Things to do in Playa del Carmen
Snorkel in Playa del Carmen36 optionsBoat Tour Playa del Carmen21 optionsWhale Shark Diving Playa del Carmen6 optionsCatamaran Playa del Carmen7 optionsCenote Tour Playa del Carmen77 optionsZiplining Playa del Carmen14 optionsATV Playa del Carmen15 optionsFood Tour Playa del Carmen10 optionsPlaya del Carmen Airport Transfer16 optionsArchaeology Tours55 optionsSailing Playa del Carmen5 optionsTurtles and Cenotes Playa del Carmen32 options
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Snorkeling in Akumal with sea turtles and sanctuary visitSnorkeling in Akumal combines a guided visit to a wildlife sanctuary with a snorkel in Akumal Bay, where you swim alongside wild sea turtles, manta rays and tropical fish in their natural habitat. The experience runs 3.5 hours and includes a certified guide in English or Spanish, snorkel equipment, hotel pickup, and close interaction with rescued monkeys and other animals at the sanctuary. Children from age 5 are welcome; the snorkeling eco fee is optional at checkout.Is it for me?You're snorkeling alongside the guide rather than watching from a boat, and the sanctuary visit beforehand means you're learning about conservation while you're in the water—a combination that suits travelers who want hands-on wildlife connection over passive observation. The small-group format with a certified guide keeps the pace manageable for families with children from age 5 and for first-time snorkelers.
Xcaret Eco Archaeological Park Tour from Cancun: 50+ AttractionsXcaret Eco Archaeological Park Tour is a full-day guided experience near Cancun that includes park entry, round transportation and the evening Mexico Spectacular light show. The park holds more than 50 attractions spread across jungle trails, caves, archaeological sites and a Maya village, plus water activities like snorkelling and underground river swimming. A live English-speaking guide leads the experience, and the fixed itinerary means transport, entry and timing are settled before you arrive.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're arriving in Cancun or Playa del Carmen with a full day free and want to move through multiple environments — jungle, water, archaeology — without deciding what to do next. The fixed itinerary and included transport mean the day holds together, and the night show is built in so you stay for the light performance instead of leaving early.
Tulum Ruins, Akumal & Cenotes: Private tour with sea turtlesA private guided tour of Tulum combines the clifftop Mayan ruins, snorkeling at Akumal bay where sea turtles swim, and four cenotes for swimming and jumping. The guide speaks English and Spanish, the day runs ten to eleven hours, and you set the pace at each stop. Pickup is included; regional food, bottled water, snorkel gear and the Tulum zone government tax are part of the price.Is it for me?Choose the private option if you need flexibility to spend extra time at ruins or in the water without waiting for others, and want your guide to navigate the route while you control the pace.
Rent a Bike in Playa del Carmen – Explore PlayaCar EasilyIf you want real freedom to explore PlayaCar and downtown Playa del Carmen, renting a bike is your best bet. No deposit headaches, just grab your wheels and go—perfect for anyone who likes moving at their own pace.
Xcaret Park Tour from Playa del Carmen: Shows & CenotesXcaret Plus is a 12-hour guided tour departing from Playa del Carmen that combines access to an eco-archaeological park with over 50 attractions: underground river swims, cenote exploration, snorkeling, cultural shows including the Mexico Espectacular evening performance, and a buffet lunch with unlimited drinks. Round transportation from your hotel is included, and the tour runs with live guides in English or Spanish.Is it for me?Book this if you have a full day and want both natural attractions (cenotes, snorkeling, underground rivers) and evening cultural shows in one trip, rather than splitting them across separate visits.
Xcaret Park Admission with Nightshow, Rivers & PickupXcaret is a full-day park admission in the Mayan jungle combining water activities, theme park attractions, natural cenotes and underground rivers, a beach, and an evening cultural show. The package includes hotel pickup from Cancun and Riviera Maya, one meal at a restaurant of your choice with a soft drink, access to the Plus Area with lockers and private bathrooms, and snorkeling equipment for the underground rivers. Over 50 attractions are included in the admission; infants must be registered at booking and a photo ID is required before the visit date.Is it for me?A 12-hour commitment means you enter the park early and stay through the evening show, which leaves no room for other activities that day but gives you time to move between water zones, rest areas, and attractions without rushing between stops.
