Welcome to Playa del Carmen! Many people believe that this is where the maximum possible amount of real Mexican exotics is concentrated. But can this resort, located 30 miles from Cancun International Airport, actually compete with its noisy neighbor? Let’s try to understand its advantages.

Weather and Climate in Playa del Carmen

1. The hot season in Playa lasts about 5 months from April to September, with maximum average daily temperatures above 87,8 °F. The hottest month is July, with an average maximum temperature of 89,6 °F and a minimum of 71,6 °F.
2. From about November to mid-February is the cooler season, with average daily lows below 82,4 °F. The coldest month in Playa is January, with an average temperature minimum of 64,4 °F and a maximum of about 82,4 °F.

Air temperature, °F

Playa del Carmen has a rather dynamic humidity level, which fluctuates throughout the year. May through November, about six months, is the wettest season. The rainiest month is September, when on average it can rain every other day.

The next six months, from November to May, are the dry season, with the least amount of precipitation. The driest month is March.

It turns out that the hot season in Playa coincides with the wet season, and the cool season is characterized by drier air. The water temperature, like the weather, fluctuates throughout the year. From July to October you’ll find the warmest temperatures over 84,2 °F, especially in September. And from December to April the water is cooler – below 80,6 °F.

The abundance of tourist routes, all kinds of amusement parks, cenotes, and picturesque bays in the vicinity of Playa del Carmen is breathtaking for many unprepared tourists and their eyes widen. Where to go first?

We can say with confidence that you will have to stock up on enough time to cover at least half of what this resort has to offer. But in addition to excursions, you will want to soak up the local beaches. They certainly deserve a separate description, but we will start with the most popular locations.

Amusement parks

1.Ecopark Xcaret:

At the entrance, after paying for the tickets, you will be given a life jacket, because you will spend some of the time swimming in the most beautiful lagoons. But the great thing is that this is not only a great place for snorkeling in crystal clear water, where you can spend more than one hour. It also has a stunning botanical garden, jaguar island, a huge oceanarium, aviaries, and pools with crocodiles and turtles. Amazing discoveries await here at every turn: from nurseries with tropical butterflies to a colony of Macaws. Kayaking on underground rivers and swimming with dolphins, underwater walks in special aqua helmets, and evening shows.

All of the above is only a tiny part of a really large list of entertainment on the territory of Xcaret Park.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21MqWYjL7Tg

There are also several shows in Xcaret every day, such as a horse show, a folklore show, and a very unusual and popular Mayan-style show. For the incredible amount of work that the park administration has done to preserve the natural look of the environment, the eco-park Xcaret even won a place on the pages of the Guinness Book of Records.

• How to get there: from the center of Playa del Carmen eco-park Xcaret is approximately 5.5 miles away. It can be reached both by public transport and by taxi.

• Ecopark ticket price Xcaret: from $85 if booked in advance on the park’s website. From $180 with transfer from Playa del Carmen.

2.Rio Secreto:

A very unusual tourist attraction, which is located next to the Eco-park Xcaret.

Translated from Spanish, «Rio» means river.

Its length is impressive. Its underground channel is about 9 miles. However, despite the solid timing of the tour (tourists usually spend here an average of 5 hours), visitors have at their disposal a little more than half a mile of this unique complex.

Therefore, each guest will have to take a shower before diving. It is unlikely that you will refuse because it is quite hot outside. And after that, you can put on a wetsuit, special shoes, and a helmet. Traveling along the underground secret river promises visitors an unforgettable encounter with magnificent stalactites and stalagmites. And, of course, pleasant water treatments in a fantastic atmosphere.

Cost of visiting Rio Secreto:

• from $100, here, in addition to the tour, lunch, and transfer are included

Cenotes: we have already talked about these unique geological formations in an article about holidays in Tulum, but if it suddenly passed you by, let us remind you.

They often look like caves or small lagoons. The bottom of the cenotes is usually sandy, and the сenote itself is filled with rainwater or water from underground sources. There are cenotes with formations in the form of stalactites. Some of them can be explored by diving. However, we highly recommend using the services of local guides or drivers in order not to get into a dangerous situation.

• Note: the presence of numerous cenotes near the resort is a hallmark of vacations on the Playa del Carmen coast.

3.Puerto Aventuras:

Another wonderful tourist area has a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities, both on the beach and in the surrounding area.

In fact, this is a separate, fairly large tourist hub, where you can stay for a few days.

Cozumel

Island:

If you still have the energy after visiting all of the above locations, save them for this unforgettable place. Why is it so good?

