In a nutshell
- Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular beach destinations in Mexico. Located on the Riviera Maya, it’s famous for its Caribbean flair and some of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen.
- Around Playa del Carmen you’ll find plenty of amazing day trips – from mystical cenotes and ancient Mayan ruins to nearby islands and other beach towns.
- In this guide, we’ll show you the top things to do in Playa del Carmen, the best attractions, and share practical tips on where to stay, how to get around, and what to expect from the weather.
The Best Things to Do in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is mostly about the beach, and the town itself doesn’t have many sights. The real highlights are the coastline and the surrounding area. If you’re planning a round trip through Mexico, we recommend staying in Playa del Carmen for about 3 days. That’s enough time to enjoy the best attractions in Playa del Carmen.
If you’re spending a week or more at a resort, Playa del Carmen is also a perfect starting point for day trips to famous places to visit on the Yucatán like Chichén Itzá.
Beaches of Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is mainly known as a spot for a beach vacation. No wonder, since some of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen also rank among the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.
The main city beach is open to everyone. The water is calm, the sand is soft, and you’ll find lots of beach bars. The only downside is that it gets busy quickly.
For a quieter and more idyllic setting, head to Playacar Beach. You can reach it in just under 20 minutes on foot from the city beach. It’s also public, but you can only get there walking or by bike.
Beautiful beaches near Playa del Carmen
If you’d like to explore a few more beaches, here are some favorites nearby:
- Playa Punta Esmeralda (north of Playa del Carmen)
- Playa Paraiso (Tulum)
- Playa Akumal
- Playa Delfines (Cancún)
You can find more tips about the Riviera Maya coastline in our detailed beach guides.
5th Avenue of Playa del Carmen
Sooner or later you’ll end up strolling along 5th Avenue, Playa del Carmen’s main pedestrian street. It runs parallel to the beach and stretches for almost 3 kilometers.
Here you’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops, and places to enjoy some shopping. At night, parts of the avenue turn into a party strip. If you’re looking for what to do in Playa del Carmen after dark, this is the place to go.
Besides the beaches, 5th Avenue is one of the top things to do in Playa del Carmen. For most of the other highlights, you’ll need to head a little out of town.
Cenotes near Playa del Carmen
Cenotes are natural limestone pools filled with crystal clear water. They’re not only beautiful for photos, but also great for swimming and diving.
There are thousands of cenotes across Yucatán, and some of the most stunning ones are close to Playa del Carmen. Our favorites are Cenote Azul and Cenote Jardín del Eden, both about 25 kilometers south of town.
Visiting the cenotes is one of the best things to do in Playa del Carmen and easy to manage on your own. From Calle 1 Sur between Av. 50 Norte and Av. 45 Norte, you can catch a colectivo heading toward Tulum. They’ll drop you right at Cenote Azul and Jardín del Eden.
Trip to Cozumel
Cozumel is the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean, just across from Playa del Carmen. The ferry takes about 45 minutes and brings you straight to the main town, San Miguel de Cozumel.
Cozumel’s most beautiful beaches are outside San Miguel, the main town. A real highlight is Playa El Cielo in the south.
We recommend taking an early ferry and renting a bike in San Miguel. It’s a great way to see many parts of the island in a single day.
You can also join a guided tour once you arrive. Many start directly at the ferry terminal.
Book a tour to El Cielo Beach & Palancar Reef with beach party
Book a private buggy tour on Cozumel
Ferries to Cozumel
There are two ferry companies: Ultramar and Winjet. Both depart from the Muelle de Playa del Carmen in the town center. Prices are about the same, usually 500–600 MXN per person for a round trip, though they may change.
You can find the current timetables on the Ultramar and Winjet websites. Ferries run every 1–2 hours. You can also book tickets online. If you prefer, Ultramar tickets are also available on GetYourGuide.
Day Trip to Rio Secreto
Rio Secreto is an impressive underground river and cave system located just south of Playa del Carmen. Imagine it as a series of hidden cenotes deep below the surface. It’s without a doubt one of the top things to do in Playa del Carmen if you’re looking for a unique adventure.
Inside, you’ll find countless stalactites and stalagmites, and because the system is so vast, it never feels crowded. The only way to visit is on a guided tour, where you’ll get all the gear you need like a wetsuit, helmet and headlamp.
Note: Rio Secreto isn’t recommended if you suffer from claustrophobia.
Book the guided Rio Secreto tour with lunch
More Day Trips from Playa del Carmen
Besides all the places to visit in Playa del Carmen, there are plenty of other highlights in Quintana Roo like Cancún, Tulum and Isla Mujeres. If you’re planning a Yucatán road trip, make sure to stop at some of these spots.
If your trip is based entirely in Playa del Carmen, then taking day trips is the best way to see more of the region. Here are some of the best attractions near Playa del Carmen:
- Chichén Itzá, cenote swim and Valladolid day tour
- Day trip to Tulum, Cobá and a cenote
- Day trip to Holbox Island
- Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres boat tour
We’ve also put together a full guide to the most beautiful sights in the Yucatán. Be sure to check it out!
Helpful Tips for Playa del Carmen
To wrap things up, here are some useful tips for planning your trip and enjoying the best things to do in Playa del Carmen.
Where to stay in Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen has a huge range of hotels. From affordable B&Bs and boutique hotels to stylish luxury resorts on Yucatán, you’ll find something that fits your style and budget. In our hotel guide for Playa del Carmen, we share our top recommendations on where to stay.
Is Playa del Carmen dangerous?
No, Playa del Carmen is generally a safe destination in Mexico. You can walk around the center both during the day and at night without problems. Just make sure not to leave your belongings unattended in busy areas, especially on the beach. You should also avoid walking alone in deserted streets and taking unofficial taxis.
What is the weather like in Playa del Carmen?
The climate is tropical, which means warm temperatures year-round—perfect for enjoying the beaches in Playa del Carmen. The rainy season lasts from about May to October and brings hot, humid weather. The dry season is cooler, less humid and overall the best time to visit.
Getting there and getting around
Playa del Carmen is well connected by bus. The two ADO terminals have regular departures to Cancún airport, Valladolid, Mérida and more. You can buy tickets directly on the ADO website. If that doesn’t work, try ViajoMucho or Checkmybus.
For short trips to Tulum, Cancún or Akumal, the colectivos are the best choice. They run every 10 minutes or so, are very affordable, and leave from Calle 1 Sur between Av. 50 Norte and Av. 45 Norte.
It’s also worth it to rent a a car to visit places like cenotes.
Within Playa del Carmen itself, you can walk everywhere or rent a bike.
Seaweed in Playa del Carmen
From April to August, seaweed (sargassum) often washes up on the beaches of the Riviera Maya. This means that during the summer months, some of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen can be affected. It’s hard to predict in advance—it’s really just luck.