Playa del Carmen Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen
Half Moon Bay showing a coastal town, a sandy beach and tropical scenes
Half Moon Bay showing a beach and tropical scenes
Playa del Carmen

White-sand beaches, bustling nightlife and chic shopping make this beach town one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most cosmopolitan and exciting destinations.

White-sand beaches, bustling nightlife and chic shopping make this beach town one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most cosmopolitan and exciting destinations.

Playa del Carmen is one of the trendiest towns on the Riviera Maya, populated by well-heeled expats and crowds of European visitors. Spend your days relaxing at beach clubs, browsing upscale shops and exploring some of the wonderful nearby dive sites. At night, dine at glamorous restaurants and dance at glitzy nightclubs.

The main beach at Playa del Carmen is a wide stretch of clean, white sand that draws families, party-goers and fishermen alike. Relax in a lounge chair under the shade of an umbrella or sip a drink at one of the buzzing beach bars lining the sands. Go to one of the numerous watersports vendors on the beach to arrange snorkeling and diving excursions. Tours will take you to one of the excellent sites just off the nearby island of Isla Cozumel. Look for sea turtles, rays, moray eels and colorful coral as you explore the turquoise waters.

Go for a stroll along the town’s bustling main street, La Quinta Avenida, which runs parallel to the coast. This pedestrianized strip is lined with hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. During the day, dine at stylish cafés and browse upmarket shops found along the street’s sophisticated northern end between Constituyentes and Calle 38. In the evening, La Quinta is the center of the town’s nightlife scene. Head to the busy southern section of the strip, between Calle 4 and Constituyentes, where the most popular clubs and bars are found.

Take a daytrip to Xcaret, an ecological/archaeological theme park located 4 miles (6 kilometers) south of Playa del Carmen. This massive park features an aquarium, a greenhouse, a bee farm and a small zoo, among dozens of other attractions. Walk through the enchanting butterfly pavilion and ride a raft down a jungle river.

Most travelers heading to Playa del Carmen fly into Cancun International Airport, from where regular buses run to Playa del Carmen. Alternatively, get here by taking one of the frequent buses leaving from Tulum or Mérida. The majority of the town’s activities and attractions are found within walking distance of the beach.

Experience the European-style atmosphere of this fashionable beach destination.

Where to stay in Playa del Carmen

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Playacar

4/5(10 area reviews)

Amazing beaches great entertainment and top sights from Playa del Carmen Main Beach to Playacar Golf Club – discover Playacar, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Playacar
Cozumel which includes tropical scenes and a sandy beach

Downtown Playa del Carmen

4.5/5(3 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
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Riviera Maya

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Riviera Maya and surrounding area, you can visit Tres Rios Ecopark and El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Course.

Riviera Maya
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Playacar Zona Hotelera

The pristine beaches and ample 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 which includes tropical scenes and a sandy beach

Gonzalo Guerrero

4/5(18 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
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Playa del Carmen Centro

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

A noteworthy feature of Playa del Carmen Centro is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Playa del Carmen Main Beach and Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal.

Playa del Carmen Centro
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 ₹38,252 per night from 12 Aug to 13 Aug
₹38,252
₹46,519 total
12 Aug - 13 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,543 reviews)
"Everybody had great customer service and the hotel was very clean."

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2025

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only

Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only

5 out of 5
Carr. Chetumal - Puerto Juárez Km. 282, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is ₹58,977 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
₹58,977
₹71,596 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,341 reviews)
"…"

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹84,500 per night from 15 Aug to 16 Aug
₹84,500
₹102,478 total
15 Aug - 16 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and 15 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,232 reviews)
"Wonderful hotel-beautiful campus and bountiful pools. We loved it!"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

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, Catamaran, Cenote, All & More Inclusive Adults Only

El Dorado Royale, Catamaran, Cenote, All & More Inclusive Adults Only

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 Wi-Fi, free parking and 6 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (475 reviews)
"We recently joined my brother in law and sister in law at the resort. They are members so we were able to benefit from all of their perks. Dinner reservations were made when we arrived all transportation to and from restaurants was provided. Service was excellent. Ana and Angaliese took amazing care ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

El Dorado Royale, Catamaran, Cenote, All & More Inclusive Adults Only
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 Wi-Fi, a private beach and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,643 reviews)
"Property had ocean views snd close to all the shops and restaurants"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Playa Palms Beach Hotel
Singular Dream Beach Residences

Singular Dream Beach Residences

3 out of 5
Zazil-ha, Playa del Carmen, QROO
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (575 reviews)
"We stayed there for 7 nights in a 2 bedroom suite. Everything was perfect. The apartment was sparkling clean with a gorgeous view. The pools are amazing! The property is walking distance from everything on 5th street. There was a lot of seaweed in the ocean so we mostly used the pool and rented a ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Singular Dream Beach Residences
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

Reviews of Playa del Carmen

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
31
5 - Excellent 37%
4 - Good
42
4 - Good 51%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Xel ha was excellentl as was swimming in the cenotes.

5/5 - Excellent

Su

Good nightlife, good restaurants, great beach clubs

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Close to the airport. Shopping poor on 5th Avenue, however did feel safe due to police presence not sure how safe it would be without them available.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Fantastic place! Very safe, everyone can find something for themselves to do. Streets were very clean. Food in Playa del Carmen was delicious

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Busy Mexican town. I was offered to buy marihuana every 15 meters on my family town walk

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lots of shops and massages, just dont accept 1st price, they come down loads. Massive supermarket near the ado bus station.

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