Playa del Carmen, Mexico – Best Activities, Where to Stay & Eat

Playa del Carmen was our last stop on our month-long trip to Mexico, and dare I say it was our favorite beach resort we visited here. It is only an hour from Cancun, and people often compare these two spots. If Cancun is the crazy younger sister, then Playa del Carmen is the cool, older sister.

And I have to say we much preferred Playa del Carmen to Cancun. As I said, it reminded me of a beach resort in Europe, especially Fifth Avenue (the main street in town), which is full of trendy cafes, boutiques, and a variety of places to eat.

Now, we were keen to just chill out when we landed in Playa del Carmen. So we didn’t do LOADS here. We did spend a lot of time at the Public Beach (the main beach in Playa del Carmen, close to Fifth Avenue), and one day we went to our favorite beach, Playa Punta Esmeralda. There are also two cenotes really close to town if you wish to check them out – Cenote Azul and Cenote Cristalino.

So what should you do, where should you stay, and eat along this stunning coastline? A guide to what to do in Playa del Carmen is below.

Is Playa del Carmen worth visiting?

Yes, 100% Playa del Carmen is worth visiting. As I said, it’s often compared to its more glitzy neighbor, Cancun – but Playa del Carmen is so much better than Cancun, in my opinion anyway. It has more of an easy-going vibe, the downtown area is safe, and most of the beaches are within walking distance of the town center.

We were also really impressed with the restaurants in Playa del Carmen, particularly – Nicoletta Playa del Carmen on Fifth Avenue and El Fogón on Avenida Norte.

How many days should I spend in Playa del Carmen?

I recommend spending around 5 days in Playa del Carmen. We spent 4 days here and would have loved an extra day to go to Xcaret. With 5 days in Playa del Carmen, you’ll get to spend one whole relaxing day on a white-sand beach, check out a cenote, some Mayan ruins, and go on a day trip to Akumal or Xcaret.

Where to stay in Playa del Carmen:

We stayed at La Pasion Boutique Hotel on Calle 10 Norte, just a few blocks from the public beach. It had a lovely, small rooftop pool and hot tub, and it was spacious and light-filled. It was also really close to one of our favorite restaurants in Playa del Carmen – El Fogón. Our double ensuite room cost us around $35 USD per night.

If you’re after something a little fancier, the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort is a luxurious beachfront adults-only hotel that boasts contemporary design, spacious rooms with private balconies, and breathtaking ocean views.

My Favorite Things We Did in Playa del Carmen

Chill out on Public Beach

Public Beach is the main beach in Playa del Carmen, close to Fifth Avenue. And we spent our first full day here lazing on the white sand. We entered it by Parque Fundadores, and because it’s so centrally located, it can get quite busy here.

It’s not the biggest beach – it’s long but quite narrow, and the water is quite warm. I will say, though, there can be a fair bit of seaweed here (from April to October), although it is cleaned up regularly.

Swim at Playa Punta Esmeralda

Another day, we spent a full day on our favorite beach in the area, Playa Punta Esmeralda.

Punta Esmeralda remains a hidden gem among Playa del Carmen’s beaches, cherished by locals. However, I predict it won’t stay under the radar for too long.

What truly sets Punta Esmeralda apart is that there’s literally a cenote nestled in the heart of the beach. You can see the spot where fresh water bubbles up, forming a small beach cenote. From there, it transforms into a gentle stream that winds its way through the sand, eventually meeting the ocean.

Most people tend to swim in the cenote as opposed to the sea, as it can be quite rocky, and there was quite a bit of seaweed when we visited.

If you want, you can walk to Playa Punta Esmeralda from the town center via Quinta Avenida. It’s a bit of a trek, though, at 50 minutes. 

Party at Mamitas Beach Club

This chic beach club is known for its lively atmosphere (there’s an evening DJ set most nights here), and there’s plenty of sunloungers and even a gorgeous pool. The cocktails are also incredible.

