Things to do in Playa del Carmen: Fifth Avenue & Cozumel

Playa del Carmen is the favorite base for many travelers who want more than just an all inclusive. It has beaches, a lively pedestrian street and an ideal location in the middle of the Riviera Maya, with Cozumel just offshore and Tulum less than an hour away.

Here we tell you what to do in town and which excursions from there are the most enjoyable. If you’re thinking of staying in the area, in our Mexico packages from Uruguay you’ll find options with flights, transfers and all inclusive hotels in and around Playa del Carmen.

What Playa del Carmen is like and how to get there

Playa del Carmen is in the state of Quintana Roo, south of Cancún. You arrive through Cancún International Airport, and the transfer by road takes about an hour. The area near the sea is easy to explore on foot, and to head out along the Riviera Maya there are buses, colectivos (shared vans) and tours with hotel pickup.

Many all inclusive resorts are in Playacar, a development south of downtown with a golf course, or on the northern coast toward Puerto Morelos. If you want to walk out to dinner, a hotel near Fifth Avenue is the better choice.

Fifth Avenue: the heart of life in Playa

Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) is a pedestrian street running parallel to the coast, one block from the sea, stretching for several kilometers. It’s the place to stroll, eat and shop.

What to do on Fifth Avenue

Go out to dinner: there’s Mexican food, seafood, grills and international cuisine. The side streets usually have quieter, cheaper spots.
Shopping: crafts, beachwear, tequila and mezcal, plus brand-name stores.
Parque Fundadores and the pier: the area where the avenue begins, with the Portal Maya sculpture facing the sea and the ferry departures to Cozumel.
Calle 12: the area with the most bars and clubs for a night out.

A tip

Before buying or sitting down to eat, it pays to compare a few places. Paying in Mexican pesos is usually better than paying in dollars, because the exchange rate some shops apply isn’t the best.

Cozumel: the island for snorkeling and diving

Cozumel lies opposite Playa del Carmen and you get there by ferry from the downtown pier. The crossing takes roughly 35 to 45 minutes, with many departures a day. If you get seasick easily, take precautions: the channel can be choppy.

What to do in Cozumel

Snorkeling and diving: the island has a highly regarded national reef park, with clear waters and abundant marine life.
Beach clubs: on the west coast there are beach clubs with loungers, a restaurant and snorkeling gear.
Drive along the east coast: wilder and barely developed, ideal for exploring by rented car or scooter.
San Miguel: the island’s town center, with its seafront promenade and restaurants.

You can do it as a day trip on your own or with a tour that includes a boat and snorkeling on the reefs.

The best Riviera Maya excursions from Playa del Carmen

Tulum

Tulum is about 60 km to the south. The archaeological site, a walled Mayan city on a cliff overlooking the sea, is one of Mexico’s best-known postcard views. After your visit you can stay on the area’s beaches or in the town.

Cenotes

Between Playa del Carmen and Tulum there are many cenotes, some open and others in caves, such as Dos Ojos or the Gran Cenote. They combine well with a visit to Tulum or can be done in a morning.

Akumal

A bay between Playa and Tulum known for the sea turtles that feed on its seagrass. There are rules for swimming with them, and it’s generally recommended to go with a guide and wear a life vest.

Theme parks

Xcaret: a few kilometers south of Playa, it mixes nature, underground rivers and an evening show about Mexican history.
Xel-Há: a natural inlet for snorkeling all day long.
Xplor: ziplines, underground rivers and amphibious vehicles, ideal for adventure seekers.

Cobá and Chichén Itzá

Cobá is an archaeological site in the jungle, near Tulum, that you explore by bicycle. Chichén Itzá can also be visited from Playa del Carmen, although the trip is longer than from Cancún and takes the whole day.

Where to eat and what to try

Beyond the hotel restaurants, Playa del Carmen is a good place to try the cuisine of the Yucatán Peninsula, which has its own flavors, different from the rest of Mexico.

Cochinita pibil: pork marinated in achiote and slow-cooked, served in tacos or tortas.
Sopa de lima: a chicken broth with Yucatán lime and fried tortilla strips.
Ceviche and tikin xic fish: fresh seafood and marinated grilled fish.
Marquesitas: a crispy rolled and filled street dessert, perfect for an evening stroll.

For more authentic food at better prices, head a few blocks away from Fifth Avenue, toward 10th or 30th Avenue.

Practical tips for your stay

Alternate excursion days and rest days: the Riviera Maya has a lot to see and the heat is tiring.
Use biodegradable sunscreen in cenotes, Akumal and the parks; in several places it’s mandatory.
Carry cash in pesos for colectivos, small cenotes and tips.
Check the sea: sargassum arrives mainly between April and October, and how much there is varies by beach and by year.
Get travel insurance that covers water activities, especially if you’re going to dive.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel take?

Roughly 35 to 45 minutes. It leaves from the downtown pier, a few blocks from Fifth Avenue, and there are departures throughout the day.

Is it better to stay in Playa del Carmen or Cancún for excursions?

It depends on which ones you want to do. Playa del Carmen is closer to Tulum, Cozumel, Akumal and the parks; Cancún, to Isla Mujeres and Chichén Itzá.

Can you get around Playa del Carmen on foot?

Yes, the Fifth Avenue area and the beach are walkable. To reach Playacar or outlying hotels a taxi is better, and for the Riviera Maya, colectivos or tours.

Playa del Carmen combines beach, town and excursions like few Caribbean destinations. At Planet Travel we put your trip together with flights, transfers and hotel in the area you prefer. Discover our Mexico packages and write to us for a quote.