Three pools
Two in the garden among palms and flowers, and one on the roof. "A green oasis," as one guest puts it.
Downtown Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo · Mexico
La Pasión Hotel Boutique
★★★
A boutique hotel hidden among palm trees, facing Playa del Carmen's main square and a three-minute walk from Fifth Avenue. Two pools in a tropical garden, a third on the roof, free parking and a quiet place to unwind after a day out in town.
- 9.0on Expedia · 1,171 reviews
- 4.5on Google · 1,505 reviews
- 3outdoor pools
Secure booking on Expedia · Rates change by date
A green oasis one block from the bustle
La Pasión sits on Calle 10 Norte, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20 in the Centro neighborhood, right across from Plaza 28 de Julio, the town's main square. Fifth Avenue is a three-minute walk and the main beach about six. The ADO Alterna bus station on Calle 12 is roughly 100 meters away and there's a Walmart one block over: handy if you arrive by bus or stay for a while.
Step inside and it's another world: two three-story buildings around a courtyard of palms, thatched palapas, wooden decks and two pools, plus a third pool on the roof overlooking the square and the sunsets. Guests single out the staff (9.4 on Expedia) and the cleanliness (9.2). The hotel dates from 2008 and is decorated with hearts everywhere; some areas are due for a refresh, and we cover that honestly below.
See availability →What makes it special
Six concrete things, all taken from the Expedia listing and from guest reviews.
Staff: 9.4
The hotel's top score on Expedia: friendly service is the most common theme in reviews.
Cleanliness: 9.2
Rooms are cleaned daily and many guests call them spotless.
Facing the main square
Three minutes from Fifth Avenue but outside the bar zone, so nights are quiet.
Free parking
An on-site garage, which is rare in downtown Playa. Spaces are limited: request one before you arrive.
100 m from ADO Alterna
The Calle 12 bus station is around the corner: if you travel by bus, you can walk over with your suitcase.
Hotel photos
The rooms
Four types, all for two guests and about 22–23 m² (237–248 sq ft). According to Expedia, every room has air conditioning, a ceiling fan, an LCD TV with cable, a safe, quality bedding, daily housekeeping and a private bathroom with toiletries.
Standard King room with balcony
The room with the most reviews on Expedia (8.8), with a balcony and a city view.
See price →Standard King room, pool view
Same size, but facing the garden and pools; rated 9.0 on Expedia.
See price →Deluxe double room with tub, garden area
In the garden wing, with a pool view and a deep soaking tub with shower.
See price →Premium room
With a balcony, a pool view and a wardrobe.
See price →Hotel amenities
A boutique hotel with no restaurant of its own and no elevator: its strengths are the pools, the garden and the location.
- Three outdoor poolsTwo in the courtyard with loungers and umbrellas, and one on the roof.
- Rooftop terraceWith a bar counter, a pool and views of the square; recent reviews say the bar isn't always open.
- Tropical gardenPalms, flowers, palapas and wooden decks for reading in the shade.
- Free parkingUnderground and limited; let the hotel know before you arrive.
- Air conditioningIn every room, plus a ceiling fan; "it cools really well," several guests agree.
- Free wifi in common areasExpedia lists it only in some common areas: in the rooms there's no signal or it's weak.
- 24-hour front deskWith concierge service and multilingual staff.
- Daily housekeepingTowels and toiletries are replaced every day.
- Water, coffee and teaOne guest mentions free purified water, coffee and tea in the lobby: bring a refillable bottle.
- Tour helpStaff help you book tours and tickets, such as Xplor or Xcaret.
- Luggage storageUseful if your bus or flight leaves late.
- Airport shuttleFor a fee, 24 hours a day; book it in advance.
Breakfast and where to eat
The hotel has no restaurant of its own, but some rates include breakfast and the streets around the square have something for every taste.
Breakfast, depending on your rate
When included, it's served at the restaurant next door: one dish and one drink of your choice, with fruit. Leaving early for a tour? Ask for a boxed lunch.
Food stalls on the square
Most evenings there are local food stands in the plaza across the street, one guest reports.
