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Looking for the top things to do in Playa del Carmen? We’ve got you covered!
There is truly so much to do on the Yucatan Peninsula, and Playa del Carmen is the perfect spot to base yourself. We’ve visited more times than I can count, so I understand if you’re a bit overwhelmed when planning your itinerary – how can you possibly fit everything in?
We’ve narrowed down the best activities in Playa del Carmen to maximize your time. I’ve added my favorite day trips, the best cruises, food tours, and more. They are easy to book, so you don’t have to stress about planning all the logistics, just enjoy your vacay!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Playa del Carmen was this luxury sailing tour to Isla Mujeres! We snorkelled in crystal-clear waters, enjoyed a gourmet lunch and open bar, and spent time exploring this island paradise!
Check out the 3,000+ positive reviews and book your spot here.
- Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Things to do in Playa del Carmen
- 1. Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Full Day Tour
- 2. Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote, and Caves
- 3. Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour
- 4. Cenote and Akumal Beach Tour
- 5. Day trip to Isla Mujeres
- 6. Jungle Buggy Tour With Cenote Swim
- 7. Playa del Carmen Mexican Cooking Experience and Local Markets Tour
- 8. Luxury Catamaran Tour with Snorkeling
- 9. Xplor Adventure Park
- 10. Swim with whale sharks
- Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in Mexico
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
- What’s an eSIM?
Things to do in Playa del Carmen
1. Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Full Day Tour
- Duration: Approx 12 hours
- Time: Between 6:30 – 7:30 am
- Highlights: Explore Chichen Itza, swim in an underground cenote, and stroll through Valladolid’s colonial streets
- Inclusions: Bilingual guide (English/Spanish), buffet lunch, transport (if option selected), entry tickets (if all-inclusive option selected)
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 23,000+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you want a tour that combines history with adventure, check out this full-day Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour. This is a great tour if you’ve only got a few days in Playa del Carmen. You get a bit of everything, including seeing ancient ruins, swimming in a cenote, and exploring a historical city.
The day kicks off with a visit to Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You’ll have around two hours to explore the incredible ruins, including the iconic El Castillo Pyramid. Just note that entrance fees are only included if you select the all-inclusive option when booking—which I definitely recommend, since it saves you from long ticket lines when you arrive!
Next up is a refreshing swim at Cenote Chichikán, a stunning natural sinkhole with crystal-clear water. Floating beneath the limestone walls feels absolutely magical after a hot morning exploring the ruins! Afterward, you’ll enjoy a buffet lunch, and if you booked the all-inclusive package, it even includes alcoholic beverages—the perfect reward after an adventurous morning!
The final stop is Valladolid, a colorful colonial city where you’ll have time to stroll the plaza and snap some photos of its pastel buildings and historic church.
It’s a long day (about 12 hours total), but with the friendly guides, comfortable transport, and well-paced stops, it flies by. With over 20,000 five-star reviews, it’s clear this is one of the best and most reliable day trips you can take from Playa del Carmen!
Book this top-rated tour now and access FREE cancellation before you take off!
2. Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote, and Caves
- Duration: 8 to 10 hours
- Time: 6 am
- Highlights: Explore Tulum Archaeological Site, snorkel a vibrant coral reef, swim in a cenote cave
- Inclusions: Bilingual guide (English/Spanish), lunch, transport, snorkel gear, water, ruins entry tickets
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 4,100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you want to see some of the Riviera Maya’s top highlights in one day, look no further than this full-day tour. Not only do you get to explore ancient Mayan ruins, but you’ll also experience marine life, the jungle, and a cenote—making it a perfect alternative if the Chichén Itzá tour above felt a bit too long.
The day starts at the Tulum Archaeological Site, one of the most picturesque ancient cities in Mexico. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean, it’s every bit as stunning in person as it looks in photos. We had about 1.5 hours to wander, take photos, and learn all about Maya history from our guide.
Next, it was time to cool off and go swimming with tropical fish in the beautiful Caribbean Sea. A boat takes you out to the reef for a 1-hour leisurely snorkeling tour. With amazing visibility, don’t be surprised if a sea turtle or ray comes to say hello!
