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 and Xcaret just south of town and on the coast north of it at Xcalacoco, Mayakoba, Punta Maroma, Playa Paraíso and Playa del Secreto, which are closer to the airport.

Distance from Cancun AirportAbout 30–65 km
Drive time25–70 minutes
Private transferFrom 89 USD one way, 165 USD round trip (per vehicle, up to 8)
Hotels on this page166

Book your transfer to Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen hotels by area

166 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: Playa del Secreto, Playa Paraíso, Punta Maroma, Mayakoba, Xcalacoco

HotelTypeDistanceDrive
Alila MayakobaLuxury resort45 km35–45 min
Banyan Tree MayakobaLuxury resort45 km40–45 min
Blue Diamond Wellness ResortAll-inclusive resort, adults only48 km40–50 min
BlueBay Grand EsmeraldaAll-inclusive resort48 km40–50 min
Catalonia Playa MaromaAll-inclusive resort40 km35–40 min
Catalonia Privileged MaromaAll-inclusive resort (adults-only section)40 km35–40 min
Chablé MaromaLuxury resort40 km35–40 min
El Dorado Casitas Royale by KarismaAll-inclusive resort, adults only40 km35–40 min
El Dorado Maroma by KarismaAll-inclusive resort, adults only45 km40–45 min
El Dorado Royale by KarismaAll-inclusive resort, adults only40 km35–40 min
Etéreo, Auberge CollectionLuxury resort40 km35–40 min
Fairmont MayakobaLuxury resort48 km40–45 min
Generations Riviera MayaAll-inclusive resort30 km25–30 min
Grand Luxxe Riviera MayaLuxury resort42 km35–45 min
Grand Velas Riviera MayaAll-inclusive resort45 km35–45 min
Holiday Inn Club Vacations The Royal HaciendasAll-inclusive resort51 km40–50 min
Hyatt Zilara Riviera MayaAll-inclusive resort, adults only45 km35–45 min
Iberostar Selection Paraíso LindoAll-inclusive resort37 km30–40 min
Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya SuitesAll-inclusive resort37 km30–40 min
Iberostar Waves Paraíso BeachAll-inclusive resort37 km30–40 min
Iberostar Waves Paraíso del MarAll-inclusive resort37 km30–40 min
Impression Moxché by SecretsAll-inclusive resort, adults only52 km45–55 min
JOIA Paraíso by IberostarAll-inclusive resort, adults only37 km30–40 min
Jungala Hotel at VidantaWorld Riviera MayaAll-suite hotel42 km35–45 min
Kimpton Tres RíosAll-inclusive resort48 km40–50 min
Maroma, A Belmond HotelLuxury resort40 km35–40 min
Mayan Palace Riviera MayaResort42 km35–45 min
Mvngata Beach HotelBeach hotel50 km40–50 min
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera MayaAll-inclusive resort35 km25–35 min
Ocean Maya RoyaleAll-inclusive resort, adults only44 km35–45 min
Ocean Riviera ParadiseAll-inclusive resort47 km40–50 min
Platinum Yucatán PrincessAll-inclusive resort, adults only48 km40–50 min
Rosewood MayakobaLuxury resort45 km35–45 min
Sandos Caracol Nature Resort & Water ParkAll-inclusive resort52 km45–55 min
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera CancunAll-inclusive resort, adults only40 km35–40 min
Secrets Moxché Playa del CarmenAll-inclusive resort, adults only52 km45–55 min
Senses Riviera MayaAll-inclusive resort, adults only37 km30–40 min
St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera MayaLuxury resort40 km35–40 min
The Beachfront by The FivesAll-inclusive resort, adults only47 km40–50 min
The Bliss Riviera MayaResort42 km35–45 min
The Fives Beach Hotel & ResidencesAll-inclusive resort47 km40–50 min
The Grand Bliss Riviera MayaResort42 km35–45 min
The Grand Mayan Riviera MayaResort42 km35–45 min
The Riviera Maya EDITION at KanaiLuxury resort40 km35–40 min
Valentin Imperial Riviera MayaAll-inclusive resort, adults only33 km25–35 min
Viceroy Riviera MayaLuxury resort, adults only46 km35–45 min

