All About Playa del Carmen in Mexico (2025 Travel Guide)

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

The heart of the city is Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue. This bustling pedestrian street is lined with a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. It's an ideal place to pick up souvenirs, jewelry, handicrafts, and the latest fashion trends.

For those interested in international brands, several malls in town offer a range of options. When the sun sets, Playa del Carmen comes alive with an exciting nightlife scene.

Many bars, clubs, and restaurants feature live music, providing a vibrant atmosphere for an enjoyable evening out.

Stunning Beaches

Playa del Carmen is renowned for its stunning white-sand beaches and the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. If you're a fan of soft, powdery white sand beaches, this is the place for you.

Popular spots like Playa Mamitas and Playacar Beach are favorites among locals and visitors alike. If you're looking to explore further, the ferry to Cozumel departs from here.

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.

Mayan Archaeological Sites

If you're in the Playa del Carmen area and keen to explore Mayan archaeological sites, there are several noteworthy spots within a reasonable distance.

Just a short drive away, you'll find the Tulum ruins, perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. This site offers a unique blend of history and stunning ocean views.

Another nearby site is Coba, where you can still climb the ancient pyramid and get a sense of the scale of Mayan architecture. Within Playa del Carmen itself, the Playacar ruins provide a quick and accessible glimpse into the past.

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.

Around Playa del Carmen, you’ll find some stunning cenotes, and a boat trip to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also well worth considering."

While these sites are convenient, it's worth noting that the Yucatán Peninsula is dotted with many other impressive Mayan ruins, each offering its own unique insights into this fascinating civilization.

If you have the time, venturing a bit further to places like Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, or Ek' Balam can be incredibly rewarding.

Pro Tip: 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

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