11 Things to do in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
If you are planning a trip to Playa del Carmen, then you’ve come to the right place.
Let us tell you about 11 of the top things to do in Playa del Carmen, Mexico! Including exploring downtown 5th Avenue, snorkeling, visiting cenotes, and some of the most popular day trips from Playa del Carmen.
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Why Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen is located in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, along the Riviera Maya strip of the Caribbean coast. It is a prime vacation destination known for its palm-tree-lined, white sand beaches, ideal weather, coral reefs, and nightlife.
Playa del Carmen has so much to offer from adventure to relaxation. With its prime location on the beautiful Caribbean shoreline and just a few minutes from the jungle and cenotes of the Yucatán, Playa del Carmen has something for everyone. And Playa del Carmen is centrally located as a perfect jumping off point to many of the top destinations in the area such as Tulum, Akumal Beach, Cozumel, Chichen Itza, and many cenotes. It also provides a less overly-touristed experience than its close neighbor 45 minutes north, Cancun.
Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen
As a top tourist destination of Mexico, there is no shortage of places to stay in Playa del Carmen. There are hotels options for every budget and travel style.
If you want to make the most of your time in Playa del Carmen and explore as much as possible, you will want to stay downtown near 5th Avenue (which is what we did). If the main goal of your trip to Playa del Carmen is to relax, you may want to stay in the resort area on the beaches just outside of the city.
Playa del Carmen Hotels
Budget ($): Selina Hostel (Downtown), Hotel Colorado (Downtown), Che Playa Hostel & Bar (Downtown)
Mid-Range ($$): The Fives (Downtown), Thompson Beach House (Downtown), Mahekal Beach Resort (Downtown), Grand Hyatt (Downtown) – We stayed here during this trip, more info below!
High-end ($$$): Fairmont Mayakoba (Mayakoba Beach), Hilton Playa del Carmen (Downtown), El Dorado Maroma (Maroma Beach) – We had family stay in the overwater bungalows here during their honeymoon and they looked amazing!
Luxury ($$$$): Rosewood Mayakoba (Mayakoba Beach), Banyan Tree Mayakoba (Mayakoba Beach), Secrets Maroma (Maroma Beach), Hotel Xcaret (Xcaret Beach)
Don’t see something you like? You can search all available Playa del Carmen hotels on Booking.com using the widget below.
Where we Stayed: Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
During our visit to Playa del Carmen, we stayed at the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen. It was a little pricier than our usual stays, but we were visiting for Peter’s birthday and decided to splurge a little.
We really enjoyed our stay at the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen. Its central location within walking distance of 5th Avenue and everything downtown was one of the main reasons we chose it. We also loved the modern, updated decor and having direct access to the beach with hotel lounge chairs we could use at no extra cost. Not to mention the gorgeous infinity pool!
During our stay, we did not opt for the all-inclusive option because we knew we wanted to try the local restaurants for lunches and dinner. Breakfast was included though and the buffet breakfast spread was fabulous! Everything was so fresh and delicious.
Book your stay at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen on Booking.com
Top things to do in Playa del Carmen
In this post we will share 11 of the top things to do in Playa del Carmen, but there are endless possibilities! It all depends on your travel style and how you want to spend your time in this vibrant city.
Many of the top things to do mentioned in this post can be done in a weekend trip to Playa del Carmen. Or, with a full week-long trip, you will have plenty of time to do everything mentioned in this post (with some extra time to spare relaxing at the beach drinking margaritas).
However you choose to spend your time in Playa, you can’t go wrong. But here are a few of the top things to do in Playa del Carmen to inspire you and help you plan your trip!
Things To Do in Playa del Carmen Map
Here is a free-to-use Google Map of all of the things to do in Playa del Carmen that are mentioned in this post! Including all of the cenotes, beaches, ruins, restaurants, hotels, and more.
To save the map to your Google Maps, simply click the star icon next to the map title. To use the map, click the sidebar icon in the top left corner to reveal the list of places marked on the map.
