Phillip & Cara
Things to Do
La Quinta Avenida
If you go to Playa del Carmen and skip La Quinta Avenida, did you even go to Playa? The main artery of this Caribbean gem is its frenetic, colorful, lively Fifth Avenue, which runs one avenue back from the beach. The pedestrian thoroughfare is lined with shopping and restaurants, and hums with entertainment all day long until well after the sun goes down. It's easy to spend an entire day along the cobblestone street, whether you're grabbing a breakfast acai bowl at one of the many healthy cafés, scooting a block over to take a dip in the sea, or watching the many street performers who dust off their skills after dark. La Quinta Avenida is certainly the number one attraction in Playa del Carmen, so keep in mind that during high season and on weekends, it can get very crowded!
Tacos at El Fogón
The line may seem off-putting, but it's entirely worth the wait for a meal at El Fogon. With a few locations throughout town, El Fogon is an iconic taco joint known for its succulent and classic tacos. The tacos are topped with sweet and juicy chunks of pineapple. Order "con todo" to garnish with cilantro and chopped onion. You can even add cheese to your tacos, if that's what you're in the mood for. Other popular menu items are quesadillas and a side of grilled green onions. Note: If you don't feel like enduring the wait, the tacos at Tacos El Ñero are a close contender.
Alux Restaurant Bar and Lounge
A favorite of the bride and groom! A restaurant....that's in a cave with more than 10,000 years old it’s waiting for you. With a capacity for more than 250 people, our cave has several rooms designed for you to make you have and extraordinary stay, all accompanied by our haute cuisine which distinguishes us in this región of the Riviera Maya, and of course a wide range of drinks as well as the most exotic Mayan cocktails. Dinning at Alux Restaurant Lounge is an unforgettable experience. Enjoying our international cuisine with specialty seafood at the edge of a Mayan cenote is something you must to experience. Whether in the restaurant or bar, Alux Cave offers a high quality service to enjoy with your family, partner or friends. Always with our Mayan culture steeped in the atmosphere, this is a one of a kind dining experience.
Swim with Sea Turtles in Akumal!
For many people, swimming with sea turtles is a bucket-list moment. If it's on yours, get ready to cross it off in Playa del Carmen. About half an hour south of the city is Akumal, a sleepy beach village, home to shallow waters that span every hue of blue and green. Here is where travelers will find three different types of sea turtles: Green, Hawksbill, and Loggerhead. The best part is, you can do it for free. Sea turtles are easy to find in Akumal Bay. Visitors can rent snorkels, fins, and masks right in Akumal. The Akumal Dive Center, for example, rents all the equipment.
Xcaret Theme Parks
Even if you're not a beach person, there is plenty to do inland, from culture parks and ziplining, to even a Cirque du Soleil show. Grupo Experiencias is one of the largest, most beloved companies offering regional entertainment in this part of Mexico. Their iconic park, Xcaret, is a theme park dedicated to Mayan heritage and culture specific to this region of Mexico. The park has more than 50 natural and cultural attractions that span different environments, like jungle, beach, and underground rivers. There is a Butterfly Pavilion, a coral reef aquarium, and traditional Mayan performances scheduled throughout the day. But there are other theme parks under the Xcaret umbrella, like Xenses, which has ziplining and lazy rivers, and Xel-Ha, a water-themed park. There are eight Grupo Experiencias theme parks near Playa del Carmen.
Nearby Beaches
While you don't have to go very far in Playa del Carmen proper to find a beach, there are beaches that are a short drive away that provide a different, more tranquil atmosphere. Just outside of Playa del Carmen downtown is the gated community, Playacar. While the community itself is private, the beach is public (as are all beaches in Mexico). A quick walk south from the ferry pier reveals wide swaths of powdery sand, and far fewer tourists. Keep in mind that this stretch of beach is home to mostly resorts, so you'll have to bring your own refreshments and towels. Xpu-Ha is another example. This beach is 20 miles south of Playa del Carmen, and unlike the coast directly north, Xpu-Ha is not teeming with vendors, loud music, or crowds. It's quiet, serene, and stunningly beautiful. If you're interested in adventure sports, the bay can get pretty windy, which makes it great for kitesurfing.
Cenotes!
Cenotes are natural swimming holes formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock, which reveals a secret subterranean world of groundwater pools. The Mayans revered cenotes because they were a source of water in dry times; indeed, the name cenote means "sacred well", there there are thousands of them across the Yucatan Peninsula and they are mesmerizing. There are many cenotes that are open to the public, and visitors can spend the day swimming, snorkeling, or even scuba diving their depths to discover this seemingly endless water world. There are dozens to choose from in and around Playa del Carmen, but a fan favorite continues to be Cenote Chaak Tun. This beautiful, natural environment is an underground paradise of crystal-clear water and prehistoric rock formations that look absolutely otherworldly when bathed in the beam of natural sunlight that trickles in from above. Be prepared for spectacular colors and the chance to simply be in nature.
