Quinta Avenida
Nightlife, beachThe pedestrian street, one block from the beach.
City guide
Things to do in Playa del Carmen
The Riviera Maya's busiest beach town: Quinta Avenida, beach clubs and nightlife, the ferry to Cozumel's reefs, cenote diving, turtles at Akumal, and buses to everywhere on the coast.
33
Hostels in the city
8.0
Average, from 12,598 reviews
45 min
Ferry to Cozumel
2–3
Days
The middle of the Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen sits on the Caribbean coast about an hour south of Cancún airport. A fishing village until the 1990s, it is now a city of restaurants, shops, bars and hotels, centred on Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), a long pedestrian street one block back from the beach.
Its position makes it a good base. Ferries cross to Cozumel, one of the world's best dive spots, in under an hour; cenotes, Akumal's turtles, Tulum and the eco-parks are all within reach by bus or colectivo.
It is livelier and more built-up than Tulum, and the beaches can suffer from sargassum seaweed in summer. Give it two or three days, or use it as a base for longer.
Where to base yourself
Stay near Quinta Avenida between Calle 1 and Calle 40 for the beach and nightlife, or a few blocks back for quieter, cheaper places.
Centro back streets
BudgetCheaper places a few blocks inland.
Playacar
Resorts, quietGated resort area south of the ferry pier.
Punta Esmeralda
Quiet, beachThe north end, near the cenote beach.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 11 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Playa del Carmen
Walk Quinta Avenida and spend time on the beaches at Playa Mamitas and Punta Esmeralda, where a small cenote river meets the sea.
Take the ferry to Cozumel to dive or snorkel its reefs, part of the Mesoamerican Reef, or learn to dive in Playa itself. Dive or snorkel in the cenotes, such as Dos Ojos and Chac Mool.
Snorkel with turtles at Akumal, visit the Tulum ruins, or spend a day at an eco-park such as Xcaret, which is expensive but popular.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The beaches are public, and walking Quinta Avenida costs nothing. Punta Esmeralda beach and its cenote pool are free.
The Parque Fundadores square by the ferry pier has street performers and the Voladores de Papantla some days.
Beach clubs, tours and ferries charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Quinta Avenida is expensive. Walk a few blocks back to find taquerías, cochinita pibil and set lunches for €2 to €6; the area around Avenida 30 and the Calle 2 to 10 blocks is cheaper.
Try fish tacos, ceviche and marquesitas.
A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual in sit-down restaurants; check the bill first, as some add a service charge (propina).
Nightlife
Going out
Calle 12 is the club strip, busy until late. Quinta Avenida has bars and rooftop bars, and beach clubs throw day parties.
Drinks on Quinta Avenida are expensive; hostel bars and happy hours are cheaper.
A beer costs €2 to €5.
Getting around
Getting around
ADO buses run from Cancún airport to Playa in about an hour, and on to Tulum, Valladolid, Mérida and Bacalar. The Tren Maya stops at Playa del Carmen, outside the centre.
Colectivos run along the highway to Akumal, Tulum and the cenotes for a few euros. Ferries cross to Cozumel in about 45 minutes.
The centre is walkable. Agree taxi fares first.
Costs
What Playa costs
Hostel beds start at around €12 to €25 a night. Tacos cost €1 to €3 away from Quinta Avenida.
The Cozumel ferry costs about €20 to €25 return, two-tank dives about €80 to €120, and cenote entry about €10 to €25.
Pay in pesos, not dollars, for better rates, and use ATMs inside banks.
Safety
Safety and scams
Most visitors have no trouble, but drug-related violence has occurred in the Riviera Maya, including in nightlife areas. Do not buy drugs, and be aware in crowded clubs.
Watch for card skimming at street ATMs, short-changing and taxi overcharging.
Sargassum seaweed can pile up on Caribbean beaches between about April and September; check a recent sargassum map before you book. Do not drink the tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hostels provide. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Islands, ruins and cenotes.
Cozumel
Reefs, diving and snorkelling.
Akumal
Snorkel with turtles.
Tulum
Ruins and beaches.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Music and holidays.
December to April
High season
Playa del Carmen
Sunny and busy.
31 October to 2 November
Day of the Dead
Playa del Carmen
Altars and events.
May to October
Turtle nesting
The beaches
Nesting at night.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Playa del Carmen, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
CHE Suites Playa
Rooms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Hotel Colorado Playa del Carmen
Rooms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Grand Hostal Playa
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
3B | Wellness Hostel
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Sayab Hostel & Bar
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Maui Hostel
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
CHE Playa Hostel & Bar
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Red Panda Hostal
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
Kaban 44 Hostel
Rooms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Tres Mundos Hostel
Dorms from €14 a night
See dates and book
Wabi Hostel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to April is dry and sunny, and December to April is busiest. May to October is hot and humid, with rain; hurricane season runs from June to November.
Jan
Dry, busy
Feb
Dry
Mar
Spring break
Apr
Easter
May
Hot
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Summer holidays
Aug
Hot
Sep
Peak hurricane risk
Oct
Rain
Nov
Drying
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Hot all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Playa del Carmen prices.
Treat these as a guide. Diving and parks cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Playa del Carmen questions
The ones we get asked most.
Playa del Carmen or Tulum?
Playa is livelier and cheaper to reach; Tulum has the ruins and a calmer feel.
How do I get there from Cancún airport?
By ADO bus, about 1 hour.
How do I get to Cozumel?
By ferry, about 45 minutes.
Is Playa del Carmen safe?
Most visitors have no trouble; do not buy drugs and watch your cards.
Is there seaweed on the beach?
Sargassum can arrive roughly from April to September.
How many days do I need?
Two to three.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April.
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