Playa del Carmen

Travel Guide

Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen
Half Moon Bay featuring a beach, a coastal town and tropical scenes
Half Moon Bay which includes tropical scenes and a sandy beach
Playa del Carmen

White-sand beaches, bustling nightlife and chic shopping make this beach town one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most cosmopolitan and exciting destinations.

White-sand beaches, bustling nightlife and chic shopping make this beach town one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most cosmopolitan and exciting destinations.

Playa del Carmen is one of the trendiest towns on the Riviera Maya, populated by well-heeled expats and crowds of European visitors. Spend your days relaxing at beach clubs, browsing upscale shops and exploring some of the wonderful nearby dive sites. At night, dine at glamorous restaurants and dance at glitzy nightclubs.

The main beach at Playa del Carmen is a wide stretch of clean, white sand that draws families, party-goers and fishermen alike. Relax in a lounge chair under the shade of an umbrella or sip a drink at one of the buzzing beach bars lining the sands. Go to one of the numerous watersports vendors on the beach to arrange snorkeling and diving excursions. Tours will take you to one of the excellent sites just off the nearby island of Isla Cozumel. Look for sea turtles, rays, moray eels and colorful coral as you explore the turquoise waters.

Go for a stroll along the town’s bustling main street, La Quinta Avenida, which runs parallel to the coast. This pedestrianized strip is lined with hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. During the day, dine at stylish cafés and browse upmarket shops found along the street’s sophisticated northern end between Constituyentes and Calle 38. In the evening, La Quinta is the center of the town’s nightlife scene. Head to the busy southern section of the strip, between Calle 4 and Constituyentes, where the most popular clubs and bars are found.

Take a daytrip to Xcaret, an ecological/archaeological theme park located 4 miles (6 kilometers) south of Playa del Carmen. This massive park features an aquarium, a greenhouse, a bee farm and a small zoo, among dozens of other attractions. Walk through the enchanting butterfly pavilion and ride a raft down a jungle river.

Most travelers heading to Playa del Carmen fly into Cancun International Airport, from where regular buses run to Playa del Carmen. Alternatively, get here by taking one of the frequent buses leaving from Tulum or Mérida. The majority of the town’s activities and attractions are found within walking distance of the beach.

Experience the European-style atmosphere of this fashionable beach destination.

Where to stay in Playa del Carmen

Beautifully lit tree along the road near Playa del Carmen,Mexico

Playacar

The stunning beaches and popular shops are just a few highlights of Playacar. Make a stop by Quinta Avenida or Playa del Carmen Main Beach while you're exploring the area.

Playacar
Cozumel featuring tropical scenes and a beach

Downtown Playa del Carmen

If you're spending some time in Downtown Playa del Carmen, Quinta Avenida and Playa del Carmen Main Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Playa del Carmen
A beautiful resort on the Mayan Riviera.

Riviera Maya

While Riviera Maya isn't home to many top sights, Tres Rios Ecopark and El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Course are some notable places to visit nearby.

Riviera Maya
Beautifully lit tree along the road near Playa del Carmen,Mexico

Playacar Zona Hotelera

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Playacar Zona Hotelera. A stop by Playacar Beach or Piste Cyclable sur Paseo Xaman-Ha might round out your trip.

Playacar Zona Hotelera
Cozumel featuring tropical scenes and a beach

Gonzalo Guerrero

If you're spending some time in Gonzalo Guerrero, Playa del Carmen Main Beach and Quinta Avenida are top sights worth seeing.

Gonzalo Guerrero
Playa del Carmen is a city I fell in love with at first sight! The people, the street food and restaurants and the beach are just amazing:) This is the view from the rooftop bar at The Palm at Playa, prefect to enjoy a cocktail at the bar or chill out in the hammocks!

Playa del Carmen Centro

Travelers to Playa del Carmen Centro praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Quinta Avenida and Playa del Carmen Main Beach.

Playa del Carmen Centro
Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Carretera Federal 307, KM 282, Chetumal a Puerto Juarez, Xcaret, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is P37,463 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P37,463
P45,498 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,456 reviews)
"Very good specially royal level!"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only
Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only
5 out of 5
Carr. Chetumal - Puerto Juárez Km. 282, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is P38,696 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
P38,696
P46,991 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,357 reviews)
"Xcaret Arte is truly a 5 star resort with high quality of service, food and facilities."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only
Ocean Maya Royale - Adults Only -  All Inclusive
Ocean Maya Royale - Adults Only - All Inclusive
5 out of 5
Carretera Federal Chetumal, km. 299, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is P13,943 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
P13,943
P13,952 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,127 reviews)
"Beautiful property and great staff. Service was top notch. Food was pretty good. Only complaint is how early customers (before 6 am) wake up to pick their pool lounge chair. Wish they could do something about that."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Ocean Maya Royale - Adults Only - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
El Dorado Royale, Catamarán, Cenote & More Inclusive
El Dorado Royale, Catamarán, Cenote & More Inclusive
5 out of 5
Km 45 Carretera Cancun, Tulum Kantenah, Maroma, Playa del Carmen, QROO
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 6 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (466 reviews)
"Estubo exelento todo el viaje los empleados super amables y profesionales. Solo no me gusto como fui tratada en una tienda que tube que dejarles lo que ya havia comprado y pagado por q no me quisieron cambiar de talla."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

El Dorado Royale, Catamarán, Cenote & More Inclusive
Playa Palms Beach Hotel
Playa Palms Beach Hotel
4 out of 5
1st Avenue Bis, Between 12th and 14th North Street, Playa del Carmen, QROO
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free WiFi, a private beach, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,629 reviews)
"Lovely beautiful place❣️"

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Playa Palms Beach Hotel
Singular Dream Beach Residences
Singular Dream Beach Residences
3 out of 5
Zazil-ha, Playa del Carmen, QROO
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (565 reviews)
"Very nice property!"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Singular Dream Beach Residences
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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