Playa del Carmen Travel Guide

Playa del Carmen Overview

Playa del Carmen, Mexico is a small beach town on the Yucatan Peninsula located about 45 minutes south of Cancun.    The vibe is hip and more international than Cancun; offering chic beach clubs, upscale restaurants and a wild nightlife that goes well past the sunrise.   This is a tourist destination offering beautiful beaches, eclectic restaurants and robust nightlife. Don't expect much in the way of Mexican culture, but do expect lots of fun and nonstop entertainment.

There are two parts to Playa del Carmen; the beach and the town.  

Playa del Carmen Beach

Playa del Carmen's beach is divided into two parts; north of the pier and south of the pier.   North of the pier is where the newer hotels, resorts and beach clubs are located; while south of the pier is where you'll find the old staples of Playa del Carmen, the smaller boutique hotels, etc.   Both are good in their own right and it's easy enough to walk the entire length of both beaches.   

Playa del Carmen Town

Playa del Carmen's town revolves around 5^th avenue which runs north/south.   This is where people shop, dine and drink. Streets run East/West and 12^th street at 5^th avenue is the quintessential epicenter of Playa del Carmen and its nightlife. It's easy to stroll the entire length of 5^th Avenue, but Taxis generally run 20 pesos anywhere in Play del Carmen proper.   

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What to See and Do in Playa del Carmen

There is no shortage of things to do in Playa del Carmen. Most of the activities in Playa del Carmen revolve around the beach and water.  

Scuba diving Playa del Carmen

There's excellent scuba diving and snorkeling in the area; and a quick ferry ride over to Cozumel will put you in some world class scuba diving spots. There are a bunch of dive companies who take you, but we highly recommend letting Dive Mike take care of the details for you.  

Playa del Carmen Beaches

Playa del Carmen beaches are a big draw for most and along the entire length of the beach you'll find restaurants, beach clubs, lounges and spas. On the far north end of the beach we recommend Canibal Royal Beach Club for a day in the sun with cocktails and tapas.  You won't be disappointed.

Playa del Carmen Shopping

If shopping is your thing then you'll want to spend some time walking 5^th avenue. Here you'll find everything form the trendy boutique stores to the gimmicky tourist stands.  

Day Trips

A day trip to the Mayan ruins of Tulum is well worth the effort.   Tulum is located about 45 min south of Playa del Carmen and can be accessed by bus or taxi.  Chichen Itza is a little bit harder to get to, but day trips from Playa del Carman can be arranged through most hotels.

Restaurants Playa del Carmen  

The restaurants and food at Playa are excellent so be sure to look around and find something that works for you.   Baraaza recommends Diablito Cha Cha Cha, Buenos Aires Steakhouse and Forgone, but there are a lot more to choose from.

Playa del Carmen Nightlife

Playa del Carmen nightlife offers a few different options.   In the early evening you can check out a beach lounge like Sensi, head to a big show at Coco Bongo or the Hotel Royal (if that's your thing), or go to one of the many hip rooftop lounges like Basico Lounge, La Santanera or Deseo.   Playa has a late-night club scene and after all the hotel and regular bars close at 2:00 AM everyone goes to clubs like Om, Dubai and La Santanera (all located on 12^th street).  Be prepared to party to the sunrise.

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Hotels in Playa del Carmen

Budget Hotels Playa del Carmen

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