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10 Things to do in Playa del Carmen

Posted on 6 m read

The best things to do in Playa del Carmen for an extraordinary vacation!

When you stay at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort or Sandos Playacar, you’ll find all kinds of exciting things to do just minutes away. Indulge in an unforgettable beach vacation in paradise with the all inclusive plan available at our two Riviera Maya resorts, and make time during your stay to get out and explore the top Playa del Carmen attractions in the area.

The city of Playa del Carmen sits along a white sand beach in the very heart of the Riviera Maya. What once was a small fishing village has now evolved into a colorfully charming travel destination filled with shopping, activities, nature, and some of the best dining in Mexico. Sandos Caracol and Sandos Playacar are both just 5 minutes away from the heart of town, where you’ll find most of the top activities. This stunning beach destination has endless things to do, but there are a few Playa del Carmen attractions that stand out above the rest:

1.Extravagant excursions 

Have you ever wanted to explore the world? Have you ever wanted to see more, experience new and exciting opportunities? Well, in Playa del Carmen, you can experience that and more! Playa del Carmen is perfectly situated in a location where you can experience new adventures, from ziplining to diving into crystal clear cenotes, Playa del Carmen has it all. 

When visiting this tropical paradise, you have at your fingertips opportunities to see exciting new places and explore locations others dream of. When traveling, dare to be bold, see places that define the world for what it truly is…. Beauty! 

2.Isla Mujeres

Imagine taking a short boat ride to a magical and mesmerizing island where nature and luxury combine to make perfect harmony. With numerous tours, beach bars, and new adventures, you cannot miss this beautiful island on your vacation in Playa del Carmen. 

At Sandos, our team of tour experts at Seek and Go can provide you with the tour of a lifetime. Enjoy this beautiful island with your friends and loved ones, and indulge in new and exciting experiences enjoying one of the best locations in the Caribbean! 

3.Beach Clubs

One of the best things to do in Playa del Carmen is hands down the endless amount of beach clubs, restaurants, and bars. You can easily choose the atmosphere that you desire, one where there is music you can dance to or one that you can sit down in a lounger and drink your favorite cocktail overlooking the mesmerizing Caribbean Sea! All you have to do is walk down the beach and pick your favorite place! 

4.Full-Day Tours 

Because of the beauty of Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya, there is so much to see, and a lot of it can’t be done in just one day. Full-day tours are one of the best things to do in Playa del Carmen due to the time that you get to experience new cultures, amazing locations, and exciting activities. Whatever inspires you, we guarantee that Playa del Carmen can change your perspective in one of its amazing tours! 

5.Diving

Exploring a whole new world beyond the surface is something that travelers from around the world venture to experience. Beginners and expert divers can experience the Caribbean Sea’s beautiful fauna and flora from deep caverns to swimming with Whale Sharks. With Scuba Libre, a diving center located in Sandos, you can explore the Sea with a team of trained professionals on your vacation. 

6.Adventure and Natural Parks 

Playa del Carmen is ideally situated minutes away from an endless amount of adventure and natural parks. If you are looking for a thrill, an experience that get’s your blood rushing; you can take your pick from many different parks at affordable prices. Spending a day off the resort and getting to know new adventures is highly encouraged at Sandos, and we want to create new experiences for each one of our guests! 

If you are looking for something more natural, historical, and meaningful, you also have your pick between amazing parks. Get to know the prominent Mayan Culture with personal experience in a true Mayan experience in our Last Witnesses Tour. For yourself, you can see how the Mayans live off the land and hear testimonies of an elder Mayan in his experiences growing in Mexico. Playa del Carmen also offers a wide variety of above and underground cenotes and water bodies that also have a strong natural and historical presence. 

Playa del Carmen attractions

7. 5th Avenue

Fifth Avenue IS Playa del Carmen. This lengthy pedestrian street is the heart and soul of the city, running parallel to the beach. A central location just one block from the Caribbean Sea makes it easy to spend a day switching between time on the beach and strolls along 5th Avenue. Here, you’ll find an endless row of brightly colored souvenir shops, small bars, local restaurants, charming cafés, and numerous ice cream shops, creating an eye-catching scene to explore during your next vacation. You could spend hours perusing this lovely avenue, one of the most iconic Playa del Carmen attractions.

Playa del Carmen sunset

8. Parque Fundadores

Meaning “Founders’ Park”, this town square is situated at the southern end of 5th Avenue, between the street and the beach. The square itself isn’t much to look at, but it’s home to many of Playa del Carmen’s top cultural events. Every day, you can enjoy several Papantla Flyer performances, an ancient Mexican ritual where men climb to the top of a pole then swing down to the ground in a fascinating rain dance. Parque Fundadores also has a popular social scene, with a beautiful chapel, street carts selling local fruit, a large playground and a beach area where locals gather to watch the sunset.

Playa del Carmen beach

9. The Beach

The city of Playa del Carmen has several miles of white sand beach lined with restaurants, beach clubs, and chic condos. Whether you’re in the downtown Playa del Carmen area or in the exclusive Playacar area, you’ll find gorgeous beaches by the Caribbean Sea, perfect for swimming, kitesurfing, and jet skiing.

Alux cave restaurant Playa del Carmen

10. Unbelievable Restaurants

In recent years, Playa del Carmen has become a destination known for its cuisine, offering a wide variety of international options. In this dynamic city, you’ll find endless restaurants with beautiful locations for an unparalleled dining experience on your next vacation. Enjoy an unforgettable dinner on the beach, along 5th Avenue, in a charming tropical garden or even inside a natural cavern!

Why Choose Playa del Carmen For Your Next Vacation

Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya offer so much for international visitors, experiences in all-inclusive resorts like no other in the world, brand new adventures, and an environment where people across the globe can connect and grow as people. In Playa del Carmen, there is no limit to what the imagination can create for you.

Not to mention all of the different things that you can do, but you can stay in a paradisiacal hotel that provides everything you need. At Sandos, we stop at nothing to ensure that our guests are provided with the absolute best amenities and services. When traveling, you deserve to experience more, and we want to help you achieve that. Trust in Sandos to make sure that your next vacation is one that you, your friends, and or loved ones will remember for the rest of their lives. Traveling should be adventurous and open an endless amount of opportunities in the location that you visit. And it is our Sandos guarantee that we will create those experiences for you.

Book your stay at Sandos Playacar  or Sandos Caracol Eco Resort for a vacation close to these unbelievable Playa del Carmen attractions! It’s sure to be a trip you’ll never forget.

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