Beaches · Playa del Carmen · Mexico
The best beaches in and near Playa del Carmen
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: FeldBum, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Mamitas Beach (End of Calle 28). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 4
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
End of Calle 28 · Beach clubs and people-watching
1.Mamitas Beach
Playa's best-known beach, with white sand, a famous beach club and public sections.
North end of town, beyond Coco Beach · Families with small children
2.Punta Esmeralda
A local family beach where a cenote spring creates a calm, shallow lagoon beside the sea.
South of the ferry pier · Quiet swims and long walks
3.Playacar beach
Long, calmer sand in front of the Playacar resorts, accessible to the public along the shore.
About 7 km north of the centre · Peace and space
4.Playa Xcalacoco
A quiet beach north of town, reached by a dirt road off the highway, with a few small hotels.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C (79°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| February | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| March | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| July | 29°C (84°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| August | 29°C (84°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| October | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| December | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for beach, couples and nightlife
Mamitas and Calle 28–38
North of the centre, the streets around Calle 28 and Calle 38 lead to Mamitas Beach and a run of beach clubs, cafés and mid-sized hotels. The beach is wide and lively, and Quinta Avenida here has more restaurants and fewer souvenir shops than at its southern end.
- Good
- Good beach access; Restaurants and beach clubs; Walk to the centre
- Watch out
- Beach clubs can be loud; Popular stretches get crowded at weekends
- Nearby
- Mamitas Beach, Quinta Avenida, Calle 38 beach
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — White colectivo vans leave from the centre for Tulum, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Cancún, stopping anywhere on the highway; ADO coaches serve Cancún airport and the wider Yucatán.
- Ferry — Passenger ferries cross from the pier near Parque Fundadores to Cozumel several times a day in about 45 minutes; seas can be choppy on windy days.
- Train — The Tren Maya has a station on the edge of town with services to Cancún airport, Tulum and inland towards Valladolid and Chichén Itzá.
- Car — Car hire is useful for cenotes, Cobá and Chichén Itzá; the highway is good, but parking in the centre is limited.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in July and November–May. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Petty theft, overcharging and timeshare touts are the most common problems for visitors; keep valuables in a hotel safe and check bills. The Calle 12 nightlife area calls for extra care late at night, and swimmers should watch beach flags on windy days. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Playa del Carmen have beaches?
Yes: Mamitas Beach, Punta Esmeralda, Playacar beach and Playa Xcalacoco.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Playa del Carmen?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Playa del Carmen?
Mamitas Beach: Playa's best-known beach, with white sand, a famous beach club and public sections.