Playa del Carmen is the busiest town on the Riviera Maya. Downtown is walkable, with Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida), the beach and the Cozumel ferry pier, and most places to stay there are small hotels, condos and boutique hotels. Big all-inclusive resorts are in Playacar just south of town and on the coast north of it at Mayakoba, Punta Maroma and Playa del Secreto, which are closer to the airport.
| Distance from Cancun Airport | About 40–65 km |
| Drive time | 35–70 minutes |
| Private transfer | From 89 USD one way, 165 USD round trip (per vehicle, up to 8) |
| Hotels on this page | 75 |
Book your transfer to Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen hotels by area
75 hotels and rentals, checked October 2026. Click a hotel for its exact location, transfer prices and how to get there from Cancun Airport.
North of town: Mayakoba, Punta Maroma, Playa del Secreto
| Hotel | Type | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya | Luxury resort | 45 km | 35–45 min |
| Banyan Tree Mayakoba | Luxury resort | 45 km | 40–45 min |
| Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel | All-inclusive resort, adults only | 48 km | 40–50 min |
| BlueBay Grand Esmeralda | All-inclusive resort | 48 km | 40–50 min |
| Catalonia Playa Maroma | All-inclusive resort | 40 km | 35–40 min |
| Catalonia Privileged Maroma | All-inclusive resort (adults-only section) | 40 km | 35–40 min |
| El Dorado Casitas Royale by Karisma | All-inclusive resort, adults only | 40 km | 35–40 min |
| El Dorado Maroma by Karisma | All-inclusive resort, adults only | 45 km | 40–45 min |
| El Dorado Royale by Karisma | All-inclusive resort, adults only | 40 km | 35–40 min |
| Fairmont Mayakoba | Luxury resort | 48 km | 40–45 min |
| Generations Riviera Maya | All-inclusive resort | 30 km | 25–30 min |
| Grand Luxxe Riviera Maya | Luxury resort | 42 km | 35–45 min |
| Grand Velas Riviera Maya | All-inclusive resort | 45 km | 35–45 min |
Downtown and town
| Hotel | Type | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Coral Suites | Vacation rental apartments | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| 770 Hotel Boutique | Boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Acanto Playa del Carmen, Trademark Collection by Wyndham | Boutique condo hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Aldea Thai Luxury Condohotel | Condo hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| All Riviera | Small hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Anah Suites | Apartment hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Angelo’s Hotel | Budget hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Apart Hotel Casaejido | Apartment hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Aquamarina Suites | Condo suites | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Aquaterra | Condo rental | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Arenis | Condo rental | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Aventura Mexicana | Adults-only boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| B and B SiPlaya | Bed and breakfast | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Bambu Suites | Apartment hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Be Playa Hotel Boutique & Rooftop Bar | Boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Caché Hotel Boutique – Adults Only | Boutique hotel, adults only | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Casa del Árbol Condo | Vacation condo | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Casa Felicidad | Apartment / guesthouse | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Casa Luca | Vacation rental / guesthouse | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Casa Marina Grotto | Vacation rental | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Casa Melissa | Guesthouse / B&B | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Casa Moskito | Vacation rental home | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Casa Nikki | Private luxury villa rental | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Casa Pili | Bed and breakfast | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| City Express by Marriott Playa del Carmen | City hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| City Express Suites by Marriott Playa del Carmen | Apartment-style city hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Claro de Luna | Small guesthouse | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Condo 46 | Vacation condo | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Corto Maltes | Oceanfront condo building | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Cruz con Mar | Condo building | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Deja Hostel Suites | Hostel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Deva Condos | Condo building | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Dolce Vita Caribe B&B | Bed and breakfast | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condo Hotel | Condo hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Embarcadero Maya B&B | Bed and breakfast | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Encanto Riviera | Small hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Eurostars Hacienda Vista Real | Boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Fiesta Inn Playa del Carmen | City hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Grand Fifty Suites | Apartment hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort | Beach resort | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Green Oasis Home Boutique | Boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Haab Playa del Carmen (condos) | Condo rentals | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Hacienda Paradise Boutique Hotel by Xperience Hotels | Boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Hotel Alhambra | Beachfront boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Hotel Alux Playa del Carmen | Budget hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Hotel Barrio Latino by Kavia | Budget hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Hotel Club Yebo | Boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Hotel El Punto Boutique Beach Club | Boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Hotel Playa Suites | Boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| La Galeria by Bunik | Boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| Les Alizes (vacation residence) | Apartment rental | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| The 5th Avenue Hotel | Boutique hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
| The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences | Condo hotel | 55 km | 45–60 min |
Playacar and south (Xcaret, Playa Paraíso)
| Hotel | Type | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akab Playacar (condominium) | Condo / vacation rental | 57 km | 50–60 min |
| Allegro Playacar | All-inclusive resort | 57 km | 50–60 min |
| AWA Residences Playacar | Condo complex (vacation rentals) | 57 km | 50–60 min |
| Casa Los Charcos | Private luxury villa rental | 57 km | 50–60 min |
| Casa Mar y Sol | Vacation rental home | 57 km | 50–60 min |
| Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort & Spa | All-inclusive resort | 65 km | 55–70 min |
| Grand Sunset Princess All Suites & Resort | All-inclusive resort | 65 km | 55–70 min |
| Occidental at Xcaret Destination | All-inclusive resort | 65 km | 55–65 min |
| Villa Aqua | Private luxury villa | 57 km | 50–60 min |
Getting from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen
A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest way: your driver meets you outside the terminal with a sign, tracks your flight and takes you door to door. Shuttles, ADO buses, taxis and rental cars are compared in the Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen guide.
FAQ
How far are Playa del Carmen hotels from Cancun Airport?
About 40–65 km, or 35–70 minutes by road depending on the hotel. Each hotel page above gives its exact distance.
How much is a private transfer from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen?
From 89 USD one way or 165 USD round trip for a private van for up to 8 people (prices per vehicle, October 2026).
Which area of Playa del Carmen is best to stay in?
Downtown if you want to walk to Fifth Avenue, restaurants and the beach; Playacar for all-inclusive resorts close to town; Mayakoba and Punta Maroma for luxury resorts closer to the airport.
Do I need to book my transfer in advance?
It is recommended. A pre-booked driver waits outside the terminal with your name even if your flight is late, and the price is fixed per vehicle.