Playa del Carmen, heart of the Riviera Maya
A walkable beach town, the buzz of Fifth Avenue, and cenotes, eco-parks and reefs all less than an hour's drive away.
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Playa del Carmen hotels
3 nights for 2 adults downtown, on the beach or inside Playacar.
Top picks in and around Playa
From the bustle of Fifth Avenue to the sea turtles of Akumal, everything is a short walk or a quick ride away.
- Dec–AprBest time to go
- ≈ 50 minFrom Cancún airport
- ≈ 45 minFerry to Cozumel
- ≈ 1 hDrive to Tulum
Playa del Carmen snapshots
Beaches lined with loungers, pedestrian streets and quiet corners to watch the day wind down.
- Beach house in Playa del Carmen · Giorgio Galeotti (CC BY 4.0)
- A beach day downtown · Scott S Bateman (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- A calm evening on the coast · Carlos Valenzuela (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Fifth Avenue · Giorgio Galeotti (CC BY 4.0)
- Mamitas Beach · Scott S Bateman (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Entrance to Xcaret park · Oleg Yunakov (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Playa del Carmen FAQ
Getting there from Cancún, where to stay and what to do on the Riviera Maya.
Which airport should I fly into for Playa del Carmen?
Cancún International Airport (CUN) is the most convenient, about 50 minutes away by road. From there you'll find direct buses to Playa, authorized taxis, private transfers and car rentals. Tulum International Airport (TQO) lies further south and can work if you are staying south of Playa.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?
December to April is less hot and mostly dry. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. Sargassum seaweed tends to reach Riviera Maya beaches in spring and summer, and amounts vary a lot from year to year.
Which area of Playa del Carmen is best to stay in?
Downtown near Fifth Avenue suits travelers who want to walk everywhere and enjoy the nightlife. Playacar, to the south, is a gated residential area with all-inclusive resorts and a golf course, quieter and family-friendly. The north side near Punta Esmeralda beach offers more relaxed hotels without being far from the action.
How many days should I plan?
Five or six days lets you mix beach time with a park like Xcaret or Xel-Há, a morning of cenotes, a day on Cozumel and a visit to Tulum or Akumal. If you just want to unwind, three or four nights is plenty.
What day trips can I take from Playa?
Favorites include the ferry to Cozumel for snorkeling, swimming with sea turtles in Akumal, the cenotes along the road to Tulum, the seaside Tulum ruins and the Riviera Maya theme parks. Cobá and Chichén Itzá also work as day trips, with a longer drive.
How do I get around Playa and the Riviera Maya?
Downtown is easy on foot. To venture out, the colectivo vans along Federal Highway 307 are cheap and stop at Xcaret, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum. Taxis and rental cars are also available, and a car is handy if you want to hop between cenotes.
What are the beaches like in Playa del Carmen?
Expect white sand and generally calm water, with beach clubs like Mamitas downtown. Up north, Punta Esmeralda is more relaxed and family-oriented. Some stretches have rocky entries, so water shoes come in handy.
Any practical tips for my visit?
Use official taxi stands or authorized services and agree on the fare before getting in. Keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas like Fifth Avenue, wear biodegradable sunscreen in cenotes and on reefs, and carry some pesos for colectivos and small shops.
What documents do I need?
US citizens need a valid passport to enter Mexico. Travelers flying from elsewhere in Mexico only need a valid official photo ID. If you head over to Cozumel, bring your ID on the ferry too.
How do I receive my package confirmation?
Once you complete your purchase, your confirmation arrives by email. Change and cancellation conditions depend on each fare and hotel, and they are shown before you pay.
Keep your flights, Playa hotel and activities together in the app while you explore the Riviera Maya.