Along with this blog post, you can watch the video above to see the 11 top things to do in Playa del Carmen that we discuss in this post, live in action. If you enjoy the video, please give it a “thumbs up” and consider subscribing! We would really appreciate it. Now, onto the post!
1. Explore 5th Avenue
Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue, also known as "Quinta Avenida", is the main tourist area of the city. And for good reason! The 5th Avenue is is a 5-mile long pedestrian-only walkway that runs parallel to the beach, full of shopping, entertainment, eateries, bars, clubs, and more. There are even a few rooftops pools you can visit!
There is so much to do and see here, it’s easy to understand why 5th Avenue is considered a “must” do when visiting Playa del Carmen.
Map Source: Google Maps, PlayadelCarmen.com
Do some Souvenir Shopping
There are many small shops and vendors selling their wares along the street, such as local souvenirs, jewelry, and artwork. There are also big box stores such as Sephora and even a shopping mall – Quinta Alegria (home to Forever21, Nike, Levi’s, and many more shops).
It will be a breeze to get all of your Playa del Carmen souvenir shopping done while visiting 5th Avenue!
Watch the Street Performers
Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue is known as the tourist center of the city, so there are tons of street performers and entertainers here catering to the crowds of people. While walking 5th Avenue you will see mariachi bands, singers, people dressed up as famous characters, and maybe even fire dancers. It is a lot of fun to watch! We especially enjoyed the mariachi bands.
Concerning the cosplay characters – if they try to offer a picture with you they will expect payment afterward. So we avoided taking pictures or videos of these performers in general to avoid this. They can be quite pushy in their offers, but just politely decline and keep walking.
Drink Margaritas, Tequila, and Mezcal
Did you even go to Mexico if you didn’t drink a margarita during your visit? Luckily for you there are plenty of bars on 5th Avenue to get your fix. There are even tasting rooms for tequila! And while you are in Mexico, you should try mezcal.
If you’re not sure what mezcal is, here’s a simple explanation: mezcal, like tequila, is a liquor distilled from the agave plant. But it has a much richer, smokier flavor than tequila and can be an acquired taste (like whiskey or bourbon). When I first tried mezcal I thought the flavor was much too smokey, but now I love it! I especially recommend trying a mezcal margarita.
Eat lots of delicious food!
There are so many incredible restaurants and street food to enjoy on 5th Avenue, it’s worth planning to have a few if not all of your dinners during your trip to Playa del Carmen here.
Some of the street food you should try in Playa del Carmen: Elote (Mexican street corn) and Marquesitas (crispy crepes rolled up and filled with shredded cheese and/or other toppings).
A few of the highly rated restaurants on and near 5th Avenue are Chac Pel Tacos de Mariscos (for seafood tacos and ceviche), La Perla Pixan (authentic Mexican food, live music every night), and La Cueva del Chango (known for the “best Mexican breakfast” and the “best chilaquiles”). For dessert, try Chez Céline (known for their croissants and desserts) or Ah Cacao Chocolate Café (the best coffee in town).
Perhaps our favorite of the restaurants we tried on 5th Avenue was Porfirio’s, known for their contemporary Mexican cuisine. This restaurant has an upscale casual environment and is where we went for Peter’s birthday dinner.
2. Visit Cenotes
What is a “cenote”?
Cenotes are naturally occurring underground limestone caves or sinkholes containing water from underground rivers and filtered rainwater. The water is cool, crystal clear, and oftentimes vibrant blue in color. The caves are usually filled with hundreds or even thousands of hanging stone stalactites and stalagmites.
The word “cenote” is a regional term of the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico where there are hundreds of these underground caves and river systems. In ancient Mayan culture, the cenotes were used for fresh water supplies and occasionally for sacrificial offerings.
Shown here: Cenote Ik Kil outside of Chichen Itza
Playa del Carmen cenotes
While visiting Playa del Carmen, you should definitely see some of these breathtaking wonders of nature. They are so mystical and beautiful that pictures just don’t do them justice and you will have to see them for yourself. Visiting cenotes was our favorite part of our trip to Playa del Carmen!
