Villas in Quintana Roo

Playa del Carmen suits walking to beaches and restaurants, Tulum suits ruins and cenotes, and Cozumel suits divers. Most of our homes here are in Playa del Carmen, about 45 minutes to an hour from Cancún airport, so choice elsewhere is limited. Sargassum seaweed can affect the beaches between spring and late summer.

Where

Villas: 18
From, per week: £189
Cheapest month: July
Nearest airports: Cancún International is the airport for the whole coast. British Airways and TUI fly direct from Gatwick, and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow, taking around 10 to 11 hours. Tulum's airport mainly has flights from within Mexico and North America. Cozumel ferries leave from Playa del Carmen.

Where to stay in Quintana Roo

Playa del Carmen

Most of our Quintana Roo homes are here. Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida), the long pedestrian street a block back from the sea, is lined with restaurants and shops, and the beach runs the length of town. Ferries to Cozumel leave from the town pier, and cenotes and the Xcaret parks are a short drive south. Cancún airport is around 45 minutes to an hour away.

Best for: Couples and groups who want to walk to beaches, bars and restaurants

Not for you if: You want peace and quiet: the centre is busy and noisy late into the night.

Tulum

Tulum is in two parts: the town on the main road, with cheaper restaurants, and the beach zone, a strip of hotels and beach clubs along the coast. The clifftop ruins are at the northern end, and the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve starts to the south. Cenotes such as Gran Cenote are a short bike ride or drive inland. Cancún airport is about an hour and three-quarters away; Tulum's newer airport is closer but has few UK flights.

Best for: Mayan ruins, cenote swimming and a slower beach scene

Not for you if: You want to walk everywhere: the town, the beach and the ruins are spread out.

Cancún

Cancún has two sides: the Hotel Zone, a long sandbar lined with resorts and beaches facing the Caribbean, and downtown, where locals live and eat. Isla Mujeres is a short ferry ride across the bay. The airport is around 20 to 30 minutes from most of the city. We have only one home here.

Best for: Short transfers and easy access to big sandy beaches

Not for you if: You want a local town feel: much of Cancún is high-rise hotels and malls.

Cozumel

Cozumel is an island about 40 minutes by ferry from Playa del Carmen, and its reefs, inside a marine park, are among the best known in the Caribbean for drift diving. San Miguel, the only town, has a seafront promenade and cruise ships in port most days. The eastern side is wild, with rough surf and few buildings. The island has its own airport, though UK flights go to Cancún. We have one home here.

Best for: Divers and snorkellers who want reefs close to shore

Not for you if: You want long sandy beaches: much of the west coast is rocky ironshore.

When to go to Quintana Roo

December to April is the dry season, with warm days and the most visitors, and prices peak at Christmas, New Year and Easter. From May it gets hotter and more humid. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with most risk from August to October, when heavy rain is also common. Sargassum seaweed has arrived on this coast in most recent years, usually from around April to August, and some beaches are worse than others from week to week. November is often a good compromise.

Villas in Quintana Roo

Villen Paty

Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Air ConBBQParking+7 more

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5-star property

2-Bedroom Home, Tulum

Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Air ConBBQParking+8 more

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1-Bedroom Home, Tulum

Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Air ConBBQParking+8 more

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2-Bedroom Home, Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Air ConBBQParking+9 more

from£67

per night

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Villa "Minipini Dschungel-Loft"

Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Air ConBBQParking+9 more

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GardenMicrowavePool+8 more

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Air ConParkingGarden+7 more

from£34

per night

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Practical information for Quintana Roo

Do you need a car?: Not essential in Playa del Carmen, where you can walk, take taxis and use the colectivo minibuses that run along the coast road to Tulum. A car helps for cenotes, ruins further inland such as Cobá and longer trips. Driving is on the right. Use main roads, avoid driving at night and watch for the speed bumps (topes) in villages.
Airports: Cancún International is the airport for the whole coast. British Airways and TUI fly direct from Gatwick, and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow, taking around 10 to 11 hours. Tulum's airport mainly has flights from within Mexico and North America. Cozumel ferries leave from Playa del Carmen.
Changeover day: Changeover days vary by villa, and many run Saturday to Saturday in high season. Check the villa's dates before you book flights.

