Playa del Carmen is a charming beach town in the heart of the Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It’s ideally located approximately an hour’s drive from the Cancun airport and close to many Mayan ruins and exhilarating things to do.
Everything in Playa del Carmen is within easy walking distance with the turquoise Caribbean Sea never more than a few steps away. Stroll down the vibrant 5th Avenue among visitors of all nationalities and explore gourmet dining and world-class shopping. Or enjoy Playa del Carmen’s exciting nightlife at a variety of beachfront clubs!
Guests at Playa Palms Beach Hotel can enjoy the city shore of white sand beach and a blend of things to experience in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. Being so close to 5th Avenue will give you the opportunity to explore every corner and all it has to offer in dining, shopping and entertainment. Popular things to do in Playa del Carmen include:
- Diving (scuba and cenote)
- Deep seawater fishing
- Snorkeling
- Unique cenotes and underground rivers
- Windsurfing and parasailing
- Golf
- Yoga
- Spa treatments
- Gym fitness
- Temazcal
- Jungle tours and ATV
- Sky diving
- Archeological sites
- Mayan village tours
Exciting destinations with wonderful landscapes, views and cultural richness can be discovered all around. Favorites include: Xcaret, Cozumel island, Xel-ha, Tulum, Cancún, Cobá, Isla Mujeres, Sian-Khan, Chichen-Itzá, Akumal, Valladolid, Mérida and Uxmal.
Our concierge will gladly assist you in customizing your Playa del Carmen vacation
Chichen Itza is one of the most popular archaeological sites, not only on the Yucatan Peninsula but probably worldwide, since its main building El Castillo is one of the New 7 World Wonders. During spring and fall equinox, light and shadow of the sun create the illusion of a serpent crouching down the pyramid’s steps. Another impressive building is the sophisticated observatory structure, testimonial to the Maya’s astronomical skills. No doubt, you will find yourself among a crowd of tourists, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
It was declared a World Heritage in 1988 and added to the 7 World Wonders in 2007. We assure you, nobody leaves Chichen Itza without a sense of great respect and awe for the mathematical and scientific accomplishments of the Mayan ancestors. On this tour, you also visit a cenote and the colonial town Valladolid.
Tulum sure has the most spectacular scenery, with its postcard perfect location on a cliff upon the turquoise Caribbean Sea and one of the world’s most unique beaches at its feet. What used to be a seaport that controlled maritime commerce fro Honduras to the Yucatan, is now the 3rd most visited archaeological site in Mexico, after Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza.
Tulum sure has the most spectacular scenery, with its postcard perfect location on a cliff upon the turquoise Caribbean Sea and one of the world’s most unique beaches at its feet. What used to be a seaport that controlled maritime commerce fro Honduras to the Yucatan, is now the 3rd most visited archaeological site in Mexico, after Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza.
Xcaret is an eco-park dedicated to promoting the cultural heritage of both ancient Maya and Mexico at large. Especially if you are traveling with your family or friends you will love this Riviera Maya tour because at Xcaret everybody gets to do what they want! It’s designed in and around the coastline and includes an underground river, allowing you to swim, lounge and snorkel. You can discover the Mayan culture in the Mayan village and watch performances from traditional music and dancing, to thrilling equestrian shows and acrobatics. And these are just a few of the activities the park offers!
Enjoy beautiful beaches, restaurants, bars and souvenir shopping, but without all the crowds. Cozumel is just a short ferry ride away from Playa del Carmen, so it’s an easy day trip.
El Cielo on Cozumel is, without doubt, one of the most mesmerizing beaches in the world. No wonder guests at Playa Palms Beach Hotel love this tour so much! The beach got its name because of the many starfishes you can see in the only waist-high water. Plus, it’s a wonderful snorkeling place with sea turtles, rays, and colorful fishes to see.
One of the reasons why the Riviera Maya is such a great place to travel is that it has it all. Whether you are seeking adventures, culture or just want to relax on the beach. And Xel-Ha combines all that. The park is considered the largest aquarium in the world. But instead of marveling behind glass, you are a participant! You can snorkel, swim with dolphins, feel the adrenaline rushing on a zip bike, relax at temazcal steam baths at the spa, or just lie in a hammock beneath a palm tree and enjoy a drink.
Combine nature and culture by visiting this stunning pyramid in the middle of the jungle. Coba is the largest archaeological site on the Yucatan peninsula and boasts the tallest pyramid. Its surroundings are unlike any others too. The site has four lakes and numerous Mayan monuments, which you can see on a short hike or you can get a ride on bike-taxis which is a lot of fun. Also unlike most other archeological sites, in Coba you can climb the pyramid. On top, a spectacular view over the Mayan jungle awaits you. We recommend taking a tour to visit Coba since the explanations about the Mayan culture and the meaning of the buildings really improve your experience.
Isla Mujeres is the perfect destination for a day trip from Playa del Carmen. The laid back island has way more to offer than heavenly, Caribbean beaches with white, powdery sand, swaying palm trees and crystal clear water. Swim with the giants of the Sea, discover ancient Mayan history and a wildlife refuge!
The island gained its name “Island of the Women” because of the many carved images of women the Spanish found when they arrived there. This was because the island was a sanctuary for Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of the moon, fertility, medicine and happiness. The temple was built on the south tip of Isla Mujeres, which happens to be the most eastern point of Mexico. It also served as a lighthouse, to guide Mayan seafarers.
A few hundred years later, the island turned to be the perfect refugee for pirates and buccaneers. It’s said that they kept their women here while they went out plundering the Spanish ships, loaded with gold from Yucatan.
Beginning in the middle of the 20th century Isla Mujeres already welcomed visitors, long before Cancun was discovered by tourism. Since there was no ferry service yet, tourists would signal with flashing their car lights from a make shift dock, for local fishermen to pick them up.