There are countless cenotes in the area, some on private land and some are open to the public. Two of the most popular cenotes to visit near Playa del Carmen are Rio Secreto and Chaak Tun, which I will detail below.
Some of the other top cenotes worth checking out in the area are Cenote Azul, Cenote Ik Kil (if you are visiting Chichen Itza), and Gran Cenote (outside Tulum). But there are many more!
Rio Secreto
Location: 14min drive (8.9km) from Playa del Carmen [Google Maps]
Cost: Adults $79.00 USD, Children $39.50
Website: Rio Secreto
The tour of Rio Secreto will take you hiking and wading along a turquoise underground river. This system of caves is famous for its breathtaking floor to ceiling crystal formations ‐ stalactites and stalagmites. All the while, the tour guide provides educational information and background about cenotes and Rio Secreto.
Note: During the tour, there is a part where they turn off the lights to show how truly no light reaches these caves and there is a quiet meditation. Let your tour guide know ahead of time if this will be an issue for you. I am not normally claustrophobic or afraid of the dark but I admit I started to have a bit of a panic attack during these few minutes. So I wanted to make sure to prepare you in advance for this!
To book this tour, you can buy tickets directly from the Rio Secreto website. There is no need to buy tickets from a separate tour guide as this tour provides a guide! If you aren’t renting a car for your stay in Playa del Carmen, you can also purchase roundtrip transportation to the cenote as a part of your ticket price (tickets with roundtrip transportation to Playa del Carmen cost Adults $109.00 USD, Children $54.50 USD).
The tour lasts about 3 and a half hours and includes access to the nature reserve, small group sizes, a specialized guide, lockers, wetsuit, life jacket, helmet with lamp, towels, regional buffet lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks. Note: you cannot bring your own camera on this tour but you can buy photos taken during the tour (like the posed photo of us above).
Chaak Tun
Location: 20 min drive (8.7km) from Playa del Carmen [Google Maps]
Cost: Adults $40 USD, Children $27 USD
Website: Chaak Tun
The tour of the Chaak Tun cenote takes you through a network of three underground caves connected by tunnels. You can swim, snorkel, and explore parts of these caves on foot by a wooden walkway. Along the way, the guide explains the environmental and cultural importance of the cenotes and how they affect the Yucatan.
To book a tour of cenote Chaak Tun, you can buy tickets directly from the Chaak Tun website. It is a 2 hour guided tour and includes a wetsuit, watershoes, life vest, snorkel equipment, one water lamp per couple, a locker to store your things during the tour, and a water or soda. You will need to bring your own towel.
Cenote Chaak Tun was our favorite cenote that we visited during our trip to Playa del Carmen. It felt a bit more authentic and less commercialized than Rio Secreto, and we enjoyed the experience a bit more overall (although I still recommend seeing Rio Secreto too if you can). And you can bring your own camera on this tour!
3. Take a day trip to Cozumel
Cost: Ferry costs about 220 pesos one way
Location: 30-40 minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen [Google Maps]
Visiting the picturesque island of Cozumel is an easy day trip from Playa del Carmen and highly recommended if you have the time to spare during your trip. You can spend a couple hours exploring Cozumel as a half day trip or take an entire day to snorkel on Cozumel’s famous reefs before walking around the city of San Miguel de Cozumel.
Snorkeling boat tour
While visiting Cozumel from Playa del Carmen, it is highly recommended that you go snorkeling in order to experience the Mesoamerican Reef, which is the second largest coral reef system after the Great Barrier Reef!
There are many tour companies available in Cozumel to do a boat tour with snorkeling. You can book a tour ahead of time or pick one when you arrive at the Cozumel pier – there are many tours being advertised here and it won’t be difficult to find one!
Explore the island
There is so much to do on the small island of Cozumel that you could easily fill a day exploring the island. Walk around the downtown of San Miguel, the main town of Cozumel, do some shopping and grab some food and drinks.
