So let me guess – if you’re going to Playa del Carmen in Mexico, then probably it is not for a business trip. Neither for cultural events. Right? Of course.

You go for the beach and the sea. So far so good. The beaches of Playa del Carmen are widely known for their snow-white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters. Since Playa del Carmen is no longer the small fishing village of the past, we have prepared a small guide to the best Playa del Carmen beaches beaches for you.

The beach next to Parque Fundadores is probably one of the most famous beaches in Playa del Carmen. And easy to find. At the end of Avenida Juarez, where 5ta Avenida  begins, you can already see the famous landmark on the beach – a large sculpture that forms an archway. And there you are.

This beach is very well known and actually always well visited. But it is also very large, so there is always room for another beach towel. Here you will meet a relaxed mix of tourists and locals. It can be quite lively sometimes. On the beach volleyball court you can let off steam and get to know new people.

A visit to the beach at the Parque Fundadores of course should include a photo with the iconic arch or the colorful “Playa del Carmen” sign right next to it. And if you are exhausted at the end of a long day on the beach, you will find delicious food and cool drinks in the many restaurants and bars around the Parque Fundadores.

At Calle 2  you will find the perfect beach if you would like to experience the ambience of trendy beach clubs. The beautiful beach with its snow-white sand is far enough from the dock to hide the smell of ship engines and the noise of the ferry.

The ambience here is more touristy, and you will meet a lot of expats here. People are very friendly and relaxed on this beach. Games and competitions are often organized for your entertainment, and live music underlines the quiet sound of the waves of the Caribbean Sea.

The beach at Calle 10  is often not very crowded. There is nothing wrong with the beautiful white sandy beach and the turquoise sea. But on this stretch of beach there are great beach clubs, and most people prefer to enter there.

The beach club Lido  is so well known that it is almost an institution. Nearby you find Zenzi, where they often have live music – twice a week also salsa with dance class. And next to Zenzi there is El Pirata, where you can feast delicious seafood until have to capitulate.

The beach at Calle 10 is therefore a good place for connoisseurs and those who love latin music.

Can’t you choose between partying and sunbathing? You don’t have to. The beach at Mamita’s Beach Club is one of the most sought-after party zones in Playa del Carmen, even in daylight. The motto here is certainly: “See and be seen”. So if you’re looking for a quiet beach to relax in, this is NOT the place.

Between Kool and Mamita’s, great DJs create a good vibe all day long. Alcohol flows like water here, and there usually are more people than sand grains on this beach. You’re certainly not going to get bored here. For fans of water sports there are also offers from jet ski to parasailing. And if the seaweed that sometimes appears on the beach is getting on your nerves – Mamita’s has recently opened a pool where you can refresh yourself without getting into an unwanted close relationship with the wild.

South of the ferry pier in Playa del Carmen is the hotel zone Playacar. And of course there is also a beach. Even a dreamlike one. Since on this beach there is one star rated hotel next to the other, this beach is particularly quiet and well-kept.

The beach of Playacar is a wide white sandy beach, the sea is especially beautiful here in its blue color. There are no dangerous rocks in the water, and washed-up seaweed is cleared even before you can discover it.

There also grow some palm trees, whose shade is highly sought after among beach visitors. But only early birds manage to conquer those spots. The beach of Playacar is also monitored by the security staff of the adjacent hotels. So if you would like to enjoy your peace on the beach, you are in good hands here.

The closest access to the beach of Playacar from Playa del Carmen downtown is next to the ferry pier near the restaurant Señor Frog’s.

An insider’s tip in Playa del Carmen still is Coco Reef beach. Maybe because it’s a bit off the beaten path. If you walk along the 5ta Avenida  to the end of Playa del Carmen, Calle 48 is the last crossroad right hand. There you just head down directly to the beach. The shops and restaurants in this area are also significantly cheaper than in the center of Playa del Carmen.

There are no beach clubs, bars or restaurants on this beach – only the All Inclusive Coco Reef Beach Resort. Here you can only hear the waves in the sand and the birds in the jungle next door. Paradise. Right in front of this beach section in the sea, there is the reef Arrecife de Playa del Carmen. So if you want to marvel at the underwater world with your snorkel and fins, here’s the best spot for it in Playa del Carmen.

You can only reach Coco Reef Beach via the described path through the city. A walk on the beach will NOT take you there, as the access is no longer passable due to strong erosion. The road is a bit long – but it’s always worth it.

Don’t forget to bring sunscreen tu protect your skin. A biodegradable sunscreen not only protects your skin, but also the sea and it’s creatures. In this article you can read more about how to protect youself best in the sun.