Say hello to Playa del Carmen, Cancun’s trendy “European” step-sister. No longer a secret, this once tiny fishing town in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula has exploded in popularity in the last couple of decades. Playa is so popular that if you are looking for a quiet secluded bit of tranquility you will have about as much luck finding it here as in Cancun. Which is to say…you won’t.
So what will you find in Playa del Carmen?
PdC is attracting an ever increasing amount of tourists, many of them from Europe. Don’t let that scare you away. There is still a great measure of authenticity to be found in Playa del Carmen, as a ten minute walk away from the blue-green waters will no doubt prove. If you plan on visiting Playa we urge you NOT to stay in an all inclusive resort. Read this to find out why.
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Top Things to do in Playa del Carmen Mexico
There are plenty of things to do in Playa del Carmen itself. And since it’s located near Cozumel, Cancun, Coba, Isla de Mujeres and Tulum it’s a great base of operations to explore the stunning Yucatan Coast.
Regardless of the tourists, Playa del Carmen is certainly worth visiting for its sunny beaches, its warm turquoise water, and it’s legendary nightlife. Anyone looking for a party on the coast, without all the drunken teenagers that seem to flock to Cancun, should consider heading straight to Playa del Carmen from the airport.
Our first trip to Playa del Carmen was in early 2014. Ten yeas later we returned for a 10 day visit. Everything in this article is current as of November 2024. Near the bottom of this article you’ll find some travel tips to make your trip easier.
So, lets start planning YOUR trip to Playa del Carmen!
Relax
Playa means beach in Spanish, and the beach is the biggest draw here. And what do you do at the beach? Relax! Pretty obvious, right? Out of all the things to do in Playa del Carmen relaxing and taking it easy should be your top priority.
You can spend your days soaking in the sun rays, sipping ice cold Mexican beers, and checking out the sculpted European bods at the beach. If you walk south along the beach (or to the right when facing the ferry dock) you’ll find smaller crowds, more space to spread out on the beach, and stunning sunset views most evenings.
Explore the Tulum Archaeological Site
The Tulum Archaeological Site consists of Mayan ruins and a pristine beach. While the ruins might not be as impressive as some other Mayan relics found in Mexico, they do have the distinct advantage of being right on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The pristine white sand beaches of Tulum beckon.
Bring your own lunch (and a swimsuit) because there isn’t much you can buy once you hit the beach and you won’t want to leave any time soon. Also, please help keep these beaches beautiful and remember to take your trash with you.
Snorkel and Dive a Cenote
Playa del Carmen is surrounded by Cenotes, limestone sinkhole systems only found in Mexico. The Mayans thought these mineral packed freshwater Cenotes were holy, and after a swim or a dive in one you might think so as well!
The water in these magical sinkholes are so mineral rich that it has an almost unexpected buoyancy. It’s a must do activity in Playa del Carmen, whether snorkel, dive, or simply swim around for a bit.
Drink Cheap
Cheap drinks abound in Playa del Carmen. Not only can you buy cheap beers to enjoy on the beach from a local grocery store (although it is best to avoid buying your drinks on 5th Avenue as the prices are inflated) but there are also loads of happy hour deals and lady’s nights with cheap drinks. Our favorite was Canibal Royal, where on Thursdays from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM ladies drink for free. Try the cucumber vodka cocktail, and enjoy the ocean view with friends. It’s spectacular.
Ladies (and guys too) never ever leave your drinks unattended, and don’t let anyone bring you an open drink unless they work for the establishment you are visiting. We don’t want to be alarmists about it but this is a golden rule pretty much everywhere. Stay safe while getting wasted!
Try Mezcal
We’ve all tried tequila but Mexico produces another tasty alcohol made from the agave plant. It’s a bit like tequila but with a smoky flavor. Enjoy it in the traditional manner – as a shot with an orange slice sprinkled with a spicy worm salt. We know it sounds sketchy, but it’s damn good!
There are a ton of places selling Mezcal in Playa and we haven’t come close to trying all of them. We can, however, recommend La Perla Pixan as a great place to do your eating and drinking.
La Perla offers up spectacular Mexican dishes prepared in their lively open kitchen and made with organic and locally sourced ingredients. Squash blossom enchiladas, lobster tacos, tangy guacamole, and a variety of indigenous Mezcal are all on the menu. The food is incredible, and the Mezcal, while not cheap, is probably going to be the best you drink in Playa.
Additionally, Playa del Carmen has some really good Mexican street food, if you look in the right places. Walk away from the beach towards the Wal-Mart and you will surely come across delicious tacos for mere pennies.