There are also several beaches and beach clubs in the area if you want to work on your tan, such as Money Bar Beach Club and Palancar Beach. You can book a tour of the island by Jeep or rent a car or scooter and discover the island on your own. The possibilities are endless!
4. Visit the Tulum Ruins
Location: 50 minute drive south of Playa del Carmen (70 km/43.5 miles) [Google Maps]
Cost: 85 pesos (about $4 USD per person)
From Playa del Carmen, it is a short 50 minute drive to the ancient Mayan ruins just outside the city center of Tulum. The Tulum Ruins are the only Mayan ruins on the coastline in the state of Quintana Roo. This makes for spectacular views of these ancient stone ruins with a vibrant blue ocean backdrop.
It is well worth the drive and can be done as a half-day trip from Playa del Carmen. Or make it a full day trip by visiting the city of Tulum after exploring the ruins!
You can visit the Tulum Ruins entirely on your own without a tour. It is an easy drive from Playa del Carmen and there is parking available just outside the ruins. There are many tours available to the Tulum Ruins departing from Playa del Carmen if you would prefer to take a guided tour with transportation included though.
The main highlight of the Tulum Ruins is El Castillo (The Castle), the impressive stone structure sitting on the edge of the cliff overlooking the Caribbean coast below. Besides El Castillo, there are many remaining structures such as temples and remains of the wall which once surrounded the ancient seaport city.
Along with admiring the ruins, Peter and I also got a kick out of the local wildlife when visiting the Tulum Ruins. We encountered coati (which we didn’t know existed until that moment) and tons of iguanas in and around the ruins. (Can you spot the iguana in the photo above?)
5. Snorkel with sea turtles at Akumal Beach
Location: 36 minute (39.5km) drive south of Playa del Carmen [Google Maps]
Cost: $8 USD (on your own) to $28 USD (with a guide)
Snorkeling with sea turtles is an incredible experience that you will never forget and can easily be done from Playa del Carmen! Akumal Beach is famous for its white sand, warm waters, and bay of sea turtles and is only a short drive from Playa del Carmen.
You do not need to book with a tour group in order to visit – you can visit and snorkel at the beach on your own! Just bring your own snorkeling equipment or rent some from the tourist information shop at the beach. Or on arrival you can hire a guide (there are many at the beach that will try to get your business if they see you came on your own). This is what we did and it cost only about $20 USD per person for our own private guide and snorkeling equipment to use. A great deal in my opinion!
However, if you don’t have a rental car, you may want to book a tour ahead of time that can pick you up from your hotel in Playa del Carmen or hire a taxi to take you. If you have a rental car, there is parking available close to the beach for 50 pesos (about $3 USD) for the full day. Just ignore the people that try to wave you down before you get to the parking area close to the beach. Access to the beach costs about $5 USD.
Image Source: Unsplash
It was windy on the day that we visited Akumal Beach, which meant that the water was somewhat churned up and had less visibility than its usual clear, blue waters. The only pictures and videos we got of the sea turtles were blurry from the sediment in the water which is why I used the stock photo above. So just be aware that this is a possibility for your visit.
Despite the less-than-perfect water conditions, it was still very much worth the visit though. We were able to see sea turtles up close which was incredible and something I would definitely recommend doing during your trip to Playa del Carmen.
6. Day trip to Chichen Itza
Location: 2hr drive west of Playa del Carmen [Google Maps]
Cost: Adults $533 MXN pesos (about $27 USD), Children (ages 3-12) $80 pesos (about $4 USD)
Website: Chichén Itzá official website
While you are in the Yucatan peninsula, why not take a day trip to visit one of the new seven wonders of the world: the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. It is only a 2 hour drive from Playa del Carmen and well worth the trip!
Read more: Chichén Itzá Guide: What you should know before you visit
You can book a tour from Playa del Carmen to visit the ruins of Chichen Itza or visit on your own. If you drive yourself without a tour group, it is recommended to hire a guide at the ruins. Wait until you get inside the complex for the official guides and best rates.
