Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting in 2024? Travel Guide + Tips

Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting?

Yes, Playa del Carmen is definitely worth visiting but it’s important to note that its appeal lies more in its natural beauty and adventure opportunities than in its cultural richness. 

The laid back beach town just south of Cancun is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant 5th Avenue (“La Quinta Avenida”). 

If you’re looking for a tropical paradise with a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of activities, Playa del Carmen certainly has a lot to offer.

The Caribbean beaches and the opportunity to explore the world’s second-largest barrier reef through snorkeling or diving are major draws for visitors. 

Additionally, Playa del Carmen serves as a convenient base for exploring the region’s natural wonders, such as cenotes (natural sinkholes) and nearby Mayan ruins like Tulum, Chichen Itza, and Cobá.

However, it’s important to note that Playa del Carmen is primarily a tourist destination and is not the most culturally-rich city in Mexico. 

While it has a charm of its own, it lacks the deep historical and cultural significance found in other Mexican destinations like Mexico City, Oaxaca, or Guanajuato.

Basically, if you’re seeking a picturesque beach destination with a lively atmosphere, adventure activities, and a taste of Mexico’s coastal charm, Playa del Carmen is definitely worth a visit. 

However, if you’re looking for a more culturally-rich experience steeped in Mexican history and tradition, you may want to explore other cities and regions within Mexico.

Is Playa del Carmen Safe to Visit?

Is Playa del Carmen safe for travelers? Yes, Playa del Carmen is generally safe, as long as you avoid illegal activity and take basic safety precautions.

Playa del Carmen relies almost entirely on tourism, so the Mexican government takes extra precautions to prevent crime that might cause a decline in tourism dollars.

And based on my experience, Playa del Carmen doesn’t feel any different than other major North American cities. Most locals and businesses embrace tourism and go out of their way to cater to travelers.

However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any safety risks. Generally, this consists of petty theft and small scams, like taxi driving charging more than the going rate, or restaurants including a hidden tip amount on the bill.

And it’s no secret that there is occasional cartel violence in Playa del Carmen–mainly because it’s a popular vacation destination and there is a market for selling drugs.

But cartel violence is not usually targeted at tourists as long as you aren’t involved or doing anything illegal.

What is Playa del Carmen Like?

Thirty years ago, Playa del Carmen was nothing more than a small fishing village and where people would come to hop on the ferry to Cozumel.

However, all of that has changed over the last 30 years and now Playa del Carmen is one of Mexico’s fastest-growing cities.

Known simply as “Playa” to locals, Playa del Carmen has still retained its laid-back vibe and is much smaller and more laid back than Cancun.

The main tourist zone in Playa del Carmen is known as Fifth Avenue, which is a pedestrian-only street that runs parallel to the beach and spans for more than 20 blocks.

This is the main Playa del Carmen shopping district and where you’ll find the majority of the town’s restaurants, bars, and nightlife.

What I love about Playa del Carmen is that it’s small and walkable with a very laid-back vibe.  And its location in the heart of the Riviera Maya makes it easy to explore everything the region has to offer.

Reasons to Visit Playa del Carmen

2. Excellent Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: Playa del Carmen’s location near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef makes it a world-class location for snorkeling and scuba diving.

3. Freshwater Cenotes: Playa del Carmen is conveniently located near hundreds of freshwater cenotes of the Yucatan peninsula, offering a totally unique experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

4. Easy to Get to: Playa del Carmen doesn’t have an international airport, but it’s only about an hour from Cancun. You can take a bus, taxi, or private transfer directly from Cancun International Airport to downtown Playa del Carmen.

5. Very Walkable: If you stay in downtown Playa del Carmen, you can practically walk anywhere. The beach, bus stations, restaurants, and bars are all within a 30-minute walk from one another.

6. Luxury Resorts: There are hundreds of luxury resorts, all inclusive resorts, boutique Playa del Carmen hotels, and even vacation rentals around Playa del Carmen. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it right here.

7. Central Location: Playa del Carmen is conveniently located in the Riviera Maya. It’s a great central hub for visiting archeological ruins, cenotes, and other nearby towns and islands.

8. Plenty of Shopping: Fifth Avenue is one of the best places for souvenir shopping in the Yucatan Peninsula. You have excellent souvenirs, homemade crafts, high-end attire, and anything else you want on a 2-mile walking street.

9. Great Restaurants: There are some excellent restaurants in Playa del Carmen, offering both international and local cuisines. You can get some late-night street tacos after a night out, wake up early for tamales, or dine at one of the Italian, Thai, Japanese, and Brazilian restaurants downtown. There are so many options, you’ll never be hungry.