• The island became known to the audience thanks to the famous oceanographer Jacques Yves Cousteau. He remained in a wild delight from the abundance of local marine flora and fauna.
• Here is the second largest coral reef after the Australian Barrier Reef.
• As a consequence of point 2 – the Island of Cozumel is in the TOP 5 best diving places in the world.
• What is the underwater museum of sculptures worth!

•  For the Mayans, this island was a place of mystical pilgrimage.
• It goes without saying that the beaches of the island can conquer anyone.
• Among other things, here you can organize simply unforgettable sea fishing.

Beaches:

It is not for nothing that Playa del Carmen is associated with a real Caribbean beach holiday. There are beautiful shallow water areas with clear turquoise water, safe for children. White coral sand and swaying palm trees – this place can really be called paradise. It is no exaggeration to say that the beaches on the Caribbean coast of Mexico are some of the most beautiful in the world.

And here you can find some species of sea turtles that lay their eggs in the sand during the summer months.

The water is warm, its comfortable temperature is maintained all year round, and the vast white beaches are protected from big waves by the nearby coral reefs. On windy days, many windsurfers gather near the reefs. The transparency of the water is ideal, both for snorkeling and for diving, although it is unlikely to be able to compete in this regard with the Island of Cozumel.

Its main part is served by beach hotels. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and beach clubs. All beaches are public, although some can only be reached through the hotel. Naturally, life is in full swing here, almost around the clock. Therefore, if you like an active beach holiday in the very epicenter of events, book a hotel right in the city.

• If you feel like exploring the beaches beyond Playa del Carmen, we recommend paying attention to the following locations:

1.Paamul beach

About 12 miles from Playa there are two small bays with rocks and cliffs.

The water is clear with a slightly rocky bottom, and the beach has coarse sand, which is slightly different from what is found on city beaches. The restaurants offer a decent selection of various fish and seafood dishes. Paamul is mainly visited by tourists from the USA and Canada. You can come here for a day to dive or watch the nesting of tropical birds and stay here for a couple of nights. There is a cozy, small hotel here. They also like to have weddings here.

2.Xpu-Ha

Crystal-clear water and the reefs near the shore are ideal for snorkeling and diving. There is also a cenote in the area, and if you are lucky, you can see storks in the mangroves. For sailing enthusiasts, there are plenty of options.

3.Akumal and Yal Ku

It is approx. 23 miles away from Playa del Carmen. The Akumal area is surrounded by reefs and due to this fact, it’s ideal for swimming and diving. Yal Ku Beach, located very close, deserves special attention. This is a beautiful lagoon with mangroves and a reef is also present here. Unforgettable snorkeling – guaranteed.

Our recommendation:

The abundance of coral reefs near Playa del Carmen allows any fan of diving and snorkeling to have a pleasant vacation by the sea, and finding the right place for water fun is not difficult. But if you like secluded beaches with a minimum number of tourists, then you will have to spend time searching or consulting with locals. Usually, all thriving and safe beaches are already developed by local entrepreneurs, and visiting wild beaches can bring unpleasant surprises. For example, a risky rocky descent to the water or the lack of access to the beach. Don’t tempt fate. Relax in a civilized way.

Peculiarities:

Playa del Carmen is in great demand, even though not everyone can afford a vacation here. In addition, here, from time to time, there is a particularly active invasion of tourists, about which we want to warn separately. The information will be helpful for those who do not like to stand in long lines at restaurants or park ticket offices.

Pay attention to the annual carnival – this is a large-scale and very popular local holiday that takes place both in Playa del Carmen and on Cozumel Island.

It usually takes place over five to seven days in late February – early March. At this time, music plays loudly in the streets and squares of the city until late at night.

Some routes are occasionally overlapped which may cause your shuttle bus not to be able to reach the hotel. Therefore, guests must carry their own luggage and cover considerable distances on foot.

How much does it cost to relax in Playa del Carmen?

Toward the end of our review, we bring to your attention a small slice of the resort’s pricing policy for hotels and restaurants.

Average cost per night:

• Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun from $913.
• Hotel Xcaret Mexico 810$.
• Mahekal Beach Resort from $317.
• Paradisus Playa Del Carmen from $355.
• Iberostar Tucan $242.

Average bill in restaurants rated 4.6+:

• Cassa Ceviche from $25 per person.
• Ictio fish House from $26 per person.
• Lara&Luca Playa del Carmen from $16 per person.

Bars rated 4.6+:

• Harry’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar cocktails from $9.
• Club de la Cerveza (beer bar) beer from $2.
• Deck 5 Pool and Sky bar from $10.
• Alive Snack bar Playa del Carmen cocktails from 4$.

To sum it up:

Here, indeed, everyone will find something to their liking: lovers of archaeological sites, fans of wildlife, fans of water sports, and those who just want to soak up the white sand against the backdrop of paradise landscapes.