Pros

  • One block from La Quinta Avenida's restaurants, shops, and night clubs
  • Suites are large with contemporary decor, tubs, and a bidet
  • Master Suite has upscale decor with semi-private rooftop dipping pool and lounge
  • Small garden-set pool with loungers and hammock area
  • Discount passes to Mamita's beach club
  • Spacious and sunny lounge area with lending library
  • Free Wi-fi
  • Free underground parking spot for Master Suite
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Cons

  • Master Suite is in a different building (pro for some)
  • Cheapest rooms are a bit dated
  • No breakfast (or restaurant)
  • Twin beds pushed together to make a king bed
  • Beach towel rental requires a cash deposit
See More Cons

Bottom Line

With 25 rooms and suites (and one upscale Master Suite), the lower-middle-range Riviera Caribe Maya has both standard budget rooms and larger, chicer suites with multiple bedrooms, tubs, and bidets. There’s also a small garden pool, built-in lounge areas, and a big lending library in an atrium where the hotel’s bar used to be; the hotel doesn't have a restaurant. Location is key here, it's just one block from La Quinta Avenida. While the main building is ideal for friends and families, the off-site is ideal for couples seeking privacy and tad more luxe vibe. For those that want beach access and a restaurant, check rates at Avalon Grand Cancun. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya

Scene

A basic but comfortable low-frills boutique 

At first glance, Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya doesn’t seem like anything to write home about. There’s no fancy entrance or sign; from the street, the hotel looks like your average lower-middle-range spot in Playa del Carmen. And while the small and basic boutique isn’t the fanciest place in the area, it’s unremarkable outside presence is hiding a surprisingly cute, clean, and in some rooms, chic hotel. There’s no bar or restaurant here (the bar was removed in a 2013 renovation that also updated furniture), but there is a small dipping pool with a few loungers, hammock, and garden setting. It ideal for anyone on a budget in search of a not-many-frills but comfortable place in Playa that’s close enough to walk to La Quinta Avenida in minutes and far enough away from the late night club noise to get a decent night's sleep.

See More Scene

Location

One block from the strip but away from loud all-night club noise

Located toward the Playa Norte edge of central Playa del Carmen, Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya is on a quiet corner one block from the packed pedestrian-only La Quinta Avenida. It’s an ideal spot for those who want to be close to the action, but away from late-night club noise. The entrance is along busy car-heavy 10th Avenue and few minute’s walk to a plethora of restaurants, bars, clubs, shops and everything else the strip has to offer. The city’s ADO bus station is about a 10-minute walk south, while walk 10-minutes north on La Quinta Avenida and you’ll reach the end of the strip. Cancun Airport is around 45 minutes north on the main highway, while Akumal’s famous snorkeling and Tulum’s beachside ruins are 30 and 50 minutes south, respectively. 

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Rooms

Average budget standards and surprisingly stylish suites 

Main building rooms have drastic differences in style, decor, and features. The basic standard rooms ring in at the lower-middle-range range with a dated look, old TVs, and feature Caribbiean-esque decor. Upgrades to Standard Plus rooms add a balcony, but bumping up to a Suite significantly changes the game. Suites are spacious, have a more contemporary and stylish look, and come with big bathrooms inclusive of large jetted tubs and a bidet. Only some have a balcony, so if you want one, be sure to request it. Be aware that a few of the king bed rooms in the main building are actually two twins pushed together.

There is only one Master Suite at Riviera Caribe and it's off-property. Located in an apartment building around the corner and is by far the most upscale room of the bunch. While it’s not technically a suite, there is a contemporary sitting area in addition to the large king-size bed and glassed-in balcony (windows do open). The Master Suite lacks the tub and bidet of the regular suites, but has a large walk-in shower, underground parking spot, and shared semi-private rooftop area.

See More Rooms

Features

No food or drink on-site, but there's a small pool, beach club deals, and free Wi-Fi

A slightly barebones boutique, guests will still find a pool at the heart of this small spot. The garden setting is relaxing, but there are not many loungers and depending on the time of day, there may not be much sun to soak in thanks to the height of the main building. Inside, there are two open-air lounge spaces, one in the lobby and one in the old hotel bar area that was removed in 2013. Both spots have built-in bench seating with cushions and hefty lending libraries. Unlike most similar spots in the area, there is no food or drink service, though guests will receive a nice discount on loungers, umbrellas, and palapas at the huge and hip Mamita’s beach club. Just know that if you chose to rent a beach towel at the hotel, they’ll ask you for a cash deposit.  Other than that, it’s just free Wi-Fi.

Those staying around the corner in the Master Suite have a few additional perks like a shared semi-private rooftop dipping pool and lounge area and an underground parking spot. But no matter where you stay, you’ll have to fend for yourself for breakfast.

See More Features

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Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya

Scene

A basic but comfortable low-frills boutique 

At first glance, Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya doesn’t seem like anything to write home about. There’s no fancy entrance or sign; from the street, the hotel looks like your average lower-middle-range spot in Playa del Carmen. And while the small and basic boutique isn’t the fanciest place in the area, it’s unremarkable outside presence is hiding a surprisingly cute, clean, and in some rooms, chic hotel. There’s no bar or restaurant here (the bar was removed in a 2013 renovation that also updated furniture), but there is a small dipping pool with a few loungers, hammock, and garden setting. It ideal for anyone on a budget in search of a not-many-frills but comfortable place in Playa that’s close enough to walk to La Quinta Avenida in minutes and far enough away from the late night club noise to get a decent night's sleep.

See More Scene

Location

One block from the strip but away from loud all-night club noise

Located toward the Playa Norte edge of central Playa del Carmen, Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya is on a quiet corner one block from the packed pedestrian-only La Quinta Avenida. It’s an ideal spot for those who want to be close to the action, but away from late-night club noise. The entrance is along busy car-heavy 10th Avenue and few minute’s walk to a plethora of restaurants, bars, clubs, shops and everything else the strip has to offer. The city’s ADO bus station is about a 10-minute walk south, while walk 10-minutes north on La Quinta Avenida and you’ll reach the end of the strip. Cancun Airport is around 45 minutes north on the main highway, while Akumal’s famous snorkeling and Tulum’s beachside ruins are 30 and 50 minutes south, respectively. 

See More Location

Rooms

Average budget standards and surprisingly stylish suites 

Main building rooms have drastic differences in style, decor, and features. The basic standard rooms ring in at the lower-middle-range range with a dated look, old TVs, and feature Caribbiean-esque decor. Upgrades to Standard Plus rooms add a balcony, but bumping up to a Suite significantly changes the game. Suites are spacious, have a more contemporary and stylish look, and come with big bathrooms inclusive of large jetted tubs and a bidet. Only some have a balcony, so if you want one, be sure to request it. Be aware that a few of the king bed rooms in the main building are actually two twins pushed together.

There is only one Master Suite at Riviera Caribe and it's off-property. Located in an apartment building around the corner and is by far the most upscale room of the bunch. While it’s not technically a suite, there is a contemporary sitting area in addition to the large king-size bed and glassed-in balcony (windows do open). The Master Suite lacks the tub and bidet of the regular suites, but has a large walk-in shower, underground parking spot, and shared semi-private rooftop area.

See More Rooms

Features

No food or drink on-site, but there's a small pool, beach club deals, and free Wi-Fi

A slightly barebones boutique, guests will still find a pool at the heart of this small spot. The garden setting is relaxing, but there are not many loungers and depending on the time of day, there may not be much sun to soak in thanks to the height of the main building. Inside, there are two open-air lounge spaces, one in the lobby and one in the old hotel bar area that was removed in 2013. Both spots have built-in bench seating with cushions and hefty lending libraries. Unlike most similar spots in the area, there is no food or drink service, though guests will receive a nice discount on loungers, umbrellas, and palapas at the huge and hip Mamita’s beach club. Just know that if you chose to rent a beach towel at the hotel, they’ll ask you for a cash deposit.  Other than that, it’s just free Wi-Fi.

Those staying around the corner in the Master Suite have a few additional perks like a shared semi-private rooftop dipping pool and lounge area and an underground parking spot. But no matter where you stay, you’ll have to fend for yourself for breakfast.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Airport Transportation

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Pool

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.