Guidebook for Playa del Carmen
Parks & Nature
Xcaret is a beautiful nature park. It's the perfect combination of Beach, Nature & Culture. It has a zoo, aquatic zoo and in the evening there is a big show, where you get to see Mexico's history in 2,5 hours. If you have the time and money, we recommend going early, staying the whole day and booking the show with dinner. It's 10 minutes drive from our house. Don't book it through a tourist agency. Drive or take a taxi there and just buy the tickets at the counter.
1712 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Xcaret
Xcaret is a beautiful nature park. It's the perfect combination of Beach, Nature & Culture. It has a zoo, aquatic zoo and in the evening there is a big show, where you get to see Mexico's history in 2,5 hours. If you have the time and money, we recommend going early, staying the whole day and booking the show with dinner. It's 10 minutes drive from our house. Don't book it through a tourist agency. Drive or take a taxi there and just buy the tickets at the counter.
Everything Else
Blue Venado used to be a well kept secret beach club, however now it's getting more and more popular. It's a very nice place to spend a day on the beach. It's relatively small. Has a bar, good food and great service. From our house take the highway in the direction of Tulum. After about 20 minutes you'll see some signs and you have to make a u-turn. Then you'll drive on an unpaved road right through the jungle for about 15 to 20 minutes. The view when you reach the ocean is breathtaking. Perhaps for the littlest ones this is not such a good place to go as the beach is fairly steep. But if you want to relax and be pampered, without too much tourists around, go there!
Blue Venado - Beach Wedding
KM 269 Carretera federalBlue Venado used to be a well kept secret beach club, however now it's getting more and more popular. It's a very nice place to spend a day on the beach. It's relatively small. Has a bar, good food and great service. From our house take the highway in the direction of Tulum. After about 20 minutes you'll see some signs and you have to make a u-turn. Then you'll drive on an unpaved road right through the jungle for about 15 to 20 minutes. The view when you reach the ocean is breathtaking. Perhaps for the littlest ones this is not such a good place to go as the beach is fairly steep. But if you want to relax and be pampered, without too much tourists around, go there!
This is the heart of the tourist area. You'll find restaurants, shops, bars and many more things there. This is where all the tourists walk up and down all night long. It's the street parallel to the beach.
230 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Calle Quinta Avenida
5 Avenida NorteThis is the heart of the tourist area. You'll find restaurants, shops, bars and many more things there. This is where all the tourists walk up and down all night long. It's the street parallel to the beach.
Mayan coast city. Smaller then Chichén Itzá, but absolutely worth to see. Only 30 min driving from our house and it takes about 2 to 3 hour to see everything. I recommend not taking a guide. This walled city has signs everywhere explaining the buildings and places. After your visit you can go to the beautiful white beaches in Tulum. Some say one of the most beautiful in the world.
167 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tulum Nationa Park
Caleta YalkuMayan coast city. Smaller then Chichén Itzá, but absolutely worth to see. Only 30 min driving from our house and it takes about 2 to 3 hour to see everything. I recommend not taking a guide. This walled city has signs everywhere explaining the buildings and places. After your visit you can go to the beautiful white beaches in Tulum. Some say one of the most beautiful in the world.
Essentials
This is the local shopping mall where we do all our grocery shopping. It's about 5 minutes driving from our house. They have a big supermarket, but also some other smaller stores.
229 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Centro Maya Shopping Mall
2100 Carr. Cancún - TulumThis is the local shopping mall where we do all our grocery shopping. It's about 5 minutes driving from our house. They have a big supermarket, but also some other smaller stores.
Food Scene
A beautiful restaurant inside a cave (cenotte). It's a bit fancy, but they'll allow you inside with flip-flops and short though (you'll feel a bit underdressed). The food is also fancy, but very very good. They usually have some nice live music (guy singing and playing (dining/lounge) music. Be sure to take a nice wine and ask if you can see the wine cellar. An experience in itself :-) We go there every time we have guests. It's also very closeby. You could actually walk there in about 15 - 20 minutes if you'd want. Price is around 50 to 75 USD per person, but definitely worth it if you want to have a nice night out.
250 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Alux Restaurant Bar and Lounge
Mz 217 Lt2 Av Benito JuárezA beautiful restaurant inside a cave (cenotte). It's a bit fancy, but they'll allow you inside with flip-flops and short though (you'll feel a bit underdressed). The food is also fancy, but very very good. They usually have some nice live music (guy singing and playing (dining/lounge) music. Be sure to take a nice wine and ask if you can see the wine cellar. An experience in itself :-) We go there every time we have guests. It's also very closeby. You could actually walk there in about 15 - 20 minutes if you'd want. Price is around 50 to 75 USD per person, but definitely worth it if you want to have a nice night out.
Drinks & Nightlife
If you're looking for nightlife go to quinta avenida / calle 12. Lots of bars and clubs there.
80 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fifth Avenue
5 Avenida NorteIf you're looking for nightlife go to quinta avenida / calle 12. Lots of bars and clubs there.
Arts & Culture
Historical city of the mayans. About 2-3 hours driving from Playa del Carmen. Very touristy, but absolutely a must see if you're interested in culture and history.
1362 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chichén Itzá
Historical city of the mayans. About 2-3 hours driving from Playa del Carmen. Very touristy, but absolutely a must see if you're interested in culture and history.