Located in Tulum on the magical Mayan coast of the caribbean

Located in Tulum on the magical Mayan coast of the caribbean, Papaya Playa is nestled amongst the trees, overlooking the white sand coast of the stunning caribbean.  Our hotel caters to the guest seeking an alternative to big resort vacations.  Our restaurant, bar and cabaņas are surrounded by tropical plants and white sand walkways, creating a very informal and naturally ambiante retreat.  With less emphasis on architecture we have created an environment where guests can rest mind and body  and natures simple pleasures replenish the soul.

Overlooking the caribbean sea, Papaya Playa is located on the beach of Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.   We are a short 1 1/2 hour drive from the Cancun International Airport.    Papaya Playa is 4.5km south of the famous Tulum Ruins and 5.5 km north of the Sian Ka`an Bioshere Reserve on the same beach road.    We are a 4km drive to the town of Tulum and the Riviera Maya Coastal Highway where its a 45minute drive to  Playa del Carmen  and an hour  more to  the city of Cancun.  A one hour drive west from the town of Tulum will deliver you to the Ruins of Coba and along the way are fresh water Cenotes and a Spider Monkey Reserve.

Papaya Playa is a small resort with 45 habitations, restaurant and bar on 600 meters of beautiful beach front property.  Our goal is to provide a relaxing and enjoyable environment for our guests with minimun environmental impact. We consider ourselves to be but guests here and reguard the nature that surrounds us as our host.  The balance of the comfort of you our guest and our host is very important to us. 

All of our cabaņas are constructed of natural materials using traditional techniques by local mayans.  Breezy thatched roofs called palapas and walls made of the wood of small trees allows the Caribbean breeze to pass through your cabaņa while you?re sleeping. In your cabaņa you can expect frequent visits from geckos and hermit crabs.  Around your cabaņa and especially by the common bathrooms you may be lucky enough to spot some local wildlife such as the occasional boa, a variety of bird species, iguanas, lizards and the intimidating but harmless scorpian.   In season you may be lucky enough to spot a nesting sea turtle. 

The beach of Tulum does not have electricity  so until we find a greener means of generating power we are using a 5kw generator that we use from sunset until 11:30 pm to power the lights in the kitchen, restaurant, common bathrooms, pathways, cabaņas, and music and blender in our bar.  We use as small amount of light as possible so as not to detract from the moon and starlight as well as to not deter the nesting sea turtles. 

 The coast of Tulum is lined with fragile sand dunes held in place by dune flora and backed by limestone formations that house shallow water ways.  So as to minimize the impact on our little piece of paradise all but 4 of our habitations have been constructed without private bathrooms.   Our recently constructed common bathrooms provide you clean, ample facilities with gas heated hot showers. Our shower water is pumped from our holding area to storage tanks in the bathrooms. We ask that you conserve water by keeping your shower time to a minimum, remain conscious of not running water when not in use and refrain from washing your clothes in the bathrooms.   Laundry service is available and your clothes will be returned within 24 hours of pickup.  

Papaya Playa is a simple resort with simple accomdations where you can rejuvinate yourself with natures simple pleasures by becoming a part of them