Day Trips From Playa del Carmen Mexico
Escape touristy Cancun and head to Playa del Carmen! Fun & sun pretty much sum up Playa del Carmen, one of the best beach towns on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Get off the all-inclusive resort and explore Mexico on a day trip from Playa del Carmen!
Related Article: Playa del Carmen Guide
Playa del Carmen is a great place for a 7-day vacation in Mexico. We have stayed at several properties in Playa del Carmen. Our favorite is The Elements Oceanfront & Beachside Condo Hotel.
It’s located right on the beach, with its own private beach club, a massive pool, and gorgeous modern condos. Click here to check rates. It’s the perfect home away from home.
We also like the Illusion Boutique Hotel, which is located in the heart of Playa del Carmen, with amazing sea views and is only a one-minute walk to the beach.
Related Article: The Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen
Day Trips from Playa del Carmen Mexico
We rented a car in Playa del Carmen and drove ourselves. However, tours can be arranged for each of these day trips from Playa del Carmen. Driving in the Yucatan has been easy. They are roads are well marked with signs pointing to all of the below day trips from Playa del Carmen.
We have rented cars in Playa del Carmen 10+ times and have always paid $1-$15 a day on Rentalcars.com, and they have free cancelations. In order to get the best rate book online in advance here.
Another option for budget day trips from Playa del Carmen is to take the colectivos (basically a shared taxi van). It’s easy to arrange a Colectivo to all the below day trips from Playa del Carmen for a fraction of the price.
Personally, we prefer just to rent a car and drive ourselves, and then we are on our schedule. Here are our favorite day trips from Playa del Carmen.
*When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels check prices on Booking.com, we’ve found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.*
1. Swim With Sea Turtles In Akumal
Swim with sea turtles for FREE! No need to pay for an overpriced snorkeling tour, just bring your own snorkel gear or rent some on the beach. Head 30 minutes south of Playa del Carmen to Akumal, follow the signs on the highway to Akumal Beach.
There is no fee, as this is a public beach. However, we did have to pay 50 pesos ($3) for parking – or – take a Colectivo from Playa del Carmen to Akumal for 35 pesos ($2) each way. Once on the beach strap on your mask & fins and head to the ocean!
Related Article: Grand Palladium Riviera Maya
2. Explore The Cenotes In Mexico
A cenote is basically a sinkhole that results from the collapse of a limestone cave that exposes the groundwater underneath. In the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, where Playa del Carmen is located, there are over 2,400 registered cenotes. A complete list of the best cenotes in Mexico here. Here are some the best cenotes to check out for day trips from Playa del Carmen:
- Chaak Tun Cenote 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen
- Jardin El Eden 25 minutes from Playa del Carmen
- Dos Ojos Cenote 40 minutes from Playa del Carmen
- Cenote Calavera 55 minutes from Playa del Carmen
- Suytun Cenote 1 hour 50 minutes from Playa del Carmen
One of the best cenotes in Mexico for diving is El Pit Cenote just outside of Tulum. If you don’t want to rent a car but want to take a full-day trip from Playa del Carmen and visit several cenotes.
Xenotes Oasis Maya tour. We loved this tour we got to kayak, zip line, snorkel, and even rappel down into a cave cenote. Buy your tickets online for up to 15% off here.
3. Visit Tulum Ruins
Tulum Ruins are our personal favorite Mayan ruins in Mexico. The ruins are located right on the sea and make for some epic photos. Tulum ruins are a 45-minute drive from Playa del Carmen and are easy to add on if you are heading to Akumal to swim with the sea turtles.
If you are looking for epic day trips from Playa del Carmen, I’d suggest visiting Tulum Ruins early in the morning. This way you’ll get there before the sun is in full effect and the crowds are lighter.
Tulum Ruins are the 3rd most visited site in all of Mexico, and with good reason it’s AMAZING! Make sure to pack your swimsuit, as you can head down and take a swim in the ocean to cool off. For some reason every time we visit Tulum Ruins, it’s crazy hot!
