How we’ve by no means written about the most effective issues to do in Playa del Carmen earlier than at this time is a thriller. Playa del Carmen was the primary place Dave and I visited in Mexico means again in 1999 and we’ve been again time and again. We’ve stayed in all the things from, residence leases, all-inclusive resorts, and price range accommodations right here. Every time we loved Playa del Carmen simply as a lot because the final.
Whereas the numerous day journeys and excursions across the Mayan Riviera are mainly interchangeable between Playa del Carmen and Cancun, there are many issues to do in Playa del Carmen that set it other than an everyday Cancun vacation. Since we first visited in 1999 it has reworked from a sleepy fishing village with sand streets and outside markets to an upmarket vacation spot with luxurious accommodations, fantastic eating, and infinite leisure.
If you’re contemplating a visit to the Yucatan Peninsula preserve studying to see all of the locations to go to in Playa del Carmen and the close by sights alongside the Mayan Riviera.
Prime Issues to do in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
The seashores are comfortable and welcoming to go for a stroll at dawn and there are many strolling streets, nightlife, purchasing, and cafés. With so many alternative issues to do in Playa del Carmen, it has one thing for everybody. It doesn’t matter what your journey model, you’ll love Playa del Carmen.
We use Get Your Information for day journeys around the globe and have used them for a lot of of our Playa del Carmen travels. From Swimming with Whale Sharks to spending a day stress-free at Xel Ha, Get your information gives a few of the finest offers for excursions plus they provide transfers, tour guides, and entry to lots of the prime actions in Cancun.
A number of day journeys could be booked from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. You’ll be able to select from adventurous cenote excursions, diving excursions, or simpler leisurely excursions with simple cancellation for a full refund.
La Quinta Avenida (fifth Avenue)
La Quinta Avenida is the heartbeat of Playa del Carmen and you’ll find your self wandering this pedestrian-only avenue for purchasing, eating, and nightlife. Mexico’s fifth Avenue is a bustling 5-mile-long cobblestone avenue bustling with avenue performers, distributors, and bars. We love pulling up a chair at one of many many patios to hearken to some dwell music as we benefit from the nightlife. You’ll be able to go to La Quinta Avenida day or evening and it’ll all the time be alive. There are even native artwork galleries to select up native artisan souvenirs out of your journey.
When a cruise ship is on the town although, you’re going to need to keep away from the streets, as issues can get fairly hectic and crowded.
Rooftop Swimming pools
Playa del Carmen has come a great distance since our first go to and the one bar was Senor Frogs. At this time, it has a few of the finest rooftop swimming pools round, and stress-free at one has develop into one of many prime issues to do in Playa del Carmen. You should buy day passes to the rooftop pool of your selection and sit again and chill out taking within the views.
Your rooftop pool day go features a lounge chair and meals credit score. Different locations will allow you to get pleasure from their rooftop pool in the event you spend a minimal quantity of Pesos. Some standard rooftop swimming pools in Playa del Carmen embody The Thompson Playa del Carmen, BePlaya Rooftop Pool,
Solar and Enjoyable at a Seashore Membership
Once you go to Playa del Carmen, there isn’t a doubt you’ll want to hit the seashore and Playa del Carmen is legendary for its seashore golf equipment. Whereas we’ve observed that the attractive seashores we bear in mind from our first go to to Playa del Carmen have been eroded so discovering a great place by yourself is attending to be just a little harder. That’s the reason many seashore golf equipment have popped up.
We’ve had the privilege of staying proper on the seashore at Playa del Carmen in our personal little oasis, however in the event you don’t should one of many Playa del Carmen seashores out of your lodge, there are many seashore golf equipment to take a look at. You’ll be able to hire a day go that provides you with a lounge chair proper on the Caribbean Sea.
Widespread seashore golf equipment in Playa del Carmen are Lido Seashore Membership which is a small laid again seashore membership, Mamita’s Seashore Membership is a legendary seashore climb in Playa del Carmen situated on the primary seashore, and Kool Seashore Membership which is near Mamita’s in case that’s too busy.
