Before you go

Your trip to Playa del Carmen.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Playa del Carmen – Quintana Roo Destination Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen and Cozumel) about 315 km from Chetumal

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún (CUN) Cancún · 55 km
Terminal de Autobuses ADO Playa del Carmen (Quinta Avenida) 1 km
Muelle de Playa del Carmen (barcos para Cozumel) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. From Cancún airport (CUN), about 55 km away, direct buses run to Playa del Carmen's bus terminal throughout the day; there are also transfers and authorized taxis. Buses and shared vans connect the town to Cancún and Tulum via highway 307.

How many days

Two days for Quinta Avenida, the beaches and Parque de los Fundadores. As a base, the town works well for a week of day trips to Cozumel, Akumal, Tulum and cenotes.

When to go

The dry season usually runs from December to April; from May to October there is more rain, in short showers. Sargassum commonly appears from April to August. The town fills up at New Year and during Holy Week.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The center is walkable and shared vans and the buses on highway 307 connect Playa del Carmen with Cancún, Akumal and Tulum. A car helps for more distant cenotes and for the Puerto Morelos Cenote Route.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Playa del Carmen

Morning
Beach in the morning
Start at one of the central beaches, such as those at the level of streets 12 and 28, while the sand is still empty and the sea is usually calmer.
Afternoon
Quinta Avenida
Walk along Quinta Avenida from south to north, from Parque de los Fundadores up to around street 40, with shops, galleries and restaurants; during the hottest hours, divert to the cross streets.
Late afternoon
Parque de los Fundadores
In the late afternoon, go to Parque de los Fundadores, next to the pier, to see the Portal Maya sculpture and, on some days, the Papantla flyers performance.
Evening
Night on 12th Street
At night, Quinta Avenida and 12th Street concentrate bars and restaurants, with music late into the night.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Cancún airport to Playa del Carmen?

There are direct buses from the airport to the Quinta Avenida bus terminal throughout the day, as well as transfers and authorized taxis. The trip takes about an hour.

Does Playa del Carmen have good beaches for swimming?

Yes. The central and northern beaches, such as Punta Esmeralda, usually have calm seas, protected by the reef and by Cozumel. In some months sargassum changes the conditions.

Is Playa del Carmen a good base to explore the Riviera Maya?

It is the most used base: it sits midway between Cancún and Tulum, has the boats to Cozumel and many options for excursions to cenotes, Akumal and ruins.

What is Quinta Avenida?

The pedestrian street parallel to Playa del Carmen's beach, with shops, restaurants and bars, which runs from Parque de los Fundadores, next to the pier, to the north of the town.

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