Where to stay in Playa del Carmen
By Rudy Lim · Updated
You can walk to the sand from every stay we run. The real question is how much of Playa del Carmen you want outside your door. Here is how Centro, Zazil-Ha and Colosio differ.
Pick your area
Centro
Uva De Mar
For first visits and walking everywhere.
The ADO terminal is a 2-minute walk. La Quinta, the local name for 5th Avenue, is a 3-minute walk. The Cozumel ferry is a 4-minute walk, and the beach is a 5-minute walk.
See the stays in Centro →
Zazil-Ha
Mayalun
For couples who want quiet without isolation.
You get what we consider one of Playa del Carmen's calmest residential areas. The sand is a 10 to 15 minute walk. Playa 72 is a 10-minute walk, and the Sunday Bazaar is a 3-minute walk. The rooftop pool is shared with the other guests staying in the building.
See the stays in Zazil-Ha →
Colosio
Casitas
For longer stays and a real neighborhood.
You get the Playa of 20 years ago: quiet open beaches and a real neighborhood. The sand is a 10 to 15 minute walk, and Punta Esmeralda is an 8-minute walk. The streets are flat enough to bike.
See the stays in Colosio →How we would choose
If this were our first trip to Playa del Carmen, we would pick Centro. You want to be in it before you decide what you want from it.
For a slower trip, we would pick Zazil-Ha. For a month, we would pick Colosio.
The full comparison is in Zazil-Ha vs Centro vs Colosio. If this is your first visit, read where to stay on a first trip.
Pick by the kind of trip
- Two of you: romantic stays.
- With kids: family stays.
- A month or more: long stays.
- Escaping the cold: winter rentals.
Getting here and getting around
Cancún International Airport is about 1.5 hours from all three areas. The ADO bus from the airport costs about 250 pesos.
Once you arrive, the ADO terminal is a 2-minute walk from Uva De Mar. It is a 20-minute walk from Mayalun and a 30-minute walk from Casitas.
As of October 2026, 98% of guests rated their sleep 10 out of 10. That's part of 2000+ perfect stays (5 and 10 star reviews) across our online platforms.
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Questions about where to stay
Which area is best for a first visit?
Centro, in our view. The ADO terminal, 5th Avenue and the Cozumel ferry are all a short walk from Uva De Mar.
Which area is the quietest?
In our view, you will find the most quiet in Zazil-Ha, one of Playa del Carmen's calmest residential areas. Across our stays, as of October 2026, 98% of guests rated their sleep 10 out of 10.
How far is the beach on foot?
From Uva De Mar in Centro, the beach is a 5-minute walk. From Mayalun in Zazil-Ha and Casitas in Colosio, the sand is a 10 to 15 minute walk.
How do I get from Cancún airport to Playa del Carmen?
The trip takes about 1.5 hours. The ADO bus from the airport costs about 250 pesos.
How far is the ADO terminal on foot?
It is a 2-minute walk from Uva De Mar, a 20-minute walk from Mayalun and a 30-minute walk from Casitas.
Is the rooftop pool private?
No. The rooftop pool at Mayalun is shared with the other guests staying in the building.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 30 days before check-in for a full refund. Cancel 7 to 29 days before check-in for a 50% refund. Cancel fewer than 7 days before check-in and there is no refund. The full terms have the detail.
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