Playa del Carmen

Travel Guide

Playa del Carmen showing a bay or harbor
Playa del Carmen featuring a sandy beach, swimming and general coastal views
Half Moon Bay which includes a coastal town, a sandy beach and tropical scenes
Half Moon Bay featuring a beach and tropical scenes
Half Moon Bay which includes boating and a bay or harbor
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

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
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
A beautiful resort on the Mayan Riviera.

Riviera Maya

While Riviera Maya isn't home to many top sights, Tres Rios Ecopark and El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Course are some notable places to visit nearby.

Riviera Maya
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 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 ¥81,369 per night from Aug 6 to Aug 7
¥81,369
¥98,900 total
Aug 6 - Aug 7
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,470 reviews)
"loving"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 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 ¥104,691 per night from Jul 10 to Jul 11
¥104,691
¥127,119 total
Jul 10 - Jul 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,351 reviews)
"The shuttle transport from the airport to arte was great the staff from beginning to end was amazing. Housekeeping 10/10 our servers from the restaurants 10/10 the pool staff and life guards 10/10 bartenders 10/10. So much to do here at Xcaret arte. The restaurants were amazing, Cantina VIP has a ..."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only
Ocean Maya Royale - Adults Only -  All Inclusive
Ocean Maya Royale - Adults Only - All Inclusive
5 out of 5
Carretera Federal Chetumal, km. 299, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is ¥36,182 per night from Aug 5 to Aug 6
¥36,182
¥36,182 total
Aug 5 - Aug 6
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,125 reviews)
"A lot of seaweed during this season made the experience less favorable. The property and service was excellent."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Ocean Maya Royale - Adults Only - All 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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (469 reviews)
"We came for a third trip and enjoyed it just as much as our first time visiting. It is a large property, but there are shuttle carts around to take you where you want to go. We liked the small freshwater pool behind La Isla- we haven’t had that at other places. The staff is friendly and the property ..."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

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! (1,634 reviews)
"The property was great and the receptionist was a big help because there was a mix up with our room. So She managed to get us room that would accommodate my family and I. And the icing on the cake was not only was the room really nice but she move to a room with an awesome view. Great time"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 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 WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (565 reviews)
"Very nice property!"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 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

Things to do

Reviews of Playa del Carmen

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
3556
5 - Excellent 53%
4 - Good
2396
4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
583
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
117
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
68
1 - Terrible 1%

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

Cities near Playa del Carmen