Quintana Roo, Mexico

Playa del Carmen

Base here 2–3 days for a beach town feel, a Cozumel ferry day and eco-parks along the coast. This guide pulls together 2 activities, 3 outdoor spots and 2 places to eat from our curated routes.

Plan Playa del Carmen with friends Browse 9 places

Places: 9
Curated routes: 1
Best season: Dec – Apr
Warmest month: August
Coolest month: January
Wettest month: October

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Playa del Carmen

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Playa del Carmen across Centro and Xcaret.

Photo: Ultramar Ferry Playa del Carmen · Google
Do
Ultramar Ferry to Cozumel
45-minute ferry to Cozumel for reef snorkeling and dive trips.
Tip Take Dramamine if the sea is rough.
- Centro
- $$
- 60 min
- Morning
Photo: FeldBum · CC BY-SA 4.0
Do
Xcaret
Eco-park with underground rivers, animals and an evening show of Mexican history.
Tip Arrive at opening; plan a full day.
- Xcaret
- $$$$
- 10 hr
- Full day

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Playa del Carmen.

Photo: rocio rodriguez · Google
Outdoors
Playa Mamitas
Lively beach with beach clubs north of the center.
Tip Weekends are busy; rent loungers at a club.
- Playacar
- $
- 3 hr
- Morning
Photo: Anna Wiśniewska · Google
Outdoors
Punta Esmeralda
Local beach where a cenote spring meets the sea, with calm water.
Tip Good for families; fewer vendors.
- Punta Esmeralda
- Free
- 2 hr
- Morning
Photo: Akumal Bay Beach & Spa Resort · Google
Outdoors
Akumal Bay
Bay known for snorkeling with green sea turtles.
Tip Use a certified guide; keep distance from turtles.
- Akumal
- $
- 3 hr
- Morning

Eat

2 places to eat in Centro, picked for groups who care about the food.

Photo: Thomas Saliou · Google
Eat
El Fogón
Taquería famous for al pastor tacos off the spit.
Tip Order al pastor with pineapple.
- Centro
- $
- 45 min
- Dinner
Photo: La Cueva del Chango · Google
Eat
La Cueva del Chango
Garden restaurant serving Mexican breakfasts since 1997.
Tip Go early for chilaquiles before it fills.
- Centro
- $$
- 75 min
- Breakfast

Drink

1 bar or café in Calle 12 for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

Photo: Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen · Google
Drink
Coco Bongo
Big nightclub-show venue with acrobatics and live music.
Tip Book tickets ahead; doors around 10pm.
- Calle 12
- $$$$
- 4 hr
- Late night

Shop

1 shop in Centro for browsing and souvenirs.

Photo: Gz · Google
Shop
Quinta Avenida
Pedestrian street with shops, restaurants and bars running parallel to the beach.
Tip Walk north of Calle 12 for quieter cafés.
- Centro
- $$
- 2 hr
- Evening

How to fit Playa del Carmen into a trip

Playa del Carmen is stop 1 of 3 on our Tulum & Riviera Maya route. Follow it as-is or lift Playa del Carmen into your own plan.

Stop 1 of 3
Tulum & Riviera Maya
Cenotes, Mayan ruins & a seven-color lagoon
Trip length
7 days
Best season
Dec – Apr
Pace
easy
- Next: Tulum
See the full itinerary

Getting here and onward

Playa del Carmen to TulumTulum is about 62 km / 38 mi away in a straight line

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Playa del Carmen month by month

Average daily highs run from 26°C / 79°F in January to 30°C / 86°F in August. October is the wettest month, with about 224 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Playa del Carmen weather and the best time to visit →

Near Playa del Carmen

2 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

Playa del Carmen questions, answered

How many days do you need in Playa del Carmen?

Our route notes suggest 2–3 days in Playa del Carmen. On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 7-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 27 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Playa del Carmen best known for?

Base here 2–3 days for a beach town feel, a Cozumel ferry day and eco-parks along the coast. Standouts on our list: Playa Mamitas (Lively beach with beach clubs north of the center); Punta Esmeralda (Local beach where a cenote spring meets the sea, with calm water); Akumal Bay (Bay known for snorkeling with green sea turtles).

When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?

Our Tulum & Riviera Maya route is best Dec – Apr. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (30°C / 86°F), the coolest in January (26°C / 79°F) and the most rain in October (about 224 mm).

What are the best things to do in Playa del Carmen?

Start with Playa Mamitas, Punta Esmeralda, Ultramar Ferry to Cozumel, Xcaret and Akumal Bay. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 2 activities, 3 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.

Where should a group eat in Playa del Carmen?

Our picks: El Fogón (Centro); La Cueva del Chango (Centro). Order al pastor with pineapple (El Fogón).

What is near Playa del Carmen?

The closest destinations in our guides are Tulum (about 62 km / 38 mi) and Bacalar (about 257 km / 160 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Playa del Carmen with your crew

Open the Tulum & Riviera Maya route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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Plan around Playa del Carmen

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Playa del Carmen weather by month

Playa del Carmen

Things to do in Playa del Carmen

Do

Ultramar Ferry to Cozumel

Xcaret

Outdoors

Playa Mamitas

Punta Esmeralda

Akumal Bay

Eat

El Fogón

La Cueva del Chango