What to do in Playa del Carmen (A Local's Perspective)

Flights booked and hotel paid for but still not sure what activities to fill your days with? If you’re wondering what to do in Playa del Carmen, I’ve got you covered. 

As a local to the area, I’ve had the chance to cover most of Playa’s big activities and the lesser-known ones and luckily you won’t have to travel far to enjoy your time here.

Many lists include the big tour excursions that involve a full day. Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Cozumel are all great examples of great day trips to consider. But if you’re keen to just stick close to the city, here are the best things to do in Playa del Carmen and nearby.

What to do in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue

Stroll along Fifth Avenue

Playa del Carmen has its very own Fifth Avenue (or Quinta Avenida) and it’s known as the main vein that runs all the way through the city. Even though I’ve been here for years, I still enjoy an evening stroll every now and again to get a feel for the pulse of Playa.

The main stretch between Benito Juarez Avenue in the south and CTM Avenue in the north is where you’ll find the brunt of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and street vendors and you could easily spend a few hours ducking in and out of whichever tickles your fancy.

Local tip: Keep venturing past CTM Avenue and you’ll find yourself in the more local neighbourhood of Colosio. This is a good opportunity to get an insight into where people actually live here outside of the tourist zone. You’ll still find a few great restaurants, cafes and ice cream shops to explore along with some bright murals and more local beaches. Stay away from any ATMs in Playa Del Carmen on Fifth Avenue if you can. These are easily tampered with.

Head to the beach

One of the best things about being in Playa is that the beach is never far away. Head east and take your pick of beautiful beaches. If you’re after a lux day at a beach club, make a beeline for popular Mamitas for a chill day, Martinas for a lively vibe or Coralina for a day-club feel amongst the beautiful people of Playa.

Or just bring along a beach towel or sarong and grab a patch of sand at any one of Playa Del Carmen’s popular beaches. Access points at Calle 38, 88 and 108 and generally, the further north you go, the fewer tourists you’ll see. 

There’s almost no need to bring any snacks with you as hardy vendors walk up and down the beach with tempting treats and even offers of cocktails from nearby bars. Freshly cut mangoes, sweet pastries and savoury snacks are all common.

For the adventurous, you can access Playacar’s wide stretch of sand by heading south from the ferry terminal. Just keep walking past the Senor Frog’s and you’re likely to have the beach all to yourself.

What to do in Playa del Carmen? Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos!

Snorkel in Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is a smaller city north of Playa del Carmen and a great option when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue. You’ll find quaint seafood restaurants located right on the beach and bars with fresh coconut water and fruity cocktails. While not technically in Playa, if you’ve got the time, I highly suggest a visit.

When you’re ready to get wet, you can take a snorkeling tour into what I think is one of the best spots to snorkel in the Riviera Maya. There’s a snorkelling area right off the shore where you have a chance to spot turtles and rays that feed off the seagrass and coral a bit further out for the more confident swimmers.

If you’re keen to experience more of what the world’s second-largest reef system has to offer, you can opt for a snorkeling tour with a boat and guide. You’ll find numerous operators offering you similar experiences for around $500 or USD$25 with all your equipment included.

If you’re going it alone, you can rent all your gear, including a life jacket, from one of the dive shops. Just be careful to stay within the area marked by the buoys.

Have it all organised for you with a Puerto Morelos snorkeling tour that includes roundtrip transportation, all your equipment, a guide plus lunch at a local beach club. You’ll also have access to a locker to store your stuff for the day plus time for exploring and shopping.

Laura’s Quiz

Join locals and expats alike in one of the most prominent events of the weekly calendar, Laura’s Quiz Night. Held every Tuesday from 6:30 pm, teams go head to head in a friendly battle of wits where the top three places are heavily challenged while the rest of us are just there for fun.

Teams can have up to six people so you can bring some friends along or just turn up on your own and Laura will find some teammates for you. The event is held at Buzos, a seafood restaurant that also has vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.

