Things to do in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is the largest city in the Riviera Maya and one of the most famous beach destinations in the world.

During the 80’s, Playa del Carmen was nothing more than a small fishing village with a port of passage to Cozumel. Since then the growth of this town and as a tourist destination has been dizzying.

There’s so much to see and do in Playa (as the locals call it) that we thought we’d put together this quick guide to Playa del Carmen to give you an overview of what’s on offer.

All right, let’s jump in.

What to visit in Playa del Carmen

To help you plan your trip, we’ve put together a list of 10 great places to visit in and around Playa.

Playa del Carmen beaches.

First up, the beaches! The beaches of Playa del Carmen have been recognized by various media outlets as some of the most beautiful in the world. With their white sand and warm turquoise blue sea, they’re a must-visit. Some of the beaches you’ll want to check out are Playa Paamul, Playa Paraiso, Playa Tukan and Playa Mamitas. If you’re looking for more, we’ve got a list of the top 10 beaches in the Riviera Maya.

Cozumel.

Just 45 minutes by ferry from Playa del Carmen is Cozumel, a paradise island with lots of natural parks, gorgeous beaches, archaeological sites, and the second largest reef in the world.

A trip to Playa wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Cozumel.

More info at: cozumel.travel

Quinta avenida (Fifth Avenue).

Quinta Avenida, Playa del Carmen’s fifth avenue, is the main street of Playa del Carmen. This bustling street is your go-to spot for shopping, eating, relaxing, and cooling off. Located along the beach, it offers a wide range of options, and it’s definitely something you can’t miss.

Xcaret.

Xcaret is an outstanding ecological theme park that does a great job of blending culture with adventure, tradition with technology, and interaction with awareness.

From an underground river and a Mayan village to an aquarium, beach, theater, lagoons, and even giant turtles, there’s something for everyone. It’s no wonder Xcaret is one of the most popular spots in the Riviera Maya.

Check out the top 10 things to do in Xcaret.

Cancun.

Cancun, Playa del Carmen’s big brother, doesn’t need much introduction, just 45 minutes away by car, it’s a very good option for its nightlife, shopping malls and gastronomy.

If you’re planning the trip, it’s super easy to get there by bus or colectivo from Playa del Carmen.

More info at: cancun.travel

Tulum.

Tulum is the only Mayan city located on the shores of the beautiful Caribbean Sea and only 68 km (42 miles) south of Playa del Carmen. Its majestic location and architecture are a testament to the history and achievements of the Mayan civilization.

If you enjoy exploring Mayan ruins, here are 10 archaeological sites you can visit on the Riviera Maya.
More info at: tulum.gob.mx

Coba.

Coba is 42km (26 miles) from Tulum, this ancient Mayan city was home to 50,000 people and you can get an idea of its size by walking along its hundreds of streets and climbing some of its monumental pyramids.

Chichen Itza.

Named one of the seven new wonders of the world, Chichen Itza is a powerful archaeological site. Among the many attractions within the site you will find the Kukulkán Castle, the Sacred Cenote, the Plaza of a Thousand Columns, El Caracol (The Snail) Astronomical Observatory and the great ball court.

Cenotes.

Cenotes are natural pits or sinkholes formed by the collapse of limestone rock, exposing the groundwater below, and are only found on the Yucatan Peninsula. There are more than 2400 cenotes and many can be visited from Playa del Carmen. One is even an ecological theme park: Kantun-Chi. You can also check out the list of the most impressive cenotes on the Riviera Maya, all around Playa del Carmen.

Akumal.

Historically, Akumal was the first tourist destination in the Riviera Maya, currently is an excellent place to relax and unwind, but that peace is not disturbed by other options such as sport fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving or swimming with turtles.