5 days in Playa del Carmen

Day by day

1. Day 1: Quinta Avenida and Parque Fundadores and Portal Maya

   Quinta Avenida, Parque Fundadores and Portal Maya and Reef snorkelling and diving, then Xcaret in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Quinta Avenida

      Walk north from Parque Fundadores in the early evening when the street is at its liveliest, and ignore timeshare and tour sellers. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Parque Fundadores and Portal Maya

      Come at sunset to see the plaza busy with families and street performers. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tacos al pastor

      Taquerías on Avenida 10, Avenida 30 and in Colosio, where prices are lower than on Quinta Avenida.

   4. Afternoon

      Reef snorkelling and diving

      Choose an established, certified operator and check equipment carefully before booking. (Half a day, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Xcaret

      Bring a change of clothes for the evening show and buy tickets online in advance for a better price.

2. Day 2: Mamitas Beach and Punta Esmeralda

   Mamitas Beach, Punta Esmeralda and Xplor, then Calle 12 in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mamitas Beach

      Bring your own towel and stay on the public sand to avoid beach-club minimum spends. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Punta Esmeralda

      Visit on a weekday morning; the shallow pool is best for small children before it gets busy. (2–3 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cochinita pibil torta

      Morning stalls and loncherías away from Quinta Avenida, usually until they run out.

   4. Afternoon

      Xplor

      Wear secure footwear and leave loose items in the lockers; minimum height rules apply for some activities. (Full day, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Calle 12

      The main club street near Quinta Avenida, with large dance clubs and bars open late.

3. Day 3: Río Secreto and Cenote Azul

   Río Secreto, Cenote Azul and Cenote Cristalino, then Quinta Avenida in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Río Secreto

      Tours run in small groups; book ahead and leave cameras behind, as phones are not allowed on most tours. (Half a day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Cenote Azul

      Ask the colectivo driver to drop you at the entrance; go early before tour groups arrive. (2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fish and shrimp tacos

      Marisquerías and taco stands a few blocks back from the beach.

   4. Afternoon

      Cenote Cristalino

      Pair it with Cenote Azul on the same morning; both are close to the highway. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Quinta Avenida

      Bars, live music and rooftop lounges along the pedestrian street.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Cozumel

   About 45 minutes by ferry each way. Getting there: Passenger ferry from the Playa del Carmen pier.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Cozumel

      About 45 minutes by ferry (Passenger ferry from the Playa del Carmen pier); about 20 km.

   2. Day

      Cozumel

      Mexico's largest Caribbean island is famous for its reef walls and drift dives in the Cozumel Reefs National Park. Best for beach, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Playa del Carmen

      Dinner: try Ceviche.

5. Day 5: Cenote Jardín del Edén and Xaman Há ruins

   Cenote Jardín del Edén, Xaman Há ruins and Paseo del Carmen, then Mamitas Beach in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Cenote Jardín del Edén

      Bring a mask; the visibility is excellent, and divers often train here. (2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Xaman Há ruins

      Combine a look at the ruins with a walk through Playacar to the beach. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ceviche

      Seafood restaurants in the centre and beach restaurants at lunchtime.

   4. Afternoon

      Paseo del Carmen

      Stop for a coffee here while waiting for the Cozumel ferry, a few minutes' walk away. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Mamitas Beach

      Beach-club parties during the day and sunset sessions with DJs.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Xcaret, Xplor and Río Secreto before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Centro and Quinta Avenida keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Mamitas and Calle 28–38 ($$$) suits beach, couples and nightlife. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 33–42 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.9 hours in December to 13.4 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Playa del Carmen
• 2 days in Playa del Carmen
• 3 days in Playa del Carmen

Questions travellers ask