Cleanliness: 10/10
Expedia's top score. One guest called their room a contender for "the cleanest room I have ever stayed in."
Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo · Mexico
Vainilla B&B Mexico
★★
A three-story house painted in bright Mexican colors on a quiet residential street, about a 10-minute walk from Fifth Avenue. Just a handful of large rooms, several with a kitchenette, a garden where homemade breakfast is served, a small pool to cool off and a host guests describe as the heart of the place.
- 9.6on Expedia · 52 reviews
- 4.8on Google · 172 reviews
- 10for cleanliness on Expedia
Secure booking on Expedia · Rates change by date
A home-style B&B away from the crowds
Vainilla sits on Avenida 35, between Calle 34 Bis and Calle 36, in the Sac Pacal neighborhood north of downtown Playa del Carmen. It's a residential area with supermarkets, taco joints and small cafés a couple of minutes away; Fifth Avenue is about 9 minutes on foot and the beach around 14, according to Expedia. Guests like that it's walkable but far from the bars, so nights are calm.
This is a small bed and breakfast rather than a hotel: a few spacious rooms decorated with local art and colorful furniture, a leafy patio for breakfast and a plunge pool out back. It scores a perfect 10 for cleanliness on Expedia and 4.8 on Google, where reviews keep mentioning the homemade breakfast and the host's tips on where to eat, which beaches to visit and how to get around.
See availability →What makes it special
Six concrete things, all taken from the Expedia listing and from guest reviews.
A hands-on host
Service rates 9.8 on Expedia. Guests mention help with taxis, luggage, parking and restaurant tips, and an early breakfast for divers.
Homemade breakfast
Fresh fruit, juice, eggs, toast, homemade jams and cakes, served in the garden. Vegetarian and vegan options, reviewers say.
Large rooms
About 35 m² (375 sq ft) in the Comfort room and the Suite: "huge rooms" is a recurring comment.
Kitchenettes
Some rooms have a cooktop, fridge and utensils, and there's a shared kitchen: handy for long stays.
Quiet, local neighborhood
Away from the Fifth Avenue party scene, near supermarkets and a Sunday street market, yet walkable to the center.
Hotel photos
The rooms
Four room types listed on Expedia, for three or four guests. All have air conditioning, free wifi, a private bathroom with a shower and hair dryer, and an espresso coffee maker; housekeeping is daily, guests report.
Comfort double room
Garden view, colorful headboards and plenty of space; the room with the most photos on Expedia.
See price →Comfort suite with kitchen
A bedroom with a kitchen, dining table and pool view.
See price →Family Economy with kitchenette
A simpler option with a kitchenette and a ceiling fan.
See price →Family studio
The choice for families of four. One guest says the family suite is on the second floor, up a narrow spiral staircase.
See price →B&B amenities
A small, owner-run house: no restaurant, front desk or elevator, but more personal attention than a hotel.
- Outdoor plunge poolSmall, as guests note, but clean and perfect for cooling off after the beach.
- Garden patioPainted tables among tropical plants, where breakfast is served.
- Free wifi in the roomsIncluded everywhere; a few reviews say the signal can be unstable.
- Air conditioningIndividual units in each room, and ceiling fans in some.
- Shared kitchenGuests can use the kitchen and fridge, besides the kitchenettes in some rooms.
- LaundryListed on Expedia, along with a small library.
- Tour helpHelp booking tours and tickets, plus a map and tips on cenotes, beaches and Cozumel.
- Luggage storageYou can leave your bags after check-out.
- Airport shuttleFor a fee, with limited hours and on request; one recent guest calls the pickup at Cancún Airport "fantastic."
- Express check-in and check-outEarly check-in is possible when the room is ready.
Breakfast and where to eat
Breakfast is the house specialty; for lunch and dinner the neighborhood has plenty of local spots within a few minutes' walk.
Breakfast: check your rate
Expedia lists the homemade breakfast as an extra charge, while many recent guests say it was included. Check what your rate includes before you book. It's served around 8 AM; ask if you need it earlier.
Aquelarre Café · 3 min
A three-minute walk, according to Expedia.
El Fogón del May · 3 min
Also three minutes from the door.
La Birria · 3 min
Another option on the nearby blocks.
Los Aguachiles · 3 min
Three minutes away on foot.