Take the Ferry to Cozumel
One of the main things you should do in Playa del Carmen is to leave it…and visit Cozumel.
Cozumel, a small island 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen, can easily be accessed by ferry for a day trip. Once there, rent a scooter for the day and explore the island.
Head to the opposite side of Cozumel (away form the cruise ships and the port town) for white sands, crystal blue waters, and intoxicating privacy. Most days, you can have a strip of perfect beach all to yourself for sun bathing, snorkeling, or swimming. Just be on the lookout for riptide warnings!
Nightlife in Playa del Carmen
Playa has a vibrant tourist nightlife, with tons of bars and clubs open late. if you’re looking to really party go out to one of the many venues on Calle 12. There you’ll find seemingly half of the tourist population experiencing the thrumming, throbbing Gringo nightlife of Playa Del Carmen.
From small dive bars to massive clubs, Calle 12 has it all. Depending on how you want to spend your time in Playa, one night partying here might be all you need…or you might find yourself there far too often.
Now, for a few words of caution. When you party in Playa, try to do so responsibly. Scams abound in the touristy clubs, ranging from over-charging to flat out theft. Never leave your drinks unattended, and never ever buy “party favors”. You can absolutely have a good night out, just remember to keep your wits about you.
Enjoy a Sunset
You can catch some amazing sunsets in Playa del Carmen. Every single day is a chance to get a stunning gift from mother nature as the sun sinks down into the horizon.
Have a post sunset mixed drink on the beach at Zenzi Beach Club, Sports Bar and Restaurant. Sip on a sweet cocktail, dip your toes in the sand, and enjoy the warm breeze on your skin as the sun goes down. Once night has fallen enjoy the live music and salsa dancing near the bar.
General Travel Tips for Playa Del Carmen
Here are some handy tips to make your travel to Playa just a little bit easier.
Getting to Playa del Carmen From Cancun and Cancún International Airport
Playa del Carmen is about 35 miles from CUN airport. A taxi from the airport into Playa del Carmen will cost you around $65 at time of writing. There is no need to reserve a taxi in advance, you can get one form the many eager sellers right outside the entrance to the terminal. The process can seem a little confusing at first, as there is no que, just a bunch of sellers yelling at you to pick them. Don’t be daunted by the commotion however. Apps like Uber won’t work for you here, fyi.
If you want to avoid paying for a taxi you can take one of the many buses that make the trip from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen. ADO is your go to bus in this region of Mexico, and they have frequent service between Downtown Playa and Cancun. Click here for their (Spanish language) website and schedule. tickets cost around $13 and the trip takes around 90 minutes.
Sim Cards in Playa Del Carmen
You’ll probably want to stay connected in Playa, and the easiest way to get data is to buy a local SIM card. You can get a pre-paid card at any 7-11 or OXXO store, and let us tell ya, there are hundreds of them. Don’t buy your SIM at the airport itself unless you want to get ripped off.
Pre-paid SIMs are anywhere for $5 to $20 dollars depending on the amount of data and the sort of plan you want. We usually just buy 10 gigs of data and free SMS for around $10.
Booking Tours in Playa del Carmen
There are many day trips you can take from Playa del Carmen. And you should absolutely take a few. We recommend you wait till you walk the streets of Playa to pick out the tours you want to participate in. Most of the sellers work with the same companies, so you’ll see a lot of variations of the same exact trip, outing, or tour. The benefits of waiting to book your tour is having the ability to talk to the sellers, get a clear description of the trip, and pick out a day with good weather. If you’re feeling cheeky, and you often do after a 11am Corona, you can also try haggling to reduce the price by a few bucks.
If you want to book a tour out of Playa del Carmen in advance click here for a giant list of options.
If you are looking for budget accommodations check out our guide to the best hostels in Playa del Carmen.
There you have it guys, our guide to Playa del Carmen. While many people will tell you to go to Tulum if you want peace and tranquility, Playa is still worth a visit for at least a few days. At least we think so. Let us know what you think after you visit it for yourself! As always travel well, and we’ll see you guys on the road!
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts about selection. Regards
Thanks for the ideas about what to do in Playa. We are here for 4+ months, so don’t usually do too many touristy things. Will definitely check out a cenote and Tulum, and of course the Mexican cuisine is great. We’ll skip the party though, we like to sleep in. Will also check out your budget guide.
We are going on June 11 for a week does anybody have any suggestions of the best place to eat in the best place to go very excited, Also does anybody have any suggestions on fishing
How do you stay safe with the increased crime outside the resorts. I wanted a more authentic experience but everyone keeps telling me to stay in the resorts if i don’t have a locals streetsmarts