Important sights of the Chichén Itzá ruins: the 98-foot tall pyramid Temple Of Kukulkan (aka “El Castillo”), the Maya Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, and the Cenote de los Sacrificios (the Sacred Cenote).
Expect to spend about 2-3 hours here exploring and admiring these ancient structures.
Come prepared for the heat though! Inland Mexico is much hotter than by the coast like Playa del Carmen. When we visited it reached nearly 100-degrees Fahrenheit! Wear light, breathable clothing and comfortable walking shoes. And if you need to cool down, there are vendors selling drinks and popsicles.
We wrote an a detailed Chichen Itza guide with everything you need to know before you visit, so make sure to check it out if you do plan to visit these ancient ruins during your time in Mexico: Chichén Itzá Guide: What you should know before you visit.
7. Take a UTV tour through the jungle
Location: 20 minute (8km) drive from Playa del Carmen [Google Maps]
Cost: $1950 pesos / about $100 USD per person
Website: Jungle Buggy Tour
If you’re feeling adventurous during your trip to Playa del Carmen, try taking a UTV buggy tour through the jungle!
There are half day and full day tours available from the tour company Jungle Buggy, located just outside of downtown Playa del Carmen. We did the half day tour, which lasts 3 hours which takes you through 25 miles of jungle until you reach a cenote where you can swim and snorkel! This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Playa del Carmen.
If you don’t have a rental car for your stay in Playa del Carmen, you’re in luck! Transportation is included in the tour. Since we had a rental car, we declined the shuttle transport to give ourselves more freedom with our day. (After the Jungle Buggy tour we went just down the road to Cenote Chaak Tun!)
The cenote that the buggy tour takes you to was a big bonus of this tour! We were just excited to ride the UTVs through the jungle but the cenote was incredible. There is even a ledge of the cave higher up that you can climb to and jump off from into the deep pool.
The cool water of the cenote was a welcome reprieve from the dusty buggy ride (but makes you extra dusty and muddy from the drive back). Be warned: you will get dirty on this tour!
8. Eat all the tacos!
When in Mexico, right?
Two of Playa del Carmen’s “must-try” taco shops are Don Sirloin and El Fogón. Both taco shops have a laid-back, relaxed setting and affordable prices. They are both known for their spit roasted meat tacos.
During our trip to Playa del Carmen, Peter and I visited both shops TWICE each because we loved them so much. And we never could decide which of the two taco shops we liked better. Try them both and decide for yourself! Just don’t be surprised if there is a line to get in (but they move very quickly so don’t let it deter you).
Don Sirloin
Locations: Avenida 10 [Google Maps] and Constituyentes y 25 [Google Maps]
Website: Don Sirloin
Don Sirloin are famous for their excellent tacos with lots of taco sauces to choose from. You’ve got to try the sirloin and al pastor tacos (shown above). These are the meats that they have slow roasting on the spits out front and what they are known for.
Besides tacos, our favorite dish was Quesos Fundidos, which is basically a hot bowl of melted cheese with your choice of ingredients such as chorizo, mushrooms, or peppers served with flour tortillas. It was incredible. Melted cheese – what’s not to love?
El Fogón
Locations: Av. Constituyentes [Google Maps], 30 Avenida Norte [Google Maps], 30 Avenida Nte. 354 [Google Maps]
Website: El Fogon facebook
El Fogón is known for the best authentic tacos in Playa del Carmen. They are particularly famous for their tacos al pastor and giant margaritas.
Like Don Sirloin, they are known for their sirloin and al pastor tacos which are made with the meat roasting on the spits at the front of the shop. It is said that El Fogón has the leg up on the al pastor tacos, but I truly can’t pick a favorite between these two taco shops. We also tried (and loved) the Queso Fundidos offered at El Fogón.
9. Get dinner / drinks in a dry cenote
Location: 8min (3km) drive from 5th Avenue Playa del Carmen [Google Maps]
Website: Alux Restaurant
For an utterly unique and unforgettable dining experience, try Alux Restaurant Bar and Lounge in Playa del Carmen. Alux is an upscale, contemporary Mexican restaurant located in a dry cenote!
