Playa del Carmen

Travel Guide
Playa del Carmen showing a bay or harbor

Dive to enchanting coral reefs, explore ancient Mayan ruins or sip sunset cocktails from lively beach bars. It’s all possible in Playa del Carmen, Mexico’s fun-loving beach getaway.

You could be forgiven for thinking that Playa del Carmen was a place you dreamed up. With alabaster sands lapped by the azure Caribbean Sea, magical hidden cenotes (swimming holes) and stylish resorts, this city on the Riviera Maya is the definition of beach paradise. And like the colorful corals of the Mesoamerican Reef below, its richest treasures reveal themselves when you dive beneath the surface. Shop for artisan goods at local night markets, hunt down the best cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) or witness traditional Mayan dances in bustling squares. Discover every facet of this dazzling jewel on the Yucatan Peninsula.

The best areas for accommodation in Playa del Carmen

For bar hopping and boutique shopping moments from the beach, Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) is one of the best places for first-timers to stay in Playa del Carmen. This colorful pedestrianized street is the city’s main thoroughfare, with designer shops, stalls selling local handicrafts and Mexican and international restaurants. Alternatively, stay in the upmarket Centro neighborhood to be in the heart of the action and close to the beach.

One of the best places for couples to stay in Playa del Carmen is Playacar, a gated community south of the city center featuring all-inclusive resorts overlooking a pristine stretch of sand. To be closer to the action, base yourself in Gonzalo Guerrero, a buzzing neighborhood filled with salsa bars and beach clubs. It’s also home to some of the city’s best dining, from taquerias to food trucks and seafood restaurants.

North of the city center, you’ll find Luis Donaldo Colosio, a great area for families to stay in Playa Del Carmen with a low-key, residential vibe. Spend your days chilling out on Playa Punta Esmeralda, a crescent-shaped bay offering shallow waters and gentle waves that are perfect for young swimmers. Or stay in Playacar for family-friendly all-inclusive hotels near the heart of town.

Best time to visit Playa del Carmen

  • Winter (December to April): The best time to visit Playa del Carmen for warm, sunny days and cooler nights with minimal rainfall. Expect crowds, especially around holiday periods.
  • Spring (Late April to May): The low season offers great hotel deals but can bring seasonal hurricanes.
  • Summer (July to September): Expect hot, humid weather and local celebrations like the Virgen del Carmen festival.
  • Fall (October to November): October is the rainiest month, but storms usually subside and make way for cooler, clearer days come November.

How many days to spend in Playa del Carmen

Plan a three- to four-day break to explore the best beaches in Playa del Carmen, stroll along Quinta Avenida and go on a scuba diving or snorkeling tour. If you’re seeking slower-paced beach days and a couple of day trips to sites like Chichen Itza, you’ll want at least a week here.

The vibe of Playa del Carmen

Think of Playa del Carmen as the Goldilocks of Yucatan destinations. It combines the nightlife and urban feel of Cancun with the relaxed, boho vibes of Tulum, appealing to a wide range of travelers from families and couples to backpackers and party-goers. In Playa del Carmen’s town center, local markets rub shoulders with gleaming modern shopping malls, and trendy cafes filled with digital nomads share the street with hawkers selling traditional tamales (steamed corn dough wrapped in banana leaves). It’s the perfect choice if you’re seeking a laid-back beach break with plenty to do besides relaxing, from exploring cenotes and Mayan ruins to scuba diving in the Mesoamerican Reef.

What is Playa del Carmen famous for?

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its palm-fringed shorelines, from the upscale, resort-lined Playacar to its bustling namesake beach and the secluded Playa Punta Esmeralda. Another iconic feature of this region is cenotes, limestone caves filled with jewel-like water. Plunging into swimming holes like Cenote Chikin-Ha and Chaak Tun Cenote is one of the best things to do in Playa del Carmen. The Yucatan Peninsula is also famous for Mayan sites like Chichen Itza, a UNESCO-listed former city dating back over 1,000 years, which you can visit on a bus tour from Playa del Carmen. By night, even the most reluctant of party-goers will be seduced by the city’s eclectic mashup of after-dark rhythms, from salsa to electro to rock music.

