Free things to do · Playa del Carmen · Mexico
6 free things to do in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Río Secreto, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Playa del Carmen without paying an entry fee: Quinta Avenida, Parque Fundadores and Portal Maya, Mamitas Beach and Punta Esmeralda are all free. Stay a few blocks inland, around Avenida 10 to 30, for lower room rates within walking distance of the beach.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- September–October
Free sights and experiences
Street · Centro and Quinta Avenida
1.Quinta Avenida
Walk north from Parque Fundadores in the early evening when the street is at its liveliest, and ignore timeshare and tour sellers.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
Landmark · Centro and Quinta Avenida
2.Parque Fundadores and Portal Maya
Come at sunset to see the plaza busy with families and street performers.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Kids
Beach · Mamitas and Calle 28–38
3.Mamitas Beach
Bring your own towel and stay on the public sand to avoid beach-club minimum spends.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Beach · Coco Beach and Punta Esmeralda
4.Punta Esmeralda
Visit on a weekday morning; the shallow pool is best for small children before it gets busy.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
Historic site · Playacar
5.Xaman Há ruins
Combine a look at the ruins with a walk through Playacar to the beach.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Street · Centro and Quinta Avenida
6.Paseo del Carmen
Stop for a coffee here while waiting for the Cozumel ferry, a few minutes' walk away.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Food
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centro and Quinta Avenida | Quinta Avenida, Parque Fundadores and Portal Maya and Paseo del Carmen | 2–3 hours + 45 minutes + 1 hour |
| Mamitas and Calle 28–38 | Mamitas Beach | Half a day |
| Coco Beach and Punta Esmeralda | Punta Esmeralda | 2–3 hours |
| Playacar | Xaman Há ruins | 30 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Nature · Puerto Aventuras area
Cenote Azul
Ask the colectivo driver to drop you at the entrance; go early before tour groups arrive.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Active
Nature · Puerto Aventuras area
Cenote Cristalino
Pair it with Cenote Azul on the same morning; both are close to the highway.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Puerto Aventuras area
Cenote Jardín del Edén
Bring a mask; the visibility is excellent, and divers often train here.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Photo spot
More ways to save
- Stay a few blocks inland, around Avenida 10 to 30, for lower room rates within walking distance of the beach.
- Use colectivos instead of taxis or tours to reach cenotes, Akumal and Tulum.
- Pay in pesos and withdraw from bank ATMs inside branches rather than standalone machines.
- Buy park tickets online in advance, which is usually cheaper than at the gate.
- Travel in November or May for prices well below the December–April peak.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Playa del Carmen expensive to visit?
Playa del Carmen is moderately priced for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Playa del Carmen?
Quinta Avenida: Walk north from Parque Fundadores in the early evening when the street is at its liveliest, and ignore timeshare and tour sellers.