Next up is lunch, followed by a short jungle walk that leads to Cenote Xtun, an underground cenote filled with stalagmites and stalactites. Swimming beneath the cave formations feels surreal and completely different from the open-air cenotes Tulum is known for.
What I love most about this tour is how effortless it is. It takes care of everything from the transportation to lunch, so all you need to do is show up in your swimsuit with some sunblock and let the guides handle the rest!
Check availability and book this top-rated tour here, before it sells out!
3. Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 10 am or 5 pm
- Highlights: Try a variety of local dishes and beverages, visit off-the-beaten-path eateries, explore the city with a locla, and learn about Mexico’s history and culture
- Inclusions: Bilingual guide (English/Spanish), all food and drink tastings, restaurant tips
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 1,200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
We love a walking tour, but do you know what makes any walking tour infinitely better? When it’s this walking food tour! What we loved about this particular tour is that our guide combined the food with lots of information about local history and culture.
It’s a truly well-rounded experience that’s perfect for first-time visitors. You’ll stray from the beaten path and try some lesser-known Mexican specialties at popular local eateries. We recommend joining the tour at the start of your trip, so you can make the most of the local tips and tricks.
We don’t want to give too much away, but some of our favorite stops were a family-run fruit stand with exotic produce, where you can try local fruit juices. It was so refreshing on a hot day!
Then there was the best taqueria in town for amazing tacos. After a stop for mole, we finished with local popsicles and ice cream. If you’re vegetarian, rest assured, there are also options for you – just give your guides a heads up about any dietary restrictions when you book your tour.
This fun tour includes beverages, multiple food tastings, and even tips for local restaurant staff. You can choose between a 10 am or 5 pm start time, turning it into lunch or dinner. You’ll start and end at a central meeting point, so make sure to wear comfy shoes since it is a walking tour.
Book this tour with more than 1,100 5-star reviews here to secure your spot!
Related Read: Still need a hotel? Our where to stay in Playa del Carmen guide has the best hotels and tips on the top areas!
4. Cenote and Akumal Beach Tour
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Time: 9 am
- Highlights: Swim in an ancient cenote, snorkel with sea turtles at Akumal Beach, enjoy lunch and free time at a beach club
- Inclusions: Bilingual guide (English/Spanish), lunch, transport, snacks, snorkeling gear
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 1,100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you want to spend the day in the water, check out this Cenote and Akumal Beach Tour. It’s very similar to the second tour mentioned, just without the Tulum Ruins. We think it highlights the best of Playa del Carmen in under five hours. Plus, not having to think of transport or lunch gets a big tick from us!
We started at an underground cenote, which had amazing stalagmites, caverns, and rock formations. Paired with the glimpses of sunlight playing across the azure water, it was otherworldly. Our guide told us about the region’s Mayan history before we took a very refreshing dip!
Then it was onto Akumal Beach, which is known for being home to some of the area’s best snorkeling. Your guide will lead you on a snorkeling tour, where you’ll see colorful coral, tropical fish, and friendly sea turtles. The visibility was fantastic when we visited!
Our final stop was Punta Venado Beach Club. This is where we had lunch, and can I just say, I still think about the tacos! We had an hour for lunch and a little rest and relaxation before it was time to head home.
This is a small-group tour, so book in advance, as it’s likely to sell out. Trust me, if you love the water as much as we do, this half-day tour is one you can’t miss!
Reserve this top-rated tour here and get FREE cancellation before you go.
5. Day trip to Isla Mujeres
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Time: 8:30 am, 11:30 am, or 2:30 pm
- Highlights: Sail along the Caribbean coastline, snorkel, enjoy lunch & an open bar on board, spend free time at Isla Mujeres
- Inclusions: Bilingual guide (English/Spanish), lunch, transport, snorkel gear, open bar, docking fee
- Rating: 4.6 stars (check 3,300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Just off the coast near Cancun is Isla Mujeres, a must-visit island paradise that you’ve just got to see if you have time. Also known as “Women Island” in English, there are so many things to do in Isla Mujeres, from exploring its rich Mayan history to visiting one of the best beaches in Mexico, Playa Norte!
