Rooftop Pool at Thompson Hotel Playa del Carmen

The Best 5 Day Playa del Carmen Itinerary for a Girls Trip in 2024

Viva La Travelista Disclosure

Are you headed to Playa del Carmen for a girls trip and looking for the perfect itinerary? You’ve come to the right place!

As a travel blogger that lives in Playa del Carmen, I’m always tasked with curating local itineraries and vacation plans.

And I know from personal experience that trip itineraries are a ton of work to research and organize!

That’s why I’ve created a sample 5 day Playa del Carmen itinerary to help take the stress out of your Mexico vacation planning.

This itinerary is perfect for a girls trip or Playa del Carmen bachelorette party, including day-by-day activities, restaurant recommendations, nightlife, must-visit attractions, and more.

Ready to find out how to spend your time in Playa del Carmen? Let’s get started!

Playa del Carmen Itinerary at a Glance

This is a detailed 5 day itinerary for Playa del Carmen full of restaurant recommendations, day trips, and nightlife including plenty of beach time, margaritas, and dancing!

While there are a ton of fun things to do in Riviera Maya, I’ve tried to incorporate most of the must-see attractions, which you can pick and choose based on your preferences. 

This schedule is perfect for a Playa del Carmen bachelorette party itinerary, girls trip, or long weekend getaway.  And even if you’re staying for more or less time, it can be modified to fit your needs.

ℹ️ Note: This itinerary is geared towards those staying in downtown Playa del Carmen. However, I’ve included a lot of fun restaurants, bars, and excursions to try even if you’re staying at a Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort.  

And keep scrolling for detailed descriptions of all of these itinerary items!

1️⃣ Day 1:

  • Arrive
  • Relax at the pool
  • Explore 5th Avenue
  • Dinner at La Perla Pixan

2️⃣ Day 2:

  • Breakfast at Que Huevos
  • Beach Day at Playa Xpu-Ha
  • Dinner at UMI Rooftop + Tokyo Kitchen
  • Dancing at Clandestino Rooftop
  • Late Night Tacos at El Fogon

3️⃣ Day 3:

  • Breakfast at Chez Celine
  • Shopping on 5th Avenue
  • Pool or Beach Time
  • Dinner at Ilios
  • Drinks and Salsa Dancing at Zenzi Beach

4️⃣ Day 4:

  • Quick Breakfast at the Hotel
  • Isla Mujeres Catamaran Sail OR Tulum Ruins, Turtles Snorkeling, and Cenote Tour
  • Dinner at La Famiglia

5️⃣ Day 5:

  • Breakfast at La Cueva del Chango
  • Depart
Flamingo Pool Inflatables for a Playa del Carmen Girls Trip

Playa del Carmen Itinerary for a Girls Trip

Below is the sample 5 day itinerary for Playa del Carmen with detailed descriptions for each item: 

Day 1

Here’s a breakdown of the Day 1 activities:

Arrive

Take a transfer from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen and check-in to your hotel.  Make sure to let the front desk know if you’re celebrating any special occasions. 

Relax at the pool

Take some time to soak up the sunshine and enjoy some frozen cocktails or margaritas by the hotel pool. ¡Salud!

Explore 5th Avenue

Spanning for over 20 blocks, 5th Avenue (“La Quinta Avenida”) in Playa del Carmen is a pedestrian-only street where you’ll find all of the restaurants, bars, shops, and nightlife. 

It’s a lively and colorful place where you can just stroll and explore the shops at leisure. 

Head to the main square in Parque Fundadores at the start of 5th Avenue to see a free aerial performance from native Papantla performers.

5th Avenue Playa del Carmen shopping street
Playa del Carmen Parque Fundadores with a church and the Portal Maya Statue

Dinner at La Perla Pixan

Located on the beautiful and trendy 38th Street, La Perla Pixan is an upscale Mexican restaurant serving a creative variety of Mexican and regional specialties.  

La Perla Pixan has some of the best Mexican food in Playa del Carmen as well as high quality craft cocktails, margaritas, tequilas, and mezcals.

Plus, they usually have live music and colorful native dance performances which totally enhances the dining experience and is a nice welcome to Mexico.

