The Best Playa del Carmen Things to Do….According to Me
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I don’t love Playa del Carmen. There, I said it!
I know as a travel writer/digital nomad/Mexiphile that I’m supposed to *worship* Playa del Carmen. But truth be told, I think it’s mutated so far from what it was meant to be and has become really overrated. It’s expensive, loud, and the beaches in town are not that great. Welcome to Gringolandia.
You’re probably wondering, “why am I reading this, then?” Because while Playa may not be my cup of tea for my personal travels, I certainly know why people love Playa del Carmen. I know how to play the part of Playa del Carmen, and I have had (and will continue to have) amazing experiences in this Mexican Caribbean capital. I certainly like it a hell of a lot more than Cancun, and if you know where to look, Playa del Carmen can still show you why it is one of the greatest Mexican beach towns.
So without further ado, here is my guide to the best Playa del Carmen things to do. These are things that I genuinely enjoy doing and are far enough off the (very) beaten path so that you will get a different angle of Playa del Carmen. If you came here for Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen, you may want to click away now.
How to Get to Playa del Carmen
The easiest way to get to Playa del Carmen is to fly into Cancun. Cancun’s international airport is one of the busiest airports in Mexico, so chances are you’ll be able to find a direct flight from wherever you are. It’s then about a 45-minute ride from the airport to Playa del Carmen.
There is a transportation option for every budget from the airport to Playa. Many hotels and resorts have airport transfer services that you can arrange. These drivers will be waiting with signs once you exit Customs. But you can also arrange for private limo or taxi service if you’re staying at an Airbnb.
Super Shuttle is a really affordable option, which you can pre book. It’s much cheaper than a private car, but you’ll likely be sharing the ride with other travelers and you won’t know the order in which people are getting dropped off.
The cheapest option is to take the ADO bus directly from the Cancun airport to the bus station in Playa del Carmen. The buses in Mexico are incredibly safe, comfortable, and affordable.
What you will not be able to do is walk off the plane and grab a taxi or an Uber. It’s very expensive to use one of the airport taxi services, and Cancun/Playa del Carmen does not have Uber.
Is Playa del Carmen Safe?
Yes! Playa del Carmen is very safe. Despite what you may have heard on the news about violence in Quintana Roo, the truth is that Playa del Carmen is still one of the safest places you can visit in Mexico. Without going too far into the subject, the truth is, gun violence exists everywhere in the world. What has happened were isolated incidents between rival gangs. By and large, most of Mexico is incredibly safe. Just be smart about the way you travel in general. If you go looking for trouble, you’ll probably find it.
Best Playa del Carmen Things to Do
Playa del Carmen is an overwhelming place. Don’t be surprised if your head starts to spin when you get there. It’s a dizzying array of packed beaches, overflowing restaurants, thumping nightclubs and lots and lots of people. But if you know where to go (and when) you can certainly discover the unique things to do in Playa del Carmen.
Look at La Quinta Avenida
You can’t come to Playa del Carmen and skip La Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue). It’s impossible, and also it is an experience you really should have. Looking at the main avenue of Playa del Carmen, it’s hard to believe that less than 20 years ago it was just a dirt road lined with palm trees. Today you’ll find everything from Sephora and H&M to steakhouses and salsa clubs. If you’re looking for a sleepy beach town, Playa is no longer that.
To be clear, the evolution of Playa is not why I am not crazy about Playa. Development is part of any tourism trajectory. But for me it’s just too crowded, and far too expensive for the quality. I think you’ll find far better restaurants, beaches, and experiences in many other parts of Mexico that drastically outshine Playa in terms of quality, and are priced fairly.
Spend the Day at Lido Beach Club
Playa has a lot of beach clubs that will try to compete for your business. Some are geared more towards a party and luxury scene, which is totally fine if you’re into that. You will always find me, however, at the laid-back Lido Beach Club.