Downtown and town

HotelTypeDistanceDrive
5th Coral SuitesVacation rental apartments55 km45–60 min
770 Hotel BoutiqueBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Acanto Playa del Carmen, Trademark Collection by WyndhamBoutique condo hotel55 km45–60 min
Aldea Thai Luxury CondohotelCondo hotel55 km45–60 min
All RivieraSmall hotel55 km45–60 min
Aloft Playa del CarmenCity hotel54 km45–60 min
Anah SuitesApartment hotel55 km45–60 min
Angelo’s HotelBudget hotel55 km45–60 min
Antera Hotel & ResidencesBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Apart Hotel CasaejidoApartment hotel55 km45–60 min
Aquamarina SuitesCondo suites55 km45–60 min
AquaterraCondo rental55 km45–60 min
ArenisCondo rental55 km45–60 min
Aventura MexicanaAdults-only boutique hotel55 km45–60 min
B and B SiPlayaBed and breakfast55 km45–60 min
Bambu SuitesApartment hotel55 km45–60 min
Be Playa Hotel Boutique & Rooftop BarBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Caché Hotel Boutique – Adults OnlyBoutique hotel, adults only55 km45–60 min
Casa del Árbol CondoVacation condo55 km45–60 min
Casa FelicidadApartment / guesthouse55 km45–60 min
Casa LucaVacation rental / guesthouse55 km45–60 min
Casa Marina GrottoVacation rental55 km45–60 min
Casa MelissaGuesthouse / B&B55 km45–60 min
Casa MoskitoVacation rental home55 km45–60 min
Casa NikkiPrivate luxury villa rental55 km45–60 min
Casa PiliBed and breakfast55 km45–60 min
City Express by Marriott Playa del CarmenCity hotel55 km45–60 min
City Express Suites by Marriott Playa del CarmenApartment-style city hotel55 km45–60 min
Claro de LunaSmall guesthouse55 km45–60 min
Condo 46Vacation condo55 km45–60 min
Corto MaltesOceanfront condo building55 km45–60 min
Cruz con MarCondo building55 km45–60 min
Days Inn by Wyndham Playa del CarmenCity hotel55 km45–60 min
Deja Hostel SuitesHostel55 km45–60 min
Deva CondosCondo building55 km45–60 min
Devossion by Live Aqua Playa del CarmenAll-inclusive resort, adults only55 km45–60 min
Dolce Vita Caribe B&BBed and breakfast55 km45–60 min
El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condo HotelCondo hotel55 km45–60 min
Embarcadero Maya B&BBed and breakfast55 km45–60 min
Encanto RivieraSmall hotel55 km45–60 min
Eurostars Hacienda Vista RealBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Fiesta Inn Playa del CarmenCity hotel55 km45–60 min
Gran SaharaCity hotel55 km45–60 min
Grand Fifty SuitesApartment hotel55 km45–60 min
Green Oasis Home BoutiqueBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Haab Playa del Carmen (condos)Condo rentals55 km45–60 min
Hacienda Paradise Boutique Hotel by Xperience HotelsBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Hacienda Real del CaribeBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
HM Playa del CarmenCity hotel55 km45–60 min
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Playa del CarmenCity hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel AlhambraBeachfront boutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel Alux Playa del CarmenBudget hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel Barrio Latino by KaviaBudget hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel Casa ColibriBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel Club YeboBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel El Punto Boutique Beach ClubBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel Indigo Playa del CarmenBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel KinbeBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel La SemillaBoutique hotel, adults only54 km45–60 min
Hotel LunataBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel MX Portal MayaCity hotel55 km45–60 min
Hotel Playa SuitesBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Hyatt Centric Playa del CarmenBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Hyatt Vivid Playa del CarmenAll-inclusive resort, adults only55 km45–60 min
Illusion Boutique Hotel by Xperience HotelsBoutique hotel, adults only55 km45–60 min
In Fashion Hotel & SpaBoutique hotel, adults only55 km45–60 min
It Boutique Hotel & RestaurantBoutique hotel54 km45–60 min
La Galeria by BunikBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
La Pasion Hotel Boutique by BunikBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Les Alizes (vacation residence)Apartment rental55 km45–60 min
Magic Blue Spa Boutique HotelBoutique hotel, adults only55 km45–60 min
Mahekal Beach ResortBeach resort54 km45–60 min
Meliora by BunikBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
One Playa del CarmenCity hotel55 km45–60 min
Paradisus Playa del CarmenAll-inclusive resort52 km45–55 min
Pelicano InnBeach hotel55 km45–60 min
Quinta Margarita, Boho Chic HotelBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Riviera del SolCity hotel55 km45–60 min
Serenity Hotel Boutique by AlsolBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
Soho Playa HotelBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
The 5th Avenue HotelBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
The Carmen HotelBeach hotel, adults only55 km45–60 min
The Elements Oceanfront & Beachside Condo HotelCondo hotel54 km45–60 min
The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences, Curio Collection by HiltonCondo hotel55 km45–60 min
The Palm at PlayaBoutique hotel55 km45–60 min
The Reef 28All-inclusive resort, adults only55 km45–60 min
The Reef Coco BeachAll-inclusive resort53 km45–55 min
The Yucatan Playa del Carmen, Tapestry Collection by HiltonBoutique hotel, adults only55 km45–60 min
Tukan Hotel & Beach ClubCity hotel55 km45–60 min
Wyndham Alltra Playa del CarmenAll-inclusive resort, adults only55 km45–60 min