10. Lively Nightlife: There are tons of Playa del Carmen bars with live music, nightclubs, beach bars, and hole-in-the-wall joints to go around. Plus, the famous Coco Bongo show is popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Who is Playa del Carmen best suited for?

The great thing about Playa del Carmen is that it appeals to a wide variety of travelers and budgets.

It’s an excellent place for solo travelers and digital nomads, as there’s so much going on, it’s centrally located, and it’s easy to meet other travelers. 

On the other hand, it’s also great for families because of the plethora of family-friendly activities and all-inclusive family resorts that cater to families.

It’s great for budget travelers, as you can find affordable accommodations and cheap local restaurants. And it’s perfect for luxury travelers as there’s no shortage of beautiful beachfront resorts.

Where is Playa del Carmen?

How to Get to Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen doesn’t have an international airport, but getting here from Cancun International Airport is pretty simple. It’s only about an hour’s drive, and there are many options for transportation.

Fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN)

Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the closest international airport to Playa del Carmen, with plenty of direct flights from major international cities. From there, it’s about an hour drive to Playa del Carmen.

Take Ground Transportation from Cancun to Playa del Carmen

Once you land at CUN, you’ll just have to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. The easiest way is to book a private airport transfer or take the ADO bus.

Private Airport Transfer

A private transfer from the airport to downtown Playa del Carmen is the easiest and most hassle-free option. 

You can book your ride online and have your driver waiting for you as soon as you step off the plane.

ADO Airport Bus

If you’re on a budget, the best option is to take an ADO bus from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen. The ADO bus has frequent departures, and is right outside the airport terminals.

You can purchase your ADO tickets from a small ticket counter right after you get your luggage. 

How to Get Around Playa del Carmen

• Biking: Playa del Carmen is also very bike-friendly. There’s a bike lane on 10th Avenue, just behind 5th Avenue. And you can rent bicycles from Biciplaya, the city’s bike-share service.

• Colectivos: Colectivos are the public transportation around this region, although they look more like large vans. Colectivos operate around Playa del Carmen itself and in nearby towns. For example, traveling from Playa del Carmen to Tulum is simple via colectivo.

• Taxis: If you aren’t up for walking or biking, taxi drivers are everywhere. You’ll find taxi stands near all major points of interest, like the ADO station, the Cozumel ferry terminal, and along Fifth Avenue.

• ADO Bus: The ADO bus is from Playa del Carmen to other towns and cities in the Riviera Maya. The ADO services all of southern Mexico, so whether you’re heading to Cancun for the day or making a longer trek to Bacalar or Holbox, ADO has the route.

Best Time to Visit Playa del Carmen

The best time of year to visit Playa del Carmen is between December and April when the temperatures are comfortable and the risk of seaweed is lowest.

However, Playa del Carmen has warm temperatures all year round and there really isn’t a bad time to visit. 

Hurricane season is from June to November, and the rainy season is from June to October. So, while the prices are better outside of the high season, and there are fewer tourists, the weather isn’t as good.

Summer months are also scorching and humid in Playa, making day trips and full days outside slightly less enjoyable. 

In recent years, this part of the Caribbean has also struggled with seaweed taking over the beaches.

Best Things to Do in Playa del Carmen

If you’re wondering what to do in Playa del Carmen Mexico, here are some of the best Playa del Carmen tourist attractions:

Go Shopping on 5th Avenue

5th Avenue, or “Quinta Avenida”, is the pedestrian walkway in downtown Playa del Carmen and a great place for Playa del Carmen shopping, partying, and eating.

Fifth Avenue has it all: large clothing stores like Forever 21 and American Eagle, small locally-owned souvenir shops, colorful shopping plazas, and lively bars sandwiched between it all.

A great place to start is at Parque Fundadores near the Cozumel ferry where you’ll get to see the Papantla Flyers and the famous Portal Maya statue.

Visit the Beautiful Beaches

Playa del Carmen is a popular destination because of its white sand beaches and clear water, so it’d be a crime not to visit Playa del Carmen’s beaches!

For those looking for water sports, there are tons of jet ski rentals, parasailing companies, paddle board rentals, and other fun ocean activities to be found at many of the beaches.

And if that isn’t your style, you can unwind at one of the Playa del Carmen beach clubs or simply relax in the sun on the sand.

Visit a Freshwater Cenote

Cenotes or natural sinkholes are only found in the Yucatan Peninsula, so there’s no better place to cool off in the jungle while swimming in ridiculously fresh waters.

Some of the best Playa del Carmen cenotes are just a short drive away from downtown including Cenote Eden, Cenote Cristalino, and Cenote Azul.