This is the exact tour we took, and I love that it’s all-inclusive and includes round-trip transportation from Playa del Carmen, an open bar, and gourmet lunch, and dock fees – we just got to show up and enjoy!
Stepping onto the catamaran instantly made me feel relaxed! The beautiful boat and the warm, salty air are unlike any other place. You’ll start making your way to your snorkeling spot, where you can explore the second-largest coral reef in the world. I felt super safe as the tour guides were attentive and gave great instructions so we could simply have fun.
Once you are done snorkeling, the party starts! After being in the hot sun all day, we were very excited to have lunch and access to the open bar.
After slowly making your way to Isla Mujeres, you’ll have a few hours to explore on your own, or you can choose to take a guided tour of the island. I love the colorful and quaint vibes of the city, and the natural beauty is something to boast about as well.
We love that this tour offers “Adults Only” and “Kid-Friendly” options when booking. I can easily see why this tour has over 2,800 5-star reviews – it’s one of the best things you can do in Playa del Carmen!
Be sure to book this tour in advance here, it’s popular and will sell out!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Jungle Buggy Tour With Cenote Swim
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 8:30 am, 11:30 am, or 2:30 pm
- Highlights: Explore the jungle on a 4×4 buggy, stop for a refreshing swim and snorkel at a cenote
- Inclusions: Bilingual guide (English/Spanish), 2-person buggy, water, snack, goggles, snorkeling equipment
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 1,200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If your adventurous side is calling out, you have to check out this Jungle Buggy Tour!
I love ATV tours in Playa del Carmen, and this one is one of my faves. Although technically, you’re in a buggy, which is a bit bigger and safer. After you and your partner get prepped, you’ll drive and follow your guide for about 25 miles (40 kilometers) through the wild Riviera Maya jungle.
It’s a thrilling and oftentimes dirty adventure through the lush forest, across muddy puddles, and along hilly roads. It’s perfect if you’re a fellow adrenaline junkie!
And the best place to wash away the dirt? With a refreshing swim and snorkel in a cenote, of course! There are so many awesome cenotes in the area, and this particular cenote has both covered and open-air sections. I love how you get to experience both in one go.
Note that single riders are not allowed, so it’s only available for couples/pairs or even-numbered groups. It also doesn’t run on Sundays, so make sure you plan accordingly!
Check out the 1,200+ glowing reviews and book this tour in advance here!
Related Read: If you’re overwhelmed with all the choices, our 3-day Playa del Carmen itinerary is an easy-to-follow guide that makes sure you see all the highlights!
7. Playa del Carmen Mexican Cooking Experience and Local Markets Tour
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 10 am
- Highlights: Learn to cook authentic Mexican dishes with a local chef, enjoy your delicious creations
- Inclusions: Master chef, all ingredients, bottled water, lunch
- Rating: 5 stars (check 290+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you’re a frequent reader, you’ll know we are big foodies. So we couldn’t leave Playa del Carmen without participating in this Mexican Cooking Experience. What we loved the most about this tour was that it was an authentic market-to-table cooking experience with a true local.
Chef Alma takes you around the local market and shares stories about native ingredients and local life. She then takes you “home,” where she teaches you to cook alongside her wonderful Tia. This really adds a personal element, which is partly why this is one of the best food tours in Playa del Carmen.
The menu they prepare differs daily. For example, our cooking class was on a Wednesday and included a street-style taco feast. We made guacamole, salsa, tortillas from scratch, tacos al pastor, fried plantain, and more! We also ended the experience with authentic margaritas and agua fresca.
But depending on the day, you might make tamales, mole, or a Mexican dessert. Chef Alma can also accommodate vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free guests. Just make sure to let them know of any dietary restrictions when you book your tour.
