Papaya Playa Project

Something of a throwback to the days when Tulum hadn’t yet filled up with luxury boutique hotels, the ultra-bohemian, ultra-sustainable Papaya Playa Project is nothing if not unique. It aims for a degree of immersion in nature that few local hotels can match, and, for the most part, it succeeds. But with a multitude of stylish alternatives in Tulum’s coastal resort zone, it’s worth knowing exactly what you’re getting into.

The original cabañas still make up the majority of the accommodations, and they’re low-frills indeed — constructed using age-old Maya methods, they’ve been upgraded with wi-fi and air conditioning, but little else. If you’re used to adventure lodges, hostels, and the like, they’re an upgrade, and their austerity can be transformative, if you’re in the right frame of mind.

But if you’re after anything that can reasonably be described as luxury, you’ll need a casita or a villa. The former, with their treehouse-style construction and their spectacular rooftop plunge pools, are certainly unique. Meanwhile the Casita Lofts, with their peaked ceilings, feature plenty of lounge space as well as direct ocean views. And the villas truly enter into luxury-boutique territory; each one is unique, but all are spacious and full of character, and come with private pools.

The beach is idyllic, the diving, kiteboarding, and paddle boarding are excellent, but despite its natural splendor, it must be said that Papaya Playa Project is not a quiet place. Their monthly Full Moon Party fills the property with a festival-like atmosphere, and even during the moon’s other phases the vibe is more celebratory than contemplative. Service, too, is friendly but not exactly white-glove; again, low-maintenance travelers are the most likely to thrive.

HOW TO GET THERE:
Papaya Playa is located 75 miles from Cancun Airport (CUN). The drive takes about an hour and 40 minutes.