Playacar and south (Xcaret)

HotelTypeDistanceDrive
Akab Playacar (condominium)Condo / vacation rental57 km50–60 min
Allegro PlayacarAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
AWA Residences PlayacarCondo complex (vacation rentals)57 km50–60 min
Casa Los CharcosPrivate luxury villa rental57 km50–60 min
Casa Mar y SolVacation rental home57 km50–60 min
Courtyard by Marriott Playa del CarmenCity hotel56 km45–60 min
Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort & SpaAll-inclusive resort65 km55–70 min
Grand Sunset Princess All Suites & ResortAll-inclusive resort65 km55–70 min
Hotel Riu LupitaAll-inclusive resort58 km50–60 min
Hotel Riu Palace MexicoAll-inclusive resort, adults only57 km50–60 min
Hotel Riu Palace Riviera MayaAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
Hotel Riu PlayacarAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
Hotel Riu TequilaAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
Hotel Riu YucatanAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
Hotel Xcaret ArteAll-inclusive resort, adults only63 km55–65 min
Hotel Xcaret MéxicoAll-inclusive resort63 km55–65 min
Iberostar Waves QuetzalAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
Iberostar Waves TucánAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
La Casa de la Playa by XcaretAll-inclusive resort, adults only63 km55–65 min
Occidental at Xcaret DestinationAll-inclusive resort65 km55–65 min
Palmaïa – The House of AïAAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
Playacar PalaceAll-inclusive resort56 km45–60 min
Residence Inn by Marriott Playa del CarmenExtended-stay hotel58 km50–60 min
Royal Hideaway PlayacarAll-inclusive resort, adults only58 km50–60 min
Sandos PlayacarAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
The Reef PlayacarAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
Villa AquaPrivate luxury villa57 km50–60 min
Viva Azteca by WyndhamAll-inclusive resort58 km50–60 min
Viva Maya by WyndhamAll-inclusive resort57 km50–60 min
Wyndham Garden Playa del CarmenCity hotel56 km45–60 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 30–65 km, or 25–70 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; Playa del Secreto, Playa Paraíso, Punta Maroma and Mayakoba for 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.

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