Xcaret Nature Adventure with Transportation: 50+ AttractionsXcaret Nature Adventure is a full-day activity at Xcaret park in the Mayan jungle, combining water activities in three underground rivers, cenotes, a beach lagoon and jungle trails with lunch, a night show and roundtrip hotel pickup. The 12-hour itinerary includes access to the Plus Area with private facilities and snorkeling gear for the underground rivers. Live guides speak English and Spanish.Is it for me?The 12-hour day fills most of a vacation day but leaves your morning free for a late breakfast or a short excursion before pickup. If you're visiting Xcaret for the first time, the full itinerary covers the main water and cultural attractions without requiring you to plan which ones to prioritize—the park layout and the included meals structure the day for you.
Akumal & Cenote Snorkel: Sea Turtles & StalagmitesYou start the morning snorkeling in Akumal Bay with sea turtles and tropical fish in clear Caribbean water, then travel into the rainforest to swim and snorkel in a freshwater cenote surrounded by stalagmites and stalactites. The tour includes all snorkel equipment, water, snacks, and hotel pickup, with a guide managing the route and timing so you focus on being in the water.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see sea turtles and explore two very different underwater environments in one day without arranging your own transport or gear — the fixed itinerary and included pickup handle the logistics so you just show up and snorkel.
Xcaret Snorkeling Tour: 50 Attractions with TransportSnorkeling in Xcaret is a full-day park admission from Cancun or Playa del Carmen with round-trip transport and a live guide in English or Spanish. You meet at Starbucks in Playacar at 9:20 am, ride to the park, and have free time to move through all 50 attractions—the underground cenote snorkeling is included, along with return transport to your starting point. The day runs 7 to 9 hours depending on how you pace the park.Is it for me?Choose the Cancun pickup if you're staying north of Playa del Carmen or arriving at the airport; choose Playa del Carmen if you're based south. Either way, the transport and park entry are bundled, so you're not juggling separate bookings or figuring out how to get there on your own.
Akumal Snorkeling & Cenote Tour: Turtles and Underground RiversThis five-hour snorkeling tour from Cancun or Playa del Carmen combines two separate experiences: a boat ride to Akumal's barrier reef to snorkel with sea turtles in their natural habitat, followed by an exploration of underground cenote channels filled with crystal-clear water and limestone formations. A certified bilingual guide adapts the pace to your comfort level, and all snorkeling gear is provided and disinfected daily. No prior experience is required.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in Cancun or Playa del Carmen and want to snorkel and cenote-dive in one trip—the guides adjust the pace to your comfort level, so no prior swimming experience required.
Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal: Guided TourSnorkeling with sea turtles at Akumal is a guided activity in the protected Tsuuk Akumal Natural Park where you enter the water with a certified instructor, snorkel gear and life jacket provided, and spend 90 minutes watching wild turtles, stingrays and tropical fish in their habitat. The guide briefs you on respectful observation before you wade onto Akumal Beach; encounters with turtles are common but not guaranteed, as they are wild animals. Children from age 5 are welcome; moderate fitness is required, and life vests are mandatory.Is it for me?Book this if you want to snorkel with sea turtles in a protected bay without bringing your own gear or driving yourself—the guide meets you at the water's edge with everything ready to go.
Snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal from Riviera MayaSnorkel at Akumal reef and turtle sanctuary from Riviera Maya with round-trip hotel pickup, bilingual guide, snorkel gear and life jackets included. You enter the water at a protected marine site where sea turtles feed and rest, moving through coral formations and shallow bay where the visibility stays clear. The activity runs four hours total, with transportation from your hotel and a certified guide leading the snorkel itself.Is it for me?The four-hour window means you can fit this into a morning or afternoon without losing the rest of your day — pickup from the hotel, snorkel, and return leaves room for lunch or other plans. If you want a longer water experience or plan to explore Akumal town itself, this is a focused snorkel-only activity, not a full-day excursion.
Xcaret Plus Playa del Carmen: Underground rivers & showXcaret Plus is a 12-hour ecoarchaeological park tour from Playa del Carmen with round-trip transport, entry to over 50 attractions, buffet lunch with a beer, snorkeling gear and access to exclusive Plus facilities. The day moves through jungle trails, cenotes and underground waterways, then closes with the México Espectacular show — a live performance of Pre-Hispanic dances and Mexican folklore that runs after dark. A live guide speaks English and Spanish; children from age 1 are welcome.Is it for me?This tour suits travelers with a free afternoon or full day in Playa del Carmen who want to experience both the natural side of the Riviera Maya — the cenotes and underground rivers — and Mexico's cultural traditions in one outing. The 12-hour span and the evening show mean you're committing the whole day, but it removes the need to book separate park entry, transport, lunch and a cultural performance; everything is coordinated and you move through it with a guide.