But there are hundreds of cenotes in Mexico, and you’re sure to have a great time at whichever you decide to visit.

Visit Ancient Mayan Ruins

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in local Mexican culture is to learn about the region’s history. And the best place to do so is at one or more ancient Mayan ruins.

Chichen Itza is one of the most popular day trips from Playa del Carmen, as it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. 

Chichen Itza is a sacred city of pyramids and temples and shows an impressive understanding of astronomy, mathematics, and construction.

Visiting the Tulum Ruins is another great day trip from Playa del Carmen, and it’s much easier as it’s only about 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen. These ruins are right on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Ocean.

Visit an Adventure Park

The Riviera Maya is also home to many action-packed adventure parks, the most popular ones operated by a company called Grupo Xcaret (pronounced “Ish-ka-ret”). 

The Xcaret adventure parks often have a combination of adventure activities blended seamlessly into the natural environment, so you can hardly tell the difference.

For example, Xcaret Park has underground rivers, numerous wildlife encounters, and premium activities like Sea Trek and Snuba. 

Xel-Ha Park is a massive natural water park, complete with adrenaline-racing water slides and unlimited snorkeling. 

And Xplor Park offers the tallest ziplines in Riviera Maya along with amphibious vehicles and other adventure activities.

Go Snorkeling

Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya are located on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest reef in the world. 

This makes it an excellent location to see marine life, underwater sea creatures, and vibrant coral reefs.

There are numerous Playa del Carmen snorkeling tours, which will take you by boat to the best snorkeling spots.

Go Ziplining in the Jungle

If you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience in Riviera Maya, try ziplining in Playa del Carmen. 

Most people don’t realize how much jungle there is in the surrounding area, which is perfect for zipline adventures.

You’ll get to soar above the jungle canopy and get to experience the incredible views from above the treetops!

Go an an ATV Adventure

If you want to experience the jungle but don’t like heights, the next best option is to ride ATVs around Playa del Carmen.

One of the best things about an ATV tour from Playa del Carmen is that the ATV adventure is usually combined with other activities like ziplining or a cenote swim. 

So, if you’re short on time and want to make the most of your day, an ATV tour is an excellent way to get the blood pumping and see the most of the jungle.

Take a Day Trip to Cozumel

Located just off the coast of Playa del Carmen, Cozumel is a small Caribbean island known for its beautiful beaches and incredible snorkeling and scuba diving.

Because of its proximity, a Playa del Carmen to Cozumel day trip makes for a fun and easy excursion.

The Cozumel ferry terminal is located right on Fifth Avenue in downtown Playa del Carmen, and the ferry to Cozumel only takes about 45 minutes.

Once there, you can explore the many different activities in Cozumel like exploring downtown San Miguel de Cozumel, visiting Playa Palancar, or venturing to a beautiful nature reserve known as Punta Sur on the south side of the island. 

Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen

The great thing about Playa del Carmen is that there are a wide variety of accommodation options to fit all budgets.  

The best hotels in Playa del Carmen come in all forms: all-inclusive resorts, boutique properties, beachfront hotels, and vacation rentals.

If you want to be close to the action and the liveliness of 5th Avenue, then the best area to stay in Playa del Carmen is the downtown area known as “Centro”.

On the other hand, if an all inclusive resort is more your style, then consider staying at a Playa del Carmen all-inclusive resort a little further away from the town center.

Tips for Visiting Playa del Carmen

• Don’t drink the tap water: The tap water in Playa del Carmen is not safe to drink, and you’ll likely get very sick if you do so. I’d recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to save on plastic and refilling with filtered water whenever possible. Your hotel or accommodation will likely provide safe Playa del Carmen drinking water.

• Bring biodegradable sunscreen: Biodegradable sunscreen is a must while hanging out on the beach or going on snorkeling tours. Regular sunscreen is prohibited by most tour operators as it can contain chemicals that are damaging to coral reefs and marine life.

• Immerse yourself in the culture: Whether visiting one of the archeological sites with a local tour guide, taking salsa lessons with a local, or trying all the Playa del Carmen street food from the locals vendors, embrace the culture here. Playa del Carmen doesn’t have the richest expression of culture compared to other Mexican cities, but you can definitely still find it if you go looking for it.

• Keep pesos on you: Cash is king in Mexico, and Mexican pesos (the local currency in Riviera Maya) are very useful. Credit cards are accepted in most places but it’s still a good idea to have cash on hand for taxis, tips, and smaller purchases. 

Visiting Playa del Carmen: FAQs

Final Thoughts: Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting?