A more economical Playa del Carmen option, the all-inclusive Allegro Playacar caters well to families with a beautiful white-sand beach and amenities such as giant chess and a kids club with a Mickey Mouse-shaped pool. The food is only mediocre, timeshare sales pitches can be a nuisance, there aren’t any fitness or spa facilities on-site, and the rooms are somewhat small; but the property offers high quality beach volleyball and tennis courts, two fairly large swimming pools (one is quieter, one is more interactive with games and a swim-up bar), and a fun entertainment team that keeps activities going throughout the day. The outstanding beach has a strong positive effect on the Overall Beach Resort Rating, upgrading it to the upper B range. There are four on-site restaurants and five bars; plus, downtown Playa Del Carmen is a cheap five-minute taxi ride away. Rooms come with garden or ocean views, king beds or two double beds, and balconies or terraces with hammocks. Available water sports include scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling, and deep sea fishing.
On-site COVID-19 testing is offered prior to departure, but it isn’t complimentary.