Playa del Carmen holidays

Playa del Carmen holidays

Deals from £512 per person

Playa Del Carmen is situated on the east side of Mexico’s sun soaked Caribbean coastline. Renowned for its chilled out ambience and mellow way of life the town has become popularised by backpackers arriving at its spotless beaches to ride the Caribbean waves. It’s one of the best surf spots south of Cancun and has a vibrant fun-loving personality that appeals to families, couples, singles and group holidaymakers. Its beach location means you can enjoy days on the sun-lounger or in comfort by the pool side whilst planning your trips to the some of Mexico’s most famous cultural hotspots rich with Mayan history and stunning scenic views.

One of the region’s most popular resorts, its tropical climate attracts sun worshippers to the stunning beaches, complete with powdery, white sand and some of the best diving on the Riviera Maya. An ideal holiday if you want a break complete with buzzing nightlife. You’ll find plenty of bars and clubs and, if you prefer things a little more laid back, some great live music venues. For shopping, the cosmopolitan Quinta Avenida is nearby and provides an exciting mix of boutiques, markets and restaurants.

Things to do

Playa del Carmen’s sun-soaked coast is the heart of the resort, where you can choose the perfect spot on a long stretch of silky white sand or plan a diving excursion out to sea. The water sports available are excellent, or you could charter a catamaran for a more relaxed way to experience the coast. Visitors with a sense of adventure can head out into Playa del Carmen’s lush surroundings for tours in the nearby reserves, famously home to rare species of wildlife. After dark, the buzzing Quinta Avenida becomes a nightlife zone, with an exciting choice of restaurants, bars and clubs to spend the warm evenings in.

Pristine White Beaches

The beaches at Playa del Carmen are comprised of long stretches of pristine white sands, beach clubs, hotels and restaurants. It’s a tranquil area and perfect for families to relax on the beach front with the warm Caribbean waves lapping softly against the shores. Snorkelling and swimming are highly recommended and boat trips can take you further afield into the richer dive spots where you can explore the diverse marine life.

5th Avenue

The Mexican version of the stylish New York neighbourhood is in a league of its own with back to back bars, restaurants, shops, art galleries, and hotels and of course Taco vans on street corners. The strip is a true part of the Mexican personality and is one of the most famous attractions in the Playa Del Carmen region. Nearby you can also find the flea market stalls selling artefacts, handcrafts and souvenirs that can be haggled down to a good price.

Cozumel Island

The beautiful island of Cozumel is one of the world’s best diving destinations with underwater caverns and limestone’s caves filled with multi coloured marine life including angel fish, snappers and damsels. It’s no surprise that this popular snorkelling destination is considered one of the jewels of the Caribbean but that’s not all. The town square is a great place to spend an afternoon and discover some of the best kept secrets of Mayan history.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including Cancun | Playacar | Playa Mujeres | Puerto VallartaRiviera Maya

 

28 ℃

Travel in June and July for hot and sunny beach weather.

View live forecast

10.5 hours

Flights from the UK to Cancun International Airport (CUN) take around 10.5 hours.

Playa del Carmen is best for...

Beach lovers: Playa del Carmen’s immaculate golden beaches are some of the finest in the Riviera, fringed with palms and a clear, blue sea that’s ideal for snorkelling and diving.

Couples: Playa del Carmen is perfect for two, spending days on the beach and evenings wandering the waterfront, cocktail in hand, to watch the spectacular sunsets together.

Adventurers: From scuba diving off the coast to excursions in the nearby biosphere, there are lots of options for those wanting to add a little shot of adrenaline to their holiday to Playa del Carmen.

Fast facts for Playa del Carmen

Language: The official language spoken is Spanish. However, English is widely spoken, although it’s considered polite to give the local lingo a go.

Currency: The currency is the mexican peso. 

Local time: Playa del Carmen is 5 hours behind GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Cancun International Airport. It takes about 1 hour to transfer to your hotel in Playa del Carmen. 

Flight time from UK: The flight time to Playa del Carmen is 10.5 hours.

Tourist Information: Further tourist information can be found at https://www.visitmexico.com/en/quintana-roo/playa-del-carmen.

Visa and health: Before you travel, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mexico for recommendations and advice on visas and health. 

Holiday destinations related to Playa del Carmen:

 

Getting around Playa del Carmen

By colectivo: A colectivo is a van, operating like a shared taxi. It’s a case of hailing one down, hopping on, stating where you want to go and paying your fare. Cheaper and quicker than buses, a colectivo is a good option for longer journeys to neighbouring resorts, such as Cancun.

By taxi: Taxis are readily available in Playa del Carmen and are reasonably inexpensive, although this can depend on which zones you pass through. Playa del Carmen holiday taxis usually operate on a fixed fare, so check the price before you jump in. Most hotels will have list of rates posted outside them.

By bus: Buses tend to be used by locals, rather than tourists. Their routes rarely take in any attractions, instead taking people to or from their neighbourhood. However, if you want cheap transport to one of the local shopping malls, catching the bus is the way to go.

Events in Playa del Carmen

BPM festival: The BPM Festival is a huge electronic music festival held every January. It runs for ten days, showcasing big-name DJs and events, day and night, in venues across the resort. The BPM Festival is in its sixth year and has hosted dance music acts from all over the world.

Jazz festival: If dance music isn’t your thing, Playa del Carmen also hosts the annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival. This takes place on the beach over three days in November and features renowned international jazz musicians.

Playa del Carmen weather

Temperature: Average of 28 °C in summer.

Best time to visit: June and July for hot and sunny beach weather.

The weather in Playa del Carmen is typical of Mexico’s tropical climate, which enjoys warm temperatures all year round. The summers kick off as early as April, with temperatures hovering in the high 20s (°C) and creeping even higher in June and July.

Best hotels in Playa del Carmen

Places similar to Playa del Carmen to visit