A plate of gourmet tacos at La Perla Pixan Playa del Carmen
People dining at La Perla Pixan Restaurant Playa del Carmen

Day 2

Here’s a breakdown of the Day 2 activities:

Breakfast at Que Huevos

Located towards the end of 5th Avenue, Que Huevos is one of the cutest local breakfast spots that serves some of the best breakfast in Playa del Carmen.

It’s a small outdoor cafe with outdoor seating shaded by tropical palms.  The breakfast menu features a ton of classic American and Mexican dishes, as well as fresh fruit juices, smoothies, and coffee.

My favorite breakfast dish is the avocado toast with poached eggs paired with an Horchata espresso.  But you really can’t go wrong with any of their breakfast items! 

People dining at Que Huevos Breakfast Restaurant Playa del Carmen
A plate of pancakes at Que Huevos Breakfast Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

Beach Day at Playa Xpu-Ha

Located about 30 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, Playa Xpu-Ha is one of the most beautiful beaches near Playa del Carmen and is less well-known by tourists.

You can grab a taxi to get there and spend the day relaxing at the trendy Xalmar Beach Club with plush lounge beds, beach puffs, and food and beverage service.

Travelista Tip: It will be a bit harder to get a taxi for the return trip so it’s best to try and prearrange pickup with the taxi driver that dropped you off.

Playa Xpu Ha Beach
Xalmar Beach Club at Playa Xpu-Ha

Dinner at UMI Rooftop + Tokyo Kitchen

UMI Rooftop + Tokyo Kitchen is a trendy rooftop restaurant at the Thompson Hotel Playa del Carmen perfect for a more upscale dinner. 

With amazing rooftop views overlooking the ocean, it’s a fun place for cocktails, sushi, seafood, and Japanese dishes.

Tables and chairs at UMI Rooftop Tokyo Kitchen Playa del Carmen

Dancing at Clandestino Rooftop

After UMI Rooftop, head to the nearby Clandestino Rooftop for a fun night of dancing under the stars.

This chic rooftop club is one of the best nightclubs in Playa del Carmen and is known for its open-air jungle atmosphere and Reggaeton music.

Travelista Tip: Be sure to get there early if you want to get in without paying a cover charge. 

A crowd of people at Clandestino Playa del Carmen nightclub

Late Night Tacos at El Fogón

You’ll most likely be hungry after a night of drinking and dancing!  For late night tacos, head to El Fogon for some delicious tacos al pastor.

Serving some of the best tacos in Playa del Carmen, they are open late and will most definitely be busy.

A plate of El Fogon Al Pastor Tacos

Day 3

Here’s a breakdown of the Day 3 activities:

Breakfast at Chez Celine

One of the most popular breakfast spots in Playa del Carmen, Chez Celine is a French bistro located right on 5th Avenue.

Its charming French-inspired decor and superb reputation attracts both tourists and locals, meaning there is almost always a line.  Be sure to get there early if you want to beat the crowds!

Chez Celine offers a breakfast menu as well as a full French bakery counter serving freshly prepared pastries, chocolate croissants, fruit tarts, cakes, and desserts.  The pastries are elegantly presented and almost too pretty to eat!

People dining at Chez Celine Playa del Carmen

Shopping on 5th Avenue

A trip to Playa del Carmen wouldn’t be complete without shopping on the famous 5th Avenue

After breakfast, take some time to peruse the local shops and stalls to pick up some local souvenirs and take a bit of Mexico back home with you.

On Fifth Avenue, you can purchase a wide variety of Mexican souvenirs, clothing, beachwear, leather goods, artwork, tequila, and novelty food items. 

Coloful hand embroidered Mexican backpacks

Pool or Beach Time

After shopping, head to the pool at your hotel for some relaxation and sunshine.

Or if you prefer the beach, head to one of the popular beach clubs in Playa del Carmen for lounge beds and drink service.

Coralina Daylight Club is a popular party spot for day drinking, or try out Martina Beach Club, which is not quite as rowdy.

Lounge beds in the pool at Alessia Dayclub Playa del Carmen Rooftop Pool

Dinner at Ilios Greek Estiatorio

Located just on 5th Avenue, in Calle Corazon, Ilios is a new upscale Greek restaurant in Playa del Carmen.