Quintana Roo villa holidays: questions answered

Is Playa del Carmen or Tulum better for a villa holiday?

Playa del Carmen if you want to walk to the beach and restaurants, with a short transfer from Cancún airport. Tulum if you prefer ruins, cenotes and a slower pace, accepting a longer transfer and needing bikes, taxis or a car.

How far is Playa del Carmen from Cancún airport?

Around 45 minutes to an hour by road, depending on traffic. Shared shuttles, private transfers and ADO buses all run the route, and hire cars are available at the airport.

Can you fly direct from London to Cancún?

Yes. British Airways and TUI fly from Gatwick, and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow, in around 10 to 11 hours. Mexico is five or six hours behind the UK depending on the time of year.

When is sargassum season in the Riviera Maya?

Usually from around April to August, though it varies a lot by year and by beach. Winter, from November to March, is generally clear. Local sargassum monitoring maps are updated regularly and are worth checking before you travel.

How do you get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?

By passenger ferry from the pier in central Playa del Carmen. The crossing takes around 40 minutes and boats run through the day. A separate car ferry runs from Calica, south of town.

Is Quintana Roo safe for a villa holiday?

Most visits to Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are trouble-free. Use official taxis or booked transfers, keep valuables out of sight, avoid driving at night and check the UK government's travel advice for Mexico before you go.

When is hurricane season in Mexico's Caribbean coast?

June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. Most weeks pass without a storm, but take travel insurance that covers hurricanes. December to April is the dry season.

Towns in Quintana Roo

Playa del Carmen (13)

More villa holidays near Quintana Roo

Elsewhere in Mexico

All of Mexico

Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.

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Villas in Quintana Roo

Where to stay in Quintana Roo

Playa del Carmen

Best for: Couples and groups who want to walk to beaches, bars and restaurants

Not for you if: You want peace and quiet: the centre is busy and noisy late into the night.

Tulum

Best for: Mayan ruins, cenote swimming and a slower beach scene

Not for you if: You want to walk everywhere: the town, the beach and the ruins are spread out.

Cancún

Best for: Short transfers and easy access to big sandy beaches

Not for you if: You want a local town feel: much of Cancún is high-rise hotels and malls.

Cozumel

Best for: Divers and snorkellers who want reefs close to shore

Not for you if: You want long sandy beaches: much of the west coast is rocky ironshore.

When to go to Quintana Roo

Practical information for Quintana Roo

Do you need a car?

Not essential in Playa del Carmen, where you can walk, take taxis and use the colectivo minibuses that run along the coast road to Tulum. A car helps for cenotes, ruins further inland such as Cobá and longer trips. Driving is on the right. Use main roads, avoid driving at night and watch for the speed bumps (topes) in villages.

Airports

Cancún International is the airport for the whole coast. British Airways and TUI fly direct from Gatwick, and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow, taking around 10 to 11 hours. Tulum's airport mainly has flights from within Mexico and North America. Cozumel ferries leave from Playa del Carmen.

Changeover day

Changeover days vary by villa, and many run Saturday to Saturday in high season. Check the villa's dates before you book flights.

Quintana Roo villa holidays: questions answered

Is Playa del Carmen or Tulum better for a villa holiday?

How far is Playa del Carmen from Cancún airport?

Around 45 minutes to an hour by road, depending on traffic. Shared shuttles, private transfers and ADO buses all run the route, and hire cars are available at the airport.

Can you fly direct from London to Cancún?

Yes. British Airways and TUI fly from Gatwick, and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow, in around 10 to 11 hours. Mexico is five or six hours behind the UK depending on the time of year.

When is sargassum season in the Riviera Maya?

How do you get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?

By passenger ferry from the pier in central Playa del Carmen. The crossing takes around 40 minutes and boats run through the day. A separate car ferry runs from Calica, south of town.

Is Quintana Roo safe for a villa holiday?

When is hurricane season in Mexico's Caribbean coast?

June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. Most weeks pass without a storm, but take travel insurance that covers hurricanes. December to April is the dry season.