Daytrips

While Playa may seem to have everything to offer a traveler there is a lot to see along the 'Riviera Maya'. There are many options for traveling along the coast, buses leave hourly or you can grab a rental car. The coast offers a delightful variety of secluded beaches, huge resorts, Mayan ruins, cenotes, incredible dive locations (cave and reef), lush jungle, and all are within an hours drive from Playa del Carmen. Have fun!

CANCUN 41 miles North - Not really a day trip kind of place.

PUERTO MORELOS 20 miles North - Cars and heavy freight to Cozumel...beaches, reef, inexpensive hotels and restaurants. Nearby checkout the Crocodile Farm and the Botanical gardens.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN You are here!!!

XCARET 4 miles South - Features cenotes, small archeological site, natural inlet for swimming, snorkeling... full of tropical fish... underground river trip, dolphins... horse rides.

PAAMUL 16 miles South - Great beaches, snorkeling...Camping, rental cabanas, restaurant.

PUERTO AVENTURAS 11 miles South - New, luxurious resort with fine beaches, hotels and condominiums, restaurants, large marina, 18 hole golf course, etc.

XPU-HA 21 miles South - Privacy, beaches, best snorkeling to the point on the left. Xpu-ha Eco Park is available to the public, ask your hotel about reservations.

YAL-KU 22 miles South - Great snorkeling!

KANTENAH 23 miles South - Another resort, hotels, restaurants, dive shops, fishing, etc...

AKUMAL 24 miles South - Beach restaurant, snorkeling, camping.

XCACEL 34 miles South - Beach, cenote, restaurant, camping.

XEL-HA 35 miles South - National Park featuring lagoons and inlets, both freshwater and saltwater fed. Zillions of tropical fish to swim with... touristy but beautiful! Go early in the day!

TULUM 38 miles South - The justly famous Mayan ruins built on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean. Spectacular views!

WAY SOUTH Turn right at the ruins of Tulum, and head down a road known to make the strongest person cry... You'll find Boca Paila and Punta Allen - where they crank the generator and provide electricity 4 hours every night!)- small, incredible bone-fishing in the lagoons, privacy with a capital P. A few rental cabanas... bring your own supplies if you try this trip! (Food, drink, etc.!) Not for your average tourist, currently no scheduled bus service.

BACK AT TULUM Head east to the incredible ruins at Coba, about 40 minutes away. Still looking? then continue on for 20 minutes, and check out the cave dwelling spider monkeys in Punta Laguna!.

All right, we've seen enough jungle, ruins, fish, ocean, etc. for the day.
Time to head back to Playa and relax!!