5 awesome days in Playa del Carmen – a perfect itinerary
If you’re planning your trip to Playa del Carmen, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a wide range of activities to choose from. In fact, honestly, there are too many activities to choose from 🤣.
I highly recommend making a plan before you arrive, otherwise you may well find yourself overwhelmed with possibilities.
I lived in nearby Yucatán for years and know this region well. This 5 day itinerary is based on my experiences and will help ensure you don’t miss anything.
✅ The idea is to give you five days worth of activities so that you can make the most of your vacation without feeling overwhelmed or going home more tired than you arrived. You obviously don’t have to follow them in the precise order I have written them.
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When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?
🔆 Nov – April is the dry season
☔️ May – Oct is the hot and rainy season when you can expect regular short sharp showers. Towards the end of this period it’s also possible to see storms and hurricanes although they’re not too common
💲💲 High season is December – April (including spring break)
⭐️ My personal perfect time to visit is April/May when high season is ending but the rains haven’t set in yet and the temperature hasn’t yet soared
Celebrations to keep in mind
💀 Día de Muertos – this is a fantastic time to be in Mexico but be sure to plan in advance as it’s very popular. End of October – Early November
🎄 Christmas – also a lot of fun to be in Mexico around this time
🎊 Carnaval – generally in February but every town has slightly different dates. Can be hectic with big crowds
🏖️ Spring Break – variable but March / April generally. when many US-ians head to Mexico
🐣 Semana Santa (Holy Week, around Easter) – variable but March / April (Mexicans don’t tend to be super religious around Semana Santa. They like to head to the beach to chill out)
🇲🇽 Día de la Independencía – 16/17 September
Where to stay in Playa del Carmen
For many, a trip to Playa del Carmen means enjoying an all-inclusive resort sipping cocktails by a tranquil pool. Of course, this is absolutely possible (and fabulous), but don’t forget that there are plenty of awesome non all-inclusive hotels in in Playa del Carmen too.
Some of our trips to the area have been to all-inclusives but we’ve also stayed in rented apartments and regular hotels too.
MexicoCassie recommended hotels in Playa del Carmen
⭐️ Adult Only Hotels: The Hilton, Playa del Carmen or Platinum Yucatán Princess
⭐️ Waterpark Fun: Paradisus La Esmeralda, Sandos Caracol, or Xcaret All Inclusive
⭐️ Apartments in Playacar: perfect for families or groups of friends who plan on exploring
🪩 And if you’re visiting during Spring Break but are looking for a peaceful hotel, the MexicoCassie spring break PdC guide has some good options
🗺️ or find your perfect hotel on the MexicoCassie interactive hotel finder map
I want to explore and take day trips, what the best way?
🚗 For me, renting a car is the easiest way to take day trips from Playa del Carmen. A car gives you freedom to go wherever you like, whenever you like and there really is nothing to worry about when driving on the Yucatán Peninsula. Follow the rules, don’t drink and drive and you’ll be fine.
→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to driving in Mexico
⭐️ Quintana Roo reissue of tourist cards for people renting a car. Drivers carrying this card will be warned rather than fined for the first two minor driving infractions – get yours here
🚌 It is possible to travel around the area by ADO bus and colectivos but there’s a lot less freedom this way, even if it is cheaper.
🚝 Check the Maya train route and timetable here
👣 If you’re only in Playa del Carmen for a few days it may be more economical to use organised tours than to rent a car. GetYourGuide and Viator offer some excellent tour ideas.
5 days in Playa del Carmen – Itinerary
The idea with this itinerary is that I’ve provided 5 days worth of activities and you do them in the order that works best for you. Some people like to take a day or so to acclimatise by chilling on the beach or by the pool while others prefer to throw themselves straight into the activities. Whichever type of traveller you are, this mix and match itinerary will work for you.
🧒🏻 If you’re visiting Playa del Carmen with kids, be sure to check my article about kid friendly activities in the area
Arrival Day!
Once your luggage is safely stored in your hotel room, why not head out to explore Playa del Carmen and get the lie of the land.
⭐️ One of the most wonderful things about Playa del Carmen is how walkable it is. You will most likely be able to walk from your hotel to 5th Avenue (the heart of the downtown area) and the beaches.
🏝 Head to the beach to see how delicious that gorgeous white sand feels between your toes as you walk towards the perfect Caribbean turquoise waters.
Take it easy today, don’t plan to do anything but meander, stop off for a drink at a beach bar, grab a taco (or three) at El Fogon, feel grateful that you’re in Mexico and chill. Your holiday activities really start tomorrow.
→ Use the MexicoCassie guide to what to drink in Mexico to help you figure out your options and ensure you don’t miss out on anything super delicious.
