12 Best Beaches in Playa del Carmen to Visit in 2023
Looking for the best beaches in Playa del Carmen? You’ve come to the right guide!
With powder-white sand and bright turquoise water, it’s no secret that Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya region is known for having some of the best beaches in Mexico.
I’m a travel blogger that lives in Playa del Carmen so I’ve been able to experience all the best Playa del Carmen beaches and pick out the hidden gems.
So if you’re planning a trip to Playa del Carmen and are looking for the most beautiful beaches to visit, I’ve got you covered!
Read on for my insider’s guide to all the best beaches in Playa del Carmen you won’t want to miss.
Best Beaches in Playa del Carmen
Below are the best beaches I would recommend visiting in downtown Playa del Carmen.
🏨 I’ve also listed the closest hotels to these beaches for the best Playa del Carmen beach access.
1. Mamitas Beach
Located on 28th Street, Mamitas Beach is probably the most happening beach spot in downtown Playa del Carmen.
At the entrance, you’ll find Mamitas Beach Club, which is considered by many to be the best beach club in Playa del Carmen.
Mamitas Beach Playa del Carmen is a large full-service beach club that offers chair and sunbed rentals, as well as food and beverage.
In order to rent chairs, you must pay a minimum consumption fee and there are different tiers depending on your choice of chair or lounge bed.
If you prefer not to splurge on a Playa del Carmen beach club, you can also visit Mamitas Playa del Carmen without renting chairs and just bring your own beach gear.
It’s a popular beach spot but can often be loud and crowded depending on the time of year. Other nearby beach clubs include Tata Beach Club and Coralina Daylight Club.
Closest Hotels:
2. 38th Street Beach
Personally I think the best beach in Playa del Carmen downtown area is the public beach on 38th Street.
It’s a more widespread beach and is located adjacent to the beautiful Makehal Playa del Carmen Beach Resort.
This is a great spot to bring your own beach chairs or umbrellas, or there are usually some unofficial vendors that rent them as well.
It’s one of my favorite beaches and in my opinion, the best beach Playa del Carmen has to offer!
If you prefer a beach club experience, check out nearby Martina Beach Club and Encanto Beach Club, where you can rent beach chairs and loungers and have access to food, drink, and amenities.
Closest Hotels:
3. Playacar Beach
Playacar is a private gated community just south of Playa del Carmen that is home to luxury homes and all-inclusive resorts.
The beaches in Playacar are gorgeous and widespread, and are well taken care of by the private community.
While it’s technically not open to the public, you can still access the beach just north of the ferry to Cozumel.
For Playacar beach access, simply walk through the entrance to Señor Frog’s and right outside of the Playacar Palace Resort is a great spot to relax and bring your own beach gear.
The easiest way to access the even better Playacar beaches is by staying at one of the many all-inclusive resorts in Playacar to have unlimited access to the beaches in this area.
Plus, these Playa del Carmen beach resorts are also the closest proximity to downtown Playa del Carmen, so you get the best of both worlds.
Closest Hotels:
4. Coco Beach
Coco Beach is another beautiful beach in downtown Playa del Carmen, just north of Avenida CTM and adjacent to the Reef Coco Beach Resort.
To access the beach, walk past the security gate at the entrance to the Reef Coco Beach Resort.
From there, head to the left of the hotel’s main entrance and you’ll find a long path leading down to the beach. You don’t need to be a hotel guest to access the beach.
Coco Beach Playa del Carmen is a long and widespread beach that is somewhat barricaded from the rest of the Playa del Carmen beaches.
This makes it more of a secluded spot that is more commonly frequented by locals and hotel guests.
There’s also a dive shop at the Reef Coco Beach, making it a popular pickup spot for scuba diving tours.
Closest Hotels:
5. Playa Fundadores
Playa Fundadores is a popular beach in downtown Playa del Carmen right outside of Parque Fundadores and the Cozumel ferry.
Just on the other side of the iconic Portal Maya statue, you’ll find a flat white sand beach, that’s usually full of visitors.
The beach here is not as wide but it’s conveniently located right near the Fifth Avenue shopping, and offers a beach volleyball court.
Playa Fundadores is also a good spot to watch the Papantla acrobat performance in the main square, where native dancers hang upside down by a rope tied to their ankles and spin around a large pole.
You’ll also find many nearby street food vendors selling fresh coconut water, mangos, and traditional Mexican snacks.
