Riu Playacar

I contracted E. coli while eating at this hotel. I tested positive. I had not eaten anywhere else before I became sick.

The other fact? The buffet food was left uncovered. Flies landed wherever they pleased (photos attached). They drifted from table to table as though they were paying guests. I kept wondering the same thing: Why is there nothing protecting the food? No covers. No screens. Nothing.

I spent days desperately sick. I'll never forget it.

Here's what makes this review difficult to write: the staff deserved better than the place they worked in.

David, one of the chefs, deserves a raise. While I was ill, he made me fresh chicken soup and homemade applesauce instead of sending me back to the buffet. It was one of the kindest things anyone did for me during that trip. My stomach rejected every bite, but his generosity never left me. The rest of the staff showed genuine compassion and care.

Management, on the other hand, should answer one simple question: Why was the food left exposed to flies? Food safety isn't a luxury. It's the minimum. Respect your guests enough to protect what you serve.

The people earned my gratitude. Management earned my disappointment.

We stayed at RIU Playacar for 2 weeks at the end of May 2026 as a family, and overall I’d rate it around 7/10.

Before travelling I was worried about the weather because the Apple weather app showed rain almost every day during the second week. In reality, despite it being the start of rainy season, we had plenty of sunshine and only one really bad day of rain. I came home with a great tan and wouldn’t hesitate to travel in May/June again.

The entertainment was the highlight of the holiday. The Rock Show and Michael Jackson show were excellent, and we loved being able to use the other RIU hotels for free. Tequila had the best entertainment overall, especially the neon party and lively atmosphere, while the white party was also fantastic.

For families, I think Playacar was the best out of the other hotels you have access to. The children’s areas felt more integrated, unlike the other hotels where they seemed more separated from adult spaces. Tequila had the best kids’ pool though and also a small park area for children, although this again felt quite secluded from the main adult areas. Yucatan had the nicest-looking pool area but felt more adult-oriented. Only Playacar and Yucatan are directly on the beach. Tequila guests need to cross the road for beach access.

The alcohol and drink selection was also noticeably better at Playacar. When we spent time at Tequila, especially while sunbathing there, the drinks selection felt much more limited, particularly for children. At Playacar, children could get fresh fruit smoothies by the pool, whereas at Tequila we were told they didn’t offer this.

The location felt very safe as the hotel is inside a gated community. There’s a shopping area across the road with a Starbucks and pharmacy, although prices are high. We found the best value at the 7/11 and nearby market shop, where we bought 3 magnet souvenirs for 100 pesos.

The kids club was decent but could be improved with more familiar children’s songs, dances, and interactive games for younger kids.

The rooms were fairly modern-ish but definitely starting to look a little tired and could do with a refresh at some point. They’re not boutique or luxurious by any means, more on the basic side, but still perfectly okay for the price we paid. Cleanliness could also be better, as bedding didn’t seem to be changed often and we noticed stains. Still, we accepted this because we got a good deal and have stayed in worse hotels.

One issue I noticed when dining alone with my baby was inconsistent drinks service. I often had to leave the table to get drinks myself while carrying my baby. However, one staff member, Krystal, was especially helpful and attentive, which we really appreciated.

The food was okay overall. The Italian restaurant was our favourite, and the steak restaurant was also very good with huge portions. The Mexican restaurant was disappointing. Our main issue with the à la carte restaurants was the long wait between courses and lack of children’s options, meaning I often had to go to the buffet for food for my child. Even simple kids’ meals would make a big difference for families.

Despite the negatives, we still had a lovely holiday and felt Playacar was the best RIU option for our family. This review is intended as constructive feedback, as a few improvements could significantly enhance the experience. We would still recommend the hotel and would return if the price was right.

I wanted to take a moment to write a review on this hotel as we just returned and had a marvellous time. The resort and rooms were kept extremely spotless. The staff were very friendly and genuine. The gentleman with glasses at front desk (sorry, I am terrible with names) was so nice and walked all the way to our room when I advised I had an issue with the key card! (It turned out to be a “me” issue!!) The food was so tasty and the variety was amazing. No matter what your palate likes, you can find something good to eat. I still am amazed at all the choices. The 3 other restaurants were good and the fact that no reservation was ever needed was a plus. There was sargassum BUT the hotel kept it to a minimum as they have workers cleaning the bulk up throughout the day. Overall had a fantastic time and we are definitely coming back!!! Thank you very much for a wonderful vacation!