Petit Lafitte
★★★★☆
Beach Resort
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
An intimate Riviera Maya retreat on Xcalacoco Beach, pairing jungle-set bungalows, Maya-rooted cuisine, daily yoga, and Caribbean seclusion.
About the hotel
Set directly on Xcalacoco Beach, on the quieter northern side of Playa del Carmen, Petit Lafitte is surrounded by tropical gardens, palms, white sand, and the Caribbean Sea. Its setting is deliberately removed from the busier centre of Playa del Carmen, creating a more secluded base while keeping the Riviera Maya within easy reach. The property's hospitality tradition traces back to 1972 and the original Posada del Capitán Lafitte.
That history still shapes the character of the hotel. Petit Lafitte has developed around an intimate, family-friendly approach rather than the scale and formality of the Riviera Maya's larger resorts, with rooms and freestanding bungalows dispersed between the gardens and shoreline. Standard rates generally include breakfast, dinner, and daily yoga, giving the stay a rhythm centred on the property, its natural surroundings, and a slower experience of the coast.
The accommodation combines three bungalow styles, Ocean Front, Palm Beach, and Jungle Experience, with Premium Ocean View, Pool View, and Classic rooms. Private terraces, natural fibres, artisanal details, tiled surfaces, warm timber, and handcrafted pieces give the interiors a relaxed character that feels connected to the landscape rather than conventionally polished. The hotel notes that some decorative pieces are produced by members of its own team and their families.
Its strongest identity emerges through the combination of place, food, and wellness. KIN' draws on Maya culinary traditions while interpreting them through contemporary cooking, while the Kuxtal wellness programme incorporates yoga, meditation, pranayama, temazcal ceremonies, sound baths, and massage. Together with direct beach access and the tropical setting, these elements give Petit Lafitte a noticeably different pace from a conventional resort stay.
Today, Petit Lafitte is particularly well suited to couples, families, wellness-focused travellers, and guests who prefer smaller-scale beachfront hospitality over a large all-inclusive complex. Its appeal lies less in extensive resort infrastructure and more in the combination of bungalows close to the sea, gardens, wellness rituals, locally rooted gastronomy, and a quieter position outside central Playa del Carmen.
Aerial view of a palm-lined Caribbean beach and turquoise coastline
Walking through peaceful coconut palms beside charming beachfront bungalows
Bright Caribbean-style room with warm wooden details
Branded beach tote ready for a relaxing day by the sea
Relaxing in a hammock surrounded by lush tropical gardens
Beachfront Mexican lunch with fresh ceviche, tacos, and ocean views
Open-air beachfront restaurant with panoramic Caribbean views
Refreshing tropical cocktail overlooking the Caribbean Sea
Peaceful kayaking experience during a Caribbean sunset
Oceanfront dinner featuring fresh seafood and local flavors
Creator experience
“Petit Lafitte felt like discovering a peaceful hideaway along the Riviera Maya. Surrounded by tropical greenery and just steps from the Caribbean Sea, the intimate atmosphere made it easy to disconnect and embrace the slower rhythm of Playa del Carmen. From quiet mornings by the beach to the warmth of the hospitality and relaxed evenings surrounded by nature, every moment felt authentic, personal, and wonderfully removed from the crowds.”
captured by Klaudia Szostak
Know before you go
Features
Number of Rooms and Bungalows: 55
Direct Xcalacoco Beach Access
Ocean Front, Palm Beach and Jungle Experience Bungalows
Premium Ocean View, Pool View and Classic Rooms
Private Terraces
Tropical Garden Setting
Outdoor Swimming Pool
KIN' Maya-Rooted Gastronomic Concept
Daily Yoga
Temazcal, Sound Bath and Massage Experiences
Breakfast and Dinner Included in Standard Rates
Good To Know
Check-In / Check-Out: From 3:00 PM / By 12:00 PM
Adults Only: No, children of all ages are welcome
Pet Friendly: No, pets are not permitted; service animals are accepted according to current third-party accessibility listings
Dining: KIN' centres its menus on fresh ingredients, Maya culinary heritage, and contemporary techniques, with breakfast and dinner service plus romantic beachfront dinners
Parking: Complimentary self-parking is available on site
WiFi: Complimentary WiFi is available in the accommodation and around the property
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible areas include the entrance, registration desk, public bathroom, and pool, although accessibility has limitations and upper floors are reached by stairs; there is no lift
Weddings / Events: Weddings, wellness retreats, honeymoons, anniversaries, birthdays, romantic dinners, social events, and group retreats can be arranged
Best For: Couples, Families, Beach Escapes, Wellness Stays, Slow Travel, Riviera Maya Retreats
What To Do
Daily Yoga
Private Yoga Sessions
Meditation and Pranayama
Temazcal Experiences
Sound Baths with Singing Bowls
Beachfront Massages
Wellness Packages
Full Moon Temazcal Experiences
Romantic Dinner on the Beach
Low Season: From €85/$100
High Season: *From €215/$250
Getting there
Petit Lafitte sits on Xcalacoco Beach on the quieter northern edge of Playa del Carmen, around 51 km from Cancún International Airport. Its coastal setting is removed from the city's busiest streets, while Highway 307 keeps the hotel connected to central Playa del Carmen and the wider Riviera Maya.
Address
Carretera Cancun-Chetumal Km. 296 + 2, 1 Xcalacoco, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
How to get there
Cancún International Airport (CUN)
45-50 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Public Transport
ADO operates direct buses from Cancún International Airport Terminals 2, 3, and 4 to central Playa del Carmen. The journey generally takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes; from the Playa del Carmen terminal, a taxi is required for the final journey to Xcalacoco, as the hotel does not have convenient nearby public transport.
Nearby
Xcalacoco Beach - 1 minute on foot
Punta Bete - 15 minutes on foot
Gran Coyote Golf - 25 minutes on foot
Grand Coral Beach Club - 30 minutes on foot
Punta Esmeralda - 35 minutes on foot