Hotel Caribbean Paradise Boutique & Dive Center

Hotel Caribbean Paradise Boutique & Dive Center is a low-frills spot popular with folks who want to be right in the middle of the action of Playa del Carmen's main drag without breaking the bank. Guests will need to walk through the Ah Cacao storefront to reach reception, where they are greeted by a colorful Mother Guadalupe mural and upbeat music. There's little to this budget property, and the lack of elevators might be a problem for those on the second and third floors. Additionally, its central setting means nighttime noise is a constant issue.

Depending who you ask, Hotel Caribbean Paradise Boutique & Dive Center either has one of the area's best locations or the worst, though no one can deny the convenience. Resting right on the corner of 5th Avenue at Constituyentes Avenue, this small hotel is within seconds of a handful of restaurants, bars, shops, and ATMs. The Quinta Algeria Shopping Mall is across the street, and Walmart is a 13-minute walk away. Within five minutes on foot, guests can reach Coco Bongo and the beachfront, while the ferry port to Cozumel and the main ADO bus station are a 15-minute walk south. Cancun International Airport is a 50-minute drive north on the main highway, and the poplar destinations of Akumal and Tulum are within a 35- and 55-minute drive south, respectively. 

This small property has 45 rooms sporting the minimal decor and basic furniture you'd expect in a budget hotel. There are no king or queen-sized beds here, as all rooms have either one or two doubles. Standard Rooms start things off with walk-in showers, AC, and flat-screen TV with international channels, while private balconies and views over the pool or 5th Avenue are reserved for Deluxe Rooms. These rooms are also equipped with individual air-conditioning controls and have more natural light. On the downside, all rooms lack fridges.

Given the late-night noise, most guests recommend bringing earplugs.

Hotel Caribbean Paradise Boutique & Dive Center's biggest feature is its value for location, though the second-floor pool is a big plus. This small pool is flanked by a few Deluxe rooms and has views of the mall across Constituyentes. Views of the mall's living wall and the green palm tree tops gives the pool area a surprisingly relaxing vibe that, when coupled with the hotel's warm-yellow walls and black wrought-iron balconies, feels rather charming. Guests here get free Wi-Fi, though its connectivity can be an issue and often doesn't reach all rooms. The hotel does not have a full restaurant, but a coffee shop is at its entrance, and many more restaurants are bars are close by.