Parque Fundadores (Founding Fathers Park)
Whereas we talked about that a few of the finest seashores of Playa del Carmen have been eroded through the years, there are nonetheless locations to get out to benefit from the sand and surf. Parque Fundadores is the widest seashore in Playa del Carmen with seashore volleyball and watersports and is inside strolling distance from a Quinta Avenida.
Portal Maya Statue
Positioned at Parque Fundadores is the Portal Maya statue that depicts two figures being pushed by a spiral of wind and water. It was created in 2012 to have fun the tip of the Mayan Calendar. Standing 50 toes excessive, it’s a powerful sight.
Playacar Seashore
One other considered one of Playa del Carmen’s finest seashores is Playacar Seashore has lovely white sand that’s much less frequented tha different seashores in Playa del Carmen.
Catamaran Cruise or Crusing journeys
Getting on the water is our prime advice for issues to do in Playa del Carmen. The water is crystal clear, heat, and delightful. Crusing alongside the coast actually offers you an understanding as to why this space was developed into such a vacationer Mecca.
We love taking crusing journeys and if you wish to discover the coast whereas taking within the solar, crusing is the best way to go. The Mayan Riviera is a fantastic coast and you should get out on the water. As a substitute of high-speed or social gathering boats, get on a sailboat. Crusing journeys usually embody snorkeling too. This combines two of our favourite issues to do in Cancun: Getting on the water and getting within the water!
This entire customizable catamaran cruise permits you to select your personal itinerary as you sail aboard a 32-foot yacht. It holds as much as 25 of your closest family and friends with an open bar. We propose, asking to go to the turtle conservation heart situated on the island too the place you’ll be capable to witness sea turtles being hatched! The middle is making nice strides in its sea turtle conservation efforts.
Guide this extremely rated tour – An all-inclusive Isla Mujeres Catamaran cruise – Together with an open bar, meals, and stops at El Meco coral reef, downtown Isla Mujeres and delightful views of the Riviera Maya coast.
Go Paddle Boarding
When searching for issues to do in Playa del Carmen, there isn’t a doubt you’ll want to get on the water. It’s no secret that we love paddleboarding. The truth is, we purchased our personal so we are able to paddleboard the Grand River right here in our hometown. In case you have all the time needed to attempt it, that is the place to do it. However we suggest taking an organized tour because the specialists will know the most effective locations.
If you wish to attempt it immediately from downtown Playa del Carmen, this tour begins on the quietest seashore in Playa del Carmen the place you’ll learn to paddleboard after which go on a guided tour at dawn earlier than the crowds, jet skis, and cruise ships are available. Get extra particulars and ebook it right here.
This luxurious boat journey takes you on a catamaran for a snorkeling journey to see sea turtles, stingrays, and different marine life. This tour gives an opportunity to attempt SUP. Snorkeling gear is included and life jackets are offered.
Go Scuba Diving
Our second journey to the Mayan Riviera was all about scuba diving. We packed our gear and made our approach to the Yucatan Peninsula to spend a month diving within the pristine waters of the second largest barrier reef on the earth! We adopted the Mesoamerican Reef System from Cozumel to Honduras. There are some respectable reefs close by however we propose taking a diving tour to discover Palancar reef, Santa Rosa Wall, and Akumal Bay.
If you wish to transcend snorkeling and provides scuba diving a attempt, there are many locations to Uncover Scuba Diving with loads of dive outlets on the town. We liked drift diving within the crystal clear waters as colourful tropical fish floated by. For those who don’t have expertise, many resorts provide scuba diving instruction and Mexico is a superb place to develop into licensed in open water!
Cenotes Adventures
If you’re searching for distinctive outside adventures while you go to Playa del Carmen, you should be sure to ebook a visit to one of many close by cenotes. Cenotes are underground rivers flowing by means of limestone caves. A few of these pure sinkholes have massive openings you can abseil proper into. One of the crucial standard cenotes to go to is Ik Kil as a result of it’s usually mixed with a visit to Chichen Itza. However there are many Cenote Adventures you can ebook from Cancun.
You are able to do all the things from taking a zipper line over them, to rappelling into them. However probably the most thrilling journey is snorkeling or diving inside these unbelievable pure wonders. Once you ebook a tour, snorkeling gear is offered, so there’s no have to pack something additional. Learn extra right here and watch our video right here.
