Playa del Carmen
Riviera Maya beach town — Quinta Avenida, cenotes + Cozumel ferry
Playa del Carmen is the Riviera Maya's main beach town — Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) pedestrian shopping street, cenotes (natural swimming holes) inland, and the ferry to Cozumel for world-class diving. Cheaper alternative to Cancún with better cenote access.
Playa del Carmen highlights
Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue)
4 km pedestrian street — restaurants, bars, shops. Busy but the town's pulse.
Playa Mamitas + Playa 88
The main beaches — free public access. Beach clubs charge for loungers + service.
Cenote Dos Ojos
The famous 2-cavern cenote — snorkelling in crystal-clear water with light rays.
Cenote Chikin Ha + Azul
Alternatives to Dos Ojos — less crowded, cheaper entry.
Cozumel day trip
Ferry from Playa pier (45 min, ~$25 return) for diving Palancar Reef.
Tulum ruins day trip
1h south — Mayan ruins overlooking Caribbean cliffs.
Xcaret + Xel-Há eco-parks
Family-friendly theme parks with underground rivers, snorkelling, wildlife.
Getting there
Cancún International Airport (CUN) is 55 km north. ADO bus (75 min, ~$14) or private transfer (60 min, ~$70). Playa del Carmen has no commercial airport.
Getting around
Walking (Quinta is fully pedestrian). Uber operates in Playa (unlike Cancún airport). Taxis for shorter trips. Colectivo (shared van) to Tulum ~$3.
November-April (dry, cool). Avoid June-October (hurricane season + rain).
$40-70 backpacker · $100-200 mid-range · $400+ luxury (Rosewood Mayakoba)
Festivals and events in Mexico
Plan your dates around these — hotels and flights fill early.
Airport transfer from Cancún International (CUN)
Getting out of Playa del Carmen (CUN)
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
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Where to stay in Playa del Carmen
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Where to stay in Playa del Carmen
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