Day 1: Chilling in Playa del Carmen
After a relaxing breakfast either in your hotel or at any one of the plethora of excellent restaurant options in downtown Playa del Carmen, head to the beach to sunbathe, read a book, enjoy a dip in the ocean.
Breakfast suggestion
→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to Mexican breakfasts to help you figure out what you might want to eat (you won’t want to miss out on chilaquiles, I promise you
🌮 If your hotels isn’t all-inclusive, then my top recommendation for a fun breakfast is Doña Paula, cheap and cheerful but regularly touted as THE best Mexican restaurant in Playa del Carmen.
Relax at the beach / pool
🏝 If your hotel doesn’t have a dedicated beach or pool area, I recommend heading down to Calle 88 and Playa Punta Esmeralda and enjoy the atmosphere as you relax here under the palm trees.
⭐️ Mandarino Beach Club is also located right here – a day pass gives you use of their pool and sun loungers to really kickstart your vacation if you need it.
Afternoon break from the sun
Visit the Frida Kahlo museum and check out the local artisanal stores along Fifth Avenue (La Quinta Avenida) – the main street for shopping in Playa del Carmen.
Stop off for an ice cream and to watch the Voladores on Parque Fundadores.
The Voladores are the “flying men” and this is actually thought to be an ancient fertility ritual that has been performed by several groups across Mexico for many centuries.
Evening option
🍹 If you’re into beach bars then Coco Bongo is THE most famous and popular spot in Playa del Carmen.
🍽 If you’re more into good restaurants than bars, check out La Cueva del Chango as this is one of the city’s most well renowned restuarants.
Day 2: Tour Day
🛳️ Choose Cozumel if you’d like a mix of idyllic island beaches and small town adventuring
🐢 Choose Akumal if you’re more interested in relaxing on the beach after swimming with sea turtles
Cozumel
Take the ferry from the port by Parque Fundadores to the gorgeous island of Cozumel to enjoy the wild and free beaches there. Cozumel town is one of four pueblos magicos in Quintana Roo and there are some great restaurants to explore.
🐠 The Mesoamerican Reef sits just off the coast of Playa del Carmen meaning this region has some of the best scuba diving opportunities in the world. If you’re not a diver, you can still take a fully clear bottom boat or even a submarine over the coral reefs from Cozumel.
➕ Don’t forget to check out the ruins on the island before you leave.
🤢 Cozumel may just be a short trip across the water from Playa del Carmen but it can be choppy. Take sea sickness meds if you’re prone.
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Swimming with sea turtles in Akumal
Take a tour (or drive yourself) to Akumal Bay to snorkel with sea turtles.
If you’re driving yourself to Akumal, after parking, find yourself a registered and approved tour guide (because yes, you really must have someone guide you in the water if you want to be ethical about swimming with these magnificent creatures).
🐢 Paying a proper licensed guide and stay with them – only swim where they say you can
🐢 Don’t ever touch or crowd the turtles or stand up on the reef or grasses – you are required to remain horizontal in the water.
🐢 Wear the life jacket you’re given – it’s not for your safety, it’s to prevent visitors diving down and touching the turtles
🐢 No sunscreen, take appropriate swim vest to prevent burning
Lunch in Akumal – There are restaurants on the beach that are a great option for lunch and a relaxing chelada (spicy beer) or if you don’t feel like eating here, across the road in Akumal pueblo there are also decent choices.
😎 After lunch, carry on down the road a little way to Yal Kú Laguna, an incredible spot to relax some more and have a swim in a lagoon or nip into Dos Ojos cenote for a swim in one of the incredible cenotes that dot the Yucatán Peninsula.
→ Read more about swimming with sea turtles in Akumal
→ Book a tour to Akumal (includes a visit to the Tulum ruins and a swim in a cenote)
By the time you get home to Playa del Carmen after this magical day you’re most definitely going to be ready for a margarita on the beach.
Day 3: Chichén Itzá day
You really can’t come to the Yucatán Peninsula and not visit Chichén Itzá, that would be madness, it’s one of the best places to visit on the peninsula. Not only is it a modern wonder of the world but it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s crowded and busy for a good reason: it’s magnificent.
Chichén Itzá sits at #1 on my list of the top 10 best ruins to visit on the Yucatán Peninsula. If you’re interested to see which other sites make the top ten, check the full MexicoCassie guide to the best ruins on the peninsula.
After my first visit to Chichén Itzá, I thought it might be over-rated as a destination because it’s so busy and because every tourist visits. But the thing is, people visit for a reason.
It’s really beautiful, it’s a huge site and the buildings are very impressive. There are lots of vendors and some people don’t like that but personally, I do. I find them to be extremely friendly and chatty in general and I’ve bought some really fun things from them.
🏰 The famous Mayan pyramid is known in Spanish as “El Castillo” and this is the first thing you see upon entering the site. Do take the time to explore the rest of the site though as the ball courts are amazing to see and there are even two cenotes on site that you should try to find.
