The Coolest Places to Stay in the Yucatan Peninsula

Set in a 19th century mansión, this spectacular property has a real atmosphere of colonial opulence. It boasts luxurious rooms, a great restaurant, and highly-trained staff. A real treat if you have been on the road for a long time.

The small village of Mahahual is a great little escape from the larger resorts of the Riviera Maya. At Travel In there are only two rooms, so you’ll have to book ahead, but it’s a further four miles from town and even more isolated. The onsite restaurant receives rave reviews for its meals, so you won’t go hungry, and you can really disconnect.

Slightly outside Playa del Carmen is this beachside mini-resort set around a bay. There are rooms in a small hotel, or wooden cabins with palm roofs. Each of the accommodations has its own private facilities.

This hostel is built half a block back from the unspoilt beach on the north side of Isla Holbox. There are dorms and private rooms that are competitively priced, and most of the place was built by hand. Holbox is a must-see, and this is arguably the best place on the island.

A stay in this atmospheric colonial boutique hotel is sure to blow you away. You can book one of the eight rooms on AirBnb, but make sure you reserve early because it’s very popular. Once you arrive you’ll realize why, with amazing high-ceiling rooms, four-poster beds, and an outdoor pool.

Once upon a time Tulum was a hippie haven with simple cabins dotted along the beach. La Luna adds a luxurious update to the old Tulum, offering comfortable cabins with sea views right on the beach.

The lakeside town of Bacalar is on an upward curve as a tourist destination, but it retains its laid-back charm. A stay at Toto Blue gives you a relaxed base from which to explore the beautiful Seven Colors Lagoon.