Vacation in Playa del Carmen for Less than $1,500 Budget

Say ' Hola' to an Affordable Mexico Trip

You can vacation for less in gorgeous Playa del Carmen

Alamy Stock Photo Here's what I like to do after unpacking and slathering on sunscreen when I arrive in Playa del Carmen: Head a few blocks off the main tourist drag to always lively El Fogón. Guitar-strumming mariachis serenade the locals and visitors chilling out at simple wooden tables. A smiling server brings icy margaritas with a mound of guacamole with chips and a plate of 85-cent pork-and-pineapple tacos, or chicken quesadillas dripping gooey white cheese. The bill is easy to swallow, typically less than $30 for two. You definitely get a lot of pop for the peso.
I fell in love with , on the Caribbean south of Cancún, 20 years ago. And I keep returning to the fast-growing beach resort that now has about 250,000 residents.
You can get here from the Cancún airport in a little more than an hour for about $10 per person via air-conditioned ADO express bus, and the palm-tree-lined Quinta Avenida (“Fifth Avenue”) tourist zone is so compact, you don’t need a rental car or taxi to get around.

The Tab for Two

Lodging: $625 Food: $575 Transportation: $80 Attractions & Activities: $220 Total: $1,500 Those on a budget are also drawn to Playa by low-cost lodgings, including new boutique hotels that can cost less than $500 weekly. Ocean Zen Suites on the quiet northern stretch of Quinta Avenida, which wins raves on TripAdvisor, boasts a small rooftop pool, money-saving kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi and furniture crafted by local artisans. Best of all is the warmth of its staff, from manager to night watchman. To find hotel deals, scroll through reviews on sites such as Booking.com and Hotels.com. You can book the cute thatch-roofed Aventura Mexicana, for instance, on discount sites for about $80 nightly, with breakfast. On Day 2, following your El Fogón feast, you can loll on public beaches (one caters to visitors who use wheelchairs) then marinate in the madness of Quinta Avenida, where it’s fiesta time 24/7. Marianna Massey/Getty Images On another day, consider taking a ferry to the beaches of Cozumel Island, whose turquoise waters lure snorkelers and divers. Nature lovers can swim in a cenote, a jungle sinkhole with pure, cool water. You might also book an excursion to Mayan ruins at Tulum. In the evening, wander off the pedestrian promenade for cheaper and more authentic spots. At 500 Gramos Grill, in a quiet courtyard, a juicy T-bone and potatoes will set you back only $15. Though Playa has grown with its popularity, a smile and a few words of Spanish win me a small-town welcome that — along with this place’s affordability — keeps me coming back. Splurge: Swim in the aqua waters of an ancient underground river where you can visit caves dripping with stalactites at the verdant Rio Secreto nature preserve. A tour that includes a guide, transportation and lunch costs $218 for two adults. Look for specials.

More Spots for a Budget Vacation

AARP Travel Center Call: 1.800.675.4318 Search Flights Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Flight 2 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 3 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 4 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 5 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Add Another Flight search Search Hotels Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 search Search Packages Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date You didn't specify child's age Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Room 1 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 2 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 3 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 4 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 5 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age You have more than 6 people total Please select a trip duration less than 28 days search Search Cars Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search Search Cruises Select a valid location Select a month search Search Things to Do Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search × Let's Go Reset Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Car Rentals offers > See more Travel offers > See more Hotels & Resorts offers > See more Gas & Auto Services offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.