Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is the most convenient base from which to explore the whole of the Riviera Maya.
It offers a wide selection of hotels and restaurants, direct buses from Cancún Airport, ferries to Cozumel and easy day trips to cenotes, theme parks and Mayan cities.
However, Playa del Carmen itself is not the most beautiful beach resort in the area. The town centre is busy and touristy, and the local beaches tend to be narrower than those in Playacar, Akumal or Tulum.
View hotels in Playa del Carmen
Choose Playa del Carmen if:
- you’re travelling without a car and want to go on day trips in the surrounding area
- you want to combine the beach, restaurants, shopping and nightlife
- you’re planning a day trip or a stay of several days in Cozumel
- you don’t want to be limited to what a single resort has to offer
Choose a different place if:
- you’re mainly looking for a peaceful holiday at a resort
- you want the most beautiful beach right in front of the hotel
- you’re expecting an authentic Mexican town without tourist shops
- you mind noise, crowds and a lively nightlife
One day is enough to explore the town. As a base for day trips, Playa del Carmen is ideal for around 3 to 5 nights.
Quinta Avenida and the city centre
The city’s tourist centre is the pedestrianised Quinta Avenida, which runs parallel to the coast. Here you’ll find restaurants, bars, shops, currency exchange bureaux and travel agencies.
It is at its liveliest from late afternoon until late at night. During the day it tends to be sweltering, and its southern section fills up with passengers heading for the ferries to Cozumel.
Start your walk at Parque Los Fundadores and the striking Portal Maya statue. From there, continue north along Quinta Avenida. You’ll find more pleasant restaurants and a less hectic atmosphere around Calle 34 and Calle 38.
Prices right on Quinta Avenida are among the highest in the city. Look for cheaper and often more authentic restaurants a few blocks from the sea, particularly around Avenida 20 and Avenida 30.
Nightlife is mainly centred around Calle 12. If you want a good night’s sleep, avoid booking a hotel right in this area.
Beaches in Playa del Carmen
All beaches in Mexico are public. However, access to some sections is restricted by hotels, private land or the gated Playacar complex.
Playa Centro
The most accessible beach is situated next to the ferry terminal and Parque Los Fundadores. It’s ideal for a quick dip, but it tends to be crowded, and the ferry traffic doesn’t exactly make for a peaceful spot.
Playa Mamitas and Coco Beach
The liveliest part of the coast, with beach clubs, music and a younger crowd. It’s ideal for visitors looking for a sociable atmosphere.
Due to erosion, the width of the beach varies and some sections can be very narrow.
Punta Esmeralda
A public beach on the northern edge of the town, where fresh water from a coastal cenote flows into the sea.
It is particularly popular with local families and is also suitable for younger children. It is more convenient to take a taxi from the town centre.
Playacar
A quieter and generally wider beach south of the city centre. Most of the coastline is lined with resorts, making Playacar the best choice for a classic beach holiday. You can reach the city centre on foot or by a short taxi ride.
Seaweed in Playa del Carmen
From spring to autumn, sargassum may wash up on the coast. The beaches in Playa del Carmen are not protected against seaweed.
The amount of seaweed varies depending on the wind and sea currents, literally from day to day. If the quality of the beach is a key factor for you, check the latest photos and recent hotel reviews before booking.
A trip to Cozumel
Playa del Carmen is the main departure point for passenger ferries to the island of Cozumel. The ferry terminal is located next to Parque Los Fundadores at the southern end of Quinta Avenida.
The crossing takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The route is served by Winjet, Ultramar and Xcaret Xailing.
With Winjet, a return ticket for an adult costs approximately 567 mxn when purchased online. The standard price without the online discount is around 645 mxn. Fares and timetables are subject to change.
Tickets issued by different operators are not valid on each other’s services. If you do not know when you will be returning, buy a one-way ticket only and choose your return journey based on the next available departure. A return ticket purchased online is better value if you have a fixed itinerary.
We recommend Cozumel primarily for diving and snorkelling. The town of San Miguel de Cozumel itself is not reason enough for a day trip. The most interesting reefs – Palancar and Colombia – as well as the El Cielo shoal are located outside the town centre and are accessed by boat.
Trips from Playa del Carmen
The town’s location in the heart of the Riviera Maya is its greatest asset.
- Xcaret, Xplor and Río Secreto: theme and nature parks to the south of the town. Xcaret is ideal for families, Xplor for fans of zip lines, and Río Secreto for exploring underground caves.
- Akumal: a beach famous for snorkelling with sea turtles.