From Playa del Carmen’s downtown, it is a bit too far to walk but it is a short drive. We personally took a taxi from 5th Avenue to drive us to Alux so that we could make sure to enjoy the cocktails without having to worry about driving afterwards.
The main restaurant is located in a large underground cave and tunnels connecting to this cave offer private dining areas that can be reserved. While you wait for your food and/or drinks, you can ask to see their wine cellar and walk around the cave tunnels.
Not only was the environment worth the visit alone, but the food and drinks are highly rated. The craft cocktails that we tried were all delicious. Peter and I visited Alux after dinner for drinks only so we cannot comment on the food from personal experience, but our relatives who ate dinner here during their honeymoon raved about their meal. We are excited to visit again someday for dinner ourselves!
10. Go parasailing
Location: 25 minute (17.6km) drive north of Playa del Carmen [Google Maps]
Cost: $89 USD per person
Website: Maroma Adventures
If you are interested in parasailing, Playa del Carmen is an excellent place to do it! With crystal clear, blue waters and green jungle landscapes, you will have an amazing view for the experience.
Parasailing was something that Peter and I had never tried before, so we knew we wanted to cross it off the bucket list during our trip to Playa del Carmen for Peter’s birthday.
After much research before our trip, we booked our parasailing with Maroma Adventures. Although they don’t advertise parasailing on their website, there are many glowing reviews on TripAdvisor about their parasailing so I emailed them to inquire and was easily able to book with them. You can drive and park at Maroma Beach Club or arrange a shuttle with Maroma Adventures to pick you up in Playa del Carmen.
Parasailing was exhilarating and so much fun! I think that everyone should try it at least once and what a better place to try it than on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, overlooking crystal clear blue waters. I was nervous beforehand but the ride was extremely smooth!
11. Enjoy the beaches
During your trip to Playa del Carmen, make sure to enjoy the stunning, white sand beaches as much as possible. Since the city is located on the coast, there are endless stretches of beach to explore. And there are a number of ways you can enjoy the beaches in Playa del Carmen:
Walk along the Beach
Many of the resorts and hotels comb the sand to remove debris and maintain their beachfront. Meaning that many of Playa’s beaches are absolutely pristine and picturesque – perfect for walking barefoot along the beach or lounging by the water. Honestly, the sand here was so velvety soft beneath our feet!
Beach Clubs
Another way to enjoy the beaches of Playa del Carmen is by going to one of the many beach clubs in town. The beach clubs are basically a pay-to-enter area with lounge chairs and food and drink service where you can go to be pampered and relax by the beach.
Two of the top recommended beach clubs in Playa del Carmen are Marmitas Beach Club (a trendy beach club that plays music and serves drinks, kind known as a “party” beach. You can also rent jet skis here) and Lido Beach Club (a more laid-back beach club with a bar). Another beach club we visited and enjoyed was KOOL Beach Club (shown in the picture below).
Beach Bars
Along with the beach clubs, there are many fun beach bars along the shoreline of Playa del Carmen where you can grab a drink and enjoy the view. These are especially fun at night once the beach clubs close and many tourists are either on 5th Avenue or at these bars.
Many of these bars also have live entertainment from music, to dancing, and even fire throwing! One of our favorite beach bars had firepits where you could sit with your drink and warm your toes in the sand. (I wish I remembered the name, we just came across it while strolling down the beach!) Just walk along the beach after dinner and pop in any that catch your interest too!
One of the top recommended beach bars in Playa del Carmen is Zenzi. Zenzi has good food and drinks but are known for having salsa dancing. Every Saturday night a live salsa band plays! You can dance or just watch and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Are you planning a trip to Mexico?
If you are planning a trip to Playa del Carmen, I hope that this blog post has been helpful to you. Have you been to Playa del Carmen before? If you have any suggestions of other top things to do in Playa del Carmen, please share them in the comments below! We know we want to visit Playa del Carmen again someday and would love to hear your recommendations for our next trip.
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