Rio Secreto – Secret River
Rio Secreto is an extraordinay cenote to discover. That is the longest semi-sunken cave system within the Yucatan that has develop into a well-liked day journey from Cancun. There’s 12 km of underground rivers to discover and also you don’t want a dive certification to spelunk into Rio Secreto. Guests are taken in small teams on a three-hour tour and you’re feeling like you might have the caves all to your self.
This Cenote journey takes you deep into the system swimming underneath low-hanging ceilings, wading by means of spectacular caverns, and swimming in full darkness. It’s actually among the finest issues you are able to do in Cancun. Excursions could be booked prematurely by means of Get Your Information. You may as well learn all a couple of tour of Rio Secreto at Rio Secreto Cenote – Mexico’s Magical Underground Caves
Go to the Xel há Theme Park
Positioned simply south of Playa del Carmen is without doubt one of the journey parks within the Yucatan, Xel Há is a good place to go snorkeling for the entire household. The all-inclusive park permits you to get pleasure from a full day of enjoyable within the solar. In addition to snorkeling in its crystal clear waters, go tubing among the many mangroves, attempt your hand at cliff leaping, discover a cenote or do some zip lining and excessive ropes over the water. Buy your full-day Xel Ha go right here.
Zipline Journey
We all the time love a Zipline and in case you are seeking to up your journey journey sport, you should give it a go. What makes ziplining distinctive close to Cancun is that you’ve forest canopies to zipping over Cenotes to select from! If you need a enjoyable time without work of the resort, head out to one of many zip-lining adventures. Xplor is without doubt one of the finest locations to go zip lining close to Playa del Carmen
Museo Frida Kahlo
If you’re searching for a cultural expertise in Playa del Carmen, pop into the Museo Frida Kahlo to see probably the most iconic artist from Mexico. Whereas the primary museum could be present in Mexico Metropolis, since many vacationers don’t enterprise out of the Yucatan Peninsula or Caribbean Coast, they’ve arrange a museum in Playa del Carmen honoring her work. The museum is situated on the nook of eighth Road and fifth Avenue.
Xplor
If visiting the cenotes on an organized tour isn’t up your alley however you need to attempt some sip lining whereas visiting Playa del Carmen In addition to the theme parks like Xcaret, make your approach to Xplor journey park. This full-day all-inclusive entry ticket to one of the standard journey parks in Playa del Carmen.
Right here you’ll discover 14 of the most important zip strains in Latin America. There are rock formations with stalagmites and stalactites in underground caves and there are river swims and rafting. Complimentary drinks and a lunch buffet are included. Guide prematurely on-line right here.
Half 2 – Issues to do in Playa del Carmen at Evening
Coco Bongo
When trying to find issues to do in Playa del Carmen at evening, there isn’t a doubt you will notice Coco Bongo as a suggestion. With Las Vegas Fashion exhibits Coco Bongo is an extravaganza. It has lengthy been a staple of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera and when in Playa del Carmen it’s simply 5 minutes from fifth Avenue. With dwell music, nonstop alcohol, and performances, it’s the place to be in Playa at evening.
Take a Jet Ski Tour
I’ll admit, we weren’t followers of heading out on a Jet Ski till we tried it within the Cayman Islands. And renting a jet ski in Playa del Carmen is a blast. Guide this waverunner journey that takes you to Maroma seashore, for a 30 to 60-minute jet ski tour. It contains round-trip transportation and comfortable drinks. (no alcohol when driving a motorcar)
Xcaret
There are a lot of theme parks round Playa del Carmen and Xcaret is without doubt one of the hottest with 40 actions and sights. This family-friendly theme park has a coral reef the place you’ll see sea turtles plus a manatee lagoon to see the cows of the ocean. There’s a Mayan village, and at evening you possibly can wat the efficiency at Xcaret. It’s an enormous in-the-round dinner theatre the place you’re served conventional Mexican meals whereas watching the historical past of the nation and Mayan cultures unfold earlier than your eyes.
At first, it’s a bit daunting as males play a Mayan ball sport relationship again to 1400 BC. I didn’t’ fairly perceive what was occurring till the present progressed by means of the ages. The present takes you on a journey from the traditional Mayan civilization to at this time.
