Top things to do in Playa del Carmen
Attractions, tours, and activities in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Playa del Carmen
About Playa del Carmen
Including tips for the best time to visit Playa del Carmen
Green palms, turquoise waters and white sands – Mexico’s Playa del Carmen is a riot of tropical colours. The coastal town is situated on the Riviera Maya and skirted by the Caribbean Sea, promising plenty of underwater activities, sun-soaked shores and unforgettable nightlife.
With ‘playa’ meaning ‘beach’ in Spanish, it’s no surprise that Playa del Carmen’s biggest draw is its beaches. The most popular among these is Mamitas, abuzz with DJs belting out electronic music at beach clubs like Kool and Mamita’s. For a more peaceful setting, you can head to Playa Punta Esmeralda, a unique beach featuring a cenote – a natural sinkhole where you can swim in the freshwater. There are also several shores perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving amidst the Caribbean’s colourful marine life. After a day in the water, you can unwind with a stroll along Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) – a lively pedestrian street which runs parallel to the beach and is lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
Playa del Carmen is home to an assortment of theme parks sure to delight adults and children alike. For a taste of the ancient Mayan civilisation, check out Xcaret Park – an eco-archaeological park nestled in a jungle – featuring underground rivers, cenotes, natural sanctuaries and cultural shows. A few steps away is Xplor, an adventure park where you can go zip lining, drive an amphibious vehicle and swim through caves. If you’re travelling with kids, the beachside Parque Los Fundadores offers a playground, bronze sculptures and traditional performances.
Tonight
From $15 per night
This weekend
From $30 per night
Next weekend
From $30 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | USD |
| Language | Spanish |
| Average weekend price | $161 per night |
| Average weekday price | $167 per night |
| Average stay | 3 nights |
Playa del Carmen reviews
What other travelers say about Playa del Carmen
Overall we really liked Playa del Carmen.
September 7, 2023
Overall we really liked Playa del Carmen. We chose to stay there instead of Cancun because we didn't want large crowds and high prices. The restaurants were plentiful and had a good variety and the local people were friendly and accommodating. The prices for food, shops, and hotels were mid range for Mexico. It was a nice place to visit but I felt we had to drive a bit to get to really nice beaches. We went to XCaret which was amazing. I would recommend a rental car if you go, but you can do it without one.
Playa Del Carmen or specifically Playacar where we stayed is...
August 30, 2023
Playa Del Carmen or specifically Playacar where we stayed is a gated community so we felt quite safe. You see police and security patrolling regularly. The town is bigger than you think with many nice shops and malls. The ferry comes in here from Cozumel. Lots of high end resorts which are all gated and secure.
It's a lovely, vibey town with lots of shops and...
August 7, 2023
It's a lovely, vibey town with lots of shops and restaurants all in one street. The hotel is very close to the beach. It's easy to get from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen with the ADO bus service, and then just a short walk to the hotels.
Playa del Carmen was okay depending what you are looking for.
July 18, 2023
Playa del Carmen was okay depending what you are looking for. My intention was relax and enjoy my anniversary. This wasn’t the place. We had to move to a different hotel but far from Playa del Carmen.
An easy going relaxed side to Mexico which is really safe.
July 14, 2023
An easy going relaxed side to Mexico which is really safe. The tours to chichen itza and cenotes is closer from here. There are all kinds of restaurants, fast food, supermarkets with everything you require. A great holiday destination
Playa del Carmen is incredibly expensive.
July 8, 2023
Playa del Carmen is incredibly expensive. In addition, all of the Xcaret activities were terribly disappointing. We will never return. The only positive was the Day pass to Grand Hyatt I purchased for my granddaughter on our last day to try and salvage the trip.
Popular places to stay in Playa del Carmen
Stay in some of the best accommodations Playa del Carmen has to offer
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Condo Kiaraluna Centro, Playa del Carmen
From $55 per night
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Departamentos K&B Centro, Playa del Carmen
From $58 per night
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IPANA Luxury Apartments by Vacaciones.Yeah Centro, Playa del Carmen
From $78.29 per night
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Casa Kay Playa del Carmen, Mexico
From $87 per night
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Hotel Xcaret Arte - All Parks All Fun Inclusive - Adults Only Playa del Carmen, Mexico
From $556.99 per night
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Other accommodations in Playa del Carmen
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Playa del Carmen
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Apartments
From $20 per night
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Resorts
From $96 per night
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Villas
From $49 per night
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Cottages
From $30 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From $20 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $30 per night
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Guest houses
From $10 per night
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Hostels
From $8 per night
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B&Bs
From $20 per night
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Homestays
From $29 per night
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Campgrounds
From $27 per night
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Self-catering Accommodations
From $15 per night