Closest Hotels:
6. Punta Esmeralda
Punta Esmeralda is located a little further north of downtown and is a popular locals beach and more of a hidden gem. The entrance is located off of Fifth Avenue, just north of 110th Street.
It’s one of the better public beaches in Playa del Carmen and is not frequented by tourists, but rather Mexican families and locals.
Punta Esmeralda is a Playa del Carmen public beach that is definitely not commercialized, but is a really beautiful beach and hidden cove.
You won’t find any amenities like beach clubs or restaurants, but it’s a nice place to relax and enjoy a more natural beach.
There are also some shallow natural pools at Playa Esmeralda public beach for lounging or splashing.
7. Calle 88 Public Beach
In between Coco Beach and Punta Esmeralda, you’ll find a long stretch of sandy white beach known as Playa 88.
This widespread stretch of beach can be accessed from 88th Street and 5th Avenue or by walking all the way down from the Coco Beach entrance.
Playa 88 is primarily visited by locals and you won’t find any large beach clubs or restaurants. It’s a much more chill beach to bring your own beach gear, cooler, and snacks and enjoy the calm ocean waves.
The 88th Street public beach is definitely much less crowded and congested so you’ll actually be able to relax! It’s my favorite beach to visit when I want to escape the crowds.
Best Beaches near Playa del Carmen
If you’re willing to venture a little further outside of Playa del Carmen, there are some pretty amazing beaches that are less crowded and more widespread than the ones you’ll find downtown.
These best beaches around Playa del Carmen below can be reached easily by taxi or renting a car.
And if you’re looking for a day trip or overnight trip from Playa del Carmen, check out these amazing Yucatan beaches for an opportunity to explore even more incredible beaches in the region.
👉 For a hassle-free experience, book your car through my favorite rental service Discover Cars by clicking here!
8. Playa Xpu Ha
Of all the beaches near Playa del Carmen, Playa Xpu Ha is hands down my favorite!
It’s located about 30 minutes south of Playa del Carmen and offers a stunning beach experience, with just the right amount of beach clubs and amenities.
At Playa Xpu Ha, you’ll find a few different beach clubs, motorized and non-motorized water sports, as well as a few tour operators.
The water is absolutely stunning and it’s the perfect place to relax, whether it’s at a beach club or on your own. And the best part is that it’s normally one of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen without seaweed!
If you want to learn more about the best beach near Playa del Carmen, check out my full guide to visiting Playa Xpu Ha here.
9. Playa Xcacel
Another amazing and hidden beach near Playa del Carmen is Playa Xcacel. It’s very remote and less well known so it’s a great place to escape the crowds.
Xcacel is located just south of Akumal and is a protected area and true nature sanctuary so it has virtually no amenities like beach clubs or chair rentals.
There are also a few rules that are strictly enforced, so it’s best for those looking for a natural beach retreat. Check out my full guide to visiting Xcacel beach here.
10. Playa Maroma
Playa Maroma is located about 30 minutes north of Playa del Carmen at Punta Maroma.
It was voted one of the best beaches in the world by the Travel Channel and it’s easy to see why!
It’s a vast tranquil beach with calm turquoise water and powder white sand. If you’re looking for a quiet getaway, Playa Maroma is the place to be.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy public beach access point so you’ll have to visit Playa Maroma by staying at one of the nearby resorts listed below or purchasing a resort day pass.
I visited the beach while staying at Catalonia Playa Maroma and it was absolutely gorgeous.
11. Tulum Beach
Tulum is located about an hour south of Playa del Carmen, and is a great place for a day trip and different kind of beach experience.
Tulum itself is very bohemian and you will definitely notice the beachy eco-chic vibe in all of the Tulum hotels and almost every aspect of the town.
The beaches in Tulum are a little more untouched and are much more widespread, with the most enticing turquoise water.
Most of the beaches along the Hotel Zone are located at hotels and restaurants, so you’ll need to visit a beach club or restaurant for access.
My favorite beach clubs in Tulum are Ziggy’s Beach Club and Mia Restaurant and Beach Club.
Closest Hotels:
12. Playa Paraiso
Another famous beach in Tulum is Playa Paraiso, which is located just south of the Tulum Ruins.
Like most of the beaches in Tulum, it is flat and widespread with the alluring turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea.
Playa Paraiso is a public beach with a few amenities and there are a couple of restaurants nearby.
