Things to know About Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is known for its beaches, parties and giant resorts. Among these activities, there is a whole other side of the city. Playa is a great hub for independent travelers with many things to do in and around. Playa has a warm, free-spirited charm despite its massive growth over the years. If you're planning your trip, read on to gain helpful information!

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Where is Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen is located in the Riviera Maya area on the coast of the Caribbean. While it’s located on the Yucatan Peninsula, Playa actually belongs to the province of Quintana Roo. The city lies between Cancun and Tulum, around 37 miles (60 km) away from both places. Playa is also the fastest growing city in Latin America.

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How to Get to Playa del Carmen

It doesn’t have an airport but shares the airport with Cancun which is about the same distance from Cancun. While planning your trip you will have to choose to fly to Cancun or Cozumel.

If you’re flying into Cozumel, you can take a taxi to the ferry which takes you to Playa del Carmen. There’s no need of pre-booking in advance.

If you’re flying into Cancun, you have a lot of options. Many would not recommend renting a car at the airport, as it is more expensive than if you rent one in Playa. The best way to get to Playa del Carmen is by the ADO bus.

An ADO bus company booth is located outside of customs to purchase tickets. Buses run every 40 minutes and you can pay in either Pesos or Dollars (177 pesos or 9 USD). Upon arrival in Playa, there are several taxis available costing around 60-100 pesos.

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Is Playa del Carmen Expensive?

This city can be quite expensive or inexpensive, depending on what you want to do. For instance, if you eat at popular restaurants on 5th Ave, go to nightclubs and getting massages frequently, you might end up spending $300 a day.

To save money, eat where the locals eat. Your dinner should cost you no more than $5-7 and a cocktail for $3-8. You can definitely survive on $50 a day if you're trying to be frugal.

Also, known for its boat rentals to visit some of the best reefs in the world and cenotes veins ending in its beautiful oceans.

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More Information

If you are in the beginning stages of planning your trip to Playa, we have you covered.

Click here for a list of activities to consider for your trip.

Looking for more fun? Add a yacht tour to your list of activities! Click here to find out why you should book a tour with Playa Yachting.