Sleep.
Playa Del Carmen is one hour south of gay Cancun. It’s perfect for gay travelers who’ve had fun partying and shopping in Cancun and are now looking for some chilled-out beach vibes. The town features pedestrian-friendly streets, boutique shops, and cafes.
An advantage of staying in Playa Del Carmen is that it’s closer to some of the region’s most popular tourist sites, like Chichen Itza, the home of the famous Mayan pyramid.
Playa del Carmen is home to the Arena gay circuit parties, which are mostly held on the first weekend of February each year.
Quinta Avenida, translated to 5th Avenue, is the restaurant, shopping, and entertainment strip. Some of our featured hotels are on or near this street. It’s only 150m from the beach, so access is simple no matter where you stay in the central zone.
Swimming pools are plentiful in Playa del Carmen. Every one of our featured hotels has at least one, and Platinum Yucatan Princess has 13!
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Why we love it
♥ Luxury adults-only downtown hotel
♥ Rooftop pool and bar
♥ Optional all-inclusive
♥ All-suite boutique hotel
The Reef 28 boutique resort is in downtown Playa del Carmen, one block from the beach on one side and one block from 5th Avenue shopping and nightlife on the other. It’s an adults-only resort, and all-inclusive packages are available but not mandatory.
The roof at Reef 28 has a pool, bar, upbeat music, and city views—the perfect start to a fun night in Playa del Carmen. Also on site are a fully equipped fitness center and three restaurants: Asian, International, and Buffet.
The boutique resort features 120 spacious suites, 16 master suites complete with indoor jacuzzi, and 104 junior suites. Thanks to expansive glass doors overlooking the private terrace, these suites are showered in tropical sunlight. Each suite is designed with contemporary decor and equipped with modern amenities.
Aloft Playa del Carmen is ideally located for travelers wanting to get out and party. It’s just off 10th Avenue and one block from 5th Avenue, the entertainment strip.
There are two pools at Aloft Playa del Carmen: a large family-friendly one and a more intimate adults-only one on the roof, complete with a bar. There’s also a small fitness center. Apart from the rooftop bar, there’s a lobby bar, WXYZ. Nook Restaurant is open all day for buffet breakfast and international a la carte dining. A grab-and-go style outlet is also on site.
The well-priced rooms have modern decor with loads of color. They’re spacious and bright, and some have balconies. Small pets are welcome at Aloft Playa del Carmen.
Why we love it
♥ 5-star luxury downtown and beachfront
♥ 3 infinity pools
♥ Beachside sushi bar
♥ Some rooms have plunge pools
Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort is a luxury property right on Mamitas Beach in the heart of Playa del Carmen. It’s ideally located for immediate access to Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), known for its vibrant shopping, dining, and nightlife options.
The Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen resort has three infinity pools, one of which is a beachside pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Dining options include Mexican and International, Steak and Seafood, and a sushi bar. Cocktails are available at the poolside bar.
The resort features 314 spacious guest rooms, including suites with private balconies offering stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. Some of the resort view rooms have plunge pools. This is the perfect opportunity to burn some of your World of Hyatt points to upgrade to the Grand Club rooms, which feature an open bar in the club lounge from 6–8 p.m. daily.
Why we love it
♥ Adults-only luxury beachfront
♥ 13 pools, one hosts foam parties
♥ 6 restaurants and 9 bars
♥ All-suite resort, some with pool access
Platinum Yucatan Princess is one of the most booked gay-friendly 5-star adults-only beachfront resorts in downtown Playa del Carmen. It’s an all-inclusive venue, only a few streets away from the nightlife.
There are 13 pools at Platinum Yucatan Princess; some have swim-up bars, and one of them hosts foam parties. There’s also a state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor fitness center. There are six restaurants, five of which are part of the all-inclusive package; Mexican, international, Asian, and Italian cuisines are available.
There are 470 spacious, modern-designed rooms; some have hot tubs on their terraces, and some have pool access.
Why we love it
♥ Secluded 5-star beachfront luxury
♥ Multiple pools, including an adults-only one
♥ Beach club on-site
♥ Some rooms are only steps from the beach
Fairmont Mayakoba is ideal because it combines cultural discovery, nature exploration, transformative wellness pursuits, and exquisite culinary adventures.
There are multiple pools, including one for adults only, and this resort boasts one of the most extensive private beachfronts in the area. The well-equipped fitness center is open 24 hours a day and has a class schedule.
Fairmont Mayakoba has eight restaurants and three bars. Choose from Italian, Mexican, or steak cuisine. Be sure to check out the live entertainment at Maykana Beach Club.
There are 401 modern and well-appointed guest rooms, casitas, or suites at Fairmont Mayakoba, all tastefully accented with nature-inspired décor and spectacular views. Some rooms and suites have beach access. Small pets are welcome in some of the room types.
Why we love it
♥ Luxury 5-star resort on 620 acres
♥ Adults-only hideaway with three plunge pools
♥ Communal dining restaurant
♥ Some rooms have plunge pools
Rosewood Mayakoba is a 620-acre luxury 5-star resort surrounded by lush jungles, lagoons, and pristine beaches.