Events in Playa del Carmen

Events in Playa del Carmen kick off with Año Nuevo (New Year’s Day). From late January to early February, look out for the Arena Festival, Mexico’s largest LGBTQ+ music festival. The Virgen del Carmen festival in July brings a procession through the streets to celebrate the city’s patron saint, along with vibrant parties throughout town. And if you’re visiting in November, don’t miss Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Xcaret. This Mexican festival honors the deceased with colorful costumes, decorated skulls, floral displays, Mayan dances and traditional foods like pan de muerto (bread of the dead).

Top attractions in Playa del Carmen

Just a 45-minute boat ride away, Isla Cozumel offers access to the world’s second-largest barrier reef, and the snorkeling or scuba diving here is unforgettable. Exploring Mayan ruins is another great thing to do for first-timers in Playa del Carmen. Take a day trip to Chichen Itza to explore the renowned pre-Hispanic city, featuring the pyramid-shaped El Castillo temple and the largest Mayan ball court in the Americas.

It’s worth waking up early for a stand-up paddleboard sunrise tour, one of the best things for couples to do in Playa del Carmen. Or experience golden hour with a sunrise yoga class at Coco Beach. If food is your love language, join a cooking class to learn Mexican dishes like fish ceviche and mole (richly spiced sauce), or dine in a cave restaurant for a unique date night.

One of the top things for families to do in Playa del Carmen is visit Xcaret, an ecological park in the jungle. You can slide, swim and paddle in its lagoons and cenotes or experience Mayan cultural performances and historical reenactments. Kids will also love Rio Secreto, a fascinating underground cave and river system you can experience on a guided tour from Playa del Carmen.

Where to stay in Playa del Carmen

Cozumel featuring tropical scenes and a beach

Downtown Playa del Carmen

4.5/5(115 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen Main Beach and Quinta Avenida are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Playa del Carmen
Beautifully lit tree along the road near Playa del Carmen,Mexico

Playacar

4.5/5(1,552 area reviews)

An upscale resort area with secluded beaches and villas by the sea, Playacar boasts a golf course designed by Robert von Hagge and is just a short drive from downtown Playa del Carmen.

Playacar
Beautifully lit tree along the road near Playa del Carmen,Mexico

Playacar Zona Hotelera

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Playacar Zona Hotelera. A stop by Playacar Beach or Piste Cyclable sur Paseo Xaman-Ha might round out your trip.

Playacar Zona Hotelera
Cozumel featuring tropical scenes and a beach

Gonzalo Guerrero

4.5/5(832 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Gonzalo Guerrero, Playa del Carmen Main Beach and Quinta Avenida are top sights worth seeing.

Gonzalo Guerrero
Playa del Carmen is a city I fell in love with at first sight! The people, the street food and restaurants and the beach are just amazing:) This is the view from the rooftop bar at The Palm at Playa, prefect to enjoy a cocktail at the bar or chill out in the hammocks!

Playa del Carmen Centro

4.5/5(474 area reviews)

Travelers to Playa del Carmen Centro praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Quinta Avenida and Playa del Carmen Main Beach.

Playa del Carmen Centro
Default Image

Maroma

Maroma is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Maroma Beach and Paradise Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Playa del Carmen.

