Welcome to paradise in Mexico – Playa del Carmen! Known for its pristine beaches, balmy weather, and fascinating Mayan ruins, this town is a true travel gem that offers something for everyone. No matter if you just stop by or spend your whole vacation here.

As a passionate traveler, I have visited Playa several times and every time, I find something new to fall in love with. Whether you are a beach lover, a history buff, or an adventure seeker, this city is all set to offer you the experience of a lifetime.

In this travel guide, I am going to share some tips so that you can make the most of your time in Playa del Carmen. So, sit back, relax and let’s dive into this tropical haven!

In Playa del Carmen, no wishes remain unfulfilled. Fantastic beaches, hotels for every budget, excellent restaurants and an exciting nightlife make it one of the most trendy destinations in Mexico. Playa del Carmen is a modern and lively Mexican village. The place is smaller than Cancun, hotels and resorts are less conspicuous and harmoniously integrated into the surroundings.

You can find dreamlike hotels in all price ranges, a huge variety of Restaurants serving delicious food from Gourmet Cuisine to Street Food, hip Nightclubs, cozy taverns and good music on every corner. Not to forget the breathtaking beach, dense tropical jungle, lots of sunshine and everything else that goes with it. That is why many people consider Playa del Carmen to be paradise on earth itself.

A rental car in Playa del Carmen is not recommended, as there are hardly any parking spaces in the narrow streets of the former fishing village. However, the area is flat and can be easily explored by a borrowed bike or just walking.

For longer distances, the public bus or taxis are the ideal solution. The fare of taxis should be agreed with the driver before boarding.

Only if you are planning a trip to the sights of the surrounding Yucatan Peninsula, a rental car comes in handy. On our last trip, we stayed a week in Playa – without a car. After that, my husband rented a car for our discovery tour through Yucatan, and that was a wonderful idea that gave us lots of flexibility.

When I first heard about Playa del Carmen in Mexico, I was told there was only a single place to stay there, with hammocks in Palapas (thatched huts) right on the beach and water from a nearby garden hose … well, times have changed.These days, Playa del Carmen is one of the hottest locations in Latin America and offers everything your heart desires.

Originally a small village, Playa del Carmen is now one of the most glamorous locations in the Mexican Caribbean. “Playa,” as it is known by its regular visitors, lies in the heart of the Riviera Maya and the best restaurants, shops and nightclubs can be found there.

The beach and the sea are just as gorgeous in Playa del Carmen as they are in Cancún. You have to think of it this way: A beach of snow-white sand, on one side the Caribbean Sea glistens with its crystal clear, turquoise waters in the sun. And on the other side lies the dense green jungle of the Yucatan Peninsula. In addition, there are all the offers that the tourist heart can only dream of.

When looking for an accommodation for your trip to Playa del Carmen, you might have to make a hard choice. Luxury hotels, all-inclusive resorts, creative boutique hotels and also simple accommodation in the Palapa style or small cheap family hotels for any travel budget are waiting for you.

Private beach clubs offer an extensive range of wellness, swimming pools, massages and much more. The Hotels in Playa del Carmen are not as huge as the ones in Cancún, everything is easy to find and simply promises unforgettable days.

For those seeking peace and quiet in their vacation, however, the resorts in the vicinity with their paradisiacal pristine beaches are more suited. Larger hotels can be found in the hotel area Playacar further south. That is a luxury tourism complex that is home to numerous all-inclusive resorts. If you are looking for peace or luxury, you will get your money’s worth in Playacar with its golf courses and dreamlike resorts. Hotels and resorts have also been built right on the beach within a few miles of Playa del Carmen, promising an unforgettable holiday in the Caribbean.

The center of tourist life in Playa del Carmen is the 5th street – also called Quinta Avenida. As a pedestrian zone, it is the beating heart of the city. The “Quinta” runs parallel to the beach and there is always something going on.

In the pedestrian zone you will find an almost infinite selection of restaurants, boutiques, shopping malls and souvenir shops. There you can enjoy the ambience of the Caribbean to the fullest. Often, however, it also pays off to explore the restaurants and shops in the smaller side streets, as the prices there are usually cheaper than in the Quinta Avenida.

And when evening comes, Quinta Avenida turns into a promenade. See and be seen is the motto when you meet for dinner, enjoy cocktails and prepare for nights of partying in the exciting clubs of Playa.

The now very glamorous Playa del Carmen offers pretty much everything you can feel like in culinary terms. In addition to Mexican restaurants and wonderful Seafood, there are plenty of international restaurants to be found here, as many Playa residents after a holiday simply decided to stay in this beautiful place and opened their own business.

So you’ll find everything your heart desires, from tacos to lobster dinner with fine wines. The problem is rather to make the choice. To help you out, we have prepared this article about the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen for you.

At Night on the Quinta Avenida, you will hear the sounds of Reggae, Rock and Salsa as people prepare to visit the nightclubs. The nightlife stretches into the morning hours and makes Playa del Carmen an unforgettable place.

Do you feel like music, dancing, seeing people and having a good time? You will find all this in Playa del Carmen. It’s not like in Cancún, and the wild Spring Break Parties barely exist here – but there are a lot of wonderful places to spend the evening.

You will find great nightclubs here as in Cancún, but also small cozy beach llubs with shows and events, and quiet bars with good music and room for nice conversations. Like almost everything in Playa del Carmen, you will find most of the Nightlife venues on and around the Quinta Avenida, that is easily accessible walking or by taxi.

Playa del Carmen has a beautiful sandy beach, and there are a lot of great activities to be discovered in town.

But it also is a great starting point for trips to the surrounding Cenotes, archaeological sites such as Tulum and Cobá or a visit to the internationally award-winning Adventure Parks of Xcaret, Xel-Há or Xplor. The nearby islands of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres are definitely worth seeing. Likewise, a day at Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a unique experience.

If You are flexible about the distances for a trip, Valladolid, Ek Balam, the city of Mérida and the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itzá would be worthwhile destinations.