This toes-in-the-sand hideaway is tucked away down a small jungle garden path that leads directly to the beach. It’s one of the only beach clubs in Playa del Carmen that has held onto its barefoot beachfront vibe. It has a seriously delicious menu (which has evolved substantially since the club opened in 2010). You’ll be able to relax in a chaise lounge or snag a table for the entire day. I love it here because it is one of the few places in Playa where you feel like you’ve stolen away into a quiet pocket.
Go to the Beach…but not in town
Aside from Lido Beach Club (which doesn’t actually have a very nice beach), the beaches in Playa del Carmen proper are not that great. The stretches of sand that are broad and powder soft are usually overrun with people, making it hard to find a spot to sit. That said, there are some really beautiful beaches in Playa del Carmen that are not directly in town.
The first is Playacar. This is that gated community that is south of the ferry pier. Cars can’t drive into Playacar without showing some sort of reservation at a resort or vacation rental, but it’s totally okay for you to walk into Playacar on foot. I usually walk over on the sand from the ferry pier.
A 10-15-minute walk will put you on some of the most staggeringly white, beautiful sand you’ve seen in Mexico. It’s quiet, calm, and absolutely beautiful. That said, you will have to bring what you need with you for the day. Most of the properties that line the shorefront are resorts so you won’t be able to use their facilities unless you have a reservation.
The other option is to take a taxi north to Punta Esmeralda. Here you’ll find a beach that is beloved by locals. It’s quiet, calm, and has plenty of space for everyone to snag a spot of sand. You’ll also find plenty of vendors so you can get something to eat or drink.
Visit Cozumel
Cozumel is worth an entire blog post on its own, so if you’re in Playa del Carmen it’s definitely worth the hop over to explore. The ferry leaves from downtown and takes roughly 40 minutes to cross over.
You can skip most of the main town, San Miguel, as it’s predominantly a busy cruise port with overpriced restaurants and souvenir shops. Instead, rent a scooter and head over to the eastern side of the island, which is far more rugged, with beautiful, wind-swept beaches and far fewer tourists.
Explore Rio Secreto
If you do one tour in Playa del Carmen, it ought to be Rio Secreto. I am not one for theme parks and organized tours, but I cannot say enough good things about Rio Secreto. It is absolutely mind-blowing.
This underground river/cave system dates back millions of years. The tour takes you on a guided path through the tunnels, outfitted with a wetsuit and a helmet with a headlamp. Sometimes you’ll be scrambling over the craggy, cavernous floor, while other times you’ll be floating in near pitch-black darkness or wading up to your chest in the underground water.
I’ve been on dozens of tours in the Riviera Maya, and Rio Secreto is probably the only tour that I’d do again and again.
Visit Coba
If you haven’t gone to Tulum or Chichen Itza, they are certainly worth a visit. These centuries-old Mayan ruins are famous around the world for a reason. But bear in mind that when you do visit, you will likely be visiting with hundreds of other people. If you want to keep your archaeological sightseeing more chill, I suggest heading to Coba.
Coba is inland from Tulum. This ancient Mayan city is known as the nucleus of one of the largest stone road systems in the entire Mayan world. It also has impressive temples that you are permitted to climb for views across the vast, lush jungle.
Take a Cooking Class
Mexico Lindo Cooking is a sight to behold. The bright yellow casa, framed in pink trim, explodes out of the green, leafy jungle like a comet of color.
Chef Alejandra Kauachi, a professionally trained chef, with a sharp sense of humor and a passion for all things Mexican, opened her cooking school to help tell the story of Mexico through food by helping people learn to make traditional, historic recipes.
The immersive kitchen experience takes half a day. Tucked away in the gorgeous pink-and-yellow kitchen, you are met with an outdoor wood-burning stove and a long communal table. The day is spent cooking under the instruction of Alejandra, after which you get to cook everything you prepared and, of course, enjoy some tequila.
This is another experience that was highly, highly memorable for me and one that I would absolutely do again.
