Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Small white church near the beach, dedicated to the city's patron saint. A quiet place a few steps from Quinta Avenida.
Mexico
Playa del Carmen
City
Playa del Carmen, located about 70 kilometers south of Cancún, is the largest city on the Riviera Maya. In just a few decades, this fishing village grew into a city of over 300,000 residents.
by Felix Gillen
Playa del Carmen, located about 70 kilometers south of Cancún, is the largest city on the Riviera Maya. In just a few decades, this fishing village grew into a city of over 300,000 residents. Life unfolds along Quinta Avenida, a pedestrian street parallel to the beach. From here, ferries depart for Cozumel.
Sights in Playa del Carmen
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Parque La Ceiba
Cultural and Environmental Park west of the city center, featuring woodland trails, an open-air cinema, workshops, and markets. Urban families primarily spend their afternoons here.
Planetarium Sayab
Urban Planetarium in the city's north with dome shows and astronomy exhibits, also Mayan stargazing. Good for a rainy day.
Attraction
Quinta Avenida
Pedestrian zone parallel to the beach, stretching for several kilometers. Shops, restaurants, and bars line its length, becoming liveliest in the evenings. North of Calle 40, it grows quieter.
Attraction
Playa Mamitas
Lively beach section on Calle 28 with beach clubs, loungers, and music. In summer, Sargassum seaweed can wash ashore; check the situation beforehand.
Attraction
Punta Esmeralda
Public beach in the north of the city, where a small cenote flows into the sea. On weekends, many local families visit; during the week, it's quiet.
City walks in Playa del Carmen
Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.
Playa's Pulse: A Discovery Tour Through the Heart of Playa del Carmen
Experience the unique charm of Playa del Carmen on this two-hour walk. From historic landmarks to pulsating beach life, this tour takes you through the liveliest districts and prettiest corners of the town, perfect for a relaxed morning or afternoon.
Stops (7)
Essen & Trinken
Italian restaurant on Avenida 40 between Calle 6 and 6 bis, off Quinta Avenida, serving pasta and pizza. A branch, the Caffetteria, is located on Avenida Constituyentes.
Lively two-level taqueria, a branch of the regional chain El Fogón. Serving tacos, including Tacos al Pastor, plus Pozole and meat dishes.
Jungle-themed restaurant with a garden terrace on Calle 38 near the beach. Mexican breakfast and brunch, with many vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Marisquería on Calle 34 Norte. Named after the Aguachile, raw shrimp in lime juice and chili; plus other seafood dishes.
French bakery and café near Quinta Avenida, with bread, pastries, and breakfast.
Food and Drink
On Quinta Avenida, prices are high and menus are international. Two or three streets inland, you'll find taquerías and marisquerías for a fraction.
Tacos al Pastor
Marinated al pastor pork with pineapple, evenings at the taquerías on Avenida 30.
Aguachile
Raw shrimp in lime juice with chili and cucumber, originally from Northwest Mexico, widely found on the Riviera.
Marquesitas
Rolled waffles with cheese and sweet filling, a snack from Yucatán.
History and City Life
From Fishing Village to CityThe Maya called the place Xaman-Ha, and from this coast, pilgrims crossed to the sanctuary of Ixchel on Cozumel. After the conquest, it remained a small fishing village for a long time. Tourism began with the passenger ferry to Cozumel: in 1995, the city had just under 18,000 inhabitants; by the 2020 census, it had around 305,000.TodayMany residents come from other parts of Mexico and from abroad, including numerous digital nomads. The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival took place for years in November at Playa Mamitas. The Playa del Carmen Jazz Fest is considered a type of successor, which celebrated its third edition in October 2026.
Nightlife
Playa del Carmen's nightlife offers a wide range of options, from large show clubs to relaxed rooftop bars. Along the **Quinta Avenida**, you'll find well-known venues like the spectacular Coco Bongo, as well as numerous bars for a relaxed evening, such as the **Deck 5 Pool and Skybar**.
Bar on Avenida 10 Norte between Avenida Juárez and Calle 2, near the Cozumel ferry terminal.
Tiki bar with kitchen on Calle 6 Norte, a few steps from Quinta Avenida.
Bar and club with karaoke on Calle 12 Norte Bis, the nightlife street in the center.
Showclub on Calle 12 Norte, a branch of Coco Bongo in Cancún, where music and stage shows alternate. Tickets usually include an open bar.
Cuban bar with restaurant at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street, with live music.
Exploring Locally
By Foot and BikeExplore the center on foot. For longer distances, fixed-price taxis and rental bikes are available.Bus, Colectivo, and TrainThe ADO bus station on Quinta Avenida connects the city with Cancún Airport, Tulum, and Mérida. Colectivos along Highway 307 run frequently and affordably to Tulum and Cancún. Playa del Carmen also has a Tren Maya station.Ferry to CozumelFrom the pier on Calle 1 Sur, Ultramar, Winjet, and Xcaret Xailing ferries depart daily to Cozumel every 30-60 minutes. The crossing takes about 40 minutes; tickets are only valid with the issuing company. Car ferries to Cozumel do not depart from here, but from Calica Port south of the city.
Accommodations in Playa del Carmen
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