Are you thinking about visiting Playa del Carmen, Mexico? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Playa del Carmen worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this town for three to seven days because of the many great activities. Playa del Carmen is a popular resort town that is filled with luxury resorts and stunning coastline. The area has world class diving and snorkeling as well as jungles and famous nightlife venues. Vacationers flock here to relax and enjoy the paradise-like setting.
Play del Carmen, Mexico
Reasons to Visit Playa del Carmen
Nightlife
It rivals some of the country's best nightlife and you'll find plenty of venues to choose from, ranging from dive bars to swanky cocktail lounges. Head to the main walking street for some of the most active venues.
Resorts
You'll find a huge number of luxury resorts in the area, particularly along the beach. There are fancy pools and beachfront properties that offer the perfect vacation retreat.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
There's not a lot to see right off of the beach, but there are plenty of snorkeling excursions in the area that take you to beautiful reefs. The diving is world class as well and you'll find wonderful reefs, bull sharks, and hidden gems.
Beaches
The area is filled with world class beaches, long stretches of white sand, and beautiful blue water. You might even stumble across a sea turtle or two while you're swimming.
Food
You'll find a good number of overpriced tourist restaurants in the area, but if you do some research you'll also find amazing and authentic Mexican food as well. There is everything from food trucks to fine dining that offer ceviche, tacos, or burritos. There are also plenty of places to grab pizza or burgers.
Hiking
There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.
Shopping
Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.
The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Playa del Carmen might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Playa del Carmen here or see if Playa del Carmen is expensive here.
Is Playa del Carmen worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the shoulder season for travel in Playa del Carmen. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
The weather in Playa del Carmen is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 28°C (82°F). But it can get as warm as 37°C (98°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable town, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to lounge on the beach, get out into nature, and relax at a luxurious resort. Also, you'll be able to enjoy an evening out.
Summer Weather in Playa del Carmen
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
Is Playa del Carmen worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the low season for travel in Playa del Carmen. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
The weather in Playa del Carmen is fairly warm during autumn, and stays around 26°C (79°F). But it can get as warm as 33°C (92°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
During this season it's fun to experience the beautiful scenery and the hiking.
Autumn Weather in Playa del Carmen
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| November | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| December | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Is Playa del Carmen worth visiting in the Winter?
The warm weather in winter is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 30°C (87°F).
The peak season for travel is winter in Playa del Carmen, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
This is a great time of year to dine out at amazing restaurants and dance the night away.
Winter Weather in Playa del Carmen
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| February | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| March | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Is Playa del Carmen worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Playa del Carmen. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
The warm weather in spring is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 27°C (81°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 38°C (100°F).
One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, admire the wonderful scenery, and enjoy the evening activities.
Spring Weather in Playa del Carmen
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Playa del Carmen
Museums: Playa del Carmen isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. If you're willing to head out of town, there are world class Mayan ruins not far away, but if you want to hang out near town, then you'll likely spend most of your time enjoying outdoor water activities.
Lots of Tourists
Playa del Carmen sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Related
What is Playa del Carmen most famous for?
Playa del Carmen is most famous for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. The town is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Many people love the food, hiking, and shopping, too. It is often described as scenic, stunning, vibrant, and picture-perfect.
What is the most famous sight in Playa del Carmen?
The most popular sight in Playa del Carmen is La Quinta Avenida. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Playa del Carmen on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for La Quinta Avenida and other attractions here.
How touristy is Playa del Carmen? Is it a popular town to visit?
Playa del Carmen is a very touristy town that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- VIP Cenotes Private Tour: $200
- Private Cenotes tour: $220
- Private Tulum & Cenotes tour: $220
- Private ATV Jungle & Cave Adventure: $159
- Private Coba & Cenotes tour: $220
- 3 in 1 Private Tour Tulum Cenote and Snorkeling in the reef: $210
- VIP Cenotes Private Tour (half-day): $185
- VIP Cenotes & Turtles Private Tour: $215
How long should I spend in Playa del Carmen?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Playa del Carmen is at least three or as many as seven days. Since Playa del Carmen has a variety of activities such as scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, nightlife, and resorts, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Playa del Carmen?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Playa del Carmen?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Playa del Carmen?.
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