My favourite moments occurred partly two when the great and gifted singers and musicians got here on stage to carry out many basic tunes that we’ve all seen and heard. Xcaret has extra to do than simply the evening present, Guide this full day go together with evening present to expertise all the things it has to supply.
Salsa Dancing
Among the best issues to do in Playa del Carmen at evening is to attempt some salsa dancing. Among the best locations to go Salsa dancing is at La Bodeguita. You’ll really feel like you’re in little Havana as each locals and vacationers alike love to bop to the dwell music to social gathering all evening lengthy. If you’re searching for one thing just a little louder, Mandala has dwell DJs enjoying loud music to bop the evening away.
Day Journeys from Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is situated within the Mexican state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula smack dab within the coronary heart of the Mayan Riviera. It’s one hour from Cancun and is near a number of Mayan ruins, spectacular clear waters, and a few of Mexico’s most lovely islands.
We’ve had some wonderful adventures in Mexico and listed below are some concepts so that you can get off the resort and discover a few of the finest day journeys from Cancun.
Ek Balam
Ek Balam is a lesser-visited Mayan Village close to Cancun and you’ll climb up this one! It’s a sprawling complicated of 45 constructions however you possibly can go to these Mayan ruins couple of hours. So you’ll get your historical past repair and nonetheless have time for different excursions afterward! There’s additionally a Cenote close by.
Tulum
Tulum is situated one hour south of Playa del Carmen and is located on one of the lovely seashores and sea cliffs within the space. There are archaeological websites throughout Mexico giving a glimpse into Historic Mayan tradition. Tulum is without doubt one of the most simply accessible from Cancun.
Sitting excessive on a cliff overlooking the miraculous turquoise waters will take your breath away. A well-liked backpacker’s hang-out, Tulum additionally has great seashores. If you wish to escape Tulum there’s plenty of lodging there. And it’s quick turning into greater than a day journey from Cancun, it’s now a well-liked trip vacation spot in Mexico.
Mix a tour of the traditional Maya ruins of Tulum with a cenote journey on this prime ranked tour.
Chichen Itza
Mayan Ruins are scattered all through Quintana Roo however this standard day journey is a should. Chichen Itza is certainly the star as the most effective Mayan ruins within the Yucatan Peninsula. We visited Chichen Itza years in the past when you can nonetheless climb to the highest of the primary temple. However to today we’re nonetheless amazed by it. It’s one of many largest of the Mayan Ruins and it’s most likely the most effective and most excavated of all of them. Chichen Itza can also be probably the most visited damage in all of Mexico and it’s a should in case you are into archeological websites.
This Chichen Itza tour combines a go to to Chichen Itza, Coba, and a Cenote supplying you with three prime Playa del Carmen sights in someday! Spend the whole day on an enchanting tour as you go to the Mayan ruins and climb the best pyramid within the area adopted by a swim within the cool waters of this pristine pure surroundings. Guide it right here
Enjoyable Reality, Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site that was listed as one of many New Seven Wonders of the World! Learn extra: 7 Wonders of the World – the New, The Pure, and the Historic
Coba
We visited the Mayan Ruins of Coba means again in 2003 after we determined to scuba dive our means round Central America. One thing tells me it hasn’t modified a lot as after I search for data on it, it’s nonetheless fairly unexcavated with many temples but to be unearthed.
You’ll wander by means of the jungle feeling like Indiana Jones as you come across untouched ruins. Right here you possibly can nonetheless climb the excessive pyramids reaching 42 meters within the air!
Coba excursions could be booked with excursions to Chichen Itza and a cease at Cenote Ik Kil. That is an incredible day tour that showcases a few of the prime Mayan Ruins and highlights of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is the biggest protected space within the Mexican Caribbean. This UNESCO World Heritage Web site is wealthy with wildlife together with many hen species. With actions like boat excursions and snorkeling, visiting the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is a good way to get out and expertise the pure fantastic thing about the Riviera Maya.
Valladolid
If you need a cultural expertise a visit to Valladolid is a should. Step again in time to this Sixteenth-century metropolis showcasing lovely colonial structure.
