Four Romantic Playa del Carmen Hotels

Visiting Playa del Carmen with your sweetie pie? You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to great hotels. But for ultimate sophistication, sexiness, and sense of place we recommend the following four properties.

Although the Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an all-inclusive, it feels as personalized and luxurious as an “a la carte” property. From the food to the lobby decor to the absolutely gorgeous spa (where, sadly, you do have to pay extra for treatments), this place is a romantic dream come true. Regularly scheduled cultural entertainment is several notches above the quality level you’d expect from an all-inclusive, and the dress code is resort elegant in the evening.

Girlfriend Getaway in Playa del Carmen

It’s not as wild as Cancun, but for a group of girls out to make mischief and memories, Playa del Carmen is the Mayan Riviera’s best destination. Whether you’re breaking from college or doing a destination bachelorette, traveling with galpals or in a multi-generational group, this pretty little town will show you a good time.

For at least part of your trip, it’s totally permissible—even advisable—to spend time on the quintessential vacation pastimes of sunbathing, drinking margaritas, getting cheap massages on the beach, and shopping. But definitely plan a few adventures into the itinerary, ladies. Get muddy and rugged on an ATV tour through the jungle. Or go on a horseback ride along the beach.

Top 10 Cheap Beach Vacations

These beach hot spots may not be statistically the cheapest of the cheap around the world, but factoring in the cost of travel and time, here are our ten best budget beach vacations in North and Central America, with one special shout out to Brazil (which currently offers great value for North American travelers):

10. Destin, Florida
9. Outer Banks, North Carolina
8. Huntington Beach, California
7. Cape Ann, Massachusetts
6. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
5. Negril, Jamaica
4. Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil
3. Placencia, Belize
2. Tulum, Mexico
1. Cannon Beach, Oregon

Don't agree with our picks? Tell us in the comments section!

Photo credit: Cannon Beach, Oregon (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Getty)

Top 5 Tropical All-Inclusive Resorts

At these balmy all-inclusive getaways, you won’t have to keep reaching for your wallet. Just be sure to check each resort’s policies carefully to make sure you know what’s included in your base price.

Coconut Bay Resort, Saint Lucia
This super family-friendly resort offers a wing intended just for guests with kids, featuring colorful rooms, Cocoland, St. Lucia’s largest water park, and a paintball facility as well as a supervised Kidz Klub.

Allegro Resort Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Watch the blue-green waves lapping against the white sand shores from a thatch-roofed villa in this charming Caribbean resort.