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Playa del Carmen is a lively resort destination in Mexico’s stunning Riviera Maya. Located on the Caribbean coast near Cancun and Tulum, Playa del Carmen is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a mix of the glamorous resorts and bohemian vibes that its neighboring cities are famous for.
Choosing to stay here will also give you easy access to outstanding natural beauty, exciting day trips, family-friendly activities, and tasty drinking and dining options.
There’s lots on offer here for tourists to enjoy, but the real magic happens when you get off the beaten path. Let’s discover the 12 can’t miss hidden gems in Playa del Carmen.
1. Aqua Nick
- Address: Carretera Cancún – Tulum Km. 45, 77710 Cancún, Quintana Roo
- Opening Hours: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm daily
If you’re traveling with kids, head up the Caribbean coast to Cancun for the ultimate Nickelodeon fix. Aqua Nick is one of Mexico’s biggest waterparks and part of Karisma Hotel & Resort, but it’s possible to buy a day pass if you aren’t staying there.
Aqua Nick has lots on offer for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Zip down slides, relax on the lazy river, or make a splash in the activity pool — the choice is yours! You’ll also have the chance to meet all your favorite characters during your day at Aqua Nick, including Spongebob and PAW Patrol.
2.Valladolid
Photo Credit: Simon Dannhauer
The Yucatan Peninsula is home to many fascinating cities, towns, and villages that make great day trips for visitors. Cancun and Tulum are popular options, but for a taste of old-school Mexican culture, head to Valladolid.
This small town is famous for its colonial-style buildings and is a welcome change of pace from the modern, bustling city of Playa del Carmen. Spend a day exploring the town center, discovering cenotes (freshwater swimming holes), and eating authentic Mexican cuisine. Chichen Itza is nearby, so consider spending the night here to beat the crowds and get an early start at the Mayan ruins the next morning.
3. Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich
- Address: adrenalina maya, Carretera tulum, 77760 Tulum, Quintana Roo
- Opening Hours: 8.00 am – 5.00 pm daily
No trip to the Riviera Maya is complete without visiting a cenote. There are thousands of these natural freshwater sinkholes dotted throughout the region, and several of them have been turned into picturesque swimming holes. Many of the best-known options, such as Cenote Ik Kil and Cenote Dos Ojos, can be crowded during the high season, so do as the locals do and head to a hidden gem instead.
Cenote Nohoch is a vast six-mile cave system with 36 entrances. It connects to Sac Actun, the biggest underground cave system in the world, and is an incredible place to go scuba diving. If you don’t want to dive, you can snorkel, zip line, and rappel in the crystal-clear water instead.
4. Bacalar & Los Rápidos
Photo Credit: Anna Ewa Bieniek
- Address: Carretera Xulha, 77965 Bacalar, Quintana Roo
- Opening Hours: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm daily
Bacalar is located three hours from Playa del Carmen near the border of Beliz and is a stunning destination for a road trip adventure. Bacalar is best known for its turquoise lagoon, where you can kayak, paddleboard, or laze on the soft white sand that lines its shore.
For a unique experience while you’re in the area, check out Los Rapidos. This natural lazy river is located on a quiet plot of land and is a tranquil place to enjoy Mexico’s abundance of natural beauty. Los Rapidos has a very reasonable entrance fee of around $150 Mexican pesos ($7.50 USD), making it an extremely affordable hidden gem.
5. Playa Punta Esmeralda
- Address: 77727, Constructores 160, Nicte-ha, 77728 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
- Opening Hours: 8.00 am – 5.00 pm daily
Playa del Carmen has no shortage of beautiful beaches, and Playacar Beach and the main public beach by the vibrant 5th Avenue are the most popular places to swim and sunbathe. For a quieter beach experience, head to Playa Punta Esmeralda instead.
This pretty beach is at the end of the Colosio neighborhood that’s popular with the city’s expat community. Expect powdery white sand and perfectly clear waters but without the crowds of Playa del Carmen’s better-known beachfront areas.
6. Xaman-Há Ruins
Photo Credit: Arkadij Schell
- Address: Fraccionamiento Playacar private Resort, Coral Negro, Playacar, 77717 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
- Opening Hours: 8.00 am – 5.00 pm daily
Most visitors to Playa del Carmen will take a trip to see Mayan ruins at some point during their trip. Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba are the best-known sites and tend to get extremely busy as a result. For a quieter option, head to Xaman-Há instead.
Located conveniently close to the Playacar region of Playa del Carmen, Xaman-Há is home to a sacred temple dedicated to Ixchel, the goddess of love and childbirth. This archeological site dates back to the 13th century and was discovered by Spanish conquistadores when they arrived from the nearby island of Cozumel in the 16th century.
