At the heart of Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen is packed with things to see and do: beautiful beaches, stunning cenotes, fantastic natural wonders, and amusement parks… So, where do you start? Here are some of “Playa´s” highlights:

1. Stroll around the Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is where all the action occurs. This pedestrian street extends for over three miles, featuring small hotels, hostels, shopping malls, boutiques, art galleries, and nightclubs, where you will experience the “Playa´s” iconic lifestyle.

2. Spend the day at one of its many rooftops

Enjoy the sun, great music, delicious food, refreshing cocktails, and the spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea that can be seen on the rooftops of some of the boutique hotels, most of them located on Fifth Avenue.

3. Enjoy a beach day

Playa del Carmen´s beaches consistently take center stage, topping every visitor’s to-do list. The destination offers the perfect beach for every traveler, whether you’re in search of solitude at a secluded beach or want to see and be seen on lively strips where people-watching is the main attraction.

4. Visit the "Parque Fundadores"

This park is a must-see for anyone walking down Fifth Avenue. Its origin dates back to the 50´s when "Playa" was just a small fishing village and the park served as a meeting point for locals. Today, the park is the place where locals and tourists converge to appreciate the different shows that are offered there, such as the Mayan dancers or the flyers of Papantla; besides being the perfect place to take a souvenir photo, with the imposing Caribbean Sea and the Maya Portal (an enormous sculpture) in the background.

5. Explore the cenotes

Just minutes away from downtown Playa del Carmen, you´ll find the pristine cenotes Jardín del Edén, Cristalino, and Azul. Scuba dive, snorkel, or simply let yourself float in its refreshing waters and admire the beautiful landscape, besides the flora and fauna that have made these sceneries their habitat.

6. Interacting with the wildlife

Interact with wildlife like never before! Scuba dive with bull sharks (November to March); swim with sea turtles in Akumal or crocodiles in a cenote. Remember that you are entering the habitat of these species, so we ask you to be a responsible traveler and follow the advice of our Responsible Traveler Guide.

IMPORTANT: In order to scuba dive you must present a diving certification. 


Banner Responsible Traveler Desktop

7. Have fun in some of its natural or amusement parks

Riviera Maya is home to endless parks, where both children and adults will experience moments of great excitement. There is something for everyone: extreme parks, water parks, theme parks, nature parks, adventure parks... You choose! Slide in a zip line, drive off-road vehicles on hidden trails, swim across an underground river, learn about Mayan culture interactively, and much more.

8. Experience its nightlife

The fun doesn’t end at sunset! Between mariachis, live music, hip-hop dancers, and the latest hits of the moment, the "Quinta" comes to life at dusk. If you want to dance until dawn, you can’t miss the famous Calle 12, where most of the nightclubs and bars are located.

If you’re looking for family-friendly night experiences, we recommend booking a dinner-show experience. Not to be missed include Joyá by Cirque du Soleil and Mexico Spectacular by Xcaret.

9. Pampering your palate with its culinary options

Being a cosmopolitan destination, "Playa´s" restaurants offer almost every kind of international cuisine: traditional Mayan dishes, Mexican delicacies, American, Canadian, Peruvian, Colombian, Thai, Italian, Argentinian, Belgian, French, among others.
Here you will find several restaurants, from casual to the most lavish ones.

10. Make a day excursion to an archaeological site

The Mexican Caribbean is dotted with more than 19 archaeological sites, and Mayan vestiges. In the Riviera Maya, a region that straddles Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum,  you’ll find some of the most impressive ones, such as Tulum and Cobá.

Coba - Dron view