Mosquito Blue

The beach at Playa del Carmen is truly spectacular—a long stretch of sand whose beauty is enhanced by the crystal-clear, turquoise sea. It is no wonder that Playa del Carmen is so popular and that many large, rather bland hotels have sprung up to cater to the influx of tourists who come for fun and sun. What is appealing about Mosquito Blue (located in the center of town, steps from the many colorful shops and restaurants) is its intimate size and abundance of personality. Although not right on the sea, it is very close—just one-and-a-half blocks away. You enter into a gallery-like lobby with walls accented by paintings done by local artists. The ambiance is a blend of Polynesian, Mexican, and Mediterranean. A color scheme of white, blue, and yellow, lush gardens, palm trees, colorful flowers, carved mahogany furniture, and intimate courtyards add to the appeal. There are two swimming pools. The most dramatic of these is highlighted by a two-story, open-air, thatched roof lounge. Some of the guestrooms face onto the street and these can be noisy at night, especially because of the popularity of the hotel’s colorful bar. We suggest you request a deluxe room (the standards are pretty snug) facing the courtyard. Many of the guestrooms have king-sized beds as the hotel caters to adults (no children under 16).