Playa Del Carmen & Mexico - Travel Guide

Playa del Carmen, located on Mexico’s stunning Riviera Maya, is a lush paradise filled with white-sand beaches, ancient ruins, excellent night life and local culture. 

Whatever you are interested in, here are five must-do activities during your visit:

CHICHEN ITZÁ & CENOTES*
No trip to the Yucatan is complete without visiting Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This iconic Mayan archaeological site features the famous El Castillo pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors and the Great Ball Court.

• ·Avoid going on weekends as it will be packed, making it difficult to enjoy. 
  
  
• Try to get there as early as possible so that you can take a photo in front of El Castillo.
  
  
• Purchase unique artwork or souvenirs during this visit as you can negotiate prices - they will be super expensive in Playa Del Carmen town centre otherwise!

After exploring the ruins, cool off in one of the nearby cenotes (or not) depending on your preference. Cenote Oxman and Cenote Ik Kil are popular choices, with vines cascading into the water, while Cenote Sagrado located within Chichen Itza itself, holds historical significance as a Mayan sacrificial site. 
It gets HOT inside Chichen Itza so bring a fan. Additionally, if you choose to swim in the cenote, bring swimwear and wear biodegradable sunscreen as regular sunscreen is banned due to harming the ecosystem.

Note: Most travel companies do a combined tour that usually includes Chichen Itza, lunch and a cenote. We used Easytours Mexico. Despite some negative reviews, we were pretty happy with what was provided – and trust me – we’re pretty hard to please.

 

TULUM
Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Tulum offer a breathtaking mix of history and scenic beauty – it really has to be seen to be felt! This ancient Mayan city was once a major trading hub and is one of the few coastal ruins in Mexico. 
Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat and large tour groups.

 

COBA
If you're looking for a more immersive archaeological experience, head to Coba. Unlike other ruins, Coba still allows visitors to climb its main pyramid, Nohoch Mul, which stands at 137 feet tall. Please note that Nohoch Mul is currently closed for climbing at the time of writing – it was said that they initially closed off walking during the 2020 pandemic and never reopened and now, they are adding structural features so hopefully climbing up the pyramid will be allowed again soon!
You can also rent a bicycle or hire a Maya-style tricycle taxi to explore the network of stone causeways that connect different parts of the site. The tricycle taxi costs approx. 180MXN for 2 people. We used the tricycle taxi and quite enjoyed taking time lapse videos of the journey around the site!!

 

FOOD TOUR
We are big foodies but had never done a food tour while travelling abroad for fear of being sick. However, we decided to risk it all in Mexico and our food tour did NOT disappoint. Eating with Carmen Tours took us beyond the touristy spots and into local neighbourhoods, where we tried authentic Mexican and Yucatan dishes and fresh juices, Our favourites were shrimp tacos, Oaxacan mole and gorditas. 
Our guide Abbey was brilliant and provided insights into the origins of each dish, recommendations for more hidden culinary gems and even took us to a local market and juice bar! Make sure to go hungry and wear comfortable clothing—there’s a lot of delicious food to try!  Go to https://www.eatingwithcarmen.com to book.

 

VALLADOLID
We visited Valladolid as part of our Chichen Itza tour. Valladolid is a charming colonial town that offers a glimpse into Mexico’s rich history and culture. It’s also a great place to experience authentic Yucatecan culture without the crowds of more touristy areas. You can walk through the main square (Parque Francisco Cantón) where you find unique artwork for sale. Additionally, you can enjoy local street food including coconut ice cream. 

 

ADDITIONAL TIPS

Where to stay
Most visitors choose to stay in beachfront hotels near 5^th Avenue, but if you prefer a quieter setting, there are many places to stay just outside the town centre and in the Playacar region at affordable prices – some places, like the Residence Inn also include free breakfast.

Getting around
Taxis are the most common way to get around, with official Quintana Roo state taxis providing transport. A typical taxi ride from a Playacar hotel to the town centre costs around 200 MXN (approximately £8) for a one-way journey. However, costs can add up over time, so you may want to negotiate fares, take a local bus or explore on foot.
If you enjoy walking or cycling, a local route connects Playacar to the city centre. The walk from Playacar to 5th Avenue takes around 30-40 minutes, offering a scenic and active way to reach the heart of Playa del Carmen.

Spending & Tipping
Eating out and daily spending in Playa was below what we would spend in the UK, but not by very much – particularly when purchasing artwork or niche items. Which I think in part could be for economic reasons and of course it’s a tourist area, so expect tourist prices. Additionally, tipping in customary in Mexico. It might be useful to set aside some pesos for tipping at restaurants and during tours. We tipped between 20-300MXN pesos in addition to any services depending on what was offered.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay in Playa del Carmen. It is the perfect blend of history, nature, and vibrant culture. Whether you decide to explore ancient pyramids, indulge in local cuisine, simply relaxing on the beach, this destination has something unforgettable for every traveller.

Wishing you a great trip!