Playa del Carmen

Travel Guide

Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen
Half Moon Bay showing a beach, tropical scenes and a coastal town
Half Moon Bay featuring a sandy beach and tropical scenes
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 colourful 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 centre 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 kilometres) 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 travellers 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

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Playacar

4/5(10 area reviews)

Amazing beaches great entertainment and top sights from Playa del Carmen Main Beach to Playacar Golf Club – discover Playacar, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Playacar
Cozumel which includes a sandy beach and tropical scenes

Downtown Playa del Carmen

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

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

Downtown Playa del Carmen
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Riviera Maya

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Riviera Maya and surrounding area, you can visit Tres Rios Ecopark and El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Course.

Riviera Maya
Cozumel which includes a sandy beach and tropical scenes

Gonzalo Guerrero

4/5(18 area reviews)

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

Gonzalo Guerrero
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Playacar Zona Hotelera

The pristine beaches and ample 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
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Playa del Carmen Centro

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

A noteworthy feature of Playa del Carmen Centro is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Playa del Carmen Main Beach and Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal.

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 €203 per night from 10 Sept to 11 Sept
€203
10 Sept - 11 Sept
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! (4,769 reviews)
"Loved the property but the food was not good. Very affordable"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive

Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive

5 out of 5
Carr. Chetumal - Puerto Juarez Km. 282, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is €770 per night from 8 Sept to 9 Sept
€770
8 Sept - 9 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 15 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,268 reviews)
"Everything about Xcaret was absolutely amazing! Would definitely recommend and definitely be coming back again!! Best All inclusive!!"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive
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 €196 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
€196
23 Aug - 24 Aug
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! (2,383 reviews)
"This resort was small but cozy. I like that I was able to do all the activities on the daily agenda. The weather was beautiful, which allowed for ample time on the beach and pool usage. The staff was friendly and catered to our every need."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 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, Catamaran, Cenote, All & More Inclusive Adults Only

El Dorado Royale, Catamaran, Cenote, All & More Inclusive Adults Only

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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (504 reviews)
"I did not like the fact that its beaches are covered in seaweed. You cannot go swimming at all, you must go outside the resort. They do have swimming pools though"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

El Dorado Royale, Catamaran, Cenote, All & More Inclusive Adults Only
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! (1,667 reviews)
"It’s a great place to stay so close to night life, restaurants, convenience stores, the personnel so helpful and nice, the cleaning lady did little animals with the towels that was cute. I would come back anytime. I love the room, it had a kitchen with microwave, utensils, water, toaster, refrigerator, ..."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 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! (591 reviews)
"Un excelente lugar para hospedarse en Playa del Carmen cerca a todo buena vista y apartamentos muy bonitos la atención no es de un hotel porque no te brindan el servicio de nada todo lo tienes que hacer tú, solo te brindan las llaves y listo nadie te sube las maletas nadie te brinda servício de atención ..."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 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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