Valladolid is gaining popularity annually as folks choose to immerse themselves within the tradition of the Mayan Riviera and luxuriate in a quieter tempo than the hectic Cancun and Mayan Riviera accommodations. Valladolid is usually mixed with a visit to Chichen Itza. Guide this extremely rated tour to see the traditional Mayan metropolis of Chichen Itza mixed with a cease at Valladolid and the Cenote Ik Kil. Excursions depart from Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
Puerto Morelos
We solely not too long ago found Puerto Morelos on our final journey to the Riviera Maya. Whereas staying on the Excellence Cancun Riviera, we had been simply a few km from Puerto Morelos. Positioned smack dab in the course of Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, Puerto Morel0s is a spot the vacationers missed leaving it with a attraction that different locations don’t have. The quiet fishing village is situated on a wonderful seashore. It has all the things that you can need with nice snorkeling, many cenotes close by, a protracted sandy seashore that’s good for a dawn stroll, and an important market.
Searching for the most effective day journeys from Cancun? We’ve chosen our favourite excursions to tackle the Mayan Riviera to get you off the resort. Mexico is considered one of our favourite winter escapes and we’ve visited Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula frequently since 2000!
From historical Mayan ruins to world-class coral reefs and lengthy sandy seashores, Cancun has one thing for everybody. Many individuals spend all their time within the resort however there are such a lot of issues to do in Cancun you can spend all of your time doing excursions. The truth is, that’s precisely what we do. We’re all the time hopping on a tour to take day journeys from Cancun and these are our favorites.
Searching for transportation from Cancun Airport to your lodge, try eTransfers for the most effective costs. They provide airport shuttles to the Resort Zone, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and all alongside the Mayan Riviera.
Swim with Whale Sharks
Among the best day journeys we’ve ever executed was swimming with whale sharks in Cancun. They stands out as the greatest fish within the sea, however they’re light giants. Rising to lengths of over 12 meters (40 toes) whale sharks are spectacular to see.
Simply two hours off the coast of Cancun, you possibly can see them in the event you go on the proper time of 12 months. That point of the 12 months can be from Could to September and it’s spectacular!
We went with Get Your Information when taking our Whale Shark Tour. Guide This Prime-Rated Tour. It was an incredible expertise and we stopped at Isla Mujeres to benefit from the seashore and to do some swimming. This tour gives simple Cancellation and last-minute bookings.
Isla Contoy
Isla Contoy is one other standard island situated simply off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. This small island is just 3.7 sq. km however it’s a protected nationwide park. Solely 200 persons are allowed on Isla Contoy a day. It’s a hen sanctuary with greater than 170 hen species migrating by means of the island and its crystal clear waters are protected as effectively. It’s a excellent spot for snorkeling, and hen watching and you’ll spy loggerhead turtles as effectively.
Journeys to Isla Contoy are sometimes mixed with stops at Isla Mujeres. You’ll be able to ebook this combo tour to benefit from the crystal clear waters and white sand seashores of each islands.
Cozumel
Cozumel ferry leaves from Playa del Carmen on the Cozumel ferry pier. It will probably make for a very good day journey to see this picturesque island off the coast. It’s a wonderful trip vacation spot by itself and you’ll both jump over to take a look at the markets and scene for a day or spend the evening. Heck, we’ve spent per week on Cozumel and by no means ran out of issues to do.
How one can Get to Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is 45 minutes from the Cancun airport. Most accommodations provide an airport shuttle immediately from the Cancun airport and we additionally suggest reserving a decide up on-line prematurely as you gained’t want to attend for different passengers.
The place to Keep in Playa Del Carmen
The Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen is an opulent oceanfront property with direct seashore entry that’s inside strolling distance to a Quinta Avenida – Fifth Avenue. It’s just a little oasis within the coronary heart of all of the motion.
Paradisus Playa Del Carmen is situated on the seashore this property is an all-inclusive four-Diamond resort surrounded by mangrove bushes.
Luxurious Condominium – This residence rental is an efficient one. We stayed at this property just a few years in the past and it was inside strolling distance of all facilities. Positioned immediately on the seashore with swimming swimming pools and
Do you might have a favourite advice for day journeys from Playa del Carmen? We return to the Yucatan frequently and we’re all the time searching for issues to do.