Fuego Santo · 6 min
A little farther; Fifth Avenue, with dozens of restaurants, is about 9 minutes away. Two supermarkets are a couple of minutes' walk, one guest notes.
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 B&B, or walking times from Expedia; parks, cenotes and ruins to the south are an easy drive or bus ride away.
Quinta Avenida · 9 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 · 14 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 · 1.9 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 · 7.9 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 · 60 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 Avenida 35, between Calle 34 Bis and Calle 36, Sac Pacal neighborhood.
- Supermarkets2 min walk
- Aquelarre Café and other local restaurants3 min walk
- Mario Villanueva Madrid Stadium8 min walk
- Fifth Avenue9 min walk
- ADO Alterna bus station (Calle 12)0.9 km
- Quinta Alegría shopping mall11 min walk
- Main beach14 min walk
- Mamitas Beach14 min walk
- ADO station on Fifth Avenue1.7 km
- Cozumel ferry pier1.9 km
- Xcaret7.9 km
- Cancún Airport48 min by car
What guests say
9.6 out of 10 on Expedia from 52 reviews, and 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 172 reviews.
10Cleanliness
9.8Service and staff
9.6Property condition
9.2Amenities
«A very well run B and B... Lovely breakfast, a little pool to cool off, comfortable beds.»
«For those who want to get away from touristy Fifth Avenue, this is an excellent option.»
«Every day we got a plate of fresh fruit with yogurt and granola, and another with eggs, vegetables and toast.»
«The room was very clean, and the breakfast incredible for a B&B.»
«A little far from the center, but it's a quiet area with restaurants and shops nearby.»
«The room was very large, spacious, clean and well kept. We would definitely come back!»
What to know before you book
Check-in 3:00–10:00 PM
Check-out by 12:00 PM. Arriving late? Let the B&B know your arrival time in advance.
Breakfast depends on the rate
Expedia lists it as an extra; many guests had it included. Check before you book.
No on-site parking
Expedia mentions private parking options nearby; several guests parked for free on the street without problems.
Stairs, no elevator
The house has three floors and upper rooms are reached by stairs, one of them a narrow spiral staircase.
Outside the tourist center
Fifth Avenue is 9–15 minutes on foot, depending on the stretch. After a long day in the sun, taxis are easy to find.
Street noise
Nights are generally quiet, but a couple of guests mention thin walls and street sounds; light sleepers should pack earplugs.
Families welcome
The person checking in must be 18 or older. Expedia notes that patios and terraces may not suit small children.
Cards and cash
Both are accepted. A government-issued photo ID and a deposit for incidentals may be requested at check-in.
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
Avenida 35 between Calle 34 Bis and Calle 36, Colonia Sac Pacal, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Book your stay at Vainilla B&B Mexico
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 Vainilla B&B Mexico?
On Avenida 35, between Calle 34 Bis and Calle 36, in the Sac Pacal neighborhood of Playa del Carmen. According to Expedia, Fifth Avenue is about 9 minutes on foot and the main beach and Mamitas about 14.
Is breakfast included?
It depends on your rate. Expedia lists the homemade local breakfast as an extra charge, but many recent guests say it was included in their price. Check the rate details before booking. Reviewers mention fruit, yogurt and granola, eggs, toast, homemade jams and fresh juice.
Is there a pool?
Yes, a small outdoor plunge pool at the back of the house, good for cooling off rather than swimming laps.
Do the rooms have a kitchen?
Some do: the Comfort suite and the Family Economy room have a kitchen or kitchenette, and there's a shared kitchen with a fridge for all guests.
Is there parking?
There's no parking on the property. Expedia mentions private parking options nearby, and several guests left their car on the street for free without problems.
Is it good for families?
Yes. The family studio sleeps four, and reviewers have stayed with children. Expedia notes that the patios and terraces may not be suitable for small kids.
Is there wifi?
Yes, free in all rooms and in some common areas. A few guests found it a bit unstable, so bring mobile data if you need to work.
How do I get here from Cancún Airport?
It's about 48 minutes by car. The B&B offers an airport shuttle for a fee, with limited hours and on request. ADO buses from the airport reach downtown Playa; from the ADO Alterna station (Calle 12), about 0.9 km away, a short taxi ride gets you to the door.