Top things to do in Playa del Carmen: Playa del Carmen is smaller and less touristy than Cancun and a popular travel destination for people looking for a more substantial travel experience than the typical all-inclusive resort trip.
Playa del Carmen is smaller and less touristy than Cancun and a popular travel destination for people looking for a more substantial travel experience than the typical all-inclusive resort trip.
Playa del Carmen offers the perfect strategic location for exploring the best of the Riviera Maya. You can easily access every major site in the Yucatan peninsula from Playa del Carmen. Additionally, Playa del Carmen offers some of the most affordable accommodation and cost of living in this part of Mexico.
In summary, if you’re looking for the best combination of location, convenience, and price, Playa del Carmen is the perfect place for your vacation on the Riviera Maya.
Playa del Carmen beaches have been hit by erosion, so they aren’t as nice as the ones in Tulum or Cancun, but you can still find a nice spot to soak up the sun while enjoying a drink or going for a swim.
Another way to visit the beaches is to hit up a full-service beach club.
If you don’t mind some distance, head 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen until you find a stretch of beautiful white sand called Xpuha Beach. Its beach bars and restaurants make a great day trip away from the larger crowds.
You can’t visit Playa del Carmen and miss walking down La Quinta Avenida. It’s the main walking street and the place to see and be seen in Playa as a visitor. Lined with all types of shops, beach bars, and restaurants, gives you a feel of a touristy beach resort during the day, which changes to a thriving night scene at night.
Rio Secreto is a natural underground theme park with a labyrinth of underground caves filled with water that you can explore.
You can only visit Rio Secreto with an experienced guide as it’s pitch-black inside. However, you will be putting on a wet suit, helmet, and headlamps (all provided) to hike and swim your way through this magical underground world.
There are many adventure parks spread across the entire Riviera Maya.
Playa del Carmen’s nightlife is excellent but not as crazy as Cancun’s. There are plenty of bars and clubs to choose from. Most of the nightclubs are located on Calle 12 and some bars on Calle 10.
The most popular bar is Tequilla Barrel, with a pretty fancy look. However, Coco Bongo is still promoted as one of the most fun places in the area.
Another option is the Zenzi bar and restaurant, located right off the sand in Playa del Carmen. While the food and drinks here are great, the real attraction is salsa dancing.
Mandala and La Vaquita and la Bodeguita de en Medio are other good nightclubs.
Swimming alongside the giant green sea turtles they glide through the turquoise water of Akumal, Mexico, is truly a bucket list activity.
Akumal is located only about 30 minutes from Tulum and 1.5 hours from Cancun.
Snorkeling with the turtles is a great way to see the natural side of this part of Mexico. However, the best way to swim with the turtles is by booking a tour, as the number of people allowed in Akumal Bay each day is regulated. Akumal turtle season runs from May to November.
Akumal turtle tours follow strict guidelines to continue conservation efforts to protect this endangered animal. Swimmers must maintain a 3 m (10-foot) distance from the green turtles and allow them to surface easily to breathe. Also, note that sunscreen of any kind is prohibited, as it harms the reef and sea life.
The Whale Shark is on the endangered species list, so having the opportunity to swim with these magnificent creatures will leave a strong impression. An adult whale shark can reach 12 m long and can weigh up to 20 tons, making them the largest known fish, and baby whale sharks are very playful and known to play with swimmers.
The Yucatan peninsula is one of the places where you can swim with these large harmless creatures.
The best time to swim with the sharks is between June and September. Tours leave from Cancun, Isla Mujeres, or Holbox.
As Playa del Carmen is a coastal town, you cannot forget about the large variety of watersports available. You can rent a jet ski or parasail, learn to kite-surf or take a sailing trip.
Cozumel is a small island off the coast of Playa del Carmen known for its pristine beaches and a popular stop for cruise ships. You can take a 45-minute ferry over on your own from Playa del Carmen.
An easy and cheap day trip is renting a scooter and driving it around the island where all the best beaches are.
Parque Fundadores is a public park in Playa del Carmen just north of the Cozumel ferry terminal along the beach with entertainment for the whole family.
Don’t forget to catch a Voladores de Papantla (Papantla Flyers) performance in the park. It is a spectacular acrobatic show of men swinging from a 27 M (90ft) pole by their feet.
After a busy day exploring Playa del Carmen, what better end of the day than enjoying a cocktail while lounging at a rooftop pool.
Several places around the city offer complimentary use of the rooftop pool when having food or drink. So you can see some stunning sunsets while stuffing yourself with delicious stuff.
One of the most famous rooftops in the area is the Be Playa; it offers a laid-back atmosphere and provides a welcome escape from the loud music of the surrounding hotels.
Alux it’s way more than just an upscale restaurant. Instead, it’s an unusual restaurant inside an underground cave that serves picturesque dishes.
Its colored cave lights create a mysterious atmosphere, and the waterfalls set the tone for a romantic evening.
After dinner, make sure to ask for a quick cave tour, and if you are lucky, you may even see a bat or two flying around.
Frida Kahlo is a worldwide known artist and a local Mexican icon. Frida Kahlo created portraits and self-portraits inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico, mixing realistic images with fantasy.
The Frida Kahlo Museum doesn’t contain any original works of art. Still, it does embrace her life and work, giving visitors a chance to learn about her controversial art and life.