Playa Del Carmen Travel Guide, Mexico

Here is my ultimate Playa Del Carmen travel guide for Mexico based on my own personal experiences and research!

I recently spent 3 days in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

It was part of a big trip home to the USA, where I had lots of different things packed into the span of 7 weeks.

With so many plans in many different places, I wanted my quick Mexico trip to be as seamless as possible.

So I did lots of research before visiting Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

I wanted to pick the best areas to stay in, choose the perfect hotels for my partner and I, and strike an expert balance between relaxing and exploring. And, of course, I wanted to do it all on a budget!

The research definitely paid off, as our Mexico trip was amazing and hassle-free.

So after having a successful trip, I’ve decided to compile my experiences and research into this ultimate Playa Del Carmen travel guide.

Playa Del Carmen Travel Guide

Here is my Playa Del Carmen travel guide based on my own experiences and research.

In addition to the basic travel guide categories such as transport, accommodation, tours, and food, I’ll answer some FAQs that I personally had before my trip.

I’ll also mention money-saving tips throughout, as this is always on my mind when I travel.

For a more in-depth look at how to save money in Mexico, check out my general list of 50 Budget Travel Tips!

What is Playa del Carmen most known for?

Playa Del Carmen is known as a fun coastal getaway in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It’s also known for being a more relaxed alternative to Cancún, and for being the gateway to the island of Cozumel.

Often referred to as just “Playa” by the locals, this vibrant town is relatively safe, easy to walk around, and suitable for all types of travelers.

Playa del Carmen is a wonderful place to add to any Mexico itinerary!

Is Playa del Carmen nicer than Cancún?

Playa Del Carmen is often considered a quieter and more laid-back coastal destination compared to Cancún.

The beaches and scenery are similar, and they are only about an hour apart, so you can still visit nearby attractions from both places.

Some destinations like Cozumel and Tulum are closer to Playa Del Carmen. Places like Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox are closer to Cancún.

I chose to stay in Playa Del Carmen instead of Cancún because I wanted a more relaxed vibe that was easy to walk around. I also planned to visit Cozumel, so I thought it would be easier to stay right near the ferry.

Playa Del Carmen was the perfect location for my travel plans!

street art mural in playa del carmen mexico

Is Playa Del Carmen safe for tourists?

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, is definitely safe for tourists, as long as you use general common knowledge and street smarts!

While planning my trip to Mexico, I had lots of friends and family who actually advised me against visiting. They had recently heard some bad stories about violent crime in Mexico and thought it would be unsafe.

So I did some research just to be sure. Currently, according to the US State Department website, the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico is rated a 2 out of 4 in terms of safety. That means it’s safe to travel, but use caution.

To put that in perspective, places like the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Peru, Ecuador, Morocco, and South Africa are also rated 2.

I have traveled to all of these places and had nothing but positive experiences. However, I always use caution when I travel.

So if you use basic safety tips while traveling in Quintana Roo, Mexico, you should have no problem.

Here are the most important safety tips for Playa Del Carmen and Mexico:

Never walk around alone at night
Never accept drinks from strangers
If you’re going out at night, go with people you trust
Avoid getting too drunk
Keep your valuables locked securely at your accommodation
Only bring what you need for the day out sightseeing
Keep your belongings in a secure bag that you can keep an eye/hand on
Be wary of strangers who approach you
Stick to the main tourist areas if you’re unsure
Trust your gut instincts

That’s just a really brief overview of how to stay safe while traveling. But I always follow these travel tips abroad and they always allow me to have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Personally, I never felt unsafe once in Playa Del Carmen.

Travel insurance for Mexico

I would definitely recommend travel insurance for Mexico. Even though it can be a perfectly safe country to visit, you never know what might happen abroad!

Mexico is a tropical country, which means there are higher risks for tropical diseases. It’s also a good idea to get travel insurance if you’re visiting rural areas or doing any extreme sports.

I went scuba diving in Mexico, so I definitely wanted to have travel insurance in case something went wrong (luckily nothing did)!

For US residents, I always recommend Squaremouth Insurance.

It’s my favorite website for comparing travel insurance plans and adding filters so you can find the best plan for you!

Browse travel insurance plans on Squaremouth Insurance.

Playa Del Carmen Travel Guide – Trip Planning

Here are my top tips and recommendations for planning your trip to Playa Del Carmen.

This includes things like timing, packing, and overall brainstorming for your trip.

plane flying into cancun mexico — Flying into Cancun, Mexico before heading to PDC

What is the best month to go to Playa del Carmen?