Maroma
Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Carretera Federal 307, KM 282, Chetumal a Puerto Juarez, Xcaret, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is $426 per night from Nov 10 to Nov 11
$426
includes taxes & fees
$351 per night
Nov 10 - Nov 11
Stay at this 4-star beach property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8/10 Very Good! (3,782 reviews)
"Everything"

Reviewed on Oct 30, 2024

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
Grand Riviera Princess - All Inclusive
Grand Riviera Princess - All Inclusive
4.5 out of 5
Prolongacion 5ta Avenida, Mza 20 Lote 006, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is $252 per night from Nov 3 to Nov 4
$252
includes taxes & fees
$252 per night
Nov 3 - Nov 4
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (3,215 reviews)
"pretty nice and quiet for relax"

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024

Grand Riviera Princess - All Inclusive
Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive
Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive
5 out of 5
Carr. Chetumal - Puerto Juarez Km. 282, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is $790 per night from Dec 1 to Dec 2
$790
includes taxes & fees
$636 per night
Dec 1 - Dec 2
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 10 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,270 reviews)
"Pools and bars and food spots close way too early. Food was ok. Great at some spots and terrible at others. Beach was always closed. Property is gorgeous and there is so much to do at the connected attractions. It’s overwhelming you can’t do it all in 4 days. MAKE RESERVATIONS THE FIRST DAY FOR THE ..."

Reviewed on Oct 27, 2024

Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
El Dorado Royale, Catamarán, Cenote & More Inclusive
El Dorado Royale, Catamarán, Cenote & More Inclusive
5 out of 5
Km 45 Carretera Cancun, Tulum Kantenah, Maroma, Playa del Carmen, QROO
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 6 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (198 reviews)
"The resort had wonderful and extensive dining options."

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024

El Dorado Royale, Catamarán, Cenote & More Inclusive
Playa Palms Beach Hotel
Playa Palms Beach Hotel
4 out of 5
1st Avenue Bis, Between 12th and 14th North Street, Playa del Carmen, QROO
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free WiFi, a private beach, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,483 reviews)
"We will definitely stay here again! All of the staff were friendly and helpful. Thank you so much for making us feel welcome."

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024

Playa Palms Beach Hotel
Generations Riviera Maya Family Resort Catamarán, Aqua Nick & More Inclusive
Generations Riviera Maya Family Resort Catamarán, Aqua Nick & More Inclusive
4.5 out of 5
Playa del Carmen
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (55 reviews)
"I really liked the big rooms they had! We absolutely loved our main floor swim out! We had Erbie who visited us daily to get our drink orders! The room was very clean, the maids did a good job at cleaning and giving us new towels. I didn’t like how they touched our personal belongings such as our ..."

Reviewed on Oct 20, 2024

Generations Riviera Maya Family Resort Catamarán, Aqua Nick & More Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Food in Playa del Carmen

Like the rich array of citrus, smoke and spice in cochinita pibil (slow-cooked pork), Playa del Carmen’s food scene is a diverse fusion of flavors. First, seek out this signature Yucatecan dish; you’ll find the best at unassuming taquerias, served on corn tortillas with pickled onions. To see why Mexican cuisine is world-renowned, hunt down fresh ceviche at seafood restaurants, try Oaxacan fare like pozole verde (green chili stew), or have a traditional breakfast of chilaquiles (fried tortilla chips cooked in salsa). Thanks to its large expat population, Playa del Carmen’s culinary landscape is increasingly global, featuring European-style bakeries, Caribbean restaurants, Italian-style steakhouses and vegan cafes.

Nightlife in Playa del Carmen

Nightlife begins long before darkness falls in Playa del Carmen, where sunkissed beach days blend into energetic beats that stretch into the early hours. Kick things off with a sunset cocktail and some lo-fi rhythms at a beach club. Then continue your bar crawl in town, where mezcal and tequila bars sit alongside craft beer hot spots and Cuban-style joints with salsa dancing and rum cocktails. Party-goers won’t want to miss renowned clubs with state-of-the-art themed performances. For a true Mexican fiesta, head to Parque Los Fundadores for Mayan dances, fire-breathing and plenty of food and drink stalls.

