- Fish tacos and ceviche on Calle 34
- Cochinita pibil breakfasts at the market loncherias
- Beach clubs at Mamitas for the daytime scene
Playa del Carmen Travel Guide
The beach at Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Playa del Carmen is the Riviera Maya's main town: a pedestrian Fifth Avenue of restaurants and shops, a long beach, and the ferry dock to Cozumel. It sits halfway between Cancun and Tulum, which makes it the best base for seeing the whole coast.
The town divides into the beach, the Quinta Avenida, and the residential streets behind it where the better-value restaurants hide.
What to do in Playa del Carmen
Town and beach
- 1
Quinta Avenida The pedestrian Fifth Avenue: restaurants, bars and shops. - 2
Playa Fundadores and the beach The main beach with the Portal Maya sculpture. - 3
Cozumel day trip The 45-minute ferry to the island's reefs and beaches.
Day trips
- 1
Tulum ruins The clifftop Maya city, 45 minutes south. Go early. - 2
Coba The jungle city with the climbable Nohoch Mul pyramid. - 3
Xcaret The eco-archaeological park with underground rivers.
Playa del Carmen Hotel Guide
How to choose the best places to stay in Playa del Carmen. Verified properties below; for the full list, search live availability on Booking.com.
Luxury
Rosewood Mayakoba
The lagoon-suite resort north of town, the coast's luxury benchmark.
View on Booking.com
Mid-range
Mahekal Beach Resort
Palapa-style bungalows on the beach, a Playa classic.
View on Booking.comMid-range
Thompson Playa del Carmen
Design hotel on the Quinta with a rooftop pool.
View on Booking.com
Where to eat
Getting there and around
Fly into Cancun (CUN), then ADO bus to Playa (about an hour). The ferry to Cozumel leaves from the town pier; colectivos run south to Tulum.