📍 Chichén Itzá is located in the small town of Pisté, just outside Valladolid in Yucatán State. It’s around a 2 hr drive from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itzá along the well maintained toll roads.
🚗 If you’re driving yourself then I recommend starting out as early as you can because beating the tour buses is always a good idea. The site will be quieter, with fewer crowds that way. If you’re there at the same time as the crowds though, it will be fine because Chichén Itzá is amazing no matter what.
⭐️ Most people, whether on tours or self-driving, like to combine Chichén Itzá with a cenote and a stop in Valladolid.
Lunch options around Chichén Itzá
I recommend either having lunch in a local restaurant in Pisté (I really like Loncheria Fabiola), heading to a cenote such as Yokdzonot where you can also have lunch, or having lunch in Valladolid.
Day 4: Cenote day
Today can be as active or lazy as you like. You can take
✅ cenote tour to dive or play
✅ head to Río Secreto for a full guided adventure through magnificent cenotes
✅ you can pick a tour that includes cenotes AND another activity
✅ or you can simply get in the car and go exploring
Sadly, there aren’t any cenotes right in Playa del Carmen so this is a day that requires planning. It’s well worth it though because swimming in a cenote is really a highlight of a trip to the Yucatán Peninsula.
What exactly is a cenote?
The word cenote (pronounced se-no-té) comes to us from the Mayan word dzonot, meaning ‘sacred well’. A cenote is a sink-hole caused by collapsing limestone bedrock, exposing the groundwater below.
There are thousands of cenotes across the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatán, nature and water adventure lovers won’t be able to get enough of them.
Cenotes were used by the Maya as sources of fresh water, and as such they would build their cities near them. They considered the cenotes to be both water sources and sacred entrances to the underworld.
Today they are extremely popular places for locals and tourists alike to visit and swim.
➕ Note that in most of these cenotes you will be required to wear life jackets
Some great cenote options
Rio Secreto – take a guided swimming tour through a magical underground river system
Drive yourself on an ATV adventure in the jungle to visit a secluded cenote
→ Book now
Or book an e-bike cenote-jungle tour if you prefer something a bit calmer
5 hidden cenotes tour from Playa del Carmen
→ Book now
And if you want to simply go off on your own, a few nearby cenotes to choose from include:
Cenote Eden – One of the most beautiful spots near Playa del Carmen, Cenote Eden, comes highly recommended by locals and visitors alike. The deep blue water and large cave are just the main event. Around the perimeter of the cenote, you’ll also find a variety of captivating greenery and dozens of iguanas.
🚌 15 minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen
Gran Cenote – The cenote, as the name suggests, is pretty massive, and it consists of open-air pools and bat-filled caves. The beams of light shooting through the stalagmites and stalactites are enough of a reason to visit here. Also, keep an eye out for turtles: they’re super cute and I was genuinely tempted to sneak one into my backpack as a souvenir.
🚗 If you’re coming from Playa del Carmen it’s about a 30-minute car journey or you can hop in a colectivo.
Dos Ojos – Dos Ojos is a pair of cenotes north of Tulum. The individual cenotes are called “Bat Cave” and “Barbie Line”. This site is one of the most popular cenote dive sites in all of the Yucatán Peninsula. The cenote is renowned for its super clear water and the interesting cave formations found here. This cenote is regularly mentioned as one of the best to visit.
Cenote Azul – Twenty minutes outside of Playa del Carmen is this open air cenote is a perfect place for kids as it is not deep or enclosed. Kids will love the colour of the water and the opportunity to swim with cenote fish.
Day 5 – Relax on the beach / at the pool
Not every day has to be an adventure day. My view is that if you have five days to play with at the beach, at least two of them ought to be for chilling on the beach, potentially with a margarita in hand
Swim up bars are fun, as are large margaritas 😉
Or, for to award yourself a truly luxurious send-off, book a private yacht for yourself and your group with Amaya Charters, enjoy that drink on your own personal yacht, and say good-bye to Mexico in the style we all deserve.
Leaving day
Don’t cry too hard, please. You’ll make me sad too now that your 5 days in Playa del Carmen have come to an end. No one should ever have to leave and return to work. 😥
If you vacation is over then it’s time to head back to Cancun Airport, handily located just over an hour away from Playa del Carmen.
➡️ Book your airport transfers now
Or, if you’re moving on to another location, then that’s exciting and let’s keep talking!
Want MexicoCassie to take a look at your travel plans?
Of course you can plan your own trip, that’s why you’re here using my guides! But an expert pair of eyes can be extremely useful when you’re feeling overwhelmed, simply have too many ideas, or you’re not quite sure where to begin.
I offer informal & fun travel planning sessions, bespoke itinerary planning and AI itinerary checking, all based on my many years of travelling and adventuring.
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