Shopping in Playa del Carmen

Quinta Avenida is the epicenter of Playa del Carmen’s shopping scene. Spend a leisurely afternoon hunting for unique gems like hand-painted ceramics, ornately embellished mirrors, embroidered blankets and real leather goods. At the street’s southern end, the open-air Paseo Del Carmen Shopping Mall is perfect for leisurely strolling, with its shady, cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings offering a mix of independent and big-name stores. For more international brands, head to the three-story Quinta Alegria Shopping Mall. Prefer something with a more local flavor? Check out the weekend night markets near the Palacio Municipal, where artisanal handicrafts, jewelry and clothing are matched by excellent street food.

Best beaches in Playa del Carmen

With an underwater cenote forming a shallow natural lagoon, Playa Punta Esmeralda is one of the best beaches in Playa Del Carmen for swimming. It’s also quieter than the main beaches near town. Nearby Playa 88 is a lesser-known gem where palm-flanked white sands meet calm, lifeguard-patrolled waters. Playacar is another idyllic swimming spot, known for its upmarket resorts and crystal-clear waters.

Playacar is one of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen for snorkeling, offering pristine sands and waters teeming with tropical fish. The quiet Xcalacoco Beach is favored by locals and is a great place to see multicolored parrotfish, angelfish and hermit crabs among reefs and rock pools. For guided snorkeling tours, head 30 minutes north to Puerto Morelos, the closest stretch of shoreline to the Mesoamerican Reef.

Getting around Playa del Carmen

Thanks to its easy-to-navigate grid system and pedestrianized streets like Quinta Avenida, Playa del Carmen is very walkable. To explore off-the-beaten-track beaches, download the BiciPlaya app and use the bike-share scheme to enjoy a growing network of cycle paths. If you’re planning to visit cenotes, Mayan ruins and other attractions further afield, it’s best to rent a car or take a Playa del Carmen bus tour.

Playa del Carmen currency and budget

Tipping is standard in Playa del Carmen, and you should add around 10%-15% to your bill in restaurants. It’s best to pay in pesos for shopping, dining and activities, although U.S. dollars are accepted at some establishments. Budget around $100-$150 USD for a mid-range vacation, including accommodations, food, transportation and activities. Here is the typical cost for a few daily expenses:

  • A meal at an inexpensive restaurant = $10.00 USD
  • A pint of domestic beer = $6.00 USD
  • A medium cappuccino = $3.50 USD
  • A meal for two at a mid-range restaurant = $40.00 USD

*Prices are provided for informational purposes and are subject to change.

Local greetings in Playa del Carmen

While English is widely spoken in tourist areas, a little Spanish will earn you brownie points in Playa del Carmen. Start with “hola” (hello) and “buenos días” (good morning). Ask for “la cuenta, por favor” (the bill, please) in restaurants and say “gracias” (thanks). If you’re meeting someone new, it’s typical to share a hug and cheek kiss, and you might hear the greeting “mucho gusto” (nice to meet you).

Reviews of Playa del Carmen

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
3556
" "5 - Excellent 52.916666666666664%
4 - Good
2396
" "4 - Good 35.654761904761905%
3 - Okay
583
" "3 - Okay 8.675595238095237%
2 - Disappointing
117
" "2 - Disappointing 1.7410714285714286%
1 - Terrible
68
" "1 - Terrible 1.0119047619047619%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Great beaches, cool caves for advanced divers, warm waters, shopping. Just be careful with cash on hands and do not leave it in the room even in the safety box. We were part of bigger group, 3 out of 12 rooms in 4 hotels were missing money or items.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Highly recommend the excursions of Rio Secreto and Chichen Itza.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love Playa del Carmen. The vibe in the Riviera Maya is much more relaxed than the Cancun area. I also loved 5th Avenue for the shops, people watching and restaurants.

5/5 - Excellent

Emily

Amazing city, nice people.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Love the people, the culture, the food, the geography, the history, Mayans, etc, I think Mexico is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Favorite destination in Mexico

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