Logia Café · 1 min
A one-minute walk, according to Expedia.
El Tapas Restaurante · 1 min
Also a minute from the door.
El Árbol de la Diez · 2 min
On the same Calle 10, two minutes away.
Zitla and La Chancla · 2–3 min
Two more options a few steps away; Fifth Avenue, with dozens of restaurants, is three minutes on foot.
Fifth Avenue, beaches, cenotes and Cozumel
Playa del Carmen is a walkable beach town with the Riviera Maya on its doorstep. Distances are in a straight line from the hotel; parks, cenotes and ruins to the south are an easy drive or bus ride away.
Quinta Avenida · 3 min walk
Fifth Avenue is the pedestrian heart of town: about 4 km of shops, cafés, taco stands and bars running parallel to the sea. Quietest in the morning, liveliest after dark.
The beach · 6 min walk
Soft white sand all along the town. The stretch north of Calle 12, around Mamitas, has beach clubs; the area south of the ferry pier is calmer.
Ferry to Cozumel · 0.9 km
Fast ferries leave from the pier next to Parque Fundadores several times a day. The crossing takes 35 to 45 minutes; Cozumel's reefs are among the best for snorkeling in Mexico.
Cenotes of the Riviera Maya
Freshwater sinkholes for swimming and snorkeling: Cenote Azul and Jardín del Edén are about 20 minutes south by car, and Dos Ojos (in the photo) is near Tulum.
Xcaret and Xplor · 7 km
The two big eco-parks are just south of town: underground rivers, Mayan culture and an evening show at Xcaret; ziplines and caves at Xplor. Plan a full day for each.
Tulum ruins · 59 km
The Mayan walled city on a cliff above the Caribbean, about an hour south by highway. Go early to beat the heat and the tour buses.
When to go to Playa del Carmen
Average high temperature and rainfall in Playa del Carmen, month by month (approximate values).
28°Jan
29°Feb
30°Mar
31°Apr
32°May
33°Jun
33°Jul
33°Aug
32°Sep
31°Oct
30°Nov
28°Dec
Dry (Dec–Apr) Hot (May) Rainy (Jun–Nov) · mm
- ☀️ December to April is peak season: dry, sunny and pleasant, with highs around 28–31 °C. Book early for Christmas, New Year's and Spring Break.
- 🌡️ May to August is hot and humid (33 °C or more). July and August are busy again with Mexican summer vacations.
- 🌀 Hurricane season runs from June to November; September and October carry the highest risk and the most rain. Travel insurance and flexible rates are a good idea.
- 🌿 Sargassum seaweed can reach the beaches from about April to September, especially in summer. It varies by week: check the daily reports before you go.
- 🌧️ Even in the rainy season, showers usually come in short afternoon bursts, and November is often a good-value month.
- 🌊 The sea stays warm all year, between about 26 and 29 °C.
How to get here
From Cancún Airport (CUN)
About 55 km by highway, roughly 50–60 minutes. It's the main gateway, with direct flights from the US, Canada and across Mexico and Latin America.
ADO bus from the airport
ADO buses leave from the airport terminals for downtown Playa del Carmen throughout the day; tickets are sold at the counters in arrivals. The cheapest option if you travel light.
Shuttle, taxi or Uber
Pre-booked shared or private shuttles take you to the door. Authorized airport taxis are the most expensive option. Uber works in the area, but pickups at the airport can be complicated.
From Tulum and Tulum Airport (TQO)
Tulum is about 1 hour south by highway, with frequent ADO buses. Tulum's airport is about 1 h 15 min by car. The Tren Maya also stops in Playa del Carmen, at a station on the edge of town.
Ferry to and from Cozumel
Ferries connect the pier at the end of Avenida Juárez with Cozumel several times a day, in 35 to 45 minutes. Handy for a day trip or for flying in through Cozumel.
What's nearby
From Calle 10 Norte, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, Centro neighborhood.
