Millions of tourists come every year wondering what are the best things to do in Playa Del Carmen. This tropical paradise which sits on the coastline of the Eastern Yucatan peninsula is a popular destination about 45 minutes away from the Cancun airport 

If you are looking for the best things to do in Playa Del Carmen, you reached the right place. This article will discuss some of the cool things to do in Playa Del Carmen that will have your heart craving to come back to this beautiful island. 

Here are some of the best things to do in Playa Del Carmen:

Number 1 on my List of Things to Do in Playa Del Carmen: Beaches

Beaches in Playa Del Carmen rank at the top amongst the best things to do in Playa Del Carmen. The beaches here rank at one of the highest quality on this side of the Caribbean.

Although when I went in June, it was difficult to get into the beach due to the amount of sargassum present in the water, making it difficult to get in and enjoy the waters. Most of the time the rest of the year brings crystal clear waters and turquoise colored seas inviting you to get in and enjoy these beautiful waters.

Playacar Beach is a nice public beach that is perfect for tourists to visit with beautiful crystal clear waters, as well as the nearby Playa Esmeralda which is a secluded natural beach with fewer tourists but equally magnificent with turquoise clear waters.

Fun Things to Do In Playa Del Carmen: Shopping and Restaurants in Fifth Avenue

Among the best things to do in Playa Del Carmen is shopping in the notorious fifth avenue which are home to some of the best shopping centers in all of the Playa Del Carmen area.

Fifth avenue is great place to spend a fun day getting some shopping therapy or trying the local Mexican cuisine to get a sense of the cultural uniqueness of the local flavors and spices at the various restaurants on Fifth Avenue.

On this strip, called “La Quinta Avenida” you’ll find everything from your generic souvenirs, authentic Mexican hand-crafted clothing and artifacts from the Mayan culture and even upscale designer clothing brands.

This is the main hub of where all the action takes places on 5th Avenue, and you can find anything your heart desires here. It will often be quite busy and bumper to bumper during high season, but I think of it as a very busy outdoor shopping mall.

I picked up a few nice bracelets here and there were many artisans willing to negotiate on the price of their crafts. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience.

There is even a spice of nightlife here, with many bars and restaurants on the strip. As dusk approached, I could start to hear the roar of Mexican and salsa music playing in the bars up above as I perused the streets of 5th avenue.

At the end of 5th avenue, you will also find a nice beach along with a port that takes you to Cozumel Mexico, where you can purchase ferry tickets.

There will be vendors on the pedestrian-only street selling their merchandise to you on the street with tables laid outside their shops with different items, and they may encourage you to come in and visit their store.

There will also be vendors selling fresh fruits and drinks, like coconuts straight from the coconuts themselves.

There is a very high end area of shops near 5th avenue with American and European brands, which surprised me how modernized it was.

Overall, if you are looking for cool things to do in Playa Del Carmen, Fifth Avenue has to be near the top of your bucket list.

Side Mission: Parque Los Fundadores

Parque Los Fundadores is a great way to end a day of shopping and eating at Fifth avenue in Playa Del Carmen. Just outside Fifth Avenue is the beach plaza where you can not only find a beach, but often see a show where you will be able to watch traditional Voladores de Papantla pole dancers and relax by the sea.

Grab a coconut water, straight from the coconuts from one of the street vendors here while you watch the show for a refreshing end to your day!

My favorite thing to do in Playa Del Carmen : Book a Day to Xcaret Mexico Parks

If you are an adventurer or thrill seeker, you will not want to miss the beautiful Xcaret Mexico parks. Xcaret Mexico is an eco-friendly adventure park that includes several natural river cenotes, zip-lining as well as animal exhibitions all taking place in a beautiful eco-friendly location in the middle of the Mayan jungle.

Xcaret Mexico was founded by Grupo Xcaret and was one of their original waterparks in the Mayan jungle. It is home to one of the world’s best cenotes in the Riviera Maya

This is one of the top things to do in Playa Del Carmen if you like adventure, and it is family-friendly as well catering to visitors of all ages.

There are several Xcaret Parks including: Xcaret Mexico, Xplor, Xplor Fuego and Xel-Ha. In my Xcaret guide, I go over each of these Xcaret parks in great detail.

Another Cool Thing to Do in Playa Del Carmen : Visit the Natural Cenotes

The first time I ever went to a Cenote, I was hooked. These are natural underground freshwater systems, like a giant natural swimming pool without waves – formed thousands of years ago by limestone caving in under the rocks. The waters in these cenotes often connects to deep underwater bodies of water and underground cave systems which will peak the interest of the adventurer inside of you.

Playa Del Carmen and the Riviera Maya are home to one of the most beautiful cenotes in the world.

Best Thing to Do in Playa Del Carmen For Water Lovers: Snorkeling in Playa del Carmen

For those looking for a bit more of an adventure in the water, just off the coast of Playa Del Carmen there is a beach called Coco Beach that offers great snorkeling opportunity. You can begin your snorkeling excursion via short boat trips to nearby shallow reefs like Inah and Moc-Che, or at world-class nearby spots like Akumal and Cozumel.

Some excursions provide full transportation to and from the beach including the boat out to the water and provide you snorkeling gear too! Some excursions also include diving certifications, so it is a good thing to look into!

Another Cool and Unique Thing to Do in Playa Del Carmen: Explore the Ancient Mayan Ruins

History lovers will cherish a visit to the large massive pyramids of Chichen Itza, the jungle ruins of Coba or a half-day excursion at the Ancient Archaeological ruins of Tulum.

Personally, I loved the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum and being that it was a half-day excursion I was also able to enjoy the resort once we arrived back home!

Conclusion: There is No Shortage of Fun & Amazing Things to Do in Playa Del Carmen

If you are visiting the Cancun or the Riviera Maya area, you must put just a few of these activities in your bucket list if you are looking for the best things to do in Playa Del Carmen. I promise you that you will make so many fun memories here, you will cherish your vacation for many years to come if you partake in just a few activities we mentioned in this list. Stay tuned for many more Playa Del Carmen and Cancun Mexico guides coming soon!