Playa del Carmen Airport Transfer: Private Minivan & BeveragesYou get picked up at Cancun airport arrivals with a sign bearing your name, ride in a new air-conditioned minivan with a bilingual driver, and arrive in Playa del Carmen with bottled water and soda already in hand. The price is fixed before you travel, so there's no negotiation at the curb or surprise charges. The vehicle holds up to six passengers with luggage, and the driver can adjust the route if you need a quick stop along the way.Is it for me?Book this if you land at Cancun and want to skip the taxi rank and arrive in Playa del Carmen without negotiating a fare — the driver meets you at arrivals, the vehicle is ready, and the price is already settled.
Swim with Sea Turtles in Akumal & Cenote Cave TourThis half-day tour combines two signature Riviera Maya swims: snorkeling with sea turtles in Akumal Bay and swimming inside Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, a limestone cavern filled with mineral-rich freshwater. An aquatic guide leads both encounters, and round-trip transportation with beverages is included. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours and departs from either Playa del Carmen or Tulum.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see sea turtles in their natural grazing habitat without a boat ride, and combine it with a freshwater cenote swim in a single half-day outing. The fixed schedule and included transport mean the logistics are settled before you arrive, so the morning or afternoon holds together without building it yourself.
Xcaret Park Playa del Carmen: 50+ Attractions & Underground RiversYou get all-day access to 50+ attractions across jungle, beach, and underground waterways, including three river floats, Mayan sites, live performances, and the evening México Espectacular show with hundreds of performers. Parking, life jackets, and basic facilities are included; you choose your own pace and which attractions matter most to you.Is it for me?Right for families and groups who want a full day of varied activities without planning multiple stops — the park handles the logistics, and you pick what interests you most, from rivers to ruins to evening entertainment.
Isla Mujeres Snorkel & Lunch from Cancun with PickupYou get picked up from your Cancun or Puerto Morelos hotel, sail to El Meco Reef for 45 minutes of snorkeling with a guide, then spend the afternoon on Isla Mujeres — either at a beach club lunch with Mayan grilled fish and drinks, or exploring freely for five hours. The boat has an open bar the whole way, and you stop at a Mayan temple and underwater sculptures on the return trip before being dropped back at your hotel.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a full day on the water and at Isla Mujeres without arranging your own ferry, snorkel guide, or lunch — the pickup and fixed schedule handle the logistics so you just show up at your hotel ready to go.
Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen: VIP Gold Member & Express EntryYou skip the entry line, get express seating with a clear view of the acrobatic shows, and spend the night with an open bar, waiter service, and premium liquor included. Front row upgrades are available for an extra cost. Book early because VIP spaces sell out fast, especially for weekend nights.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Coco Bongo's acrobatic shows without spending your night in the entry queue—the VIP ticket is what makes that possible, and it sells out, so reserve early if you have a specific date in mind.
Tulum, Coba & Cenote Day Trip: Ruins, Swim & Playa del CarmenThis 12- to 14-hour day trip visits the coastal ruins of Tulum and the inland pyramids of Coba, includes a swim in a cenote the Maya considered sacred, and ends with time on Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen. A certified guide in English or Spanish leads the stops; hotel pickup is included; regional lunch and all site entries are covered. The cenote location varies by availability to avoid crowds.Is it for me?Book the 4X1 if you're based in Cancun or Puerto Morelos; choose 3X1 for Riviera Maya hotels. Add Plus if you prefer drinks included with lunch rather than purchasing them on-site.
ATV and Zipline in the Mayan Jungle: Cenote Swim IncludedAn ATV and zipline activity in the Mayan jungle combines 450-cc quad bike riding on rugged trails, a swim in a cave-type cenote with stalactites and stalagmites, and a zipline flight over the treetops. The six-hour outing includes a certified guide in English or Spanish, bottled water, and hotel pickup. Choose between riding solo or double on the same ATV.Is it for me?Book the solo ATV option if you want to handle the jungle trails and the terrain yourself; choose the double if you prefer to share the ride and the experience with a travel partner. Either way, the six-hour intensity—rugged riding, cenote swim, zipline—suits riders who want adrenaline and a break in the water, not a leisurely tour.
