Playa del Carmen,
and the whole Riviera Maya.
Today's sea and sargassum from Cancún to Tulum, prices in pesos as you will actually pay them, timed routes. Plus what we tell you to skip.
Today's conditions, Playa del Carmen
Wednesday, November 11Loading conditions…
What do you want to experience in the Riviera Maya?
From cenotes 15 minutes from Playa to Mayan pyramids two and a half hours inland: pick by mood.
Latest guides
Concrete, numbers-first answers, updated season after season.
Plan your trip
Playa del Carmen supermarkets and grocery stores: where to shop and what it costs
Every major Mexican grocery chain is in Playa del Carmen, most of them on Avenida 30, a few blocks from the beach. Where they are, what a basket of groceries costs according to official price surveys, when you can buy alcohol, and why you should pack your own bag.
9 min read
Plan your trip
Tipping in Playa del Carmen and Mexico: how much, who to tip, and the traps
In Mexico a tip is never mandatory, yet it is part of the income of many people who serve you. Customary amounts situation by situation, what the law says about "propina incluida," and the two bill traps in Playa del Carmen.
9 min read
Plan your trip
Playa del Carmen Tap Water: Can You Drink It, and What Locals Actually Do
Playa del Carmen tap water is not meant to be drunk, but it is fine for showering, washing dishes and, for most travelers, brushing your teeth. The 20 liter garrafón, the ice in your glass, raw vegetables, what water actually costs and what to do if your stomach turns.
8 min read
Where to go around Playa del Carmen?
From Tulum to Bacalar: what you actually see there, how long the drive takes from Playa, and the right season.
Everything to plan your departure
Budget, paperwork, getting around, seasons: the numbers you want the night before you fly.
Where is Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen is a beach town in Mexico, on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula (state of Quintana Roo), in the heart of the Riviera Maya. It sits about 55 km (34 miles) south of Cancún International Airport, and you can watch its beach live and 60 km north of Tulum. Not to be confused with Playa del Carmen in Lanzarote, Canary Islands.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?
The best window runs from November to April: dry season, 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), calm sea. June to November is the rainy and hurricane season, with sargassum sometimes on the beaches between April and August. Prices peak from mid-December to March.
How do I get from Cancún airport to Playa del Carmen?
Three main options: the direct ADO bus from the terminals (about 1 h 15), a private or shared transfer booked in advance, or a rental car. The trip is about 55 km (34 miles) on Highway 307. Our guides cover each option in detail.
How many days do I need in Playa del Carmen?
Plan 4 to 7 days to enjoy the town and its beaches while doing the flagship trips: cenotes, Tulum, Chichén Itzá and a day in Cozumel or Isla Mujeres. Two weeks let you explore the whole Riviera Maya down to Bacalar. See our activities page to plan each day.
How much does a Playa del Carmen trip cost?
Excluding flights (about $300 to $600 round trip from major US hubs, $550 to $900 from Europe), expect around $45 to $65 per day traveling simply and $90 to $130 in comfort (4-star hotel, day trips, restaurants). All-inclusive resorts and high season push the bill up quickly. Price your own trip with the budget calculator.
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