The tour’s meeting place is right in the heart of Playa del Carmen, making it super convenient. Tours are offered in the morning, so you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy Playa del Carmen in the afternoon. You can even make a whole foodie day out of it by having dinner after at one of the best restaurants in town!
This experience was not only fun but also easy to follow, so you can use the tips you learn at home. So if you want to perfect your Mexican cooking skills, add this tour to your itinerary!
Dates are limited – book it in advance here to secure your spot!
8. Luxury Catamaran Tour with Snorkeling
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 8:30 am or 1 pm
- Highlights: Sail along the Riviera Maya coastline, snorkel at Inah Reef, try stand-up paddleboarding, enjoy lunch and an open bar on board
- Inclusions: Bilingual guide (English/Spanish), lunch, transport, open bar, snorkel gear & other water activities
- Rating: 4.7 stars (check 600+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Ready to sail the high seas on this Luxury Catamaran Tour? While we have other cruises on this list, I love how this one takes us to a different side of Playa del Carmen.
We boarded the luxury catamaran and headed out into the warm Caribbean Sea, admiring the views along the way. Soon, we docked at Inah Reef, which just so happens to be one of the region’s best snorkeling spots. We had a choice of doing a guided snorkeling tour, stand-up paddleboarding… or both! Of course, we couldn’t say no to trying both.
It was really calm and clear on the paddleboard, so it’s great conditions for beginners. As for snorkeling, we saw some cool coral, rays, and colorful fish.
Soon it was time to enjoy the gourmet lunch and open bar – yes, open bar! Don’t be surprised if they pull out tequila for shots. Catamaran cruises in Playa del Carmen are already incredible, so this was really just icing on the cake. Then, we slowly headed back to the marina with full stomachs and great memories.
We love that this tour has the option to choose between an “Adults Only” or “Family Friendly” tour. It also includes everything from hotel pick-up to snorkeling equipment, so you don’t have to worry about a thing!
Check availability and book this highly-rated tour with FREE cancellation options here!
9. Xplor Adventure Park
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: Open between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Highlights: Enjoy all-inclusive access to the park, including underground river trips, amphibious vehicle trails, and zip lines; explore at your own pace
- Inclusions: All-inclusive access to all park activities, lunch buffet, non-alcoholic beverages, lockers
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
After an epic adventure in Playa del Carmen? Look no further than Xplor Adventure Park, a huge theme park of the Xcaret Brand.
A single day here is one to remember, soaring through the trees on over 14 different ziplines covering a massive 2.4 miles on two circuits. Additionally, with swimming/rafting through caves with stalactites and driving a four-wheel buggy through flooded caves and jungle scenes, it’s a day of excitement to say the least!
We booked our all-inclusive entrance tickets ahead of time to ensure our spots, and we loved that they included a delicious lunch and access to activities such as ziplining, waterfalls, driving amphibious vehicles, swimming through cenotes, and more than you’d get with a standard admission ticket. The best way to get to Xplor is to drive yourself, and it’s only 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen.
We spent about 6 hours here and had the best time. There is truly something for everyone!
Reserve your tickets in advance here and get FREE cancellation before you go!
10. Swim with whale sharks
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: Check with the tour operator
- Highlights: Snorkel alongside whale sharks, learn from a biologist guide, enjoy lunch on the boat
- Inclusions: Bilingual naturalist guide, lunch, transport, water/soft drinks, snorkel gear
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
When traveling the Yucatán, you always hear about its amazing nightlife, crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, and, of course, tasty margaritas. But have you ever heard about swimming with whale sharks?
Whale sharks aren’t technically sharks; they’re actually the largest fish in the world! So it should come as no surprise that swimming with these HUGE fish is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many, and the best part is that you can do it from Playa del Carmen!
Unfortunately, you won’t find these beautiful creatures swimming in front of Playa del Carmen Beach, so you will need a boat ride to reach them. That means that a tour is the only way to go on this adventure!
This full-day whale shark tour picks you up at your hotel, whether you’re in Playa del Carmen or anywhere else on the Riviera Maya. The tour includes an expert biologist guide who speaks both English and Spanish – it’s the perfect way to interact with whale sharks and learn about them!
On top of that, you’ll get a delicious lunch, use of snorkeling equipment, and a life jacket. The best part is that the lunch is served off the coast of Isla Mujeres. This way, you can have two amazing experiences in one day.
Whale shark season in Playa del Carmen runs from mid-May until mid-September, with the best time being in the middle of that. During this time of the year, whale sharks gather on the northern coasts of the Yucatan. If you are lucky, you could also catch a glimpse of a Manta ray swimming along with the whale sharks.
Don’t let their size intimidate you, either. Whale sharks are friendly and harmless to humans – they are on a strict plankton-only diet!
Check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen
Choosing a place to stay in Playa del Carmen can often be overwhelming – trust me, I’ve been there. The selection of hotels is huge and caters to all sorts of trips, budgets, and ages. I won’t be able to mention every place I love, but I do have some favorites, depending on what you’re looking for.
El Taj Oceanfront and Beachside Condo Hotel – $$$
For luxury travelers, The El Taj Oceanfront and Beachside Condo Hotel offer a great central location that’s still secluded. As the name suggests, this hotel is right on the ocean, plus it also has a pool, is located in the heart of town, and offers a huge variety of rooms, including one, two, and three bedroom apartments!
Rooms here at El Taj start around $200 USD, which is pretty good considering how fantastic the rooms are. You can check out available dates and book your stay online here.
Soho Playa Hotel – $$
When I’m traveling on a moderate budget and want a nice place, not in a resort, I love Soho Playa Hotel. The hotel has a fantastic location, a pool, free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a really clean and modern design. Plus, if you feel like stretching out and relaxing, you can even make the most of their free yoga classes!
A one-night stay here at the Soho Playa Hotel starts at around $135 USD per person. This is quite a popular hotel though, so make sure to reserve your room online in advance!
Che Playa Hostel and Bar – $
For budget travelers, Che Playa Hostel and Bar is one of the best hostels in Playa del Carmen. The hostel is located in the heart of town and comes with a small rooftop pool and bar, a social atmosphere, clean facilities, and helpful staff.
The rooms are pretty affordable as you might expect! A bed in a dorm here for one night costs less than $25 USD per person, and you can book on Hostelworld or Booking.com.
Renting a Car in Mexico
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to get around Mexico is in a rental car.
I struggled to get around by bus and taxi for the longest time. But after renting a car in Cancun in 2023, I never looked back. It allowed me to explore the country without worrying about tours or taxis. It was why I fell in love with Mexico and eventually decided to live here periodically.
I refuse to use local services whenever I rent a car in Mexico. The truth is they sometimes can’t be trusted or come with hidden fees (or costly insurance that doesn’t make sense.) There are even rental car scams! So instead, I use Discover Cars, the company most experienced travelers or ex-pats in Mexico recommend. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
The rates on Discover Cars are cheap, too, with the average rental costing around $25 USD per day. Full coverage insurance can be added for an extra $10 USD a day too.
Driving in Mexico also only requires a driver’s license using the Roman alphabet. If yours uses another like Japan and China, you simply need an international driving permit.
Insurance is required, but if you book with Discover Cars and get the full coverage, that’s all you need! Oh, and being over 18 is required, and if you’re over 25, your rental will be much cheaper!
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We’ve tested a bunch of eSIMs over the years, and after a few frustrating experiences, we’ve found our favorite — Airalo. It’s fast, reliable, and incredibly easy to use. You can set it up in minutes (even my mom managed it solo on her first try!), and the prices are some of the best out there.
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Thanks for reading!
Playa del Carmen has always been a favorite travel destination of mine. The friendly people, fantastic activities, delicious food, and pristine beaches just keep me coming back for more. I hope that, like me, you thoroughly enjoy Playa del Carmen and find the above list helpful!
If you do find this guide helpful, be sure to browse around at more of our Mexico blogs, such as:
Is Mexico Safe? Safety Info about Traveling in Mexico
Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen – 9 Things you NEED to KNOW!