- Plaza 28 de Julio (main square)1 min walk
- ADO Alterna bus station (Calle 12)0.1 km
- Walmart1 block
- Fifth Avenue3 min walk
- Main beach6 min walk
- Quinta Alegría shopping mall6 min walk
- Mamitas Beach11 min walk
- ADO station on Fifth Avenue0.6 km
- Parque Fundadores0.7 km
- Cozumel ferry pier0.9 km
- Xcaret7 km
- Cancún Airport50 min by car
What guests say
9.0 out of 10 on Expedia from 1,171 reviews, and 4.5 out of 5 on Google from 1,505 reviews.
9.4Service and staff
9.2Cleanliness
8.6Amenities
8.4Hotel condition
«A lovely, welcoming hotel in a green oasis, with three clean, quiet pools.»
«Good, pretty and affordable, close to everything worth visiting: the main square, the ADO station and Fifth Avenue.»
«It's outside the hustle of Fifth Avenue, but completely walkable.»
«You don't hear much noise from outside, there are lots of places to eat nearby and it's very clean.»
«The staff were very friendly, the room was spacious and spotless, and the location was excellent.»
«Excellent air conditioning. The two pools downstairs are great; the rooftop one needs cleaning. Very good view.»
What to know before you book
Check-in from 3:00 PM
Until midnight. Check-out before 12:00 PM, contactless.
Adults only
The Expedia listing states that guests under 18 aren't accepted. Valid government-issued photo ID is required.
Cards only
Expedia notes that the hotel doesn't accept cash; the card for incidentals must be in the name of the person who booked.
No elevator
Upper floors are reached by stairs and there are three steps at the entrance. If stairs are hard for you, ask for a low floor.
An older building
Several guests would like newer mattresses, bedding and bathrooms, which are small; the rooftop pool is the area most in need of upkeep.
Wifi in common areas only
If you need to work from your room, bring mobile data.
Soundproofing
The area is quiet at night, but Expedia doesn't guarantee soundproofed rooms and some guests hear the hallways.
No pets
According to Expedia, service animals aren't accepted either. No group bookings for parties or events.
Things to do from Playa del Carmen
Tours rated 4.8 to 5 stars on Viator: snorkeling in Cozumel, cenotes, Mayan ruins and local food. Most include hotel pickup in Playa del Carmen; cancellation terms vary by tour.
Catamaran Snorkel Adventure to El Cielo and The Money Bar Beach
See the tour →
Buggy & Cenote tour in Playa del Carmen by One Jungle Adventures
See the tour →
VIP Coba & Tulum Private Tour
See the tour →
VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour
See the tour →
Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya
See the tour →
Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour
See the tour →Tour texts and photos: Viator.
Where it is
Calle 10 Norte between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, Colonia Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Book your stay at La Pasión Hotel Boutique
See today's rates and availability on Expedia. Many rates can be cancelled for free; check the conditions of each one before you book.
See availability →Frequently asked questions
Where is La Pasión Hotel Boutique?
In the Centro neighborhood of Playa del Carmen, on Calle 10 Norte between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, facing Plaza 28 de Julio. Fifth Avenue is a three-minute walk and the main beach about six.
How many pools does it have?
Three outdoor pools: two in the garden, with loungers and umbrellas, and one on the roof. Guests rate the garden pools highest; recent reviews say the rooftop pool needs more upkeep.
Is breakfast included?
It depends on your rate. When included, it's served at the restaurant next door: one dish and one drink of your choice, with fruit. The hotel has no restaurant of its own.
Is there parking?
Yes, free, in an underground garage. Spaces are limited: contact the hotel before you arrive to reserve one.
Is there wifi in the rooms?
Expedia lists free wifi only in some common areas, and several guests confirm the signal doesn't reach the rooms well. If you need to work, bring mobile data.
Is there an elevator?
No. Upper floors are reached by stairs; if that's difficult for you, ask for a ground-floor room when you book.
Are children or pets allowed?
According to Expedia, it's an adults-only hotel (no guests under 18) and it doesn't accept pets or service animals.
How do I get here from Cancún Airport?
It's about 50 minutes by car. ADO buses from the airport run to downtown Playa: the ADO Alterna station on Calle 12 is about 100 meters from the hotel, and the Fifth Avenue station about 600. The hotel also offers a shuttle for a fee.