It’s got super trendy decor, lively entertainment, and has been rated as one of the top restaurants in Playa del Carmen

Tables and chairs at Ilios Greek Estiatorio Playa del Carmen

Drinks and Salsa Dancing at Zenzi Beach

After dinner, head to nearby Zenzi Beach, which is a large open-air beach bar with a full-service restaurant.

Zenzi is one of the liveliest bars in Playa del Carmen, where you can grab drinks at the bar or sit at the tables and chairs on the beach with your toes in the sand.

They also offer live music and free salsa lessons every week, making it a fun place to enjoy drinks on the beach with friends. 

Tables and chairs on the beach at Zenzi Beach Playa del Carmen
People dining on the beach at Zenzi at night

Day 4

Here’s a breakdown of the Day 4 activities. I would recommend choosing between the Isla Mujeres Catamaran Sail OR the Tulum Ruins, Turtle Snorkeling, and Cenote Tour.

Isla Mujeres Catamaran Sail

Located just off the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a tiny island with the most stunning turquoise water–making it one of the most popular spots for catamaran tours from Playa del Carmen.

Taking a day trip to Isla Mujeres is a fun day-time activity, although it can be a bit of a trek to get there on your own.

That’s why I would recommend booking a catamaran tour to Isla Mujeres, which includes hotel pickup from Playa del Carmen.

It’s the perfect activity for a girls trip where you can sail around the island, snorkel, and enjoy the picturesque beaches. 

A Catamaran sailing on the water to Isla Mujeres Mexico
Isla Mujeres Playa Norte Beach

Tulum Ruins, Turtles Snorkeling, and Cenote Tour

Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little more cultural, consider a visit to the nearby Ruins of Tulum.

Located just 1 hour south of Playa del Carmen, the Tulum Ruins are some of the closest Mayan ruins to Playa del Carmen, and the only beachfront Mayan Ruins in the state of Quintana Roo.

The easiest way to get there is to book a guided tour, which also includes snorkeling with sea turtles at Akumal Bay and a visit to a beautiful cavern cenote.

A pyramid at the Tulum Ruins overlooking the ocean
A sea turtle underwater in Akumal Mexico

Dinner at La Famiglia

After returning from your excursion, head to La Famiglia for dinner, an authentic Italian restaurant that serves some of the best pizza in Playa del Carmen

The restaurant is owned by an Italian family and they serve a wide variety of homemade pastas and Italian dishes.

It has a very homey yet casual atmosphere with a cute upstairs seating area.

Pizzas at La Famiglia Playa del Carmen
A plate of fettucini at La Famiglia Playa del Carmen Restaurant

Day 5

Here’s a breakdown of the Day 5 activities:

Breakfast at La Cueva del Chango

On your last day, head to La Cueva del Chango (“Cave of the Monkey”) for breakfast, which has consistently been named as one of the best breakfast restaurants in Playa del Carmen.

The restaurant’s most unique feature is its cave-like interior, which makes the atmosphere especially unique. 

With mostly Mexican breakfast dishes on the menu, La Cueva del Chango is probably best known for their chilaquiles.

Its relaxed atmosphere and authentic Mexican dishes make it a great place to have your last meal in Playa del Carmen.

The outdoor area at La Cueva del Chango Playa del Carmen surrounded by foliage
Chilaquiles at La Cueva del Chango Breakfast Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

Depart

After breakfast, head back to the hotel to finish packing, complete your check-out, and prepare for your departure.

If you’re flying from the Cancun airport, you’ll want to book your Cancun Airport transfer for about 3-4 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.  

Best Time to Visit Playa del Carmen

The best time to visit Playa del Carmen is during the dry season from December-April.

But because Playa del Carmen is warm and sunny all year round, there really isn’t a bad time to visit! There are just seasons where it is drier and there is less humidity. 

High season is considered to be during the months of December–February, when the weather is still very warm and sunny but much less humid.

This is a great time to visit weather-wise but is also the most expensive and crowded time of the year.  

I’ve found that the months on the border of high season (March/April and October/November) still have great weather but will be less expensive and have much fewer people.

Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen for a Girls Trip

If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Playa del Carmen for a girls trip, below are a few hotels I would recommend in the downtown area. 

All of these hotels are super centrally located and are either Playa del Carmen beachfront hotels or just a few blocks from the beach. 

And staying at one of these hotels will put you right in the center of all the action in Playa del Carmen.

📍 Mahekal Beach Resort

Pool at Mahekal Beach Resort Playa del Carmen

Mahekal Beach Resort is an oceanfront resort located in downtown Playa del Carmen right on 38th Street beach, which is one of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen. 

With bungalow-style accommodations and multiple pools and restaurants, it’s a true Mexican retreat but still close enough to the liveliness of Fifth Avenue.  

📍 Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen

The oceanfront infinity pool at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort

Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen is one of the newest and most modern hotels in downtown Playa del Carmen. 

Located directly on the beach, the hotel offers an infinity pool and plenty of poolside cabanas. Plus, the views of the ocean from the open-air lobby are really impressive! 

And with multiple restaurants and a full-service Cenote Spa, it’s the perfect place for a pampered girls getaway. 

📍 Thompson Hotel Playa del Carmen

The rooftop pool at Thompson Hotel Playa del Carmen

Located in the heart of the downtown area, the Thompson Hotel Playa del Carmen is a chic hotel with one of the best rooftop pools in Playa del Carmen

While it’s not located on the beach, it’s just a few blocks away and places you in the heart of the nightlife district. 

I would definitely recommend the Thompson Hotel for Mexico bachelorette parties as it’s known for its rooftop pool parties and close proximity to many bars and clubs.

Travelista Tip: For a beachfront option, check out their sister property Thompson Beach House.

📍 Hotel HM Playa del Carmen

Courtyard Pool at Hotel HM Playa del Carmen

Hotel HM Playa del Carmen is a moderately priced hotel and one of the best boutique hotels in Playa del Carmen.

While not located on the beach, it’s more centrally located in the heart of Playa del Carmen, just a few blocks from Fifth Avenue. 

Its contemporary Mexican design is really cute and it has an impressive courtyard pool. 

Conclusion: Itinerary for Playa del Carmen

I hope this Playa del Carmen itinerary was helpful for planning your girls trip to Mexico!

It’s perfect for a bachelorette party in Playa del Carmen or simply a long weekend beach trip with friends.

This itinerary may seem jam-packed, but you can pick and choose what works best for your schedule and preferences.

Make sure to leave time for the pool and beach, but I would also consider booking a catamaran sail to Isla Mujeres or a Tulum Ruins, Turtles Snorkeling, and Cenote tour.

And there are many other incredible things to do in Playa del Carmen, that you’re sure to find the perfect activities for your group.

No matter what you choose to do, you’re sure to have blast enjoying the sun and sand in Playa del Carmen. And who better to enjoy it with than your best friends?!

🇲🇽 Traveling to Mexico soon?

These are the Mexico travel resources I use and recommend:

🏨 Hotels: I always find the best deals for Mexico hotels and resorts on Expedia or Booking.com. If you prefer a vacation rental, check VRBO as they are often cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!

✈️ Flights: I recommend using Skyscanner for the best Mexico flight deals. Be sure to sign up for their price alerts for your preferred travel dates.

🚗 Rental Cars: I recommend using Discover Cars because you can compare multiple car rental companies and see detailed ratings for overall value, ease of pick-up, efficiency of agents, car condition, and overall time spent.

🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: I recommend booking a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation for the quickest and most hassle-free option!

🤿 Tours & Activities: I always use Viator or GetYourGuide for booking tours and activities in Mexico. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, plus they have excellent customer service if you were to have any issues.

🚨 Travel Insurance: After my Dad broke his hand in a taxi accident in Playa del Carmen, I always recommend buying travel insurance before your trip for added peace of mind! I recommend Travel Insurance Master for short trips or Safety Wing for digital nomads.

☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Don’t forget to add biodegradable sunscreen to your Mexico packing list! Regular sunscreen is prohibited when swimming in the ocean and cenotes in Mexico, so you’ll need to pack some biodegradable sunscreen for sun protection. I recommend Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is reef-friendly, vegan, and cruelty-free.