Cancun & Riviera Maya
resort location assistant
Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen. These are just a few of the resort areas located in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. They all share the beautiful Caribbean, warm sun, and white sand; but that's where the similarities end. This destination guide will help you find the resort area that may fit your goals perfectly.
The differences between Cancun and Playa del Carmen
Cancun: Very commercial with large malls, large restaurants, large hotels
(with large pools), and lots of bright lights.
Cancun is very spread-out, so you'll have to use the bus or taxi to get around.
The bus system is cheap and efficient, but not an elegant (or relaxing) way to
get around; taxis are expensive.
Cancun's beaches were in bad condition as we right this, but they are renovating
them in the fall of 2009. View our beach update section for current conditions.
Playa del Carmen: Although large hotels and condominiums can now be found
in Playa, most hotels are smaller. Most restaurants are located on the beach or
along a pedestrian street with tables on the sidewalk.
You can walk most places in Playa del Carmen. In fact, strolling the shops and
restaurants along 5th avenue (a pedestrian-only street) is one of the popular
evening entertainment activities.
Playa's beaches are somewhat rocky in areas, but an area at the north end
of town has a very nice beach with two popular beach clubs. This is where most
people end up for at least a few days of their vacation.
Cancun: Very commercial with large malls, large restaurants, large hotels
(with large pools), and lots of bright lights.
Cancun is very spread-out, so you'll have to use the bus or taxi to get around.
The bus system is cheap and efficient, but not an elegant (or relaxing) way to
get around; taxis are expensive.
Cancun's beaches were in bad condition as we right this, but they are renovating
them in the fall of 2009. View our beach update section for current conditions.
Playa del Carmen: Although large hotels and condominiums can now be found
in Playa, most hotels are smaller. Most restaurants are located on the beach or
along a pedestrian street with tables on the sidewalk.
You can walk most places in Playa del Carmen. In fact, strolling the shops and
restaurants along 5th avenue (a pedestrian-only street) is one of the popular
evening entertainment activities.
Playa's beaches are somewhat rocky in areas, but an area at the north end
of town has a very nice beach with two popular beach clubs. This is where most
people end up for at least a few days of their vacation.
The differences between Riviera Maya and Playacar
Riviera Maya: Most all-inclusive hotels in the Riviera Maya are quite
impressive, with locations on the finest beaches, large pools, beautiful
landscaping, good food, and entertainment. However, if you want to
get away from the resort, it could require an expensive taxi ride to
the nearest city or attraction. (View hotel choices using our
hotel locations map for information on distances).
Playacar: This resort development is located next to Playa del Carmen.
Most resorts are not as expansive as those in the Riviera Maya, but you
can bicycle, walk, or taxi to Playa del Carmen when you feel like getting
away from the resort.
Beaches were damaged by tropical storms several years ago–a renovation project is underway. Check our beach conditions section
for updates on the condition.
These areas also have all-inclusive resorts
Cancun: All-inclusive resorts are mixed in among the beachfront hotels. Many were previously hotels that now offer an all-inclusive option.
We don't feel that they are as expansive and impressive as the
Riviera Maya resorts, but there is more entertainment available
outside the resort.
Playa del Carmen Most are hotels with an all-inclusive option.
We don't feel that they are as expansive and impressive as the
Riviera Maya resorts, but there is more entertainment available
outside the resort.
Cozumel: These are mostly located north and south of the
downtown area. The southern resorts are large, impressive, and
located on beautiful beaches. To the north the all-inclusives are
smaller. Some have nice beaches, but much of this area is rocky.
A taxi from the south resorts to downtown is expensive; from the
northern area is not as far and more reasonably priced.
Isla Mujeres: Two hotels in the downtown area offer an all-inclusive plan, but we'd prefer to eat in town. At the south end is one all-inclusive; and several hotels with all-inclusive options. These resorts are definitely not
as large and impressive as the Riviera Maya resorts.