November to March are the best months for visiting Playa Del Carmen. This is when you’ll get sunny weather that is relatively free from rain, humidity, and seaweed.

This is also peak season, so it will be more expensive and crowded around Playa Del Carmen.

I visited in August, which many would consider the worst time to visit. And yes, it was insanely hot and humid. We were sweating through our clothes every time we left the hotel!

But it was cheap and I still had a great time. So you can visit Playa Del Carmen year-round, but November to March has the best weather.

Does Playa Del Carmen have seaweed?

I would not recommend visiting Playa Del Carmen between April and August due to the sargassum, which is the red/brown seaweed on the coast of the Yucatan.

Most of the Playa Del Carmen coastline was covered in seaweed, making the beaches unswimmable!

So that kind of sucked. We did find one nice swimming spot in the north of Playa Del Carmen – Playa Punta Esmeralda. It had a little freshwater spring next to the beach that had no seaweed. The beaches of Cozumel were also gorgeous.

But as a whole, Playa Del Carmen would be much more beautiful outside of the seaweed season.

men relaxing in the springs at Playa Punta Esmeralda — Playa Punta Esmeralda

How many days do you need in Playa Del Carmen?

I would recommend 3-5 days in Playa Del Carmen, depending on how many day trips you want to do.

For exploring the city itself, I felt that 1-2 days was plenty.

There is great shopping, street art, and food around the downtown area. After one day of biking around, eating, and sightseeing, I felt like I had seen enough.

Visiting during seaweed season also meant that beach days and water activities were off the table for us.

So if you’re visiting during the peak months of November to March, you may want an extra day or two for coastal activities!

But there are lots of amazing day trips around Playa Del Carmen. Do some research about what nearby attractions you want to see, and leave some extra days for those.

We did just under 3 days in Playa Del Carmen, including:

One day for city sightseeing
One day for a Chichén Itzá and cenotes day trip
One day for just relaxing and traveling to the next destination

That worked perfectly for us! You could stretch it to 5 days if you wanted more chill time, or more time for day trips.

Chichén Itzá day trip from Playa Del Carmen Travel Guide — Chichén Itzá is an easy day trip from Playa Del Carmen

The best day trips from Playa Del Carmen

Just to give you an idea of the fun day trip ideas, here are the top attractions around Playa Del Carmen.

I’ll link to the guided tours that will take you there, though you can also rent a car and drive yourself.

Chichén Itzá and Valladolid – Famous Mayan ruins and charming nearby local city
Isla Holbox – Caribbean islands with white sand beaches
Rio Secreto – Underground rivers, caves, and cenotes with stalactites and stalagmites
El Cielo on Cozumel – Visit a sandbar off Cozumel for snorkelling and spotting starfish
Mayan Jungle Adventure – Zip lines, cenotes, ATV ride along jungle trails
Xplor Park – A jungle adventure park with amphibious vehicles, zip lines, and more

View a full list of Playa Del Carmen day trips on Get Your Guide!

Packing list

Packing for Playa Del Carmen is similar to packing for any tropical destination!

Check out my list of 15 Must Have Travel Essentials for some basic ideas. These will include things like a microfiber towel, a good camera, debit card with no foreign transaction fees, etc.

Here is a quick list of what I would recommend packing for Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Lightweight, comfortable clothes
Comfy walking shoes
Swimsuit
Sandals
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hat
Insect repellent
Small bag for day trips and walking around
Devices and chargers (Mexico has the same wall outlets as the USA, two flat prongs)
Credit card
Debit card to withdraw cash
Refillable water bottle
Toiletries

Read my guide to exchanging money abroad for more tips on cards, cash, and more.

Playa Del Carmen Travel Guide – Transport and getting around

Here are my top Playa Del Carmen travel tips for getting around the town center and beyond.

It’s actually very easy to navigate around the area, as it’s a small city with only a few major roads leading in and out.

Getting to shops, eateries, and beaches in the downtown area is easy on foot or bicycle.

I’ll touch on where to stay later, but if you stay near the town center you should have no problems getting around Playa Del Carmen.

If you want to explore more outside the town center, to places like cenotes, beach parks, and Mayan ruins, you’ll need either a rental car or a guided tour with transport.

Let’s cover all the details!

person swimming in cenote in yucatan mexico

Where to fly into for Playa Del Carmen

The closest airport to Playa Del Carmen is Cancun International Airport.

You can find decently priced flights to Cancun from all over North and South America. Of course, flights will be cheapest in the off-season.

Once you arrive in Cancun, it’s only about an hour to travel to downtown Playa Del Carmen.

