Summary:
Playa del Carmen, which has emerged swiftly as a sought-after destination on the Yucatán Peninsula, is situated along the stunning coastline of the Mexican Caribbean known as the Mayan Riviera.
This region is renowned not only for its pristine sandy beaches and vibrant marine life, but also for its unique natural formations called cenotes—sinkholes that can be either filled with water or dry.
Many cenotes are accessible to the public, featuring crystal-clear waters filtered through limestone and fascinating stalactite formations.
In close proximity, visitors can explore significant Mayan archaeological sites, like the UNESCO World Heritage site of Chichén Itzá, as well as creative theme parks such as Xcaret and Xenses, where the culture and nature of the Mayan Riviera intertwine to provide an exhilarating and educational experience.
This guide will outline the best activities to experience in Playa del Carmen:
1. Xplor Park
Distinct from other adventure parks, Xplor Park provides an array of thrilling activities within a secure natural environment.
The facility features an extensive zip-line circuit stretching over three kilometers, launching from a nearly 50-meter high tower.
Additionally, visitors can navigate through primordial jungle trails in an amphibious vehicle across five kilometers of rugged terrain, crossing rivers with agility.
The park also includes its own cenote, where guests can drift along two illuminated subterranean rivers in rafts, paddling with their hands.
To cap off the adventure, immerse yourself beneath the stalactites, concluding with a guided spelunking expedition through the cenote.
2. Río Secreto
Discovered relatively recently, the Río Secreto is the largest cenote on the peninsula, featuring a network of tunnels that exceeds 12 kilometers.
This unique site boasts 15 separate entrances, ensuring that groups experience a tranquil environment during guided cave excursions.
Prior to entering this sacred site, participants will don wet suits, helmets, neoprene shoes, and lamps, and partake in a traditional Mayan smoke ceremony.
During most of the tour, guests wade through water that reaches waist height, marveling at the extraordinary stalactite formations that have remained largely unseen until this past decade.
3. Cenote Chaak Tun
Located just a short distance from the resort’s center, Cenote Chaak Tun is regarded as one of the most enjoyable and safest cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula.
This flooded sinkhole features crystalline waters suitable for swimming, and upon arrival, guests will receive appropriate gear including wet suits, life jackets (if needed), and snorkels.
Following that, embark on a guided expedition through tunnels adorned with stalactites.
Your guide will highlight the presence of bats dwelling in these formations and discuss the significance of cenotes in Mayan culture.
The largest cavern is an awe-inspiring, cathedral-like environment illuminated by sunlight streaming through an opening in the ceiling.
4. Xcaret Park
Xcaret Park is a theme park dedicated to exploring Mayan heritage, the biodiversity of the Mayan Riviera, and Mexican culture, making it an essential inclusion for family vacations.
Attractions spread throughout jungle pathways include authentic Mayan ruins, a leisurely river winding through a traditional Mayan village, aquatic-themed slides, and beach access.
Visitors can immerse themselves in a Fiesta Charra and learn about Mexican history at the Hacienda Henequenera.
Additionally, Xcaret functions as an animal sanctuary, featuring jaguars, manatees, and an impressive butterfly pavilion.
As evening falls, guests can enjoy the Xcaret Mexico Espectacular, an extraordinary performance featuring 300 artists capturing the pivotal moments in Mexico’s rich history.
5. Diving
Playa del Carmen hosts numerous dive shops and centers, with 20 establishments reported in 2018. Its appeal as a premium diving location lies in the warm waters and diverse marine life of the Caribbean Sea combined with the extensive infrastructure of a large-scale resort.
The island of Cozumel serves as a natural barrier, helping to regulate currents and enhance visibility.
For certified PADI divers, Playa del Carmen offers exceptional dive sites in close proximity to the resort.
One notable site is the Tajma-hál cenote, featuring intricate networks of underwater tunnels and caves.
For those seeking an adrenaline rush, expeditions to nearby reefs to swim alongside bull sharks are available.
A popular snorkeling destination, Xel-Ha, provides opportunities for exploration through mangroves, forests, and a wide range of water activities.
6. Parque Los Fundadores
Upon arriving by bus from the airport, the picturesque Parque Los Fundadores will be the first destination you encounter in Playa del Carmen.
This park serves as both a plaza and green space, offering a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling resort streets.
Alongside a quaint chapel, visitors will be captivated by the Portal Maya.
This 16-meter-high arch, erected in 2011, commemorates December 31, 2012—marking the conclusion of a 5,126-year cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar.
In true Mesoamerican fashion, it aligns with the sun, attracting early risers who gather to witness the sunrise through the portal.
Throughout the day, the traditional Mesoamerican Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) can be observed.
7. Chichén Itzá
Located near Playa del Carmen is one of the world’s premier archaeological sites, Chichén Itzá.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a mere two-hour journey away, a fact that history enthusiasts will appreciate.
Chichén Itzá is recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of The World, captivating visitors with its impressive scale and architectural fusion of Maya-Puuc styles and central Mexican building techniques.
This city served as a vital hub for over 600 years, from the 7th to the 13th century, featuring remarkable landmarks such as the 30-meter high Pyramid of Kukulcan, one of Mesoamerica’s grandest ballgame courts, and the iconic Mayan calendar stone, 25 meters across.