🌴 Playa Paraiso Tulum is also where you’ll find the popular Instagram shot of the leaning palm tree.
Closest Hotels:
Do Playa del Carmen beaches have seaweed?
Yes, the beaches of Playa del Carmen can have a fair amount of seaweed depending on the season but year-round daily cleanup efforts are made by hotels, resorts, and beach clubs.
From my experience, I’ve found that the beaches north of the ferry at Constituyentes Avenue are generally better looking, clearer, and have the least amount of seaweed.
The beaches in between the Cozumel ferry and the Constituyentes ferry can still be nice but usually the water is not as clear.
Take a look at the map in the next section to give you a better idea and read my full Playa del Carmen seaweed survival guide for lots of helpful tips!
Playa del Carmen Beaches Map
Below is a map of the Playa del Carmen Mexico beaches outlined above.
For the beaches outside of Playa del Carmen, they all can be reached easily by taxi or renting a car.
If you prefer to take public transportation, you can also take a colectivo (shared van) from Playa del Carmen.
What to Know About Beach Access in Mexico
It’s important to know that Mexico recently passed a law to guarantee public beach access to all beaches in Mexico.
That means that even if a beach is located on an exclusive resort, the beach area is “technically” still open to the public.
However, the caveat to that is that there aren’t always public access points to actually get to the beaches.
And not all businesses actually abide by these rules. Seems a little backwards right? Well that’s just how things are in Mexico sometimes.
So in many of the beach towns in Mexico, the easiest way to experience some of the best beaches is to gain access to the hotels and restaurants where the beaches are located.
This means you’ll either have to stay overnight as a hotel guest, purchase a day pass, or make a restaurant reservation to access some of the more private Playa del Carmen beaches.
Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of public Playa del Carmen beach access points.
But sometimes if you want to visit some of the absolute best beaches in Riviera Maya, you might want to consider staying at a beachfront hotel or paying a little more money for access.
In my experience, it has definitely been worth it!
What to Bring to Playa del Carmen Beaches
Below are a few items I would recommend bringing for a trip to the beaches in Playa del Carmen.
When visiting any beach in Mexico, it’s really important to bring biodegradable sunscreen.
Regular sunscreen is highly discouraged and in many places prohibited as it is harmful to the coral reefs. You can pick up my favorite brand on Amazon here.
Check out some more of my favorite beach items in my beach bag essentials guide.
FAQs about Playa del Carmen Beaches
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Playa del Carmen beaches:
Playa del Carmen has tropical Caribbean beaches with clear turquoise water, powder-white sand, and calm waves.
The beaches in downtown Playa del Carmen are beautiful but can be congested so you’ll want to travel to the beaches just outside of Playa del Carmen if you’re looking to escape the crowds.
Generally speaking, the best time to visit any of these Playa del Carmen beaches is during the week. Weekends will definitely be more crowded and is also a popular time for locals to visit beaches with their families.
High season in Playa del Carmen is during the months of December-February so the beaches will be most crowded during this time.
To avoid the crowds, consider visiting during the off season or head to one of the beaches further away from downtown.
Yes, the beaches in Playa del Carmen are usually always swimmable with shallow water, calm waves, and warm temperatures.
Depending on the weather, the waves can be stronger so you’ll want to pay close attention to the beach conditions and red flag alerts.
Yes, Playa del Carmen has many beautiful beaches with powder-white sand, turquoise waters, and gentle waves.
The beaches in downtown Playa del Carmen are more congested while the beaches outside of the city center are more tranquil and widespread.
Yes, all beaches in Playa del Carmen are open to the public so you can easily walk along the beaches any time of day. Depending on the season, there will likely be crowds and beach vendors.
Tulum has better beaches than Playa del Carmen as they are much more untouched and widespread. However, both beaches can get hit with seaweed depending on the time of year.
Conclusion: Best Playa del Carmen Beaches
I hope this Playa del Carmen best beaches guide was helpful and you get to experience some of these stunning beaches.
While all the beaches of Playa del Carmen are worth a visit, my absolute favorite is Playa Xpu-Ha!
And the nicest beach in Playa del Carmen downtown area is probably 38th Street Beach with easy public access.
But no matter which one you choose, you’ll get to enjoy powder white-sand, turquoise waters, and stunning ocean views. Enjoy your time in the sun and sand!
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 like to use 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.
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