you want the hotel itself to be an experience: pay a little extra for the Zona Hotelera in Tulum.
• If you want a quiet beach and restaurants within walking distance: choose Playacar on the outskirts of Playa del Carmen.
• If you’re after an island and swimming: stay in the north of Isla Mujeres, or in a luxury resort in the south.

Accommodation prices on the Riviera Maya

The differences in prices are huge. A basic room in the town centre can cost less than dinner for two at a luxury resort.

As a rough guide, you’ll pay the following for a double room for one night:

• 1,200 to 2 000 mxn for a basic hotel in the city centre
• 2,000 to 4 000 mxn for a good-quality city hotel or a flat with a swimming pool
• 7 000 mxn to 4,000 for a better beachside hotel without all-inclusive
• 12 000 mxn to 6,000 for an all-inclusive resort
• 12 000 mxn and above for luxury and themed hotels
• 20 000 mxn and above for ultra-luxury hotels

A single bed in a hostel usually costs between 400 and 800 mxn. The most expensive periods are Christmas, New Year, the spring half-term holidays in the US and the period around Easter.

The figures given are a rough guide only and do not constitute a guaranteed price. Akumal, Isla Mujeres and the beach area of Tulum tend to be significantly more expensive than the centre of Playa del Carmen or Puerto Morelos.

Be aware of taxes and fees

Always compare the final price for the entire stay.

Accommodation in Mexico is subject to 16% VAT and, in Quintana Roo, also a 5% state accommodation tax. Depending on the specific municipality, the hotel may also charge a local environmental or sanitation fee. Some booking platforms include taxes in the displayed price, whilst others add them at the final stage, or some fees are payable on arrival.

When comparing, check:

• the final amount for all guests and all nights
• whether meals are included in the price, or what type of all-inclusive package the hotel offers
• the local charge payable on arrival
• the cost of parking and airport transfers
• the free cancellation policy

Check hotel prices in the Riviera Maya

All-inclusive or a hotel without meals?

All-inclusive is particularly worthwhile in isolated hotel zones where there are no restaurants or ordinary shops outside the resort.

A typical example is Costa Mujeres or the long stretch of resorts between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

Conversely, in the centre of Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos or Tulum, you wouldn’t usually pay extra for all-inclusive. There are dozens of restaurants nearby, and you’ll spend much of the day on excursions anyway.

On our trip, splitting our stay worked best.

We had an active itinerary for a few nights and spent a few nights at the resort. With all-inclusive, you don’t pay for the days when you’re travelling around cenotes and sights from morning till night.

If you’re considering a very cheap all-inclusive deal, be sure to read the latest reviews of the food, drinks and restaurant availability before booking. Whilst some resorts advertise a large number of dining options, bookings at these may be limited or subject to a charge.

Costa Mujeres: modern all-inclusive resorts

Costa Mujeres lies north of Cancún and consists almost exclusively of large coastal resorts. Don’t expect to find a town, a promenade or ordinary restaurants beyond the hotel gates. Without a car or a taxi, you’ll be unable to get practically anywhere from here.

It’s a good choice if you’re looking for relaxation, hotel services and, at most, one or two trips to Isla Mujeres or Isla Contoy. It’s too far north for daily trips to Tulum and the cenotes.

Where we’d stay in Costa Mujeres

• We’ve personally triedthe Catalonia Grand Costa Mujeres. The hotel is modern, offering both a family-friendly section and a quieter adults-only section, and we liked it better than the Bahia Principe near Akumal. We’d choose it for its good value for money and resort-style comfort.
• The TRS Coral Hotel is an adults-only all-inclusive resort. It’s a good choice for couples seeking a quieter environment and a higher standard of service without children around.
• Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres is a large all-inclusive resort with a family section and separate facilities for adults. It’s suitable for groups where individual travellers have different requirements.

Compare resorts in Costa Mujeres

Playa del Carmen: the most practical accommodation without a car

Playa del Carmen has the widest selection of standard hotels, apartments and hostels. Thanks to ADO buses, colectivos and the ferry to Cozumel, it is the easiest base for travelling without a hire car.

Choose between two main areas:

• Centro is best for its restaurants, buses, the ferry and nightlife. Accommodation tends to be cheaper, but it can get noisy near Quinta Avenida.
• Playacar is a quieter, gated neighbourhood with a better beach and large resorts. From the northern part, you can walk to the centre, but from more distant hotels you’ll need a taxi.

When booking in the centre, check the distance to both bus stations. A location between Avenida 10 and Avenida 30 is ideal for travelling along the coast. We’d only recommend a room directly above Quinta Avenida if nightlife is more important to you than a peaceful night’s sleep.