The complex history of Chichén Itzá and the esoteric significance of its monuments make hiring a knowledgeable guide advantageous for a more enriching visit.
8. Xenses
Among the latest attractions to grace the Riviera Maya is Xenses, a “sensory park” that integrates auditory, tactile, visual, and olfactory elements to create an intriguing and enjoyable multi-sensory experience where perceptions are continually challenged.
The park requires approximately half a day to explore, seamlessly blending natural and landscaped environments.
Among the various attractions are the Xensatarium, which plays with sensory perceptions, Xitrico Garden where visitors can savor lemonade made directly from a lemon tree, El Pueblo, featuring upside-down houses and slopes that defy logic, and Riverlaxing, where guests can float leisurely through a cenote with ambient sounds and lighting.
9. Tulum Ruins
For those seeking further insight into Mayan heritage, the fortified city of Tulum is located less than an hour’s drive east along the Yucatán Peninsula.
Established around the 6th century, Tulum served as the port for the inland city of Cobá, reaching its peak between the 13th and 15th centuries.
Perched atop 12-meter cliffs, Tulum is recognized as one of the only walled cities within Mayan civilization.
This formidable structure, reaching up to eight meters in thickness and five meters high, spans continuously 400 meters across the settlement’s western side—demonstrating that defense was a priority for the Mayans during this period.
Memorable monuments include the Castillo (the main pyramid) and the Temple of Frescoes, featuring still-visible murals and the figurines of the “Descending God” housed within its niches.
10. Playa Punta Esmeralda
Just 1.5 kilometers from central Avenida C.T.M., Playa Punta Esmeralda offers a picturesque beach where a freshwater cenote merges with the Caribbean Sea.
The mingling of the freshwater and seawater creates stunning emerald hues, justifying its name, and encourages visitors to relax in the refreshing waters.
As is common at Playa del Carmen beaches, guests may spot pelicans suddenly appearing, and renting a palapa (palm sunshade) is an option here. Even though the beach is somewhat distant from the resort center, a food truck typically visits, allowing visitors to enjoy fish tacos and cold beer at reasonable prices.
11. Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the resort, visitors may seek a tranquil space for reflection.
This charming modern chapel is located at the entry point of Quinta Avenida, directly opposite the bus terminal.
The chapel, characterized by its whitewashed exterior, is enveloped by palm trees amid the shops and eateries surrounding Parque Fundadores.
In front of the chapel stands a distinctive rounded campanile.
Positioned conveniently within a popular resort, this chapel frequently hosts weddings, but guests who enter will be rewarded with views of the Caribbean Sea through its windows.
12. Frida Kahlo Museum
Inaugurated on the occasion of her 110th birthday in 2017, the Frida Kahlo Museum presents an interactive exploration of the iconic artist’s life and work.
The museum features projections, sound installations, multimedia displays, and interactive exhibits that narrate her story, her unique perspective on life, and the significance of some of her most renowned pieces.
Visitors will gain insights into her complex relationship with Diego Rivera and the tram accident that profoundly influenced her outlook at the age of 18.
Though the museum emphasizes immersion into Kahlo’s world, a selection of papier-mâché pieces by the artist can also be found in a display case.
13. Muyil
If the wonders of Chichen Itza and Tulum have whetted your appetite for pre-Hispanic culture, another archaeological site awaits just 15 kilometers south of Tulum.
Known as Chunyaxché, Muyil is situated within nearly 40 hectares of ceiba forest on the northern edge of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
During your journey to the site, you may even encounter a howler monkey.
This ancient Mayan city was inhabited as early as the 4th century BC and remained occupied until the 16th century.
Currently, only a portion of Muyil has been excavated, but its prominent feature, the Castillo pyramid, rises to over 17 meters, making it the tallest structure along the Riviera Maya coast.
The Sendero Muyil invites visitors to walk along a wooden path that leads to the Muyil Lagoon, where they can observe the serene expanse of water from the pier.
14. Xoximilco
Situated just off Highway 307 on the route to Cancún, Xoximilco, a creation of Xcaret, replicates the canals and islands of Xochimilco in Mexico City.
Similar to the original, guests will board a trajinera (flat-bottomed boat) accompanied by a guide and embark on a scenic journey through the canals.
During the excursion, there are intermittent stops for mariachi performances or culinary offerings.
Guests can choose from refreshing beverages including tequila or Corona beer, along with soft drink options such as aguas frescas (fruit juices), while the primary meal consists of tasting platters featuring traditional Mexican dishes like chicken with mole sauce, esquites (corn salad), and carnitas.
The atmosphere is festive, ensuring that by the end of the tour, participants are likely to feel like dancing.
15. 3D Museum of Wonders
A delightful attraction for children, the 3D Museum of Wonders features over 60 painted three-dimensional illusions.
While the concept may seem straightforward, viewers can only truly appreciate the innovation and immersive nature of the artworks by experiencing them in person.
Be sure to keep your camera ready, as several opportunities arise to engage with the artwork, such as pretending to ride a surfboard, “lifting” a wall from da Vinci’s Last Supper, interacting with a monkey, or finding yourself nestled within one of Jean Siméon Chardin’s soap bubbles.
