El Acuario is a clean, colorful, and friendly self-catering, off-strip budget boutique built in 1996 that is ideal for friends, couples, and small families who are looking to experience a bit of local flavor without being too far from the conveniences of the strip. With many long-term and return guests, this small 12-room property tends to feel more like an apartment complex than a hotel, resulting in an extremely open and friendly environment where guests are social, sit out on their porches chatting, and make use of the communal barbecue. While there’s no escaping the overall dated look of the hotel, there are constant measures taken to keep repairs and facilities up-to-date. Best for those looking for a no-frills but dependable place to stay while in Playa, El Acuario is a simple spot with thoughtful features aimed at making guests feel at home, and is a bit reminiscent of small family-run hotels of times past.  

In keeping with its name (which means “The Aquarium" in Spanish), the hotel is painted in bold colors often found underwater and there is an in-wall aquarium located in the lobby. There’s also a hotel cat, Coco, who can be found lounging in the sun, or hanging out with guests (especially returnees who come prepared with cat food).

Located just out of central Playa del Carmen’s touristy boundaries, El Acuario feels a lot father away than is actually is. In reality, the small budget boutique is between a 10- and 15-minute walk to the swarms of people, shops, restaurants, and bars on the of La Quinta Avenida, and another five or 10 to the beach. The immediate area is residential, local, and feels entirely removed from the throbbing tourism (and immediate convenience) of the strip. The boutique is around a 10-minute drive from the highway, which will take you north to Cancun in 45 minutes or south to Akumal and Tulum in 30 and 50 minutes, respectively.

With just 12 rooms and one suite, El Acuario is a small and simple operation. All barebones, no-frills rooms are the same with only slight variation in the beds: There are either two double beds, one king, or a king plus a single. All rooms have private balconies with patio furniture and hammocks overlooking the pool, as well as functional kitchenettes consisting of junior refrigerators, portable burners, sinks, and a few dishes and utensils. Room service is every day unless you’ve rented by the month, when it switches to twice weekly. Decor is colorful but basic; expect worn tile floors, handmade wooden bed frames, and dated furniture. The hotel’s one suite is rented out on a weekly basis only.

For a tiny budget boutique, El Acuario has some surprises up its sleeve. For starters, it’s one of the only places we’ve seen in Playa with a bonafide check-in time before 3 p.m. Not only can guests at El Acuario can grab the keys to their rooms starting at 1 p.m., they can also book a tour, grab a free cup of coffee, and ogle some colorful fish swimming in the lobby’s large aquarium. Outside the lobby, there’s a center garden area with turtle pond, small swimming pool, palapa lounge, and guest barbecue area. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and the staff can even throw in a load of laundry for you for a small tip. There are no beach club deals, but there is a resident cat that loves handouts and lounging in the sun.