Riviera Maya, Mexico
Hostels in the Riviera Maya
Two social hostels, one Caribbean coast. Jungle vibes in Tulum and beachfront energy in Playa del Carmen — pick one, or do both.
Where to stay in the Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya is the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula — 130 km of jungle, cenotes, Mayan ruins and powder-white beaches stretching south from Cancún. For backpackers and digital nomads, two towns own the scene: Tulum (jungle, coworking, slower) and Playa del Carmen (walkable, beachfront, more nightlife).
At Maui Hostels we run one social hostel in each. Same price-tier, same vibe, totally different feel — most of our guests split their trip between both. Below: how to choose, what each property offers, and how to get from one to the other.
Tulum vs Playa del Carmen
Maui Tulum
Jungle hostel in the quiet La Veleta neighborhood. Pool, coworking, free beach shuttle, bike rental.
- 🌿 Slower, more bohemian vibe
- 💻 Strong digital-nomad / coworking scene
- 🚲 Beach is 10 min by bike (free shuttle)
- 🍃 Closer to cenotes & Mayan ruins
Maui Playa del Carmen
Beachfront hostel 1 block from 5th Avenue. Rooftop pool, free breakfast, coworking, walking-distance beach.
- 🏖 Beach & 5th Avenue at your doorstep
- 🍹 More nightlife & party energy
- 🛥 Ferry to Cozumel from the corner
- 🚌 Best transport hub (Cancún airport, Tulum, Bacalar)
Why Maui Hostels in the Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya at a glance
From Cancún airport: ~1 hr to Playa del Carmen, ~2 hr to Tulum. ADO buses connect everything every 30 min.
Riviera Maya FAQ
Where should I stay in the Riviera Maya as a backpacker?+
The two best backpacker bases in the Riviera Maya are Playa del Carmen (more nightlife, walkable, beachfront) and Tulum (more jungle, slower pace, digital-nomad vibe). Maui Hostels has one social hostel in each town so you can split your trip between both — many guests stay 2–3 nights in each.
What's the cheapest area to stay in the Riviera Maya?+
Playa del Carmen and Tulum are the cheapest hubs with proper hostel scenes. Dorm beds at Maui Hostels start under $20 USD with breakfast, pool, and coworking included. Cancún is more expensive and resort-focused; Bacalar and Holbox are great side trips but harder to find cheap dorms.
How do I get around the Riviera Maya without a car?+
ADO buses run every 30 min between Cancún airport, Playa del Carmen and Tulum (~$10–15 USD). Within each town, walking and bikes are enough — Maui Tulum gives a free shuttle to the beach and Maui Playa is 1 block from the Quinta and the sand.
Tulum or Playa del Carmen — which is better?+
Tulum: jungle, cenotes, yoga, slower vibe, harder to reach the beach. Playa del Carmen: bigger town, more nightlife, walking-distance beach, easier transport. Most backpackers do both. Read our full comparison in the blog.
Is the Riviera Maya safe for solo travelers?+
Yes — Tulum, Playa del Carmen and the cenote corridor are among the safer parts of Mexico for tourists. Stick to well-lit areas at night, use registered ADO buses or InDriver, and stay in social hostels where you can join group dinners and tours.
How many days do I need in the Riviera Maya?+
7–10 days is the sweet spot: 3–4 nights in Tulum (cenotes, ruins, beach), 3–4 nights in Playa del Carmen (5th Avenue, ferry to Cozumel, nightlife), and a day trip or two to Bacalar, Isla Mujeres or Chichén Itzá.
Ready to book your Riviera Maya trip?
Pick your base — or do both. Book direct for the best rate.