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Things to do in Playa del Carmen

Things to do in  Playa del Carmen

Welcome to Playa del Carmen

With vibrant reefs and laid-back Caribbean cool, Playa del Carmen is a favored diving destination offering plenty of ways to enjoy the coast along the Yucatán Peninsula. See what’s beneath the waves on a dive or snorkeling trip, explore fresh-water cenotes, or visit a family-friendly nature park. The walkable town center is packed with boutiques, cafes, and lively nightclubs, and there are ancient Maya ruins and a thick jungle close enough for an afternoon excursion. With a central location on the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen makes the perfect home base for visiting resort towns, villages, golf courses, and picture-perfect beaches up and down the coast.

Top 15 attractions in Playa del Carmen

Tulum

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Tulum, the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city and a port for Coba, is one of the best preserved coastal Mayan cities in the Yucatan, in tandem with Chichen Itza and Ek Balam. Highlights of this archaeological site include the Temple of the Frescoes, which has spectacular figurines of the 'diving god.'More

Rio Secreto Nature Reserve

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Rio Secreto, or the “Secret River,” is a series of caves carved out by the flow of an ancient underground river in Mexico. While the reserve is most famous for its large half-sunken cavern—a popular diving spot—you can also explore eerie passageways, swim in the river, and admire dripping stalactites, stalagmites, and colorful mineral formations.More

Chichen Itza

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One of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá is among Mexico's most visited and iconic archaeological sites. Known for its main central pyramid, this impressive Maya site—once the ceremonial center of the Yucatán—also features temples, ball courts, and a cenote (freshwater sinkhole).More

Isla Mujeres

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Isla Mujeres (the “Island of Women”) is known for its rich marine life and pristine beaches. Here you can snorkel at Manchones Reef, scuba dive in the Cave of Sleeping Sharks, or stretch out on the white sands of North Beach (Playa Norte). On land you’ll find bustling nightlife, with oceanside bars and restaurants serving fresh seafood.More

CoCo Bongo Playa del Carmen

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From circus performers swinging from the ceiling and dancers crowding the floor, to celebrity impersonators and Broadway-style musicals, Coco Bongo is a nightclub unlike any other. At the Playa del Carmen location, you’ll find extravagant stages, multiple bars, VIP table service, and a dance floor known to rock through the wee hours.More

Mayan Ruins of Coba (Zona Arqueológica de Cobá)

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In the heart of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula lie the ruins of Coba (Zona Arqueológica de Cobá), an ancient Maya city considered to be one of the most important settlements in Mesoamerican history. During its peak between AD 500 and 900, Coba housed 50,000 residents and was the central terminus for the complex Maya system of roadways. The jungle site is still being excavated, but visitors can experience the already discovered remains of thesesacbes, or stone causeways, as well as a number of engraved and sculpted monuments.More

Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida)

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The pedestrian-only Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) runs parallel to the ocean in downtown Playa del Carmen. This bustling tourist strip provides easy beach access and is within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Lining Fifth Avenue are shops aplenty, including those selling artisan crafts, fine jewelry, and cigars.More

Xcaret

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With unparalleled access to the Caribbean Sea and all of its bounty, a visit to the Xcaret eco-archaeological park is a must when on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Snorkeling, ziplining, river rafting, exploring underwater rivers, and hiking tropical trails through jungle ruins are all options within this natural adventure park, which gives fast access to many of Cancun’s greatest attractions.More

Cenote Chaak Tun

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At Cenote Chaak Tun, outside Playa del Carmen, venture inside hidden subterranean caves that the ancient Maya believed were sacred portals to the underworld. Follow the beam of your headlamp into an enormous cenote, where centuries-old stalactites drip from above, and swim and snorkel in its fresh water rivers and pools.More

Xel-Ha

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Named after a Mayan word meaning “the place where the waters are born,” the Xel-Ha aquatic park encompasses 14 acres (5.7 hectares) of jungle and ocean just south of Playa del Carmen. A must-visit family-friendly attraction, Xel-Ha is home to cenotes, a lazy river, fish-filled lagoons, and other natural attractions.More

Fundadores Park (El Zócalo)

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Located just off the ferry dock, Fundadores Park (El Zócalo) is the center of Playa del Carmen. This beachside park sits along Playa del Carmen’s famous Fifth Avenue, and it’s the main square from which the rest of the tourist area branches out. From El Zócalo you’ll have a gorgeous view of the ocean and easy access to the beaches.More

Kantun Chi Ecopark

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Built around the cenotes and jungle of the Riviera Maya, the Kantun Chi Ecopark is a subterranean playground of cenotes, underground caves, and grottoes. Filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient columns, it offers a unique way to explore the dramatic natural scenery and learn about the region’s long Maya history.More

3D Museum of Wonders

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Jump into the art at Playa del Carmen’s 3D Museum of Wonders. Created by a visionary American artist, this interactive museum is truly in a genre and mind-bending class of its own. It doesn’t take long for reality to blend with illusion, and pretty soon you’re splashing beneath a waterfall, surfing a wave, or trapped inside a bubble.More

Frida Kahlo Museum (Museo Frida Kahlo)

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Explore the life—and contextualize the legacy—of Mexican surrealist artist and feminist icon Frida Kahlo at Playa del Carmen’s Frida Kahlo Museum (Museo Frida Kahlo). At one of the city’s first cultural spaces, learn about Kahlo’s work, illness, and tumultuous relationship with Diego Rivera by way of interactive and sensory exhibits.More