Enjoy a Rooftop
Playa has some impressive rooftops, and no trip to the city is complete without a sunset swim, meal, or cocktail on top of one of them. You’ll find many to choose from — in fact, your Airbnb may even have one of its own. The two that I tend to recommend are the rooftop at The Fives Downtown or at The Thompson Playa del Carmen. I also loved the one at what was Live Aqua Boutique Resort, but that hotel has unfortunately closed. It has reopened as The Yucatan Playa del Carmen. I have not stayed there yet, but the images of the rooftop pool look like not much has changed since it was the Live Aqua.
Take a Road Trip
Three hours south of Playa del Carmen are two towns that I absolutely love, both of which have completely different vibes from Playa del Carmen. The first is Bacalar, a lakefront town with laid-back, bohemian vibes and an up-and-coming scene. I have a blog post about it here.
The second is the beach town, Mahahual. This quiet beach escape reminds me of what Tulum must have been like 15 years ago. It has a smattering of beachfront restaurants and bars, and small boutique hotels.
Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen
You will not go hungry in Playa del Carmen. I repeat — you will not go hungry in Playa del Carmen. The city is overflowing with dining options, from the humblest of taco trucks to international outposts of world-famous restaurants. There are probably better blogs out there that are devoted solely to the food scene in Playa, but here are a few of my favorite restaurants in Playa del Carmen.
La Cueva del Chango
One of the best breakfasts in town, La Cueva del Chango is tucked back off of Fifth Avenue in a small, outdoor garden. You cannot order incorrectly here. I love the huevos rancheros and the chilaquiles. The restaurant also does a really lovely dinner. At night it quickly becomes one of the top romantic restaurants in Playa del Carmen.
El Fogon
The line may be out the door, but it’s for good reason. The tacos al pastor here are absolutely delicious. Do not sleep on El Fogon.
That said, if the line is too long, you can just walk down the street to Don Sirloin. The tacos are arguably just as good there and the line is always much, much shorter.
Zenzi
The food isn’t actually great at Zenzi, and it’s a little bit overpriced. But it is one of the only restaurants directly on the beach in Playa del Carmen. I like to come here on my first night in town because it really sets the scene and reminds you that you have just arrived at the beach. Plus, they have live music and dancing almost every night of the week.
Lido Beach Club
Even if you don’t stay for the afternoon, you should at least come for a meal. Everything on the menu is great, but I’m partial to the tacos and the tuna tostada.
Restaurante Ambasciata d’Italia
One of the great things about Playa is that it has become an international city, meaning you’ll be able to find food from all over the world. This Italian spot is one of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen on 5th Avenue. Their pasta and pizza are really quite excellent, plus they have a decent wine list. The decor of the restaurant is really cute, as well.
Rooftop at The Fives Downtown
I love this rooftop restaurant for its sunset views, but also its Mediterranean-inspired menu. The hummus with grilled steak is addictive. I also love anything octopus here. Come at sunset because the views are gorgeous. This is also one of the best romantic restaurants in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen Resorts
I have an entire blog post dedicated to the best resorts in Playa del Carmen. But I’ll list a few here, as well.
For Playa del Carmen hotels on the beach, I highly recommend Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen and Mahekal Beach Resort. Both are directly on the beach, but also walking distance to Fifth Avenue so you can have the best of both worlds. Grand Hyatt is more luxurious, with a sleek, modern design, while Mahekal Beach Resort gives off beach bungalow, tropical island vibes.
The Fives Downtown is a chic, high-end Playa del Carmen hotel, as well. It has excellent food, a great lobby bar, and a beautiful rooftop pool. If you want another high-end option with a great pool scene, The Thompson Playa del Carmen is certainly one of the best hotels in Playa del Carmen. They have a beach house, too, which is like a smaller boutique hotel within a hotel.
Of course, there are plenty of fabulous all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen that are located a bit outside of town. I particularly love Hotel Xcaret Arte and UNICO. These are great options if you want to just kick back at an all-inclusive and have everything you need at your fingertips.