Playa del Carmen is one of the most visited destinations in Mexico, and once you’re done reading this blog post, you’ll understand why.
Welcome to the locals guide to visiting Playa del Carmen, where you’ll learn all there is to know before your trip to the Riviera Maya. As a travel couple who’ve called Playa del Carmen home for four years already, you can bet that we’re sharing authentic and up-to-date information, so you can make the most of your trip.
What is Playa del Carmen
Unlike the extremely well-known destination of Cancun, the small coastal city of Playa del Carmen is definitely the lesser-known of the two. Playa del Carmen is located about an hour south of Cancun Mexico and is a vibrant beach city, with a well-balanced mix of locals, expats and tourists.
Playa del Carmen was once a small fishing village, but in the last 15-20 years it has exploded in popularity as one of the most visited destinations in not just the Riviera Maya, but also Mexico.
The beautiful beaches, buzzing downtown zone and vibrant nightlife scene in Playa del Carmen are just some of the reasons that people choose to visit this wonderful and affordable Mexican Caribean destination from all over the world.
Is Playa del Carmen worth visiting?
If you’re thinking of making a trip to the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen is a must-see destination for many reasons.
Firstly, the whole city is very walkable and has some of the nicest beaches and cenotes in the entire region. There are also some cultural activities to partake in, as well an endless list of tours, theme parks and day trips to take, making this city an ideal option for travellers who like a good mixture of exploration and relaxation.
As seasoned travellers of The Riviera Maya (Quintana Roo state), we always recommend making Playa del Carmen your base, as it is the most centrally located city for all the tours and activities we’ll be going over later on in this post.
So, is Playa del Carmen worth visiting? In our opinion, if you’re looking for an affordable tropical destination with beautiful beaches, world-class dining and a plethora of tours & activities, Playa del Carmen is absolutely worth visiting.
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When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?
When it comes to deciding when to travel to Playa del Carmen, there are two main factors to take into consideration; the weather and travel seasons.
Playa del Carmen weather: Playa del Carmen weather is typically great all year round, but there are a few things to know. The autumn and winter months (November to Feb) are in our opinion the best months to visit because, while the weather is still warm and sunny, it’s not excruciatingly hot like it is in Summer. If you don’t mind crazy heat and humidity, Summertime (May-August) is a great time to visit, especially if you plan on spending the majority of your time in the water.
The period of highest hurricane risk falls between September and October, when their occurrence becomes more frequent, primarily due to the elevated sea temperatures. If you’re looking for a budget vacation, you may want to plan your vacation to Quintana Roo around September – October, as this is when you’ll find hotels and accommodation rates at the lowest for the year. There is of course, the risk of encountering a hurricane, but it’s not very likely.
One major concern across the region of the Riviera Maya is the pesky sargassum, which infests the beaches from around mid-February to the end of October. Sargassum is a brown, smelly seaweed that sits on the shores and sometimes makes entering the ocean near impossible. It is impossible to say when, where or how much of the seaweed will show up, but there is a very helpful Facebook group called ‘Sargassum Seaweed Updates’, where tourists and locals report back with current pictures of affected beaches.
Travel seasons: Considering the travel season when planning your visit Playa del Carmen is important too because this region of Mexico is known to get pretty crowded at certain parts of the year. We can’t tell you when the best time is to visit this region because that all depends on your personal preferences concerning both crowd levels and temperature. Below, we’ll go over the three distinct travel seasons and how the climate changes throughout the year so that you can make the most informed decision regarding the best time for you to visit.
Peak season (December – April): If you’re into large crowds and love the hype of packed beaches and hotels, peak travel season will be the perfect fit for you.
Shoulder Season (April – May / October – November): The shoulder season is still busy but less crowded than peak season. The majority of tourism in this region during shoulder season is domestic tourism.
Slow Season (Jun – October): Summertime is the quietest time of the year, and that is because many foreigners who usually live here return to their home countries. Many hospitality workers also go back to their hometowns during the summer months. Most Mexican schools are on vacation from mid-July to the end of August, so more local tourists are visiting.
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Is Playa del Carmen safe?