Tulum Beach Road
Tulum is a mesmerizing, sacred place about 45 minutes from Playa Del Carmen. Tulum's New Age vibe, jungle-shrouded restaurants and white sand beaches have made it a hot spot. The ruins and beach road are must see attractions. The beach road in Tulum is an enchanting, jungle beach road that parallels the Caribbean shoreline before turning to dirt at the arch entrance of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. With the Caribbean Sea on one side of the road and lush jungle, cenotes and boutiques on the other, this road is visually resplendent. Along this paved beach road on the sea side, you will encounter many inviting small resorts, beach clubs, shopping & restaurants. Tulum is quickly gaining a reputation for its hippie chic fashion district! Watch for custom safari tents, boutiques and decorated bodegas nestled in the jungle with alluring clothing, artsy original t-shirt prints, Italian bathing suits and leather goods. Mexican folk art, Talavera dishware and colorful woven goods can also be found.
Mayan Ruins (Tulum & Coba)
You may have heard of Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but did you know there are dozens of other Mayan ruin sites near Playa del Carmen and in the Yucatan Peninsula? While visiting Chichen Itza is amazing, it's a solid three-hour drive from Playa del Carmen. Instead, why not check out two other phenomenal archaeological sites that make for perfect half-day trips? The first is Tulum, a port city on a cliff overlooking the electric-blue water. These ruins date back to around the year 564 C.E. Today, they are the most iconic buildings on this coast of Mexico. Farther inland is Coba, another Mayan city and one that was relatively unknown until recently. One of the largest archaeological sites in this part of Mexico, Coba was established around 600 C.E. and consists of several buildings divided by lakes. Coba is one of the only sites remaining in Mexico where you can still climb the temple stairways.
Río Secreto
Did you know the entire Yucatan Peninsula is veined with hundreds of miles of underground rivers? The landmass on which Playa del Carmen and the surrounding areas sit is porous limestone and contains miles upon miles of cavernous underground passages. The Mayan people, who have inhabited this area of Mexico for centuries, believed these passages and caves were entrances to the underworld. Today, many of them are open to the public as educational centers and adventure parks - and more are discovered each year. One of the most popular in Playa del Carmen is Rio Secreto, a spectacular underground fantasy world that is straight out of a Sci-Fi film. Don a wetsuit and prepare yourself to be awed by one of the most impressive underground cave systems in the world. Step back thousands of years as you weave in and out of stalactites and stalagmites, swim through crystal-clear freshwater pools, and discover the entrance to the underworld.
Scuba Diving
Did you know that Playa del Carmen is near one of the largest barrier reef systems in the world? The Mesoamerican Reef System stretches more than 600 miles from Isla Contoy, at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, all the way down to Honduras. As such, Playa del Carmen is one of the best places to visit if you're interested in scuba diving. A few of the more popular reefs are Pared Verde Ledge and Tortugas, both near Playa del Carmen proper. If you want to swim further afield, there are plenty of beautiful dive spots off the coast of Cozumel, which is an island just offshore from Playa del Carmen. Playa is also a great spot to get PADI certified. There are many dive shops and schools in town, so travelers will have their pick of course options.
Frida Kahlo Museum
You don't have to go to Mexico City to soak up the beautiful colors and enigmatic history of Frida Kahlo. A native daughter of Mexico, she is a national treasure, a brilliant artist, and her image is iconic all over the world. While her famous Casa Azul museum is in Mexico City, Playa del Carmen opened a museum devoted to her just a few years ago. Though Frida Kahlo is an important part of Mexican history, the downtown museum is very much a 21st-century experience. The interactive, digital journey recreates significant events in the artist's life, namely the ones that helped shape the heartbreaking paintings she created.
Moon Palace Cancun® All Inclusive Resort
Located about 45 minutes from Playa Del Carmen in Cancun, Moon Palace is an enormous Palace Resort with 3 huge pools, a Jack Niclaus Golf Course, a nightclub, a gaming lounge for kids and "big kids" alike, several restaurants and bars plus nightly entertainment.
Cozumel Palace® All Inclusive Resort
Just a quick ferry ride from the beach of Playacar Palace to Cozumel Island, this Palace Resort is peaceful and serene. The best resort in Cozumel for families and couples and a heaven for divers. Head out for a scuba dive or snorkel right off our dock! A perfect way for wedding guests to explore while still enjoying the full all inclusive amenities of Palace Resorts.
Isla Mujeres Palace All Inclusive - Couples Only
Isla Mujeres offers a wide variety of tempting options for beach lovers. Snorkel with tropical fish amid coral reefs, skim the blue waters by kayak or boat, or windsurf along the shores of soft, sandy beaches. On land, you can sunbathe, dine on seafood, dance to Latin rhythms, tour on a moped or belly up to the bar for fresh, delicious drinks. Ease back in your hammock and gaze out at the swaying palms. Sip ice-cold, top shelf cocktails under a thatched roof hut. Share a candle lit dinner on the beach as the sun sets. Feel the sand between your toes. Feel the wind in your hair. Feel like the only two people in the world. An all inclusive couples only, luxurious paradise in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. This is the life.
Sun Palace® All Inclusive - Couples Only Resort
Head to the tip of the Mexican Caribbean to experience a new standard of couples-only, all-inclusive luxury. Sun-soaked beaches and romance-filled days ahead.
Beach Palace® All Inclusive Resort
Playfully chic and gloriously unpredictable - this is Beach Palace. Located in the heart of Cancun, Beach Palace is a luxury all inclusive resort for families and couples. Will your kids build a sand castle on a perfect beach, or cool off in one of the two rooftop pools? Will you watch the sunset from the Sky Lounge sunset bar or the evening show under a dramatic arch? Only you know for sure and here you can keep them guessing.