Check out my full guide on Vegan Restaurants in Playa del Carmen for more choices.

Enjoy an evening out on Calle 38

As the sun starts to set, savvy tourists head to what is known as the prettiest street in all of Playa del Carmen. Calle 38 from Fifth Avenue all the way down to the beach winds and curves through the natural landscape with romantic lighting dotted along the way.

You can start with a drink at La Vagabunda which is likely to have live music, before choosing from one of the many restaurants on offer. Amate 38 has Yucatecan food amongst natural water features and tree top canopies while Luma Taverna offers Mediteranean meals with glimpses of the beach. Cueva del Chango has Mexican classics in a cave-like setting while Trujillos Cantina offers sophisticated cocktails and seafood dishes.

Calle 38 is actually where you’ll find some of the best eating options in all of Playa del Carmen so make sure to spend at least one night exploring all the little surprises.

Local tip: Keep an eye out for the hidden cenote found close to Chela de Playa.

Go wild on an ATV

ATV tours in Playa del Carmen are a rare treat where you can take a wild ride through the jungle and find some treasures most will never lay their eyes on. Secret cenotes, clandestine snorkeling spots and even Mayan ruins are all on the agenda with the right tour.

For a half-day jungle adventure, I’m a huge fan of this 3-hour buggy tour which includes a swim and snorkel in a cenote. If you’re keen for some extra adrenaline, you can also combine some ATV tours with ziplining that will take you high above the jungle canopy.

Check out my full guide to the best ATV tours in Playa del Carmen for all your options.

Hit up a rooftop pool

Wondering what to do in Playa del Carmen that’ll make you feel like a VIP? Sure Playa del Carmen has more than its fair share of beaches but one of my favourite ways to spend the day is a few storeys above sea level at a rooftop pool bar.

You can have a few cold drinks, grab some lunch and enjoy the views over the city. Some of the best rooftops still have views out to sea so you get the best of both worlds minus all the sand at the end of the day.

A rooftop pool is also one of the best places to watch the sun set in Playa. Some of my favourites include The Fives, The Thompson and The Palm, all of which offer day passes and have great bars and restaurants.

Venture outside of the tourist zone

What to do in Playa del Carmen to mingle with the locals? One thing I missed the first time I visited Playa del Carmen was the chance to explore beyond the few blocks past my hotel, Fifth Avenue and the beach. Central Playa stretches up to the 55th Avenue close to the highway and between the beach and there, you’ll find a huge diversity in neighborhoods that are interesting to explore.

Colonia Hollywood has more than its fair share of Italian and Argentinian restaurants and cafes thanks to its large expat community living there. Zazil Ha has more of a local feel but is a popular choice for digital nomads. Playacar is a gated community to the south and is a great place to go for a walk, bike or jog to see how some of the other half live.

You won’t find this on many ‘Best things to do in Playa del Carmen’ lists but it’s certainly one that I’d recommend to any guests. Take your time to wander down a few streets while you’re visiting and you’re guaranteed to spot a colorful mural, discover a secret garden cafe or take a peek into the local life of Playa.

If you venture north to Colosio, keep your eyes peeled to the treetops in the protected area between the beach and Fifth Avenue. There are monkeys and other wildlife in Playa and this is where you’re most likely to spot them. Especially early in the morning when there are fewer people about.

3D Museum of Wonders

If you’ve got some little ones in tow and are looking to venture away from the beach for an afternoon, the 3D Museum of Wonders is a fun way to help you pass the time. If you’re considering what to do in Playa del Carmen when it rains, this is a top choice as well.

The whole experience is engaging and interactive and a must-visit for any budding Instagram influencers. The 3D Museum lets you discover a world that will make you question everything you see.

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Hey there! Just wanted to be transparent and let you know that some of the links in this blog post may be affiliate links. What does that mean? It means that if you click on one of those links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. But don't worry, it doesn't cost you anything extra! In fact, it helps support the blog and allows us to keep creating awesome content for you. Thanks for your support!