Gay travelers will appreciate the Aquí Me Quedo adults-only hideaway with three plunge pools and a private restaurant. Another all-access pool is beachfront.
There are some other unique dining options at Rosewood Mayakoba, from a beachfront Mexican Cantina to a communal-style dining experience. Cuisines range from local street food to international flavors.
Rosewood Mayakoba has 129 suites, each designed with elegance and comfort in mind. Some suites have private plunge pools, garden showers, and individual docks. Small pets are welcome in the rooms.
Why we love it
♥ 5-star luxury on a secluded beach
♥ Two outdoor pools, one is adults-only
♥ Oceanfront Beach Club
♥ Plunge pool rooms and suites
Andaz Mayakoba Resort is on its own private stretch of beach. It features a modern design, vibrant decor, and a commitment to providing an elevated experience that reflects the local culture and natural beauty of the Riviera Maya.
Andaz Mayakoba Resort has two pools, a central pool and one exclusive for adults. The fitness center offers modern exercise equipment, yoga classes, and nature walks. Three restaurants are located there: one features local food, and the other is Asian-themed. La Playa Beach Club provides a casual dining experience with stunning ocean views.
The resort features 214 rooms and suites with open layouts and lots of bright colors inspired by the surrounding nature. Each room includes a terrace. Pets up to 50 lbs are welcome in the rooms.
Why we love it
♥ Luxury 5-star beachfront
♥ 4 pools, one with a swim-up bar
♥ 3 restaurants and 3 bars
♥ Beach houses with plunge pools
Mahekal Beach Front Resort & Spa is in the ideal location, with Mamitas Beach on one side and Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) for entertainment and shopping on the other.
There are five outdoor pools, the largest of which is lagoon-style with a swim-up bar. The fitness center is open from 7 am to 7 pm and offers yoga classes. There are three restaurants and three bars. Choose from an all-inclusive package or a half-board that includes breakfast and dinner only.
The 195 rooms and suites blend traditional Mexican architecture with modern comforts. We love the beach houses, which have plunge pools on the lower levels. Small pets stay for free in some of the room types.
Why we love it
♥ Award-winning beachfront hotel condo
♥ Two pools, one oceanfront
♥ All-suite hotel
♥ Fully equipped kitchens in all rooms
El Taj Oceanfront and Beachside Condo Hotel is an award-winning property. For seven years in a row, it was one of Tripdvisor’s top hotels in Mexico. El Taj has also received recognition from The New York Times and USA Today for its design, luxury, and excellence in service. They’re two properties side-by-side on El Recodo Beach in the heart of Playa del Carmen.
El Taj has two pools. The one at the beachside property is an exotic black mosaic infinity pool with an extra-large Jacuzzi, while the oceanfront pool sits right on the beach in front of the resort’s exclusive beach club. Both pools are heated from November to March. There’s also a state-of-the-art fitness center on-site.
All 57 spacious condos have fully equipped kitchens, and many have outdoor jacuzzis. The property’s designers visited Bali, Indonesia, to get ideas for the decor and layouts. Choose from one – to four-bedrooms with either pool or beach views. Small pets are allowed by request.
Why we love it
♥ Located just off the shopping/bars street
♥ Rooftop infinity pool and cocktail bar
♥ Budget city option
Hotel 52 Playa del Carmen is a 4-star property located in the city between 5th and 10th Avenues. The former is where shopping, entertainment, and eateries are. It’s a 7-minute walk to the famous Coco Beach.
Rooftop pools aren’t common in Playa del Carmen, so Hotel 52 can boast about its one. As you watch the sunset, lounge on the chairs and sip cocktails by the pool. Hotel 52 Restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. After that, head down to 5th Avenue for dinner.
There are 80 rooms at Hotel 52 in 7 room types. The decor is modern, merged with natural, light-colored decorations. The room rates are very attractive, and at the time of writing, they are as low as $40 a night—excellent value for Mexico.
Why we love it
♥ Unique budget property
♥ Centrally located in the city, 300m from the beach
♥ Outdoor pool
Hacienda Maria Bonita Hotel is one of the brightest and most colorful properties in Playa del Carmen. It’s located just off 5th Avenue, the entertainment strip, so it’s in an ideal position for travelers who want to be in the heart of the action. It’s only 300m from the beach.
Guests of Hacienda Maria Bonita Hotel have access to the entertainment venue Kool Beach Club. The property has an outdoor pool and a breakfast restaurant. Other bars and restaurants are steps away on 5th Avenue.
It’s a budget boutique property with 40 rooms and one master suite, complete with jacuzzi. All the rooms have a Mexican design, carefully detailed with local wood sculptures, fountains, and colorful flowers.
Why we love it
♥ Budget hotel with city and beach access
♥ Outdoor pool, solarium, and hot tub
♥ 150m from the beach
Beach Energy Hotel is located on 5th Avenue, an entertainment strip in the center of Playa del Carmen, 150m from the beach. This property offers gay travelers on a budget the best combination of city and sea. It’s one of the first properties in the region to accept cryptocurrency as payment.
The hotel boasts an outdoor pool, solarium, and hot tub with a waterfall. The rooms at Beach Energy Hotel have a contemporary design, tiled floors, and wood finishes.
Destinations
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