This is probably one of our most commonly asked questions, as the media in other countries seem to make out that Mexico is like the Wild West. Here’s a local insight – it’s not. Actually, I feel way safer living in Playa del Carmen than I ever did in my home country of South Africa.
Those shoot-outs and issues with cartel activity that are often blasted all over the internet, are typically targeted attacks between rival cartels. So, if you aren’t planning on purchasing any illegal substances, you should be just fine.
As with any foreign country, you’ll need to know what to look out for to stay safe. As with Playa del Carmen, there are some odd cases of pick-pocketing and some common scams to look out for, but in terms of violent crime, there’s not much to worry about.
That being said, we recommend avoiding walking dark streets alone at night and remaining conscious of your surroundings. Additionally, we’d recommend staying aware of your personal belongings and never leaving your things unattended.
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Is Playa del Carmen walkable?
One of the best things about Playa del Carmen is that it is very walkable, especially if you’re staying in the downtown area, or near the beach. In fact, the 5th Avenue Playa del Carmen, which is the primary tourist hub of the city, is a pedestrian-only walkway. It is however important to keep in mind that if you’re staying on the other side of the highway, getting to the beach will require a taxi or rental car.
And if you’re thinking, is there Uber in Playa del Carmen? Well, technically there is however it’s unlikely you’ll find a driver, and we actually wouldn’t recommend using an Uber for safety reasons. The taxi union has been strongly opposed to the introduction of Uber for many years, and there have been cases of aggression shown towards Uber drivers and passengers.
And while the city itself is walkable, you’ll definitely need to use a taxi or a rental car to transit to most of the day trips from Playa del Carmen.
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Does Playa del Carmen have an airport?
No, there are no international airports in Playa del Carmen. The two nearest airports to Playa del Carmen are located in Cancun and Tulum. Each of the airports mentioned are about an hour away from Playa del Carmen. The Cancun airport has been in operation for many years and services most of the big airlines like SouthWest and Delta. The Tulum airport on the other hand just opened at the end of 2023 and currently only offers very limited routes between the United States and the Riviera Maya, Mexico.
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How to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun airport
Cancun International Airport is located about an hour’s drive away from Playa del Carmen and there are multiple ways to commute to Playa del Carmen from Cancun airport.
ADO bus: This is the most budget-friendly option available and we’d highly recommend it. The ADO buses run from Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen throughout the day. The buses are well-maintained, clean and always run on schedule. You can purchase your ticket from the ADO kiosk located at the exit point of the airport, or you can pre-book your ticket online.
Rental Car: Hiring a rental car is a great idea if you plan on doing a lot of exploring and day trips from Playa del Carmen. However, if you’re planning on mostly spending your time in the touristic zone of Playa del Carmen, a car isn’t really necessary.
Book a shuttle: The shuttle services are wonderful and we’d highly recommend this option if you’re nervous about using the bus or driving a rental car. It’s good to know that you can either book a shared shuttle or a private shuttle. One downside of the shared shuttles is you might need to wait a while until all booked passengers arrive before the shuttle can leave the airport. Additionally, because the shared shuttles will be making multiple stops, this may be a bit time-consuming. The private shuttles are an excellent option if you’re travelling with a group. It is essential to pre-book your shuttle to ensure your spot.
Taxi: We would never in a million years recommend this option. The taxi mafia is a genuine issue, and the number of tourists they scam each year is astonishing. If they see you wandering around, they’ll likely approach you to promote their taxi services. Their usual tactic is to give you a price for the ride to your destination, but upon arrival, they’ll double or even triple the amount. They use forceful tactics, like aggression and intimidation, to make you pay this exorbitant sum and frequently try to make you believe that an extra tip is obligatory.
Where to stay in Playa del Carmen
Because the city is large and diverse, it’s a good idea first to decide which part of the city suits you best before looking for a place to stay. If you’re looking for a peaceful, beautiful, and secure area with access to less crowded beaches, the Playacar gated community is a great choice. On the other hand, if you’re planning to explore a lot and want easy access to activities and nightlife, the area around 5th Avenue is perfect.
