Barrio Latino Hotel

On a quiet street in the midst of local businesses and small restaurants, the Southwestern-style facade of Barrio Latino Hotel is a neighborhood standout. A small hand painted sign saying “Welcome Friends” (in Spanish) and a reception window mark the hotel’s entrance. Inside, there is a tiny front office and a tiled staircase leading to the second floor. The entryway -- with its hanging sombreros, hand-painted tiles, local maps, book exchange, and tourist information -- has a casual, laid-back vibe that sets the tone for the rest of the hotel. Just beyond the entryway lies the interior courtyard; dotted with tall palms and cacti, it’s a place where guests come to relax, hang out, and eat breakfast each morning. In the center, a large palapa covers the terra-cotta patio and provides shade to a few scattered cafe tables. Throughout the day, the hotel remains quiet, probably because there is no pool, restaurant, or spa, and because kiddos under age 12 aren't allowed. The majority of guests spend their days away from the hotel, and return at night to relax underneath the palapa or in their own private hammocks. 

Despite being just two blocks from Quinta Avenida and three blocks from the beach, the mostly residential area surrounding Barrio Latino Hotel remains relatively quiet. This is the ideal spot for guests looking to be close to the action, but out of earshot from the hustle and bustle of downtown Playa. Restaurants of all kinds abound in this area, and other local conveniences like Walmart and the grocery store are within a five- to 10-minute walk or three-minute drive. Cancun International Airport is about 50 minutes away by car. 

Playa del Carmen is generally safe, and travelers typically feel comfortable to roam as they please. However, at night, it’s best to stay within the touristy realms of the city, especially if traveling alone. Hotel staff members will be happy to show guests a map of town and point out where it’s safe to wander. 

Each of the 18 rooms at Barrio Latino Hotel varies in size, amenities, and decor, but there are a few consistencies throughout. All rooms feature white tile floors, coffee and cream colored sponge painted walls, a large window that overlooks the courtyard, and two smaller windows above the bed (or beds). Bathrooms are tiled in blue, and are equipped with a single shower, sink, and toilet. Packets of shampoo and bars of soap are provided. Potential guests should note that because of the hotel’s eco-friendly policies, flushing toilet paper is not allowed. While some may find this practice un-sanitary, it’s a common policy at many small hotels in the area. 

Furniture in each of the rooms is sparse. The bed is a mere mattress atop a sturdy frame, with an ironwork wall decoration acting as a headboard. Beds are quite firm and terribly uncomfortable. Some rooms have rattan chairs, while others have small tables or wardrobes. There's a decent amount of closet space, but few rooms have dressers or drawers. Noticeably absent are TVs and desk space. All rooms have safety deposit boxes and mini-fridges. Ground floor rooms are the best in the house -- all have private terraces and awesome hammocks, some even have thatched roofs. However, these rooms are somewhat dark and lack natural light thanks to the courtyard’s overwhelming shade.    

The air-conditioning system at Barrio Latino Hotel causes tension with some travelers. Besides the guest rooms, the hotel is essentially open-air, and therefore not air-conditioned. Each room has an individual air-conditioning unit which does a nice job of keeping the room cool, as long as guests are vigilant about making sure all of the room’s doors, windows, and shutters are securely closed. And because the hotel tries to be eco-friendly, the staff asks guests to turn off their air-conditioner while they are out of the room, or use it only when necessary. This is a common practice at many small hotels in the area, but it can be tough to abide by the rules in Playa’s ruthless heat. And though the hotel is close to the beach, it’s not close enough to feel that cool ocean breeze, making the humidity absolutely stifling.  

Barrio Latino Hotel offers the holy trinity of hotel freebies: breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi is fast and reliable, but parking is tight, and the breakfast offerings are sparse: croissants, juice, cereal, and yogurt. Don’t expect fresh fruit, pastries, or any hot items at this breakfast buffet, served under a beautiful palapa. Guests looking for a heartier morning meal will have no trouble finding it at nearby restaurants. Parking, while free, is somewhat tricky at Barrio Latino. There's a small lot in front of the hotel with about four spaces (depending on the size of the cars in the lot). But, if there are no cars in the lot, large parking barricades that resemble wooden walking sticks are staked in the ground to prevent non-hotel guests from parking there. This is a common practice in Playa, but it can cause some confusion when checking in. Once guests have checked-in, hotel staffers will remove the barricades and guests can move their car to the designated space. There is no pool, spa, or full service restaurant at Barrio Latino, but guests are welcome to bring food back to the hotel and dine at the tables in the courtyard. The hotel partners with several nearby beach clubs, so guests can get discounted access to the sand.