All about Playa del Carmen in Mexico

Playa del Carmen is a city and a popular beach resort on the east coast of Mexico in the state of Quintana Roo and is located about 68 kilometers south of Cancún on the Riviera Maya.

Especially the beaches of Playa del Carmen are famous for their white sand and crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. The main beach, Playa Mamitas and Playacar Beach are some of the most popular beaches in the area. At Playa del Carmen you will find the ferry to the island of Cozumel.

Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) is the heart of Playa del Carmen. Here you will find numerous stores, cafes, restaurants and bars. Quinta Avenida is a great place to shop for souvenirs, jewelry, handicrafts and fashion.

But you will also find some malls in town where you can find international brands. Playa del Carmen also offers an exciting nightlife with many bars, clubs and restaurants, some of which offer live music.

Playa del Carmen or Cancún?

Compared to Cancún, Playa del Carmen is a bit quieter, the hotels are less big, the place is less focused on luxury tourists and there is a bit more original atmosphere left.

As with Cancún, Playa del Carmen is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. You can go snorkeling, diving, kayaking, windsurfing and jet skiing. The underwater world off the coast is rich in coral reefs and marine life.

In the surroundings

Playa Del Carmen is also a good base for day trips, such as visiting Mayan ruins. In about an hour's drive you can reach the Mayan ruins of Tulum, which are also located right on the coast.

Another 30 minutes by car from Tulum, the ruins of Cobá in the interior are a worthwhile destination or you can drive about 20 minutes further along the coast and visit the archaeological site of Muyil.

These archaeological sites offer insights into the history of the ancient Mayan culture and are a must on your bucket list when visiting the Yucatan Peninsula.

In the surroundings of Playa del Carmen you will also find some very beautiful cenotes and another tip is a boat trip to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The world of archaeology

Some interesting figures about Mayan archaeological sites on the Yucatan Peninsula:

Xel-Há park

About 50km south of Playa del Carmen, just before Tulum, is the fantastic natural water park Xel-Há - not really a cheap treat, but a great experience. Xcaret Park is another water park with underground rivers and cenotes, at the Riviera Maya between Cancún and Tulum.

Image Source (main picture): ©Dennis Sylvester Hurd, flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

The picture was modified (resized, image improvements)