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
Sunday, September 13Loading 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
The Best Time to Visit Playa del Carmen: Month by Month, Season by Season
Playa del Carmen month by month: temperatures in Fahrenheit, sea temperatures, rainfall, hurricane risk, sargassum, spring break crowds and flight prices from US hubs, with a clear verdict for every kind of trip.
11 min read
Plan your trip
Sargassum in Playa del Carmen: Today's Conditions, the Season, and Where to Swim Anyway
Everything you need to know about sargassum in Playa del Carmen: today's index, the season calendar, the beaches that stay clean and how to save your vacation.
9 min read
Plan your trip
Playa del Carmen Webcam: the Beach Live, Plus Today's Sargassum Report
The live cams that actually work around Playa del Carmen, and what they cannot show you: today's real beach conditions, sargassum included.
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.