One block from Fifth Avenue
Two minutes to the pedestrian avenue and six to the beach, according to Expedia. "Everything was close," guests repeat.
Downtown Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo · Mexico
White Sand Playa
★★
A small, simple hotel on 10th Avenue, a two-minute walk from Fifth Avenue and six from the sea. Clean, air-conditioned rooms, fast wifi and a friendly 24-hour front desk: a practical base for spending your days at the beach and your evenings in town.
- 8.4on Expedia · 48 reviews
- 4.7on Google · 86 reviews
- 2 minwalk to Fifth Avenue
Secure booking on Expedia · Rates change by date
Location first, without the frills
White Sand Playa is on 10 Avenida Norte in the Centro neighborhood, the street that runs parallel to Fifth Avenue one block inland. Fifth Avenue is two minutes on foot, the main beach about six and the town's central square about five. There's an Oxxo convenience store on the corner, a pharmacy, taco stands and pizza right next door, and both ADO bus stations are within about 400 meters.
It's a modest two-story hotel built around a narrow courtyard with palms, a staircase and wood-paneled walls: no pool, no restaurant and no elevator. What guests praise is the basics done well: friendly staff (8.8 on Expedia), clean rooms, comfortable beds and air conditioning that works. The flip side of being this central is nightlife noise, which we explain below.
See availability →What makes it stand out
Six concrete points, all taken from the Expedia listing and from guest reviews.
Staff: 8.8
The hotel's best score on Expedia; Google reviewers single out the front desk on both the night and morning shifts.
Comfortable beds
One of the most repeated comments on Google, along with "very clean" and "good value for money."
Wifi over 100 Mbps
Free in every room, with speeds Expedia rates as suitable for several devices: handy if you work remotely.
Rooms for 4 and 6
A Standard Double for four and a Family Suite for up to six, both larger than typical downtown rooms.
Easy without a car
Both ADO bus stations and the Cozumel ferry pier are within a short walk.
Hotel photos
The rooms
Three types. According to Expedia, every room has air conditioning, free wifi, a safe, cable TV, blackout curtains, a work space and a private bathroom with shower and shampoo; some have a balcony or patio.
Classic room
The couple's option: one large bed, a bedside table and wood-look floors.
See price →Standard Double room
Two beds for friends or a small family; rated 8.0 on Expedia.
See price →Family Suite
The largest room, with three beds; its only Expedia review gives it a 10.
See price →Hotel amenities
A simple hotel with no pool, restaurant or elevator: its strengths are the location, cleanliness and service.
- Air conditioningIn every room. Most guests say it cools well; a couple of reviews mention a unit that needed fixing, which staff sorted out quickly.
- Free wifiIn rooms and some common areas, over 100 Mbps according to Expedia.
- 24-hour front deskCheck-in runs from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, but there's always someone at reception.
- HousekeepingExpedia lists daily housekeeping; a guest on a four-week stay says rooms were cleaned every two days.
- In-room safeFor passports and valuables while you're at the beach.
- TV and blackout curtainsCable TV per Expedia (one guest found only streaming channels) and curtains to sleep in.
- Courtyard and balconiesA small planted courtyard; some rooms have a balcony or patio overlooking the neighborhood.
- Tour and transport helpOne guest says the front desk offers good deals on transfers and tours.
- Non-smokingSmoking isn't allowed anywhere on the property.
Breakfast and where to eat
The hotel has no restaurant, but it's surrounded by places to eat at every budget, from taco stands to steakhouses.
Breakfast nearby
One guest reports that the hotel offers breakfast at a nearby restaurant with a small discount, paid separately. Ask at check-in.
Pizza next door
"Very good pizzas next door," a guest notes, plus a taquería on the corner.
Don Mario Steak and Pasta House · 1 min
One minute's walk, according to Expedia.
Burro Playero and Yum Yum · 1 min
Two more options right by the hotel.
Mercado 174 and Las Quecas · 2 min
Two minutes away; Fifth Avenue, with dozens of restaurants, is just as close.
Oxxo, pharmacy and Walmart
A convenience store on the corner and, according to a guest, a Walmart about three blocks away for groceries.
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 · 2 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 · 0.6 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 10 Avenida Norte, Centro neighborhood.
- Oxxo convenience storeon the corner
- Fifth Avenue2 min walk
- Central square5 min walk
- Main beach6 min walk
- ADO bus station on Fifth Avenue0.4 km
- ADO Alterna bus station (Calle 12)0.4 km
- Parque Fundadores0.5 km
- Cozumel ferry pier0.6 km
- Mamitas Beach11 min walk
- Playacar beach13 min walk
- Xcaret7 km
- Cancún Airport50 min by car
What guests say
8.4 out of 10 on Expedia from 48 reviews, and 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 86 reviews.
8.8Service and staff
8.2Cleanliness
8.0Hotel condition
7.2Amenities
«The room was nice and clean, the air conditioning was working perfectly, and the hotel is one block away from everything.»
«Central, close to the beach and Fifth Avenue, friendly staff, and there's an Oxxo on the corner.»
«Comfortable stay, excellent location, super comfortable beds. For the price, it exceeds expectations.»
«The front desk staff are extremely helpful, on both the night and the morning shift.»
«Good rooms, air conditioning and an excellent location. You can hear the bars and clubs at night.»
«Excellent for my family. Being close to the tourist area you hear music until very late, but we came back tired and just slept.»
What to know before you book
Check-in 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Arriving later? Let the hotel know through your Expedia booking. Check-out before 12:00 PM; late check-out is subject to availability and has a fee.
Minimum age 18
Bring official photo ID; the hotel may ask for a card or a cash deposit for incidentals.
Nightlife noise
The most common complaint: a nearby club plays music until about 3 AM on some nights, and there's a hostel next door. Light sleepers should pack earplugs.
No elevator
Upper rooms are reached by stairs. Some balconies and terraces may not suit small children.
No on-site parking
There's a public parking lot right next to the hotel, one guest notes.
No pool or restaurant
Expedia only mentions access to an outdoor pool in the surrounding area; the beach is six minutes away.
Room upkeep varies
Most reviews praise the cleanliness, but a few mention rooms needing maintenance, a weak bathroom fan or few power outlets.
Payment
Expedia says credit cards, debit cards and cash are accepted; one guest had two cards declined by the terminal, so a backup method doesn't hurt.
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
10 Avenida Norte, Manzana 5, Lote 7-2, Colonia Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Book your stay at White Sand Playa
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 White Sand Playa?
On 10 Avenida Norte in downtown Playa del Carmen (Centro neighborhood), one block inland from Fifth Avenue. Fifth Avenue is a two-minute walk, the central square about five and the main beach about six.
Does it have a pool?
No. The hotel has no pool of its own; Expedia only mentions access to an outdoor pool in the surrounding area. The beach is a six-minute walk.
Is breakfast included?
The hotel has no restaurant. One guest reports being offered breakfast at a nearby restaurant with a discount, paid separately; there are many cafés and taco stands within a minute or two.
Is it noisy?
It can be at night. Several guests mention music from a nearby club until about 3 AM and a hostel next door; others found it quiet. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs.
Is there parking?
There's no parking at the hotel. A guest mentions a public parking lot right next door.
Is there an elevator?
No. Upper floors are reached by stairs.
Can I check in late at night?
Check-in runs from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The front desk is open 24 hours, but if you'll arrive after 9:00 PM, let the hotel know in advance through your booking.
How do I get here from Cancún Airport?
It's about 50 minutes by car. ADO buses from the airport run to downtown Playa; both the Fifth Avenue and the Calle 12 (Alterna) stations are about 400 meters from the hotel.