How to get to Playa Del Carmen from Cancun Airport

It was so easy to get to Playa Del Carmen from Cancun Airport using the ADO Bus. This is the perfect option for budget travelers and those with a bit of flexibility in their plans.

This spacious public coach bus runs between the main tourist center of PDC and Cancun Airport all day long.

The ride is about an hour and a one way ticket costs around 110-300 Mexican Pesos (11 – 16 USD).

You can also rent a car or get a private transfer if you prefer more comfort and you have more money to spend.

But the ADO Bus was so easy so I recommend that.

Book your ADO Bus ticket from Cancun Airport in advance!

Is Playa Del Carmen walkable?

Once you arrive in the town center of Playa Del Carmen, it’s very easy and safe to explore on foot.

When I refer to the town center, I mean all of the streets around La Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue). This is the main tourist street that runs adjacent to the entire coastline.

The southern section of La Quinta Avenida (between roughly Calle 1 Sur and Calle 40 Norte) is touristy and safe. You can walk to all of the shops, eateries, ferry terminals, and tourist centers easily.

However, it can also be nice to stay outside of the main tourist area for a quieter, more authentic vibe.

We stayed a bit further north of the town center, which was a 30-minute walk to downtown. In that case, we could still walk to downtown but it was much easier by bicycle or taxi.

colorful lion street art in mexico — Street art on Calle 80 Norte where we stayed

Top ways to get around Playa Del Carmen (besides walking)

If you’re don’t like to walk far or you’re traveling a further distance, you can get around Playa Del Carmen by bicycle, taxi, or car.

Bicycle

Renting a bicycle was one of my favorite activities in Playa Del Carmen!

We rented bikes right at our hotel. It cost 130 Mexican Pesos for the day (around 7 USD). They provided locks as well so we could secure our bikes while exploring town.

Having a bike was so handy since our hotel was a bit far out of the town center.

If we needed some food or an ATM, we could ride into town and be there in 5-10 minutes, rather than walking for 30 minutes or more.

La Quinta Avenida runs all the way along the Playa Del Carmen coastline.

It’s a mostly pedestrian street with a car-free sidewalk that runs the whole way. So this was the perfect place to ride bikes without much car traffic.

We spent a whole day biking around Playa Del Carmen along La Quinta Avenida, stopping to visit the beach, admire the street art, or grab an ice cream from a cafe.

man on a bicycle in playa del carmen mexico — Stopping to admire the art and local iguanas while biking around town

Taxi

Taxis are also plentiful in Playa Del Carmen. Taking taxis is more expensive than walking or biking, but it’s handy when you just need to get somewhere quickly.

When we arrived at the ADO Bus Station in downtown with all our bags, we took a taxi to our hotel. Because it was a 10-minute drive a bit far out of the town center, it was 200 Pesos (about 10 USD).

Shorter rides around town will of course be cheaper.

Make sure you only use official taxis with a meter and agree on the price beforehand.

Car rental

Renting a car can be a good idea in Playa Del Carmen if you want to explore the attractions outside the town center.

If you are just hanging around town, you don’t need a car. The traffic can be intense and it might be difficult to find parking (unless you are staying at a big hotel with secure parking).

But if you want to visit cenotes, beach parks like Xcaret or Xel-Há, or even Chichén Itzá or Tulum, having a car is a good idea.

We rented a car for a day trip to Chichén Itzá and it was awesome! There is some hectic traffic while driving in and out of Playa Del Carmen, but the highways were straightforward and easy to navigate.

We also drove to Cenote Azul while we had our car rental and that was a blast.

So renting a car is a fun way to explore outside town.

Our car rental from American Car Rental in Playa Del Carmen only cost $30 USD for the day.

Book your car rental online in advance for the best deals.

Public bus and colectivos

You can also catch public buses and colectivos around Playa Del Carmen. These options are cheaper than taxis, tours, or rental cars. But they are slightly less convenient.

The ADO coach bus can take you from Playa Del Carmen to other destinations like Cancun or Tulum. You can easily book tickets on their website, at the station, or online via Bookaway.

Colectivos are like shared minibuses that go between popular tourist destinations.

These are slightly harder to find, as they don’t have set stops or stations.

But in the tourist center of Playa Del Carmen, there are lots of tour guides and drivers offering rides and tours. Just ask around to find a colectivo, but only do so if you feel safe.

As a solo traveler, I usually wouldn’t take a colectivo unless I was 100% sure it was safe and legitimate.

If you want to explore outside the town center of Playa Del Carmen but you don’t want to rent a car, there are lots of amazing guided tours!