If you would like to learn the history of the ruins, make sure to hire one of the guides to take you through the ruins. There are several options on the length of the tour and prices. If you had a great time, remember that tipping in Mexico is customary.
Related Article: Where to Stay in Tulum – Read before booking accommodation
4. Las Coloradas Yucatan aka The Pink Lake In Mexico
No, don’t adjust your screen what you are seeing is correct. Just 3 hours away lies the most colorful day trips from Playa del Carmen. Las Coloradas in the Yucatan is home to Mexico’s pink lake. Wonder why Las Coloradas is pink? It’s natural, and the pink lake gets its color from dye emitted by a crustacean called artemia salina, which is similar to a very tiny shrimp.
If you happen to be traveling to Mexico in April especially head to Las Coloradas and go to Río Lagartos which is right by the pink lake. The best time to see flamingoes in Rio Lagartos is the month of April. Thousands of flamingos nest in the Río Lagartos waters.
FUN FACT flamingos eat the Artemia salina also giving them a dose of pink dye!
Related Article: Isla Holbox Mexico’s Best Kept Secret
5. Have Lunch In Valladolid Mexico
To continue with colorful day trips from Playa del Carmen head to Valladolid after visiting Las Colorados. You’ll most likely pass through Valladolid on the drive to/from Playa del Carmen. Valladolid is a great place to have lunch and just walk around Plaza Francisco Canton. If you have time you could spend the whole day and see all the attractions in Valladolid.
Valladolid is considered to be one of Mexico’s most influential towns full of natural beauty, culture. We suggest having lunch at El Meson del Marques, located right in the Plaza Francisco Canton. Make sure to order the fresh guacamole that is made tableside. Read Trip Advisor review here.
Related Article: Don’t skip Merida Mexico
6. Xpu Ha Beach
If the beach in Playa del Carmen is to busy head south 20 minutes to quieter Xpu Ha Beach. We fell in love with the white sandy beaches and the beach bars & restaurants. The prices are much more reasonable than Mamamita’s in Playa del Carmen.
We spent the entire day lounging in our beach chairs sipping on margaritas. There are a few hotels you can stay at too. We highly recommend Serenity Luxury Tented Camp. Glamping in Mexico should be on everyone’s bucket list.
7. Take The Ferry to Cozumel
Jump on the Cozumel ferry in Playa del Carmen, and you’ll be in Cozumel in around 30 minutes. We suggest spending the entire day in Cozumel and to the most of it renting a car in Cozumel it the best way to see the island. There are a ton of things to do in Cozumel to keep you busy all day.
Rental cars in Cozumel are often under $10 a day if booked in advance on Rentalcars.com they have the cheapest rates and free cancelation. Click here to check rates. Make sure to read our things to know before renting a car in Cozumel article.
8. Xcaret Mexico
Just 6 kilometers outside of Playa del Carmen right on the Caribbean sea, Xcaret is waiting for you. Learn about the Mexican traditions and explore nature at the Xcaret Eco-Archaeological Park. Take a stroll through the butterfly pavilion, Jaguar Island, swim in the underground rivers, learn the history of the Mayan ball game and much more at Xcaret.
At the end of the day head on over to the theater where over 300 artists will entertain you presenting “Xcaret Mexico Espectacular,” which will take you through Mexico’s history.
Discount tickets for Xcaret:
Buy your tickets online for up to 15% off here. Parking is free and makes for an easy day trip from Playa del Carmen.
Places in Mexico to Visit Before or After Playa del Carmen
If you’ve got more time to explore Mexico, there are some amazing places nearby you should check out. If you can’t make it on this trip, consider them on your next trip. Make sure to check out some of our other Mexico articles to fuel your wanderlust.
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There are so many day trips from Playa del Carmen you could take, what are your favorite day trips from Playa del Carmen. Always looking to explore something new. No matter what you do in Playa del Carmen, your sure to have a great time. If it rains just go find a happy hour!
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