The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Playa del Carmen

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Playa del Carmen

Play del Carmen, Mexico Play del Carmen, Mexico

If it's your first trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for the activities and sightseeing, then you're in for a treat. But the biggest question is often where to stay for a first time visitor to Playa del Carmen. With so many amazing hotels to choose from, it can be tough to make a decision to make the most of your first trip here. That's where we come in! In this comprehensive guide, we'll help you find the best hotels for first-timers in Playa del Carmen. After analyzing all of the hotels based on price, location, amenities, ratings, and more, we have come up with our list of the best hotels in Playa del Carmen for first time visitors. We'll cover everything you need to know about these hotels, including the amenities, location, prices and ratings. So, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or as a couple on a romantic getaway, you'll find the perfect hotel if you've never visited Playa del Carmen beofre. So check out these terrific hotels, many of which have sparkling swimming pools, delicious restaurants, and top-notch amenities, along with the perfect balance of comfort, location, and affordability. So, let's get to it and discover the best hotels in Playa del Carmen for your first trip!

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Hotel Sol Playa

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $54 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Located at Avenida 5, Calle 88, Mza 460, Lote 4, Hotel Sol Playa has great rooms from $54 (before taxes). It offers room service, a restaurant, scuba diving, snorkeling, and a bar. It has a terrific 8.90 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 1.8 km from the city center, first time visitors will especially love rooms with kitchenettes, city views, free parking, laundry facilities, and bicycle rental at this relaxing hotel. Having a kitchenette is a nice way for you to have some meals in the room, too. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


View hotels on the map:

The Fives Beach Hotel & Residences

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $227 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

A great place to stay is The Fives Beach Hotel & Residences which has nice rooms starting at $227. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving, it also has a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Predio El Limonar Fraccion 2. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers snorkeling, a bar, rooms with kitchens, rooms with kitchenettes, and laundry services which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 4.9 km from the city center. Having a kitchen means that you'll be able to cook, which is very convenient when you're on the road.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Kids' club


Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $51 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Playa del Carmen
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.

We found Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $51. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, a restaurant, scuba diving, a bar, and child care, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 8.50 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at Av. 10 / Calle 30. You'll also find laundry services, city views, a hot tub, a child pool, and laundry facilities which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 0.3 km from the center of town. Having the delicious restaurant in the hotel is an added bonus. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms


Grand Velas Riviera Maya

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $1071 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

With terrific rooms from $1071, Grand Velas Riviera Maya, at Carretera Cancun Tulum Km 62 provides an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. Its terrific guest rating is 8.80 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers a bar, hiking, laundry services, golf, and a game room. It's located just 6.6 km from the city center, too. We always love having a pool, and the one here is really nice.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool
  • Kids' club


Fairmont Mayakoba

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $239 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Playa del Carmen
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Fairmont Mayakoba has a great guest rating of 8.80 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving. The great rooms here start at $239 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at Carretera Federal Cancun - Playa Del Carmen Km 298. Furthermore, it also offers snorkeling, a bar, hiking, laundry services, and golf, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 7.2 km from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. The pool here was very nice, relaxing, and fun.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool
  • Kids' club


El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condo Hotel

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $108 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

The great guest rating of El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condo Hotel is 8.80 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $108, and it's located at 1 Norte Esquina Calle 14 Norte. We also love the snorkeling, a bar, rooms with kitchens, rooms with kitchenettes, and child care which are great for visitors. And since it's just 0.9 km from the center of the town, the location is great, too. That hot tub is terrific after a long day of sightseeing. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Infinity pool


Palmaia -The House of AiA

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $776 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Playa del Carmen
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

A cool place is Palmaia -The House of AiA because it has great rooms that start at $776. It has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center, it also earned a great guest rating of 9.60 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at Paseo Xaman Ha, Lt1, Playacar. Only 4.8 km from the city center, travelers will especially love snorkeling, a bar, child care, laundry services, and a spa at this convenient hotel. Nothing says relaxation like having room service delivered.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool
  • Kids' club


Hacienda Tres Rios Resort Spa & Nature Park

4-star Resort with prices starting at $256 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Hacienda Tres Rios Resort Spa & Nature Park offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a water park, and a restaurant which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $256 (before taxes). It's located at Carretera Cancun Tulum Km 54 and has earned a guest rating of 8.60/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers a fitness center, snorkeling, a bar, laundry services, and a spa which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 10 km from the city center. The kids will love the water park, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Water park
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Breakfast in the room


Porto Playa Condo Hotel and Beach Club

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $97 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

Located at 1 Avenida Norte Esquina 16 Norte Bis, Porto Playa Condo Hotel and Beach Club has great rooms from $97 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a water park, a restaurant, and a fitness center. It has a terrific 8.60 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, rooms with kitchens, and child care which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 0.7 km from the center of town. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Water park
  • Snorkeling
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Infinity pool


Aloft Playa del Carmen

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $95 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Playa del Carmen
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

A great place to stay is Aloft Playa del Carmen which has nice rooms starting at $95. Offering an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center, it also has a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Calle 34 Norte Manzana 100 Lote 3, 10/34 Midtown Shops. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers a bar, parking, rooms with kitchenettes, laundry services, and pet-friendly rooms. It's located just 0.2 km from the city center, too. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Infinity pool


Also, take a look at the first time trip hotels in nearby destinations: Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cancún, Holbox, and Cozumel.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Playa del Carmen, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Playa del Carmen, Best Luxury Hotels in Playa del Carmen, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Playa del Carmen, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Playa del Carmen, Best Hotels for One Week in Playa del Carmen, Best Hotels for One Night in Playa del Carmen, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Playa del Carmen, Best Adults Only Hotels in Playa del Carmen, Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen, Best Business Hotels in Playa del Carmen, or Best Party Hotels in Playa del Carmen.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$159

After analyzing 102 first time trip hotels in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, we found the average first time trip hotel price to be a remarkably economical $159. Naturally, this destination has many fantastic first time trip accommodation options with a variety of prices. The price will vary by the hotel's amenities, available dates, and the general location. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Playa del Carmen.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $315
  • 4-star hotels: $121
  • 3-star hotels: $61
  • 2-star hotels: $55


Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. On this website you can also find travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Share This Page

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.