Riviera Maya: Most all-inclusive hotels in the Riviera Maya are quite
impressive, with locations on the finest beaches, large pools, beautiful
landscaping, good food, and entertainment. However, if you want to
get away from the resort, it could require an expensive taxi ride to
the nearest city or attraction. (View hotel choices using our
hotel locations map for information on distances).
Playacar: This resort development is located next to Playa del Carmen.
Most resorts are not as expansive as those in the Riviera Maya, but you
can bicycle, walk, or taxi to Playa del Carmen when you feel like getting
away from the resort.
Beaches were damaged by tropical storms several years ago–a renovation project is underway. Check our beach conditions section
for updates on the condition.
These areas also have all-inclusive resorts
Cancun: All-inclusive resorts are mixed in among the beachfront hotels. Many were previously hotels that now offer an all-inclusive option.
We don't feel that they are as expansive and impressive as the
Riviera Maya resorts, but there is more entertainment available
outside the resort.
Playa del Carmen Most are hotels with an all-inclusive option.
We don't feel that they are as expansive and impressive as the
Riviera Maya resorts, but there is more entertainment available
outside the resort.
Cozumel: These are mostly located north and south of the
downtown area. The southern resorts are large, impressive, and
located on beautiful beaches. To the north the all-inclusives are
smaller. Some have nice beaches, but much of this area is rocky.
A taxi from the south resorts to downtown is expensive; from the
northern area is not as far and more reasonably priced.
Isla Mujeres: Two hotels in the downtown area offer an all-inclusive plan, but we'd prefer to eat in town. At the south end is one all-inclusive; and several hotels with all-inclusive options. These resorts are definitely not
as large and impressive as the Riviera Maya resorts.
Comparison of "laid-back" areas.
Isla Mujeres: Small fishing village that has just seen major development in the last few years. Hotels range from rustic to elegant. Excellent restaurants, not much nightlife. Beautiful beach at the north end of town lined with rustic, thatched-roof beach clubs. Walk to most downtown areas, taxi if you are
mid-island or south-end.
Puerto Morelos: Very quiet community of mostly private homes (some
for rent). Excellent restaurants surround a town square with a few shops.
Beaches are wide, but there is seaweed just offshore in many areas.
Not much nightlife. Walk to most areas.
Puerto Aventuras: Marina development, so everything is concrete and very modern. Beautiful plaza area lined with restaurants and a few shops located next to the marina (now used for a dolphin swim program). Very quiet area;
not much nightlife. Walk to most areas.
Akumal: Very quiet community of mostly rental condominium units on the beach. About a half-dozen excellent restaurants. Beautiful beach in the center of Akumal, other areas range from nice to rocky. Beaches in front of the large hotels and all-inclusives are very nice. Very long walk between attractions. Most people rent a bicycle to get around. Taxis are available.
Tulum: There are three parts to Tulum, beachfront, in-town, and "El Crucero" (hotel area at the entrance to the Maya ruins).
In-town you'll find inexpensive hotels, good to excellent dining (a hidden treasure is here), and shops to browse, It still has a small Mexican city atmosphere with a tourism twist. Everything is within walking distance except the beach and the Mayan ruins.
Beachfront beaches with a mix of nice resorts and thatched-roof bungalows (some of the elegant resorts are upscale thatched-roof bungalows).
There are some excellent restaurants along the beachfront, as well as a few for the adventurous traveler. Long walks to many areas, but you'll see a lot of people walking along the road. We prefer to rent bicycles. Taxis are available.
El Crucero. These are small hotels at the entrance to the Mayan ruins.
There are a few restaurants here, although not among our favorites.
These hotels are mainly visited by backpackers.
Isla Blanca: This is a new development area north of Cancun. There are some very rustic cabanas here, but much of the area is being developed for elegant all-inclusive resorts.
Riviera Maya (remote areas): These areas include.
• Tankah. Two bays lined with rental homes. The south bay has two excellent restaurants, the north bay has no restaurants. No nightlife. Nice beaches,
very quiet and isolated. You'd probably want a rental car if staying in the
Tankah area.
• Punta Bete. A few rustic hotels mixed in among nice resorts. One excellent restaurant and we avoid. Very nice beach. You'd probably want a rental car
if staying in the Punta Bete area.
• Paamul. Long-term RV park home mostly to retired American's and Canadians. There RV's are parked under giant thatched-roof huts.
There is a small hotel on the beach, cute cabanas at the south end, and a rental home to the north. One restaurant that serves great food. Very quiet. Very nice beach. You'd probably want a rental car if staying in the Paamul area.
• Xpu-Ha. A few rustic hotels mixed in among nice resorts. Two good restaurants, one moderately priced, the other expensive. Very nice beach. You'd probably want a rental car if staying in the Xpu-Ha area.
Why are Cozumel and Playa del Carmen on this list?
Neither of these areas are quaint and laid-back like those above, but if you are looking for something between the glitze of Cancun and the isolation of Tankah, these could be a nice choice. They are busy areas, but have something about them that we find quite relaxing.
Cozumel: The downtown area is a mid-sized Mexican city. We find it kind of charming. There are plenty of great restaurants, but you'll drive quite a distance from downtown to find nice beaches (we rent a scooter).
You'll find great value at the downtown hotels. The city is busy by day when cruise ships visit, but very quiet at night.
Playa del Carmen: One of the fastest growing cities in Mexico, but the beach areas have developled an interesting and eclectic charm. You can walk almost anywhere, and as you do you'll pass small shops, restaurants, and lounges. Playa is very International with a big European influence. You'll find excellent restaurants owned by great chefs from around the world. We love strolling 5th avenue in the evening.
Isla Mujeres: Small fishing village that has just seen major development in the last few years. Hotels range from rustic to elegant. Excellent restaurants, not much nightlife. Beautiful beach at the north end of town lined with rustic, thatched-roof beach clubs. Walk to most downtown areas, taxi if you are
mid-island or south-end.
Puerto Morelos: Very quiet community of mostly private homes (some
for rent). Excellent restaurants surround a town square with a few shops.
Beaches are wide, but there is seaweed just offshore in many areas.
Not much nightlife. Walk to most areas.
Puerto Aventuras: Marina development, so everything is concrete and very modern. Beautiful plaza area lined with restaurants and a few shops located next to the marina (now used for a dolphin swim program). Very quiet area;
not much nightlife. Walk to most areas.
Akumal: Very quiet community of mostly rental condominium units on the beach. About a half-dozen excellent restaurants. Beautiful beach in the center of Akumal, other areas range from nice to rocky. Beaches in front of the large hotels and all-inclusives are very nice. Very long walk between attractions. Most people rent a bicycle to get around. Taxis are available.
Tulum: There are three parts to Tulum, beachfront, in-town, and "El Crucero" (hotel area at the entrance to the Maya ruins).
In-town you'll find inexpensive hotels, good to excellent dining (a hidden treasure is here), and shops to browse, It still has a small Mexican city atmosphere with a tourism twist. Everything is within walking distance except the beach and the Mayan ruins.
Beachfront beaches with a mix of nice resorts and thatched-roof bungalows (some of the elegant resorts are upscale thatched-roof bungalows).
There are some excellent restaurants along the beachfront, as well as a few for the adventurous traveler. Long walks to many areas, but you'll see a lot of people walking along the road. We prefer to rent bicycles. Taxis are available.
El Crucero. These are small hotels at the entrance to the Mayan ruins.
There are a few restaurants here, although not among our favorites.
These hotels are mainly visited by backpackers.
Isla Blanca: This is a new development area north of Cancun. There are some very rustic cabanas here, but much of the area is being developed for elegant all-inclusive resorts.
Riviera Maya (remote areas): These areas include.
• Tankah. Two bays lined with rental homes. The south bay has two excellent restaurants, the north bay has no restaurants. No nightlife. Nice beaches,
very quiet and isolated. You'd probably want a rental car if staying in the
Tankah area.