Cenote Azul near Playa Del Carmen Mexico — Cenote Azul near Playa Del Carmen

Guided tours

You can get tours to all the best places around Playa Del Carmen.

They will pick you up at your accommodation and drop you off afterwards, making it super easy to explore Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

If you’re a solo traveler, joining a tour is a cheaper and safer way to explore as opposed to renting a car.

person standing in front of chichen itza mexico — At Chichen Itza on a day trip from PDC

Getting an eSIM for directions around Playa Del Carmen

I also highly recommend getting an eSIM for your travels in Mexico!

Since I discovered eSIMs, I am obsessed with them. It’s one of my top Playa Del Carmen travel tips, especially if you will be renting a car and needing directions on the road.

eSIMs are a quick and easy way to add data to your phone while you travel.

I use Saily, as their app is so straightforward and their plans are affordable. I added 1 GB of data to my phone for Mexico for 7 days and it only cost 6 USD.

That made it easy for me to use Google Maps and WhatsApp when needed. 1 GB was plenty of data for that as well, but you can always top up on the Saily app when you have Wifi.

Browse cheap and reliable eSIM plans for Mexico on Saily!

Playa Del Carmen Travel Guide – Accommodation and where to stay

Now I’ll cover where to stay in Playa Del Carmen, including the best parts of town and what types of accommodation to look for.

What part of Playa Del Carmen to stay in

To make it easy, you’ll want to stay somewhat close to the main tourist center of Playa Del Carmen. That way you can walk or bike to everything.

The main tourist center of Playa Del Carmen is called “Centro” on Google Maps. It’s also centered around La Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue).

If you like being around the hustle and bustle, look for places around La Quinta Avenida.

If you prefer a bit more of a quiet vibe, you’ll want to look further away from La Quinta Avenida.

As I mentioned before, the busiest areas are near the southern streets around La Quinta Avenida (between roughly Calle 1 Sur and Calle 40 Norte).

North of Calle 40, the streets are much quieter. We stayed on Calle 80 Norte, which was a 30-minute walk or 10-minute bike into downtown. I loved this area!

You can also look for places further inland, though I personally always look for places to stay near the coast. Who doesn’t love being walking distance from the beach?

man walking along a beach path in mexico — Playa 72 was a 10-minute walk from our hotel on Calle 80 Norte

Accommodations types

Playa Del Carmen has all types of accommodations, from backpacker hostels to boutique hotels to all-inclusive resorts.

Here is a rundown, as well as where I personally chose to stay.

Hostels in Playa Del Carmen

For young solo travelers and budget travelers, you can get a cheap dorm bed in a hostel in Playa Del Carmen.

There are lots of places near La Quinta Avenida and the ferry terminal.

Staying in a centrally located hostel where you can walk to everything means you’ll save money on accommodation and transport!

I spent one night at Tribe on the Beach. Matt had already flown back to Australia and I had one night back in Playa Del Carmen before my flight from Cancun the next day.

So I booked a cheap place that was walking distance from the ferry terminal and ADO bus station.

I didn’t love Tribe on the Beach. It was in a great spot and it was cheap, but it had a bit of a weird vibe (mainly because it was the off season I think). However, I only paid 11 USD for the night, so it was worth it.

View other Playa Del Carmen hostels on Hostelworld!

Boutique & Budget Hotels in Playa Del Carmen

Because most of my Playa Del Carmen visit was with my boyfriend, we wanted to stay in an affordable but comfortable private hotel room.

So we ditched the hostels and searched for budget hotel rooms. We wanted to be slightly out of the busy town center and near the beach.

We found Suites Cielo Y Mar on Booking.com, and it was absolutely perfect.

Our room was spacious and clean with air-conditioning. There was free breakfast and a rooftop pool with a few weights you could use for a workout.

They had an outdoor hangout area and bikes for rent.

At 100-130 USD per night, it was great value for money for two people.

Because Suites Cielo Y Mar was out of the main tourist area, the staff didn’t speak English. Luckily Matt and I have decent Spanish, but keep that in mind if you’re looking for a place to stay outside the tourist areas in Mexico.

Luxury Hotels

Playa Del Carmen also has a huge range of luxury hotels.

We walked past them while exploring town, and they all had grand entrances with beachfront views.

They offer lots of privacy and an upscale vibe while being near the town center.

Places like Syrena Luxury Caribbean and Magic Blue Spa get high ratings and look like amazing options for those with a bit more money to spend.

All Inclusive Resorts

The Caribbean, especially the Cancun area of Mexico, is known for its lavish all-inclusive resorts.