- Tulum: Mayan ruins, beaches and cenotes. The journey by bus or colectivo takes about an hour.
- Gran Cenote: one of the most famous cenotes in the Tulum area.
- Xel-Há: a natural water park ideal for a day trip.
- Cozumel: the best choice for snorkelling and diving.
- Chichén Itzá and Valladolid: a long, full-day trip. An organised excursion is more convenient than travelling by public transport.
- 👉Compare tours, tickets and activities from Playa del Carmen
Where to stay in Playa del Carmen
Choosing the right part of town is more important than the number of stars a hotel has.
ChooseCentro for its restaurants, nightlife, buses and ferries. The southern area around Avenida Juárez is busier and more convenient for transport. The northern area around Calle 28 to Calle 40 feels a little quieter.
ChoosePlayacar for the beach, peace and quiet, and resort hotels. It’s more suitable for families and a traditional holiday, but the choice of restaurants outside the hotels is limited.
Budget accommodation in the city centre
The Hotel Barrio Latino is a simple, small hotel not far from Quinta Avenida, the ADO bus station and the ferry terminal.
We recommend it to travellers who are mainly looking for a good location and don’t plan to spend the day at the hotel.
Best value for money in terms of location and quality
Aloft Playa del Carmen offers modern rooms and rooftop swimming pools in the northern part of the city centre.
Quinta Avenida is nearby, but the area around the hotel is quieter than the area around Calle 12. A good all-round choice for couples and solo travellers alike.
A beach hotel near the city centre
Mahekal Beach Front Resort & Spa consists of low-rise buildings and bungalows set in gardens right by the beach. It offers a resort atmosphere, yet you can still walk to Quinta Avenida. It’s ideal for more discerning couples and families who don’t want to be cooped up in a remote resort. Before booking, check the resort fee and what meals are included.
All-inclusive for families
Playacar Palace is situated at the start of Playacar, right on the beach. Compared to more remote resorts, it has the great advantage that you can walk to the ferries and to Quinta Avenida. Choose this resort if you want to combine an all-inclusive stay with visits to the city.
All-inclusive for adults only
Hyatt Vivid Playa del Carmen is a large adults-only resort right on the beach and close to the town centre. It’s best suited to couples looking for an all-inclusive holiday, swimming pools and evening entertainment. For a quiet, intimate holiday, you’re better off choosing a smaller hotel or Playacar.
How to get to Playa del Carmen
The ADO coach station is right in the centre, next to the pedestrian zone and close to the ferry terminal for Cozumel.
From Cancún Airport
ADO direct buses offer the best value for money and comfort. They run from the airport terminals to the centre of Playa del Carmen several times an hour.
A one-way ticket costs around 270 mxn, and the journey usually takes about 1.5 hours. The bus arrives at the station near Quinta Avenida and the ferry terminal.
Timetables and tickets can be found on the ADO website. We also provide details in our guide to transport from Cancún Airport.
A taxi or private transfer is particularly worthwhile for groups of 3 to 4 passengers, families with children and guests staying outside the city centre.
From Tulum and Tulum Airport
From Tulum, both ADO buses and cheaper colectivo minibuses run to Playa del Carmen. The journey takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
You can find more information in the Tulum transport guide and on the Tulum Airport page.
By Tren Maya train
The Tren Maya station is located outside the centre of Playa del Carmen. Connecting buses run to the Alterna bus station; the journey takes approximately 20 minutes and costs around 55 mxn.
The train is useful when travelling from Valladolid, Mérida or other places along the route. From Cancún Airport, the direct ADO bus is usually quicker and easier.
Timetables and tickets can be found on the official Tren Maya website.
Car hire
You won’t need a car if you’re staying in Playa del Carmen only. The town centre is easily accessible on foot, parking can be difficult, and buses, colectivas or organised transfers run to the main day-trip destinations.
Hiring a car makes sense if you’re travelling to more remote cenotes or going on a road trip around Yucatán. You’ll find the widest selection of car hire companies at the airports.
Where to park?
In the centre of Playa del Carmen, there’s hardly anywhere you can park parallel to the kerb.
However, there are plenty of private car parks, where you usually pay around 200 mxn s for a full day’s parking.
Taxi or Uber
Get around the city centre on foot or by taxi. Taxis do not usually use a meter, so agree on the fare before getting in.
Uber works quite well in Playa del Carmen, so if you want to know the price in advance and pay by card, Uber is the best option.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Riviera Maya.
Any questions left?
If you have any questions or comments about the article...