The Maya population declined after the arrival of the Spanish, and what remains today is a reminder of the origins of the indigenous culture that can be seen throughout Mexico to this day.
7. Polé (Xcaret Archaeological Site)
- Website: xcaret.com/en/attractions/archaeological-sites
- Address: Carretera Chetúmal Puerto Juárez Kilómetro 282, Solidaridad, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
- Opening Hours: 8.30 am – 6.00 pm daily
For an alternative archaeological site that’s often overlooked, check out Polé. These ruins are inside the popular Xcaret theme park, where thousands of tourists flock each year to see the underground rivers and animal attractions. However, the ruins are often missed, and Polé is the second least-visited archeological site in Mexico.
If you’d like to visit Polé without paying the fee to enter Xcaret, it’s possible to pay the National Anthropology and History Institute (INAH) directly.
8. Puerto Morelos
Photo Credit: Fotos593
- Address: Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Puerto Morelos is located on the way to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport and is a coastal gem that many visitors make the mistake of skipping. This sleepy fishing village has so far avoided the commercialization and huge all-inclusive resorts that much of the Riviera Maya has experienced in recent years, which means a visit will give you a taste of what traditional Mexican life is like on the Caribbean coast.
Spend a day here exploring the peaceful beachfront area and relaxing on pristine, quiet stretches of sand. When hunger strikes, grab a plate of authentic tacos and a refreshing cerveza at one of the many rustic beach bars.
9. Hidden Gems of Los Fundadores Park (Founding Fathers Park)
Photo Credit: VG Foto
- Address: Av Benito Juárez, Centro, 77713 Playa del Carmen, Qunitana Roo
- Opening hours: Hours vary
Los Fundadores Park is a lively public space in Playa del Carmen’s Centro area. The famous Portal Maya sculpture and captivating street entertainment is what draws most people to check out this part of the city, but there are a few hidden gems hidden here in plain sight:
Nuestra Senora del Carmen Church
This church is a beautiful white stucco structure that’s frequently used for weddings and services. The building itself is wonderful to see, but if you’re lucky enough to visit during a service or event, it offers a fascinating glimpse into daily life in the Riviera Maya.
Voladores de Papantla
Don’t forget to look up the Voladores de Papantla while you’re in Los Fundadores Park! These talented performers perform a ritual that involves swinging from a tall pole and slowly spinning down to the ground. Although the show is free to watch, it’s recommended to bring along some pesos for tips.
Mexican Street Food
You’ll no doubt have sampled a taco or two during your time in Mexico, but don’t miss other Mexican street food delights like elote and esquite. These flavorful corn-based dishes can both be found in Los Fundadores Park and are the perfect snack to enjoy while exploring.
10. Akumal Monkey Sanctuary
- Website: akumalmonkeysanctuary.com
- Address: Camino a Uxuxubi S/N Predio Santa Pilar Lote 16, Akumal, Quintana Roo
- Opening Hours: 8.00 am – 5.00 pm daily
Akumal is most famous for its resident sea turtles, but it’s also home to a charming monkey sanctuary that animal lovers won’t want to miss. This project was started in 2016 to rehabilitate domestic and exotic animals that need care and protection. Visitors can take a tour and learn all about the center’s many cute monkeys as well as other creatures, including birds, snakes, and zebras.
11. Calle 38
- Address: Calle 38, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
- Opening hours: 24 hours/ restaurant and shop opening hours vary
Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) is, without a doubt, the most famous street in Playa del Carmen. This pedestrian area is home to dozens of bars, restaurants, cafes, and stores and is known as the heart of the city. If you’re looking for an alternative place to shop and party, check out Calle 38.
This street is home to open-air restaurants and bars that give you the feeling of being deep in the jungle. You’ll find high-quality local and international cuisine here, plus several picturesque spots to enjoy an expertly mixed cocktail or two.
12. Zenzi Beach Club
- Address: C. 10 Nte. 018, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
- Opening Hours: 8.00 pm – 2.00 am Friday to Wednesday / 8.00 pm – 12.00 am Thursday
Mamitas is the best-known beach club in Playa del Carmen, but for a change of pace, check out Zenzi.
This vibrant spot perched on the edge of the beach offers comfy sunloungers where you can soak up some rays while sipping on a tasty tequila cocktail, and there’s a great menu of local and international dishes to fuel your beach day. Live music is on offer every day, and the Sunday salsa nights are particularly popular among visitors and locals.
Whether you spend the day here or get your evening off to a chilled start before exploring Playa del Carmen’s iconic nightlife scene, you’re guaranteed a great time every time.
Get to Know Playa del Carmen’s Hidden Gems
Playa del Carmen is a dream destination for a sun-soaked vacation on the Riviera Maya. As you can see, you’ll never be short of things to see and do in this Caribbean paradise. Which hidden gem will you uncover for yourself first?
