Top 10: Things To Do in Playa del Carmen

For us, Playa del Carmen is one of the most beautiful places on earth. If you’ve ever gone down the rabbit hole of beach vacation image searches (yeah, us neither), chances are you’ve come across this Caribbean oasis.

One of the principal tourist centers of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen is brimming with fun activities to fill your itinerary. Dreamy beaches bathed by crystal clear waters, parks, museums, shopping, unforgettable day trips… The possibilities are endless!

Planning a trip and not sure how to spend your time? Today at Civitatis, we bring you the best things to do in Playa del Carmen.

1. Stroll Down Quinta Avenida

Quinta Avenida is the main avenue and beating heart of Playa del Carmen. Here you’ll find a colorful bustling atmosphere full of bars and restaurants. Not sure which restaurants to visit? Check out this taco tour in Playa del Carmen, which will bring you to the best taco restaurants along with an English-speaking guide. This is just the place to get your fix of the local gastronomy!

If you’re looking to shop ’til you drop, there’s also a wide range of options, from boutique shops with artisan goods to open-air shopping areas like Calle Corazón. If you just arrived in Playa del Carmen, Quinta Avenida is a great place to start exploring.

2. Get a Feel for the City at Parque Los Fundadores

At the start of Quinta Avenida, you’ll Parque Los Fundadores, one of the most important historical sites in Playa del Carmen. Built in the 1950s, this plaza was one of the first areas of the city to be developed, intended to be the social center of what was then an old fishing town. Quickly, the plaza became somewhat of a cultural hub, with traditional dancers, musicians, and merchants almost always to be found, alongside locals and tourists socializing and enjoying Playa del Carmen’s famous weather.

The park, right by the sea, has sculptures, a gazebo, a playground, and plenty of benches to sit and relax. Not to mention, Parque Fundadores is also home to a charming little chapel and one of the most recognizable symbols of the area: the iconic Portal Maya, a 50-foot (15-meter) arched bronze sculpture of a man and a woman clasping hands designed as a tribute to the Yucatán Peninsula’s Maya history, which can be best understood with a visit to the archaeological sites of Chichén Itzá and Tulum.

3. Soak Up the Sun at Playa Mamitas

For beach bums, Playa Mamitas is a must if you’re looking for things to do in Playa del Carmen. Picture this: crystal-clear water, fine white sand lined with palm trees, music, good food… This beach has all the staples of a Caribbean oasis!

Bubbling with life at all times of the day, Playa Mamitas is one of the area’s most popular beaches. And with good reason! It’s a gorgeous stretch of sand that’s perfect for soaking up the sun, sipping on a well-earned vacation cocktail, and basking in the festive atmosphere of the local beach clubs.

4. Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum

Also located just off the famous Quinta Avenida we find the Museo Frida Kahlo, a small museum dedicated to one of Mexico’s – and the world’s – most beloved and renowned artists. The exhibition is distributed across nine rooms. Visitors can delve into Kahlo’s life through different screens, audio clips, personal items, and her most prized paintings.

You can learn about the tragic accident that would shape the rest of her life, her relationship with her husband Diego Rivera, as well as her interest in politics, all major themes that are reflected in the artist’s work. Grab yourself a ticket to the Frida Kahlo Museum!!

5. Channel Your Inner Explorer at Ancient Maya Sites

One of the best things about this area of Mexico is its proximity to some of the world’s most important archaeological ruins. The Yucatán Peninsula is dotted with vestiges of the Maya, a civilization that continues to amaze us, centuries later.

When you’re in Playa del Carmen, you’re just a stone’s throw from some of the most important, and breathtaking Maya sites. Check out the most famous Maya site at Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Also check out this day trip to Tulum, a stunning complex built on the cliff’s edge.

Want a more ‘active’ cultural experience? Playa del Carmen also offers plenty of activities for those who want to enjoy the stunning cenotes and natural pools. You can go snorkeling at historic cenotes like the Gran Cenote and Taak Bi Ha, considered sacred for the Maya.

6. Spend the Day Island Hopping

We continue our list of what to do in Playa del Carmen with some of its most dreamy spots. If you’ve got a few days, you can’t leave without hopping over to some of the area’s island oases! No doubt the most popular of these is Cozumel, an island directly off the coast of Playa del Carmen. This island is one of the largest in Mexico and offers a ton of activities. You can go snorkeling, enjoy a bike tour and much more! Check out more activities in Cozumel.

If you’re looking for a relaxing day in paradise, we recommend a boat ride to Isla Mujeres or Isla Contoy. Here, you can swim and sprawl out on the fine white sands of its shores. On the northern tip of the peninsula, you might also consider a day trip to Isla Holbox, an island known for its stunning beaches and diverse population of birds. If you’re traveling between March and October, you may even see the famous pink flamingoes that stop here to breed on their way to South America!

7. Let Adventure Take the Reins

Don’t worry; we didn’t forget about our fellow thrill-seekers! Aside from its spectacular beaches and awe-inspiring archaeological ruins, the Playa del Carmen area is also home to quite a few adventure and theme parks for those looking to get their adrenaline pumping. Zip lining, cenotes, kayaking, underground rivers, quad biking… These are just a few of the activities you can participate in at places like Xavage Park, Xplor Park, Xel-Há Natural Park, and Native Park.

There are also plenty of options for anyone looking to get up close and personal with the local marine life. Want to come face to face with the world’s largest fish? Join this swimming with whale sharks experience! The most daring can even test their nerves in a one-of-a-kind diving experience with bull sharks. The world is your oyster!

8. Experience a Mexican Party at Coco Bongo

If you’re at all interested in nightlife, you’ve definitely heard about Coco Bongo. This nightclub is world-renowned for its epic extravagance, featuring celebrity impersonators, acrobatics, and an all-night party! When you buy a ticket to Coco Bongo in Playa del Carmen, you get to choose between various different tickets from a regular ticket which includes an open bar and food, to the Gold Member VIP which includes a luxury open bar, special reserved seats, and fast-track Gold Member entrance!

9. Indulge in the Best Local Tacos (& More!)

In Playa del Carmen, you’ll find a mixture of fairly tourist-trappy restaurants and incredible hidden gems with fantastic food. Before you make your trip, try and make a couple of reservations so that you don’t miss out on the most popular spots. If you’re into tacos, check out this Mexican taco tour in Playa del Carmen. On this activity, you’ll be brought to the best taco restaurants in town, where you’ll also try fruit juices, Mole (a Mexican marinade), homemade fruit popsicles, and more. Vegan? Don’t worry, this tour has a fully vegan option too!

10. Go on a Day Trip to the Pink Lagoons at Las Coloradas

Another great experience to be had when visiting Playa del Carmen is going on a day trip to Las Coloradas Natural Park. Just a few hours from the city, Las Coloradas is best known for its breathtaking pink lakes. Don’t worry this color is totally natural, caused by the high concentration of salt found in the water, which is approximately four times higher than seawater. This salt is harvested, so swimming in the lagoons is strictly prohibited, though the views alone make it worthwhile!

There you have it! Those are our top picks for the best things to do in Playa del Carmen. Of course, there is an awful lot more to do, but we couldn’t include everything in this list! For more ideas to fill your itinerary, check out tours & experiences in Playa del Carmen with Civitatis! ¡Buen viaje!