• Punta Bete. A few rustic hotels mixed in among nice resorts. One excellent restaurant and we avoid. Very nice beach. You'd probably want a rental car
if staying in the Punta Bete area.
• Paamul. Long-term RV park home mostly to retired American's and Canadians. There RV's are parked under giant thatched-roof huts.
There is a small hotel on the beach, cute cabanas at the south end, and a rental home to the north. One restaurant that serves great food. Very quiet. Very nice beach. You'd probably want a rental car if staying in the Paamul area.
• Xpu-Ha. A few rustic hotels mixed in among nice resorts. Two good restaurants, one moderately priced, the other expensive. Very nice beach. You'd probably want a rental car if staying in the Xpu-Ha area.
Why are Cozumel and Playa del Carmen on this list?
Neither of these areas are quaint and laid-back like those above, but if you are looking for something between the glitze of Cancun and the isolation of Tankah, these could be a nice choice. They are busy areas, but have something about them that we find quite relaxing.
Cozumel: The downtown area is a mid-sized Mexican city. We find it kind of charming. There are plenty of great restaurants, but you'll drive quite a distance from downtown to find nice beaches (we rent a scooter).
You'll find great value at the downtown hotels. The city is busy by day when cruise ships visit, but very quiet at night.
Playa del Carmen: One of the fastest growing cities in Mexico, but the beach areas have developled an interesting and eclectic charm. You can walk almost anywhere, and as you do you'll pass small shops, restaurants, and lounges. Playa is very International with a big European influence. You'll find excellent restaurants owned by great chefs from around the world. We love strolling 5th avenue in the evening.
Resort areas on this chart:
Is proximity
nightlife
and the big
nightclubs
important?
nightlife
and the big
nightclubs
important?
Is proximity
to malls and
shopping
important?
to malls and
shopping
important?
I prefer an area that
is highly developed with lots of entertainment
options.
is highly developed with lots of entertainment
options.
I prefer an all-inclusive resort where the entertainment is
on-site.
on-site.
I don't care about entertainment
or nightlife and
prefer a more
laid-back area.
or nightlife and
prefer a more
laid-back area.
These resort areas are highly developed:
• Cancun
• Playa del Carmen
Note: This could be confusing. Most areas listed in the laid-back category are modern with nice hotels and excellent restaurants.
It's just that they are smaller and have maintained a quaint atmosphere.
• Cancun
• Playa del Carmen
Note: This could be confusing. Most areas listed in the laid-back category are modern with nice hotels and excellent restaurants.
It's just that they are smaller and have maintained a quaint atmosphere.
These are mainly
all-inclusive resorts:
• Riviera Maya
• Playacar
These areas also have all-inclusive resorts
• Cancun
• Playa del Carmen
• Cozumel
• Isla Mujeres
all-inclusive resorts:
• Riviera Maya
• Playacar
These areas also have all-inclusive resorts
• Cancun
• Playa del Carmen
• Cozumel
• Isla Mujeres
These areas
are laid-back:
• Isla Mujeres
• Puerto Morelos
• Puerto Aventuras
• Akumal
• Tulum
• Isla Blanca
• Riviera Maya
(remote areas)
These areas are not exactly laid-back,
but you may want to
read more before
ruling them out:
• Cozumel
• Playa del Carmen
are laid-back:
• Isla Mujeres
• Puerto Morelos
• Puerto Aventuras
• Akumal
• Tulum
• Isla Blanca
• Riviera Maya
(remote areas)
These areas are not exactly laid-back,
but you may want to
read more before
ruling them out:
• Cozumel
• Playa del Carmen
Answer the questions and follow the chart to help find a cancun riviera maya resort area that may best
fit your travel preferences.
Click on the bold names for more information.
Click on the bold names for more information.
MapChick's
"Can-Do" maps
& travel guides
"Can-Do" maps
& travel guides
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www.cancunmap.com
Your information source for
Cancun & the Riviera Maya
Your information source for
Cancun & the Riviera Maya
Copyright, 2009 by Perry McFarlin for Can-Do Publishing