Unique Things to Do in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen Mexico is a fun-filled city located on the coast of the Caribbean sea. With a laid back atmosphere, beaches of white sand, and a beautiful turquoise ocean, Playa Del Carmen is the perfect destination when you want to get away from it all. It won’t take long for you to see why this is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico. Here are a few points of interest to get you started:

Visit Rio Secreto

At Rio Secreto, you can see the splendor of a system of underground rivers a well as ancient caverns. During one of the tours offered at Rio Secreto, you can walk and swim through breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites. The underground cave is known to have some of the most beautiful mineral formations in the world.

Visit Mayan Ruins

Visiting Mayan ruins is a must if you’re in Playa Del Carmen. While there are many locations you can visit, be sure to check out Tulum. This site has been amazingly preserved, and is the only place where you can see Mayan ruins along the coast. Take in the amazing scenery and imagine what life was like all those centuries ago.

Xcarat

Xcarat is an eco-archeological park that offers underground rivers, a beach, a lagoon, and pools. In addition, you can also enjoy a rotating scenic tour or hike on the tropical jungle trail. During your hike on the tropical jungle trail, you can explore the ancient Mayan sites, which include an underground cavern that was used by the ancient Mayans for cleansing rituals. As you explore the underground tunnels, you may even see deer, monkeys, and macaws.

Swim With Sea Turtles

While you’re in Playa Del Carmen Mexico, take the opportunity to go snorkeling with sea turtles. While you can sometimes see these amazing creatures from the shoreline, this is a perfect chance to see them up close and will be an experience you’ll never forget. While you can snorkel on your own for free, you can also sign up for a guided trip.

Scuba Dive With Sharks

Blue Life offers scuba diving in Playa del Carmen. The professional instructors guide their guests through reefs, caverns, and cenotes. During your dive, you may even see the whale shark, which is the largest fish in the world. If you’ve never been diving, the instructors at Blue Life offer numerous diving courses to get your ready for your undersea adventure.

Go Birdwatching

Playa Del Carmen is home to some amazing wildlife, making it the perfect opportunity for birdwatching. Visit the Xaman-Ha Aviary Park, a beautiful setting where you can see macaws, parrots, flamingos, pelicans, and a wide variety of other birds. Birds aren’t caged and live in a natural environment, making it the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures.

The 3D Museum of Wonders

This was the first 3D illusion art museum in North America. If features 3D artwork by world famous artists, such as Michelangelo, DaVinci, and more. The museum also offers numerous interactive exhibits that you can explore. It is an ideal way to spend a rainy day in Playa del Carmen.

Cirque de Soleil JOYA

Cirque de Soleil JOYA is the only permanent Cirque de Soleil show that takes place outside of the United States. Cirque de Soleil JOYA features a team of talented acrobats who tell the story of Joya and her alchemist grandfather in the center of the Rivera Maya jungle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to get to Playa del Carmen?

The Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the closest international airport to Playa del Carmen, at about an hour away. The Cancun airport serves major international airlines from across the world, making it one of the most accessible options for flying to the Yucatan. From Cancun, travelers need to take a transfer to Playa del Carmen, generally via a pre-booked shuttle, ride share, or the most popular and economic ADO Bus service directly from the airport.

In addition, the Tulum International Airport (TQO), in operation since March, 2024, is 2 hours from Playa del Carmen. There are more than 10 domestic and international flight currently flying to Tulum, with direct flights from more than 15 cities.

What is there to do in Playa del Carmen?

Most activities in Playa del Carmen revolve around the area’s gorgeous beaches and aqua blue waters, where fishing, diving and snorkeling are excellent year-round. Playa also plays host to several international events, including the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival and Carnival. If you’re interested in local nightlife, there are many trendy rooftop clubs where you can dance all night and party in style. Enjoy your time in Playa with this list of things to do:

Shop, wine, dine and people watch on La Quinta Avenida
Visit the ruins and unspoiled beaches of Tulum
Enjoy a variety of water sports on Playacar beach
Swim, snorkel or dive in the deep blue Cenotes (natural sinkholes)
Snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal Bay
Revel in the wild stage shows at Coco Bongo nightclub
Take a boat trip to Cozumel Island
Zip-lining, swimming and cave diving at XPlor Adventure Park
Explore the beautiful caves of Rio Secreto
Go cave or wreck diving
Take a romantic sunset sail aboard a luxury catamaran

Are the beaches in Playa del Carmen swimmable? What are the most popular?

Yes! The expansive shoreline stretching along Playa del Carmen offers several family-friendly spots along over two miles of soft sandy beaches. Top beaches include the quieter Punta Esmeralda on the northeast end of town, as well as the more lively Playa Mamitas, and the main beach just blocks from the popular la Quinta shopping area. There are numerous access points to the central beach.

Calle 10 Beach

Revel in the beauty of the Caribbean’s stunning turquoise waters at Calle 10 Beach – another hot spot for sun lovers. This enticing stretch of shoreline is perhaps most famous for its abundance of trendy beach clubs — chic venues where you can enjoy live music while sipping on a frosty drink. Zenzi, El Pirata and Lido are among the area’s favored places to hang out. With most visitors patronizing the clubs, the rest of the beach is practically empty, so if you crave a quiet day by the surf, Calle 10 is an excellent option.

Mamita’s Beach

Mamita’s is arguably the liveliest of all Playa del Carmen beaches, drawing a younger crowd of party-loving 20-somethings. This beautiful, wide beach is the site of the annual BPM music festival and features two popular beach clubs that serve up delicious food, drinks and entertainment from the world’s top DJs. If you’re interested in watersports, this is the place to be. You’ll find Jet Ski and banana boats for rent, and there are parasailing and catamaran tours on offer.

Is Playa del Carmen safe?

Mexico’s Mayan Riviera is one of the most visited parts of the country, welcoming millions of visitors each year. As a top tourist destination, local safety measures help ensure peace of mind for travelers while enjoying the area’s beaches and historic sites. In general, visitors to Playa del Carmen are encouraged to exercise caution while traveling, and stick to well-lit areas after the sun has gone down.

Is seaweed an issue in Playa del Carmen?

Seaweed (sargassum) is a natural occurrence and tends to peak on some of the beaches in the Playa del Carmen area during the summer months. Since the arrival of seaweed is unpredictable, this can happen as early as April or extend through August. Seaweed is generally cleaned off the beaches quickly, while some beaches may have more seaweed than others. It’s also worth noting that not every beach gets seaweed.

When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?

Winter is the peak season in Playa del Carmen, with great weather and clearer beaches (from seaweed), and more people. Travelers can expect hot and humid weather along the Mayan Riviera during the summer, with July being the warmest. Similarly, the rainy season on the Yucatan peninsula generally extends from June thru early October, with frequent though brief showers. Summer months are less crowded, though visitors can expect more seaweed on area beaches.

Unique Things to Do in Playa del Carmen