Playa del Carmen, Mexico: travel guide
A stylish beach town on the Riviera Maya with a famous pedestrian strip, cenotes, and easy access to Cozumel and Tulum.
- Country
- Mexico
- Currency
- MXN
- Time zone
- America/Cancun
- Nearest airport
- CUN
Top places to visit in Playa del Carmen
Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue)
Market · about 2 h
Pedestrian street running parallel to the beach lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
Playacar Beach
Beach · about 2 h
Quieter white-sand stretch south of the ferry pier fronting the Playacar resort area.
Xcaret Park
Activity · about 8 h
Large eco-archaeological park with underground rivers, wildlife and an evening spectacle.
Xplor Park
Activity · about 7 h
Adventure park with zip-lines, amphibious vehicles and river rafting through caves.
Playa Mamitas
Beach · about 2.5 h
Trendy town beach with beach clubs, DJ music and turquoise water.
Cozumel Ferry Terminal
Activity · about 0.5 h
Departure pier for the 45-minute passenger ferry to Cozumel island.
Cenote Chaak Tun
Nature · about 2 h · entry MXN 350
Semi-open cave cenote just west of town with stalactites and guided swims.
Fundadores Park & Portal Maya
Viewpoint · about 0.8 h
Beachfront plaza with the giant Portal Maya sculpture and the town clock.
Cenote Cristalino
Nature · about 2 h · entry MXN 200
Open-air cenote south of town with a jumping ledge and mangrove-fringed pool.
Things to do
- Cozumel Reef Snorkel by Ferry Water Sports · 6 h · from MXN 1,200 per person
- Río Secreto Underground River Adventure · 3.5 h · from MXN 1,400 per person
- Xplor Adventure Park Adventure · 7 h · from MXN 2,500 per person
- Cenote & Cavern Dive Trip Water Sports · 5 h · from MXN 2,800 per person
Day trips and tours
- Cozumel Snorkel + Beach Day 9 h · from 1,600
Where to stay in Playa del Carmen
- 5th Avenue Corridor about MXN 2,800 per night
The beating heart of PDC — pedestrian strip of restaurants, boutiques, bars, and the ferry to Cozumel. Stay within 2 blocks of 5th Ave for maximum convenience.
- Playacar about MXN 3,500 per night
Gated residential neighbourhood south of 5th Avenue — quiet, walkable to beach, good value boutique hotels, away from nightlife noise.
Hotels
- Hotel Lunata 4-star · MXN 2,800 to MXN 5,500 per night
- Thompson Playa del Carmen 5-star
- Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen 5-star
- Selina Playa del Carmen 2-star · MXN 500 to MXN 1,800 per night
- Che Playa Hostel 2-star
- Hotel Cohiba 3-star
Where to eat
- El Fogón mexican, tacos · about MXN 100 per person
- La Cueva del Chango mexican · about MXN 200 per person
- Aldea Corazón Mexican · about MXN 550 per person
- Chez Céline French, Cafe, Bakery · about MXN 250 per person
- El Fogoncito Mexican, Tacos · about MXN 150 per person
- Los Aguachiles Seafood, Mexican · about MXN 200 per person
- Alux Restaurant Mexican, International · about MXN 900 per person
- La Perla Pixán Cuisine Mexican, Oaxacan · about MXN 650 per person
Getting around
- Bicycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
5th Avenue "Tourist Guides"
Playa del Carmen 5th Avenue pedestrian strip
Men approach tourists offering to guide them to "the real local spots." They lead you to shops or restaurants where they earn a commission on everything you buy/order.
How to avoid it: You don't need a guide on 5th Avenue — it's a pedestrian street you can explore freely. Decline politely and continue on your own.