Playa del Carmen

Travel Guide
Photo provided by Cozumel Promotion Board
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

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)

The stunning beaches and popular shops are just a few highlights of Playacar. Make a stop by Playa del Carmen Main Beach or Playacar Golf Club while you're exploring the area.

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

Playacar Zona Hotelera

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Pristine beaches and ample dining options are well-reviewed features of Playacar Zona Hotelera. Make a stop by top sights like Piste Cyclable sur Paseo Xaman-Ha while you're exploring the area.

Playacar Zona Hotelera
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
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
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
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 ¥29,835 per night from May 15 to May 16
¥29,835
per night
May 15 - May 16
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,593 reviews)
"Very good experience. Great hospitality !!!"

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Grand Riviera Princess - All Inclusive
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 ¥73,020 per night from May 21 to May 22
¥73,020
per night
May 21 - May 22
Stay at this 4-star beach property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (3,224 reviews)
"We love Occidental at Xcaret because we love seeing wildlife when we travel. We also love seeing ruins and learning about the early history. The resort is beautiful, the staff friendly and helpful and there are plenty of food choices. We are vegan, so enjoy the many vegetables, fruits, beans and ..."

Reviewed on May 10, 2024

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts All Inclusive Riviera Maya
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts All Inclusive Riviera Maya
5 out of 5
Carretera Cancun Tulum Km 45, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is ¥156,884 per night from May 13 to May 14
¥156,884
per night
May 13 - May 14
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the family ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (726 reviews)
"Everything was working, open and clean."

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts All Inclusive Riviera Maya
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.
Hotel Colonial Playa del Carmen
Hotel Colonial Playa del Carmen
3.5 out of 5
Playa del Carmen
Stay at this aparthotel in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Xplor Theme Park and Xcaret Eco ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,032 reviews)
"Easy walking distance to beach and shopping and restaurants"

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Hotel Colonial Playa del Carmen
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 pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,360 reviews)
"It is a very nice property, clean, and very accommodating"

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

Playa Palms Beach Hotel
Rosewood Mayakoba - Near El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course
Rosewood Mayakoba - Near El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course
5 out of 5
Carr Federal Cancun, Playa del Carmen KM 298, Playa del Carmen, QROO
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 6 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Maroma Beach and Playa del ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (348 reviews)
"Magnificient!"

Reviewed on Feb 11, 2024

Rosewood Mayakoba - Near El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course
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 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
May 20, 2020

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
May 20, 2020

Highly recommend the excursions of Rio Secreto and Chichen Itza.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 9, 2020

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
May 6, 2020

Amazing city, nice people.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 16, 2020

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

Orangechickie
Apr 16, 2020

Favorite destination in Mexico

Cities near Playa del Carmen