What you Didn't Know about Visiting Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen Mexico has long been a favored tourist destination. Formerly a small fishing village, “Playa,” as the locals refer to it, has its touristy areas, but a growing number of retirees and expats call it home part or all of the year. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, its white sand beaches run along the edge of the town, part of a longer stretch of land known as the Riviera Maya. When one considers that the year-round temperature hovers around a balmy 85 F with relatively little rain or humidity, the appeal of vacation rentals becomes obvious.

Expats

The population boomed in the Nineties, but unlike other Mexican resort towns, Playa del Carmen is home to a sizable expat community comprised of people from many countries. As such, English is more common here than elsewhere in the country as it serves as a de facto second language. Knowing even a little Spanish will make your journey and stay considerably less stressful. The more Spanish you know, the more the locals will respect you. It will also allow a long-term resident more opportunities to discover restaurants and shops favored by the locals.

Getting Around

People live here because they like the relaxed pace of life. The tourist area, located near Fifth Avenue, is surprisingly small at about 20 blocks long. Visitors typically won’t bother with much of the rest of town. Many navigate the town on foot, but as no municipal bus service exists, longer distances will require hiring a cab or going in on one of its unique “Colectivos.” These private vans serve as group taxis and are used by the locals as an economical way of getting around.

Playa del Carmen remains a unique resort town that manages to balance commercial and funky in equal measure. When considering renting or buying, consult a trusted property management company.

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.

What you Didn't Know about Visiting Playa del Carmen