Check out a cenote

There are also two cenotes really close to town if you wish to check them out – Cenote Azul and Cenote Cristalino.

Formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, these natural sinkholes reveal a hidden world of subterranean rivers and caverns beneath the Yucatán Peninsula. The cenotes here are not only a paradise for swimmers and snorkelers, but also hold significant historical and cultural importance, as they were considered sacred by the ancient Maya civilization.

Cenote Azul was the first one we visited, and we loved it as it’s surrounded by lush jungle and feels quite hidden. There are also a few different sections to the cenote, including shallow areas perfect for families.

Cenote Cristalino is an open-air cenote that’s surrounded by lush greenery and rocky formations, and there are lots of small fish and intriguing rock formations that you can see when you’re swimming around in its cold waters.

Go shopping on Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue (or La Quinta Avenida) is essentially the main street in downtown Playa del Carmen, and most of it is pedestrianised. As I said above, it’s lined with plenty of great restaurants, Cafes and cool stores.

There are a couple of small shopping centers along here too – Paseo del Carmen, Plaza Corazón, and Quinta Alegría, which house international stores like Levi’s, Zara, etc. I actually bought one of my favorite pairs of jeans from the Levi’s store here.

As for restaurants, we really rate Nicoletta, and for coffee, we loved Quadra Cafe.

Have fun at Xcaret

Now, I’ll be honest, we didn’t get the chance to check this cool spot out as we were limited to just 4 days on our last visit to Playa del Carmen, but friends of ours went, and they had an awesome day.

To summarise the park, Xcaret spans over 200 acres and features a variety of attractions, including underground rivers, lush jungles, and beautiful beaches. In just a couple of hours, you can explore Mayan ruins, swim with dolphins, and enjoy traditional Mexican music and dance performances.

Overall, it’s a very interactive experience that educates visitors on the importance of preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the region.

A ticket to Xcaret costs from $165 USD / 2850 MXN per person, and that includes access to pretty much everything there (but food, drink, and snorkeling equipment is extra).

Playacar Mayan Ruins

You can walk here from the center of town, and although they’re not as big or as wow-worthy as Chichen Itza or the ruins in Tulum, they’re still worth a visit to better understand the Mayan history of the area.

Nestled among the trees just off the side of the road, the remnants of what seem to be three buildings lie hidden, accompanied by a small plaque offering basic information. There are no fences or entry fees to view these ruins, and overall, I would say it feels as though more could be done to preserve and protect them.

Day trip to Akumal to go swimming with turtles

Here in Akumal, a 35-minute drive from Playa del Carmen, you have the unique opportunity to swim alongside majestic sea turtles in their natural habitat.

The name “Akumal” means “Place of the Turtles” in the Mayan language, and it’s truly a fitting title. The warm, crystal-clear waters of Akumal Bay serve as a sanctuary for these gentle creatures. Yup, here you can watch the turtles gracefully gliding through the sea, feeding on seagrass, and occasionally surfacing for air.

As always with animal encounters, it’s important to approach this experience with respect and care, adhering to guidelines that protect the turtles and their environment, like maintaining a safe distance at all times and not touching them.

This highly rated swimming with sea turtles tour costs just $37 USD / 639 MXN per person.

Getting to Playa del Carmen:

Most people fly into Cancún International Airport, which is about 55 kilometers (or 34 miles) away. From the airport, you can take a shuttle, taxi, or rent a car for the drive to Playa del Carmen, which should take you around 45 minutes to an hour. There are also bus services available from nearby towns like Tulum, Cancun, etc. We recommend the ADO bus service, which offers comfortable seating and reasonably priced fares.

Thanks for Reading!

Your next read here –

Isla Holbox Travel Guide (My Honest Review of Isla Holbox, Mexico)

How to Spend 3 Days in Palenque, Mexico

11 Best Things to Do in Bacalar, Mexico

Last Updated on January 28, 2026 by snaphappytravel