There are so many things to do in Playa del Carmen that narrowing it down to a manageable list is daunting. My wife and I have been annual renters in Playa del Carmen for the past decade. Playa has always lived in the shadow of it’s more well known neighbor Cancun, but it has become a major destination on its own. Wonderful beaches, plenty of activities, budget friendly accommodations and a central location in the Riviera Maya make Playa del Carmen one of my favorite places in the world.
Things to do in Playa del Carmen: Check out the Beach!
The beach is the main reason to visit Playa del Carmen. Isn’t it?
The entire Riviera Maya is famous for it’s beautiful beaches and Playa del Carmen is no exception. I personally prefer to rent a vacation rental near the center of town. I’m not a huge fan of the big all-inclusive type resort. You shouldn’t have more than a 10 minute walk to the beach if you stay anywhere near 5th Avenue.
There are several beach clubs where you can rent a beach chair and order drinks and food. Kool Beach Club is my personal favorite. Alternatively you can just plop down in a public beach area and bring your own refreshments from a nearby convenience store.
This whole area can have problems with sargassum seaweed at times. We went to Playa del Carmen last year and there was quite a bit of seaweed. It didn’t really affect our fun, but you can research this ahead of time and plan accordingly if it bothers you.
Explore 5th Avenue
5th Avenue is a pedestrian street that runs parallel to the beach and offers a wide array of shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Simply strolling up and down 5th Avenue and enjoying the scene is an enjoyable experience that doesn’t cost a dime.
There is also a variety of Vacation Rentals in Playa del Carmen located in and around 5th Avenue.
Take a day trip to Cozumel
One of the best things about vacationing in Playa del Carmen is there are several attractions nearby that make for easy day trips. The island of Cozumel is about 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The trip can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the ferry you choose.
Cozumel is a destination in itself, but I recommend renting a car or hiring a driver to explore the island if you only have a day. Along with beautiful beaches, Cozumel is also a world famous dive site.
Swim in a Cenote
This is one of my absolute favorites things to do. We always try to find a new cenote to explore anytime we are in Playa del Carmen. A cenote is a sink hole in the limestone that has filled up with rain water, The water is cool, crystal clear and usually surrounded by lush jungle foliage.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of cenotes in the area. You can hire a tour to take you to one or several or just trek out on your own.
Take a Day Trip to Tulum
Tulum is most famous for the ancient Mayan city nestled along the Caribbean. Today Tulum is also a popular destination for budget travelers and those looking to escape the larger destinations of Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Playa is about an hour drive from Tulum. Take a day to explore the ruins and the city of Tulum itself.
Get a Massage
Just walk down virtually any street in the center of Playa del Carmen and you will find you can’t go more than a few feet without someone offering you a massage. You won’t see the extremely low prices that you would for a massage in say Thailand, but they are still affordable compared to what we pay in the US.
You will typically pay around $25 for an hour long massage, and I have found the quality to be pretty good.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan City that was recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is located in the interior of the Yucatan Peninsula, so it is a bit of a trek to get there. Allow a full day for travel back and forth and to get the whole experience.
Visit Xcaret Park
This is one thing that we haven’t had a chance to do yet, but I have heard really good things from other travelers. Xcaret is a nature park about 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen. Think of it as a theme park built around the natural beauty of the area. You can snorkel in an underground river, swim with dolphins or take in a variety of performances.
Xcaret can get a bit expensive and a bit crowded during peak times, but it is definitely something you should experience at least once.
Go Deep Sea Fishing
Another one of my favorite things to do in Playa del Carmen is to go deep sea fishing. There is a natural drop off near the coast where the depth reaches around 1600 feet. Here you can troll for Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Wahoo and other species.
We fished with Wasabi Loco Charters on our last trip and I would highly recommend them. We had our own 32 foot boat and the cost was less than $500 for half a day.
Enjoy Some Local Dining
5th Avenue is great. You need to check it out for yourself, but many of the restaurants along 5th Avenue are very touristy.
I recommend getting off the beaten bath while in Playa Del Carmen and exploring some of the many local restaurants. Kaxapa Factory and La Cueva del Chango are two of my favorites, but there are countless local restaurants to try.
A Final Note on Safety Concerns
Playa del Carmen and Mexico in general sometimes end up in the news as being an unsafe place. We have visited Playa at least 20 times and have never felt unsafe. Just use common sense and take the same safety precautions that you would anywhere else.
The authorities work very hard to maintain safety in the area and keep the tourism dollars flowing. Also Playa del Carmen has become a major destination for Expatriates due to the warm climate and relatively low cost of living.
Again just make sure you keep your whits about you and you should be fine. Every major city can have issues with crime and Playa is no different.