Playa Del Carmen has a few of these. The Hyatt, Wyndham, and Devossion are right near the town center.

Other fancier and more secluded places include La Casa de la Playa by Xcaret and Palmaïa The House of AïA.

Staying at a place like this means you’re farther away from the local shops and eateries. So you may want to have a car.

However, many people who book all-inclusive resorts don’t plan on leaving the resort much, as you have everything you need there.

So in that case, you can have a lovely, safe, and comfortable tropical holiday around Playa Del Carmen at one of these.

View all hotels in Playa Del Carmen to find your ideal spot!

Work Exchanges in Mexico

My list of Playa Del Carmen travel tips would not be complete without mentioning work exchanges.

I like to mention them in basically every article because they are such a cool way to travel.

If you wanted a longer, more affordable, and more enriching cultural experience while traveling Mexico, consider a work exchange.

You can live with locals and work in exchange for free accommodation. This is such an amazing way to save money and connect with the Mexican lifestyle.

Check websites like Worldpackers for volunteer opportunities around Mexico. Worldpackers promo code GABBY saves you $10 USD on your yearly membership!

Playa Del Carmen Travel Guide – Food

A highlight of visiting Mexico is, of course, eating Mexican food.

Here is an overview of where to eat based on your budget range. We stuck to a mid-range budget, meaning we ate a few decently priced meals combined with some cheap local restaurants and some nicer restaurants. It’s all about balance!

Budget

The cheapest places to eat in Playa Del Carmen are the small local restaurants outside the tourist center. Often, these are the most delicious and authentic places to eat as well.

You’ll just have to wander through the quieter streets outside of Quinta Avenida.

We found a great place near our hotel on Calle 80. If it had a name, I didn’t even see it. But they had a guy making fresh tacos for 30 pesos each (1.60 USD).

So the local eateries are the best.

You can also get some cheap snacks and groceries from the local convenience stores (OXXO is the main one). They don’t have many groceries, but they usually have tortillas, eggs, and canned tuna which you can use to make a quick healthy snack.

man eating tacos at a local restaurant in mexico

local restaurant in playa del carmen mexico

Mid Range

There are lots of reasonably priced restaurants and food trucks around Playa Del Carmen.

An amazing spot is the food trucks on Constituyentes Avenue between 60th Avenue and 65th Avenue. Here you can get tacos, burritos, and other Mexican delights for 100 pesos or less (5 USD).

All around the tourist center and on its outskirts, you can find casual restaurants with incredible food.

Some are more westernized, while others still cook authentic Mexican food.

Prices are usually around 120 – 220 Pesos for a meal (8-12 USD).

El Fogon and Don Sirloin are some top-rated options!

Fajitas at Don Sirloin Restaurant — Fajitas at Don Sirloin

More Expensive

The more expensive restaurants in Playa Del Carmen have meals for about 250-800 Pesos each, which is anywhere from 12 – 50 USD. This is still pretty affordable compared to the US or many other countries.

La Cueva del Chango was a pricier restaurant, but still affordable.

It’s set in a beautiful jungle oasis that is right off the main street. Their mole enchiladas were amazing.

There are also fine dining places for those who want a real luxury experience. Matt and I didn’t have the budget for that, so La Cueva del Chango was the most expensive place where we ate.

La Cueva del Chango enchiladas Mexico — Enchiladas at La Cueva del Chango

Is Playa Del Carmen worth visiting?

I think Playa Del Carmen is worth visiting because of its delicious food, vibrant tourist energy, and proximity to other Mexican gems like Tulum, Chichén Itzá, and Cozumel.

But personally, PDC wasn’t one of my favorite destinations I’ve traveled to. It did feel a little over-touristy in the main town center, and there wasn’t much to do outside the town center.

But again, I visited Playa Del Carmen in seaweed season, when the beaches were not very inviting. So the lack of swimming and water sports on our itinerary likely detracted from my experience.

We mostly visited Playa Del Carmen because it was on the way to Cozumel, and we wanted to experience the mainland for a few days first.

Cozumel was like absolute paradise, so I much preferred that to PDC. Cozumel still had crystal clear waters even during seaweed season, so maybe that’s why I preferred it there.

But Playa Del Carmen was a cool place to hang out for a few days.

If you are interested in seeing nearby places like Chichén Itzá and some cenotes, Playa Del Carmen is in a super convenient location!

I loved our day trip around the Yucatan with the rental car. And I’m glad we chose to stay here instead of Cancun, which I’ve heard is a much more hectic and touristy vibe.