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Keep in mind that if you’re considering accommodation right on 5th Avenue, there’s an important tip: areas between 8th and 14th streets tend to be noisy at night due to the lively nightlife scene centred around 12th Street. For a quieter stay, you should explore options between the 1st and 6th streets or from the 16th street onwards.
What to do in Playa del Carmen
As the city of Playa del Carmen is one of the major tourist hubs of the region, you can expect to find endless gorgeous beaches, diverse culinary options, high-end shopping and the famous 5th Avenue. Additionally, there are countless roof-top pools, beach clubs and an exciting nightlife scene.
The actual city itself doesn’t offer many adventure or cultural activities, however, there are endless things to see and do on the outskirts of the city, and out at sea. Next, we’re talking all about the best day trips to take from Playa del Carmen.
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The best day trips from Playa del Carmen
There are so many things to see and do just a short drive from Playa del Carmen, that you could easily spend a month here and not cover everything. As two true locals, we’ve had the opportunity to experience a lot of what this region has to offer, so here are our top four suggestions;
Full-day island tour to Isla Contoy & Isla Mujeres: Most people don’t know of Isla Contoy, which is a virgin, protected island just north of Isla Mujeres. There is not a single place in this region of Mexico where you’ll find a more beautiful beach – seriously. Other than experiencing this incredible island, you’ll also snorkel the Mesoamerican barrier reef and get some time to explore Isla Mujeres.
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Full-day Island tour
✔︎ Pick-up & drop-off included
✔︎ Light breakfast & buffet lunch included
✔︎ Time on Isla Contoy & Isla Mujeres
✔︎ Guided snorkeling
Xcaret Park: You can think of Xcaret Park as the ‘Disney World’ of Mexico. This beautiful park is well-integrated into the natural environment and offers a full day of fun, including underground rivers, beaches, snorkelling, cultural shows and delicious authentic Mexican cuisine. You may want to read our Xcaret blogpost to learn more.
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XCARET THEME PARK
✔︎ Access to the full-day park
✔︎ Swim in underground rivers & cenotes
✔︎ Snorkel in a natural inlet
✔︎ Access to cultural shows
✔︎ Entrace to Mexico Espectacular
Tulum Ruins & Cenote Full-day Tour: If you’re into history then visiting the Tulum ruins is a must-do! We loved this particular tour because it included transportation, lunch, a knowledgeable guide, time at the Tulum ruins and the opportunity to experience a beautiful cenote.
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tulum ruins & cenote full-day tour
✔︎ Pick-up & drop-off included
✔︎ Light lunch included
✔︎ Guided tour of Tulum Ruins
✔︎ Time at Coba Ruins
✔︎ Entrance to a beautiful cenote
Swimming with the whale sharks: There are only a handful of places in the world where you can swim alongside the ocean’s gentle giants. This tour was so much fun and included everything you need for a full day of fun. After swimming with the whale sharks, we were treated to a lovely floating lunch right near Isla Mujeres. Keep in mind that this is seasonal and will usually only be available between May to September.
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Whale shark tour (seasonal)
✔︎ Pick-up & drop-off included
✔︎ Light breakfast & lunch included
✔︎ Time at Isla Mujeres
✔︎ Guided snorkeling
✔︎ Guided swim time with whale sharks
What to pack for Playa del Carmen
The weather in Playa del Carmen is warm all year round, but it does tend to get a bit chilly in the winter months. We’d recommend packing light and breathable clothes (linen is ideal), comfortable walking shoes and some sort of sun protection. Here’s a list of the top items we’d recommend packing for your trip to Playa del Carmen;
In conclusion, we hope that this guide helps you get prepared for your trip to Playa del Carmen. You might want to read this detailed post on the 5th Avenue Playa del Carmen to get a good idea of all the things you should know before visiting. If we left anything out, please let us know in the comments below 👇
2 thoughts on “The Locals Guide To Visiting Playa del Carmen (we live here)”
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Hey Cena 🙂 Thank you, that’s so flattering. No, we figured out the entire website on our own (with the help of 472829 tutorials of course).