Recommended hotels in Playa del Carmen

• The Hotel Barrio Latino is a simple, budget-friendly option in the centre, close to the beach, Quinta Avenida and the bus terminal. It’s particularly suitable for a shorter, active stay.
• Aloft Playa del Carmen offers more modern rooms and rooftop pools in a convenient part of the centre. In our view, it strikes an interesting balance between price, standard and location.
• Mahekal Beach Front Resort & Spa is situated right by the sea, yet still within walking distance of the restaurants in the town centre. Choose this if you want a beach hotel without the isolation of a gated resort.
• Playacar Palace is an all-inclusive resort on the northern edge of Playacar. Unlike many other resorts, you can walk to the ferry, the town centre and Quinta Avenida.
• Hyatt Vivid Playa del Carmen is an adults-only all-inclusive hotel right in the heart of the town. It makes sense if you want hotel services but don’t want to be confined to just one resort.

Compare hotels in Playa del Carmen

Akumal and Puerto Aventuras: resorts near southern excursion destinations

Between Playa del Carmen and Tulum lies a long stretch of individual resorts. This area is ideal for travellers who want to spend most of their time by the sea but also plan to visit Tulum, Akumal Bay, Xel-Há or the surrounding cenotes.

Before booking, make sure you distinguish between Akumal Bay and the wider hotel area known as Akumal. Only the former means you’ll actually be staying right by the famous bay. Many resorts are situated several kilometres further away, and you won’t be able to reach Akumal without a car or a taxi.

Puerto Aventuras offers a marina, several restaurants and a partially enclosed complex. It is more practical than a completely isolated resort, but don’t expect a lively town like Playa del Carmen.

Recommended hotels in Akumal

• The Hotel Club Akumal Caribe is situated right by Akumal Bay. It offers standard rooms and bungalows without the need to book a large all-inclusive package.
• Akumal Bay Beach & Spa Resort is an all-inclusive resort right on the main bay. It’s a more practical choice for families and couples who want both the beach and a full range of hotel services in one place.
• Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is a more luxurious, adults-only all-inclusive resort right on Akumal Bay. It is ideal for couples who prioritise peace and quiet and the quality of service over a low price.
• Bahia Principe Explore Akumal tends to be more affordable than resorts right on Akumal Bay. However, it is a huge complex far from the centre of Akumal. We spent 3 nights here, paying approximately 265 eur per night, and we rate our stay 7 out of 10. You can find details and our own photos in our review of Bahia Principe Explore Akumal.

Compare hotels and resorts in Akumal

Tulum: choose your hotel based on its exact location

In Tulum, a poor location is particularly costly. The town centre, residential areas and the beachfront Zona Hotelera are several kilometres apart, and the daily taxi commute will quickly eat into any savings made on a cheaper room.

For a beach holiday, stay right in the Zona Hotelera. For a cheaper stay, day trips and travelling by bus, choose Tulum Centro. The modern apartments at Aldea Zama or La Veleta make the most sense if you have a bike, scooter or car.

We won’t be covering Tulum in detail again in this regional section. You’ll find a detailed comparison of neighbourhoods, prices and more hotels on the Tulum accommodation page.

Two hotels we considered

• The Shibari Hotel is an adults-only hotel built around a natural cenote. It isn’t right on the beach, but is situated in the main part of the Zona Hotelera. We spent two nights here, for which we paid a total of 637 usd. We’d recommend this hotel to couples for whom the accommodation itself is part of the experience. Take a look at our review of the Shibari Hotel, featuring our own photographs.
• La Zebra Tulum is situated right next to a wide sandy beach. It’s more practical than Shibari if you want to spend most of the day by the sea and don’t want the hassle of getting into someone else’s beach club.

View hotels in Tulum

Isla Mujeres: the north for the beach, the south for the resorts

In the north of Isla Mujeres, you’ll be staying near the ferry, restaurants and Playa Norte. For independent travellers and shorter stays, this is the most convenient part of the island.

The southern part is quieter and features larger resorts with sea views. However, you’ll need to take a taxi or a golf cart to get to the centre. Choose this area if your main focus is the hotel itself rather than the daily nightlife in the centre.

• The Ixchel Beach Hotel is situated right on Playa Norte and just a short walk from restaurants. It’s ideal for travellers who want the best possible location without needing a means of transport.
• Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets is a luxury, adults-only, all-inclusive resort in the south of the island. We paid a total of 2 650 usd for two nights here. The price is steep, but its location on the west coast offered beautiful sunsets and, during our stay, a sea free of sargassum. We would only choose it for a short, experience-focused stay, not as a sensible base for exploring the region.

Compare hotels on Isla Mujeres

Cancún: Zona Hotelera or the city centre?

In Cancún, most beach resorts are concentrated in the Zona Hotelera. It’s ideal for a short transfer from the airport, beaches, nightlife and boat trips. However, the individual areas are quite far apart, and you’ll often need to travel around the hotel zone by bus.

Downtown Cancún offers significantly cheaper accommodation, restaurants and the main ADO coach station. However, it is not ideal for a traditional seaside holiday. You’ll need to travel to the public beaches.

You can find specific neighbourhoods and hotels in our separate guide to Cancún. If you’re visiting the Riviera Maya, we’d mainly use Cancún for late arrivals, early departures or as a base for trips to Isla Mujeres.

View hotels in Cancún

Bacalar: accommodation by the lagoon or in the centre

Bacalar is no longer a classic Riviera Maya beach resort, but it tends to be a natural stop-off point on a longer journey along the coast.

If you’re coming here for the lagoon, choose between a hotel right by the water and a cheaper room in town.

At a hotel by the lagoon, you’re paying for your own jetty, sun loungers, kayaks and the chance to go for a swim as soon as you wake up. From the town centre, you can reach the water via public bathing areas known as balnearios or paid beach clubs.

We’ve visited Bacalar ourselves and provide specific hotel recommendations in the article ‘Where to stay in Bacalar’.

View accommodation in Bacalar

Puerto Morelos: a smaller town near the airport

Puerto Morelos has two distinct areas. For a seaside holiday, look for accommodation in Puerto Morelos Playa, i.e. between the beach and the main road. The cheaper neighbourhood on the other side of the motorway is several kilometres from the coast, so you’ll need to make the journey to the beach.

The seaside centre itself is compact. You can walk to the beach, the restaurants and the jetty, from where boats set off for the coral reef. We recommend Puerto Morelos to travellers who don’t want the hustle and bustle of Playa del Carmen or an isolated resort.

Be wary of large hotels bearing the name ‘Puerto Morelos’. Many are situated several kilometres outside the town, and staying there is, logistically speaking, more akin to a classic resort.

Recommended hotels in Puerto Morelos

• The Amar Inn is a smaller and usually cheaper option just a short walk from the beach. Choose this if you’re looking for the atmosphere of a local guesthouse and don’t want to pay for a large resort.
• The Hacienda Morelos Beachfront Hotel is situated right by the water and just a few steps from the main square. You’re mainly paying for the location, not for luxury hotel facilities.
• The Fives Oceanfront offers a higher standard and modern rooms right on the coast, whilst still allowing you to walk into town. It’s ideal for travellers who want the comfort of a resort without being completely cut off.

View hotels in Puerto Morelos

A step-by-step guide to choosing a hotel

1. Open a map

Don’t just go by the hotel’s name. Check the distance to the beach, the town, the bus stop and any places you want to visit.

Five kilometres in the Riviera Maya can mean a daily taxi ride along a busy main road.

Please note that Uber doesn’t operate everywhere on the Riviera Maya. In fact, it’s currently only available in Cancún and Bacalar.

2. Distinguish between ‘beachfront’ and ‘near the beach’

Beachfront usually means a hotel right on the beach.

Near the beach It might actually be a room across the road, without its own sun loungers and without free entry to the neighbouring beach club.

3. Read the latest reviews of the beach

During the sargassum season, beach conditions change rapidly. Look for photos from the last few weeks and mentions of regular cleaning.

A hotel with a good swimming pool is a safer choice than an expensive room that relies solely on the beach.

You can find out more about the sargassum season in the section on the weather in the Riviera Maya.

4. Check transport links

If staying at a city centre hotel, check the walking distance to buses and colectivos.

If staying at a resort, check the price of the airport transfer and whether you can be picked up for organised excursions. Hiring a car only makes sense if the hotel offers secure parking and you’ll actually be using it.

We describe transport options in the chapter on getting around the Riviera Maya.

5. Compare the total cost of your stay, not just the price of the first night

Add in taxes, local charges, breakfast, parking, transfers and any beach club entry fees. A cheaper hotel in the wrong location may end up costing more than a room right by the beach or in the centre once you factor in taxi fares.

Where we’d stay

For an active holiday without a car, we’d choose the centre of Playa del Carmen, ideally within walking distance of buses and the ferry.

For a purely resort-based holiday, we’d again consider Costa Mujeres. Catalonia struck us as more modern and pleasant than the huge Bahia Principe complex.

If we wanted to combine an all-inclusive stay with trips to Tulum, the cenotes and Akumal, we’d choose a hotel in the Akumal area. However, we’d check the resort’s actual location very carefully.

We’d be willing to pay extra for an experience-focused hotel in the Zona Hotelera in Tulum, but only for part of our stay. We liked Shibari, even though it isn’t right on the beach.

And for a few days of peaceful swimming, we’d choose the north of Isla Mujeres. The extremely expensive Impression is only worth considering if the hotel itself is the main attraction of the trip.

Compare accommodation prices on the Riviera Maya