Playa del Carmen Itinerary (7 days)
Playa del Carmen is by far one the most popular places to visit in Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Here we can snorkel with Whale Sharks, visit all kinds of ancient temples as well as eat some really tasty Mexican food.
Playa del Carmen Itinerary
In this guide we’ll explore one of our very best itineraries for exploring Playa del Carmen.
Not only will you see all of the best highlights possible here, you’ll also be visiting many hidden gems outside of town too. We’ll also list any important things you need to know as well as how to get around Playa del Carmen.
Getting around Playa del Carmen
In terms of getting around Playa itself, you can easily walk on foot (especially when heading around the touristy areas of the Quinta Avenida and the beach).
If you do need to head further inland, then you can also use local public buses to get to wherever you are heading.
When heading around the Riviera Maya region (such as is the case with this itinerary), then using buses is the most practical option.
Not only are they cheap, however the quality of certain providers (such as ADO) are really good. Buses within the Riviera Maya are also not that long, and at most will be 6-7 hours.
We suggest that you read more about the best time to visit Playa del Carmen and we also invite you to check out some of the popular routes ‘to and from’ here so you can get a better understanding of the different ways to move around the region from here.
Things to know before traveling to Playa del Carmen
- Keep An Open Mind – First of all it’s important to keep things in perspective here, and enjoy Playa for what it is – a popular Mexican coastal city close to many awesome gems. This means that the city itself can feel like a tourist trap, especially along the Quinta Avenida. However the good thing is that there are lots of amenities and tour operators available, and those on all budgets can really make the most of it here.
- Make The Most Of The Nearby Region – The beach in Playa is nice but can get very busy. In our opinion, the real magic begins when heading into the local region. This means making the most of visiting beaches like Puerto Aventuras, towns like Akumal as well as the nearby cenotes. You can also visit ancient ruins like those of Chichén Itzá and Tulum. All of these places can easily be reached by bus or colectivo in two hours top!
- Packing for Playa del Carmen – This really depends on when you are visiting. If coming during the dry season (December until April), then bring light clothing and expect clear blue skies most days. The wet season (from May until October) is actually warmer, although you’ll also need a poncho and good hiking boots for when you head on treks in the surrounding region. See our fortified Mexico packing list for excellent ideas on what (and what not) to pack for your travels.
I (Dan) traveled to Playa del Carmen a few months back and based myself around the Fifth Avenue. If you like the idea of adding ‘more adventure’ to your time here, why not follow our guide on how to get to Mahahual for a more rustic beach experience?
Have you got travel insurance for Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen Itinerary (7 Days)
Let’s now take a look at our custom 7 day Playa del Carmen itinerary, where we can make the most of our time while backpacking the Riviera Maya region of Mexico.
Playa del Carmen (Days 1-3)
On our first day we will arrive into Playa del Carmen, either from Cancún airport (a 1 hour bus) or from one of the other nearby regions. We recommend basing yourself in the Grand Hostal Playa for a room that is close to all the action.
During our first day here we can first head to the nearby cenote of Aktun Chen and take advantage of the cooler waters inside these ancient caves (given the sun is so hot here). Afterwards we can then explore the bustling Quinta Avenida and relax on the main beach of Playa del Carmen.
For your other days we highly recommend heading to Cozumel for one of these, where you can snorkel and dive in some of the clearest Caribbean waters around.
We also recommend heading on this particular day trip to the Mayan Ruins of Chichén Itzá, where you will have a private tour around these formidable pyramids and temples (as well as lunch and a bonus visit to the Ik Kil Cenote).
🏁 Playa del Carmen Itinerary:
- Stop #1: Aktun Chen Cenote
- Stop #2: Quinta Avenida
- Stop #3: Cozumel
- Stop #4: Chichén Itzá Ruins
Cancún (Day 4)
Next we will head to Cancún for the day. We highly recommend basing yourself along the strip of land which is known as Boulevard Kukulcán.
Here you’ll be right next to the coast, and in an overall safer area. There’s many hostels here (as well as big resorts), and for those that want to stick to a budget will want to stay at the Selina Cancún Laguna Hostel if you’re looking for a party atmosphere.
During your day here you can enjoy the stunning 8km white sand beach (the area of Playa Delfines is one of the best here), as well as go snorkeling in the blue Caribbean waters. Those who really want to make the most of their time can join this boat tour to Isla Mujeres.
Here you’ll get to enjoy an open bar on-board your own private yacht, as well as a visit to the protected Isla Contoy. You can read more about visiting Isla Mujeres on this blog.
🏁 Cancún Itinerary:
- Stop #5: Playa Delfines
- Stop #6: Boat Tour to Isla Mujeres
Tulum (Days 5-7)
Last but not least we will now head south to Tulum. You can easily take the ADO bus from Cancún, which takes 2-3 hours to arrive. We recommend basing yourself in the center, where there’s many great hostels such as the Hostal Doña Lucha.
Your first day in Tulum can be spent mostly relaxing, especially given the pace of our itinerary up until now. You can rent a bike and explore the town center, as well as the nearby Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve if you’re still after more adventure.
On your final two days there are plenty of things to do, so it’s worth prioritizing depending on you and what you want to see and do the most. Firstly you can head to the ruins of Tulum, which are coastal-based and have an impressive backdrop of the Caribbean Sea.
You can also visit Akumal to swim with Sea Turtles, whilst the cenote of Dos Ojos also offers some great snorkeling too.
🏁 Tulum Itinerary:
- Stop #7: Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
- Stop #8: Tulum Ruins
- Stop #9: Swim with Turtles in Akumal
- Stop #10: Dos Ojos Cenote
Playa del Carmen Itinerary FAQs
Having spent plenty of time in Playa del Carmen and have experienced it all, we’ll now answer some of your other key questions that we usually get asked about.
Playa del Carmen Itinerary
And that’s all for our custom itinerary around Playa del Carmen.
Almost every traveler visits Playa when in the Mexican Caribbean – and for good reason too. Here we can enjoy a variety of activities, live it up with its iconic atmosphere and also visit nearby gems and other towns along the coast.
Be sure to read our Backpacking Riviera Maya Itinerary for more ideas on how to plan your trip around this awesome Mexican region.
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