Xplor Park

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Set in the middle of the Yucatan jungle, Xplor Park allows visitors to experience Mexico’s environmental treasures firsthand. Here you can raft down a stalactite-filled underground river, swim in cenotes, ride in an amphibious vehicle, or zipline above the canopy. There’s also a nighttime option to explore after dark.More

Trip ideas

How to Spend 3 Days in Playa del Carmen

How to Spend 3 Days in Playa del Carmen

Top activities in Playa del Carmen

Jungle Buggy Tour from Playa del Carmen Including Cenote Swim
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Playa del Carmen Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim and Mayan Village Visit
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Small Group: Coba ChoHa Cenote Tulum and Paradise Beach Day Trip
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Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil, and Coba Ruins Day Trip All Fees Included
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Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya
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Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch
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Priority Access: Xel-Há All-Inclusive Day Trip with Transportation
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VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour
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VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour

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Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote tour
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Luxury Sunset Sailing Cruise in the Riviera Maya with Light Dinner and Open Bar
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Riviera Maya Luxury Catamaran and Snorkeling, Lunch & Drinks Included
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Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

Recent reviews from experiences in Playa del Carmen

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The Pickup at Terminal 2 in Cancun took about one hour to arrange, but Kerima did help us get the Mini Van Driver.
Lorna_F, Feb 2023
Playa del Carmen Private Transportation From-To Cancun Airport
We paid for a round trip, so we will have to see if that goes smoothly.
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Private transport to and from airport by Abbi
Randy_M, Feb 2023
Private Transportation to/from Playa del Carmen & Riviera Maya
Abbi was in time, great sense of humor and spoke English.
star-4
Tour was 14 hours long
LaTosha_F, Dec 2022
Explore Holbox, Punta Mosquito and Punta Cocos with Lunch and Transport
Nobody spoke English in Holbox.
star-5
Excellent tour with Amigo Tours and Marco
Eldon_W, Mar 2023
Chichen Itza Early Access, unexplored Yaxunah, Cenote & buffet lunch
Good to see the difference and good to see Amigo Tours doing something good for the Mayan people.
star-5
Yummy Food & Stories
Rachel_H, Feb 2023
Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour
We also got to see some of the amazing street art in the neighbourhood and had pictures taken throughout.
star-5
A must if you want to visit Chichen Itza at its best
Neale_D, Jan 2023
Chichen Itza Early Access, unexplored Yaxunah, Cenote & buffet lunch
Very impressed that Amigo Tours is investing in a new archeological site close by which we got to visit.
star-5
UNREAL EXPERIENCE!!!!
Kenneth_J, Jan 2023
(4x1) Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Playa del carmen in a full day tour
There is a moment where you can go off on own—utilize it to see everything (15min max).
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So we didn’t actually get...
Emanuel_M, Jan 2023
Chichen Itza Tour, Buffet Lunch, Cenote, Tequila tasting & Valladolid
So we didn’t actually get to go to Chichen Itza English Tour, Buffet Lunch, Cenote,Tequila tasting & Valladolid.
star-5
A great tour and wonderful educational experience.
Shawndra, Jan 2023
Full Day Knowing Playa del Carmen in Private Tour
Michel showed us the some of the main tourist attractions, but also some of the lesser known non-commercial areas.
star-5
Great transfer even though there was a delay
Ariff_M, Dec 2022
Private Transportation to/from Cancun Airport & Downtown - Playa del Carmen / Ultramar Ferry/ Playacar / Puerto Aventuras / Xcaret 1-5 pax
5 hours as a major winter storm hit Toronto.
star-4
Lots of different sites but long day
Sarah_W, Nov 2022
Tulum, Coba, Playa Del Carmen and Cenote Day Tour
Crammed a lot in and was good to see all the sites but less pickups from various spots would have ensured the day was shorter and spent longer at the sites especially Coba.
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A walk with the locals
Styles_M, Jun 2022
Walking Food Tasting Experience in Downtown Playa del Carmen
The tour felt like going to visit a friend in a foreign country.
star-5
Amazing experience
Patrick_H, May 2022
Day Trip To Tulum and Coba Ruins Including Cenote Swim and Lunch from Cancun
Was able to see a lot, didn’t get to see the Cobá ruins, but got to go see playa del Carmen!
star-5
So much more than a cooking class
Eric_E, Mar 2022
Playa del Carmen Mexican Cooking Experience and Local Markets Tour
Lovely home, Loved to visit the markets and learn about Mexican foods.
star-4
Great way to see the real Playa del Carmen
Sarah_R, Mar 2022
Graffitis & Munchies biketour Playa del Carmen
Great way to see the non-tourist parts of Playa del Carmen!
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Exciting scooter ride
Christian_G, Jan 2022
Amazing Guided Electric Rides Tour Around Playa Del Carmen
Able to see things we otherwise would have missed in the local neighbourhood.
star-5
Great trip
Catarina_R, Dec 2021
Cobá, Cenote Cho Ha, Tulum and Paraiso Beach, Reduced Group.
This trip is quite long (we went from Playa del Carmen and it took us about 12 hours total), but you also see a lot: two archeological sites with plenty of time to visit, one cenote, and a visit to Playa Paraíso, where we went for a short snorkeling expedition (extra).
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Must try!
Lorenzo_G, Jun 2021
Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour
An amazing experience we got to visit some really great food places along with some history behind it.
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Great place to visit, don't miss out.
Livio_R, May 2021
Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Crystal Caves and Tulum Ruins
Fantastic place to visit - a must for anyone visiting Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum.