Things to Do, See and Experience in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Playa del Carmen was my first look at Mexico, and it won me over immediately. My boyfriend and I flew into Cancun, but we had limited vacation days and a tight itinerary, so we skipped the city entirely and took the first ADO bus south. Two hours and 270 Mexican pesos per person later, we were rolling our suitcases through the streets of Playa del Carmen — and I was already glad we made that call.
It was hot. Properly hot. The kind of heat that hits you the second you step off an air-conditioned bus and reminds you that you are, in fact, in the Mexican Caribbean in late April. But after checking in, a cold shower, and a walk toward the beach, I understood immediately why people keep coming back to this place.
It’s not a hidden gem. It’s busy, it’s tourist-facing, and 5th Avenue can feel like a more tropical version of every pedestrian shopping street you’ve ever walked. But there’s something here that works — the mix of beach, culture, good food, and easy access to some of the most impressive natural and historical sites in the country.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Yes — straightforwardly yes. It’s not the most authentic Mexican city you’ll ever visit, but it’s an excellent base for the Riviera Maya, it’s easy to navigate independently, and there’s enough going on that you won’t run out of things to do. Even a day here feels satisfying. A couple of days, you can do it properly without rushing.
One honest heads-up before we get into it: the sargassum (seaweed) situation on the beach is real. When we visited at the end of April, there was a lot of it near the shore — it’s a climate change-related issue that affects much of the Caribbean coast and tends to be worse from April to August. If beach swimming is your main goal, check the current conditions before you go and consider a hotel with a good pool as a backup. Ours had one, and it saved the day.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Which is better — Cancun or Playa del Carmen?
Different things entirely. Cancun’s Hotel Zone is geared toward all-inclusive resorts and nightclub tourism. Playa del Carmen has more of a town feel and works much better for independent travelers who want to explore on their own terms. We chose Playa del Carmen over Cancun and had no regrets.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan, flying over Cancun, Mexico
Free Things to Do in Playa del Carmen
You can spend a full afternoon in Playa del Carmen without spending a peso on entry fees, and honestly, some of the best moments happen exactly that way.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Parque Fundadores and the Portal Maya
This central square, right at the bottom of 5th Avenue, is where you’ll find the Portal Maya — a large sculptural arch that’s become the symbol of the city. It’s a 50-foot sculpture by Mexican artist Arturo Taravez, celebrating the Mayan calendar and the date of December 21st, 2012. It’s free to see, sits right at the bottom of 5th Avenue, and is much bigger in person than it looks online.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Voladores de Papantla (Papantla Flyers)
That’s where I’d send anyone first. — and, more memorably, the Voladores de Papantla. These are performers in traditional Totonac ceremonial dress who climb a tall pole, tie themselves by the ankles, and slowly spiral down as the ropes unwind. It’s an ancient ritual, it’s free to watch, and it happens daily. I walked past without knowing what I was about to see and stopped dead. This is the kind of thing that makes a trip. Don’t miss it.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue)
The pedestrian spine of the city — shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and an endless stream of people from all over the world. It’s lively, it’s walkable, and it costs nothing to stroll. The best time is late afternoon into the evening when the heat drops and the street comes alive.
The beach is free to access (beach clubs charge for sunbeds and service, public stretches don’t). Walk down to the shore, have a look, and adjust your expectations based on current sargassum conditions. On a clear day with calm water, it’s genuinely beautiful.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Carmen
The church near the central square — Nuestra Señora del Carmen — is small and easy to visit quickly. It’s not a grand cathedral, but it’s a grounding reminder that this was a real town before it became a resort destination.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Port and Ferries
The port area and waterfront are worth a wander, especially at dusk. The ferries to Cozumel leave from here, and the view out over the water is one of the better ones in the city.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
The Lighthouse (El Faro)
There’s a small lighthouse sitting right at the entrance to the port area in Playa del Carmen. It’s not a major attraction, but it makes for a nice photo stop on your walk down to the waterfront. The surrounding area is pleasant in the evening — worth a few minutes if you’re already heading that way.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Starbucks on 5th Avenue
Yes, there’s a Starbucks on Quinta Avenida, and yes, it’s always busy. If you need a familiar coffee fix after a long travel day, it’s there. But with so many independent cafes along 5th Avenue serving good coffee at lower prices, it’s worth exploring before defaulting to the green logo.
Pro tip: The side streets running parallel to 5th Avenue — 6th, 8th, 10th — are where you’ll find a more everyday version of Playa del Carmen. Less polished, cheaper food, more locals. Worth exploring if you want something that feels less like a tourist corridor.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
© Gayane Mkhitaryan, fromer Hard Rock cafe in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Top Experiences Worth Paying For
Not everything in Playa del Carmen needs a ticket, but a few things do — and some are genuinely worth the cost.
Xcaret Park
This is the big one. Xcaret is a massive eco-archaeological park where you can swim through underground rivers, snorkel, see wildlife, and watch a full evening show about Mexican history and culture. It’s expensive — tickets start around 1,900–2,100 MXN (~$95–105 USD) — but it’s consistently the most recommended full-day experience in the region. Best booked in advance.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Cenotes — Dos Ojos and Cenote Azul
The cenotes near Playa del Carmen are something else entirely. These are natural sinkholes filled with crystal-clear freshwater — underground cave systems connected to ancient aquifer networks. Cenote Dos Ojos and Cenote Azul are both within easy reach. Entry to Dos Ojos runs around 500–700 MXN; Azul is cheaper. Go early — Dos Ojos gets crowded fast, and the difference between arriving at 9 am and arriving at noon is significant. You can get there by colectivo (shared minibus) from downtown, which keeps costs low.
Rio Secreto
A more atmospheric, less crowded alternative to Xcaret’s underground rivers. Rio Secreto (riosecretopark.com) is a guided tour through a cave system with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites, many of which are partially submerged. Smaller groups, slower pace, genuinely memorable.
Xplor Park
If you want adrenaline rather than culture, Xplor (xplor.travel) is the option — zip lines, ATV rides through the jungle, and swimming in stalactite rivers. It’s a full-day activity park and is good for people who want to keep moving.
The Frida Kahlo Museum
I’m including this because you will walk past it, and the entrance looks appealing. I chose not to go in, and I’m glad I didn’t. Everything inside is a replica — not a single original painting, not one piece of original clothing, not a single authentic personal item. There’s a digital experience component, but the staff themselves told me clearly when I asked: nothing here is original. For the price of entry, you can see far more at almost any other stop on this list. If you’re a serious Frida Kahlo fan, the only museum worth making the effort for is the Casa Azul in Mexico City. This one is not it.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen’s location is one of its biggest strengths. Within 1–3 hours, you can reach some of the most significant sites in the whole country.
- Tulum Ruins — 45–60 minutes south; Mayan ruins on a cliff above the Caribbean. The most dramatically located ruins in the Yucatan.
- Chichen Itza — 2.5–3 hours; one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. A long day, but worth doing if you won’t be going further into the Yucatan. Go with a tour that includes early access before crowds arrive.
- Cozumel — 30–40 minutes by ferry from the port. A relaxed island with excellent snorkeling and a completely different pace from the mainland.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Food and Drink
Mexican portions are not small. I ordered guacamole as a starter on our first evening, and it arrived in a bowl large enough to be a meal on its own. Then the fish and chips came — four large pieces of fried fish and a pile of fries that covered the plate. I could not finish it. Order one thing at a time and check its size before adding more.
For something simple and right: a cold Modelo Negra on the beach as the sun starts to drop. No specific venue needed — just grab one and find a spot near the water.
For budget eating, step off 5th Avenue. The streets running parallel to it have far cheaper options, and the food is often better.
Nightlife
5th Avenue after dark is lively without being overwhelming. Bars spill out onto the street, there’s music, and the whole strip is walkable, which makes it easy to move between spots. Clandestino Rooftop gets good reviews for cocktails and atmosphere. It’s not Cancun’s Hotel Zone — there are no mega-clubs — but for a relaxed evening with good drinks and people-watching, it’s perfectly enjoyable.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Shopping
5th Avenue is the obvious place — souvenirs, crafts, clothing, international brands all crammed into a few blocks. For better quality and more interesting finds, the streets off the main strip are worth browsing. Look for hand-painted Talavera ceramics, embroidered textiles, vanilla (Mexican vanilla is excellent), and mezcal. At market stalls, haggling is expected.
Practical Tips
- Getting there from Cancun: ADO bus — 270 MXN per person (~$14 USD), 2 hours, air-conditioned. Comfortable and easy. The bus station in Playa del Carmen is central.
- Getting around: The downtown area is fully walkable. For bikes, use the Biciplaya app. Taxis are available — negotiate the price before getting in.
- Sargassum: April to August tends to be worst. Check current beach conditions before your trip and consider booking a hotel with a pool.
- Money: Carry small bills in MXN for street food and tips.
- Best time to visit: December to April for drier, cooler weather. April is manageable but hot.
- Safety: Tourist areas are generally safe. Use standard common sense — don’t wander unfamiliar streets late at night, keep valuables out of sight. Check current travel advisories before your trip.
- Language: English is widely spoken in the tourist areas. We got by without Spanish.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
FAQs on Visiting Playa del Carmen
What is Playa del Carmen best known for?
5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida), Caribbean beaches, cenotes, and its position as the gateway to the Riviera Maya — Tulum, Cozumel, and Chichen Itza are all within easy reach.
What should I be careful of in Playa del Carmen?
Overpriced restaurants directly on 5th Avenue, taxi prices (always negotiate first), sargassum on the beach, and tourist-facing experiences that overpromise — like the Frida Kahlo museum.
What is the best month to go to Playa del Carmen?
December to April is the dry season and the most comfortable weather. Peak season (December–January) means higher prices and larger crowds. April is quieter but warm. Avoid hurricane season (June–October) if you can.
What can you do in one day in Playa del Carmen?
Walk 5th Avenue, visit Parque Fundadores, and watch the Voladores de Papantla, see the church, have lunch off the main strip, spend the afternoon at a cenote or the pool, and end the evening with tacos and a drink on 5th Avenue.
What are non-touristy things to do in Playa del Carmen?
Explore the streets parallel to 5th Avenue, eat at El Fogon with the local crowd, watch the Voladores de Papantla (surprisingly overlooked by many tourists), and take a colectivo rather than a tour bus to the cenotes.
© Gayane Mkhitaryan
Final Thoughts
I started my trip to Mexico in Playa del Carmen almost by default — we didn’t have time for Cancun, and it was simply the next stop on the bus. It turned out to be a good instinct. The city is easy, it’s lively, it’s well set up for people who want to figure things out on their own, and it gives you access to an incredible stretch of coastline and ancient sites. The seaweed situation is real, the Frida Kahlo museum is not worth it, and the guacamole portions will surprise you. Everything else is pretty much as good as it sounds.
