Playa del Carmen Itinerary - Tours and Activities
Updated: Mar 16
Just an hour outside of Cancun, Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico to visit. While there is no shortage of all-inclusive beachfront resorts to lounge in all day, the majority of tourists stay within downtown Playa del Carmen, and experience things from the heart of the city. Playa del Carmen is well known for its many beach clubs and roof top pools, but it offers much more than that. Let's take a look at some of the best things Play del Carmen has to offer!
Also check out my other itinerary for Playa del Carmen's neighboring cities Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum, each within an hour of Playa del Carmen.
Disclaimer
Part of the job of a travel agent is to save clients time and money. I looked through hundreds of tours and picked out the best tours to book in various categories that are both the best in quality and price.
Prices listed below are subject to change. Rates are typically discounted for larger groups and children, so use the links provided to see the exact cost for your specific scenario and book what is of interest to you. For tours marked with red stars (***), reach out to me to assist you with booking those tours for added discounts.
3D Museum of Wonders
Need a break from the heat or the beach? Then the place to go is the 3D Museum of Wonders in Playa del Carmen. Considered the first 3D illusion art museum in the Americas, its exhibits are unique and interactive. Open daily, the museum provides family-friendly entertainment on any day, including rainy ones. Your admission gives you access to all rooms. Feel free to bring your camera and take photos of your favorite exhibits — it’s not your everyday museum.
Duration
At your leisure
Availability
Everyday from 10am - 8pm
Price
$32 per person
Coco Bongo Nightclub with Open Bar
Enjoy an open bar and experience Coco Bongo nightclub and disco in Playa del Carmen. This is one of the most popular nightclubs offering dancing, live shows, professional rock-star impersonators, and crowds of partiers.
Duration
6 hours
Availability
Tuesday - Sunday at 8pm
Price
$90 per person for premium tickets
$135 per person for VIP gold tickets
$165 per person for VIP front row tickets
Cirque du Soleil® JOYÀ
Experience tablecloth dining along with the Cirque du Soleil® show 'JOYÁ' at the Vidanta Riviera Maya resort. Allow yourself to be mesmerized by the story of an alchemist and his granddaughter seeking out the secrets of life. The show draws on the heritage and history of Mexico to weave the story, presented in an intimate dinner theatre in the jungle of the Riviera Maya.
Duration
1.5 hours
Availability
Tuesday – Saturday at 6pm
Price
$94 per person show only
$132 per person premium seats, appetizers and champagne
$182 per person premium seats, three-course dinner and champagne
$248 per person early access, VIP seating, VIP service, VIP dinner and unlimited champagne
Experiencas Xcaret***
The best vacations of your life are in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya with the parks and tours by Xcaret. Surround yourself with Mexico’s flora and fauna at Xcaret park Cancun with the variety of attractions to visit, like Mayan ruins, the Mexican Folk Art Museum, among many more. Do unlimited snorkel at Xel-Há All-Inclusive, unveil the mysteries of inlets, cenotes and lagoons in this paradise. Fly over the Mayan jungle in zip-lines and venture into caverns on amphibious vehicles at Xplor park during the day, and at Xplor Fuego at nighttime. Know the four different types of cenotes that exist with the Xenotes Tour. Live the most colorful Mexican floating fiesta with live music and tequila open bar at Xoximilco Cancun. Feel the adventure of rafting in the only whitewater rapids of the Mexican Caribbean at Xavage park. The secrets of the Mayan world are open to you in the archaeological tours by Xcaret, that take you to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza and to the most popular Mayan ruins of the Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum and Coba.
Duration
At your leisure
Availability
Varies by park
Price
There are 9 different parks and tours to choose from and prices change frequently. Prices are also discounted if multiple parks are chosen. Transportation to and from the parks can be added for an extra fee. Reach out and let me know what park(s) and/or tour(s) you would like, I can provide a quote for it.
Dolphin World
Come have a vacation of a lifetime at Dolphin World! Choose between:
Dolphin Encounter: Perfect for those who can’t swim, you will have an amazing interactive encounter with dolphins.
Dolphin Swim: Interact, swim and have a ride with one dolphin.
Royal Dolphin Swim: Interact, swim and have a ride with two dolphins.
A buffet lunch and drinks are also included.
Duration
At your leisure
Availability
Monday – Saturday at 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm and 3:30pm
Price
Dolphin Encounter: $99 per person
Dolphin Swim: $139 per person
Royal Dolphin Swim: $169 per person
Transportation can be included for an additional $10 per person
Snorkeling Adventure at Isla Mujeres
Get out of your resort for the day and embark on an adventure that is strikingly different to the usual beach activities. Board a sailboat and head for a reef in the Caribbean Sea to discover the underwater museum (MUSA). A unique place in the world, the museum is home to submerged statues made by several Mexican artists. Includes lunch, drinks and round-trip transportation.
Duration
8 hours
Availability
Everyday at 7:30am
Price
$95 per person plus a $15 dock fee paid on arrival
Alternative
Whale Shark Encounter - $190 per person
Discover Scuba Diving
Have you always wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater? If you want to try scuba diving, but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into a certification course, Discover Scuba Diving is for you. PADI dive shops offer this program either in a pool, off a beach or from a dive boat. You can try scuba close to home or while you’re on vacation at a dive destination. While not a scuba certification course, Discover Scuba Diving is a quick and easy introduction to what it takes to explore the underwater world.
Duration
4 hours
Availability
Everyday at 9am
Price
$151 per person
Holbox Island
Located to the northwest of Cancun, Mexico, Holbox Island (“Black Hole” in Yucatec Maya) is just 26 miles / 42 km long. Holbox is separated from the mainland coast of Mexico by a shallow lagoon which gives sanctuary to thousands of flamingos, pelicans, and other exotic birds and creatures.
Duration
8 hours
Availability
Everyday at 7:30am
Price
$119 per person
Parasailing
Get the best views of the Caribbean Sea on a parasailing adventure in Cancun. Ride with up to two other passengers on a 10- to 12-minute flight, with aerial views of Isla Mujeres and Nichupté Lagoon. You'll take off and land from the boat, and you won't get wet — unless you want to. Round-trip hotel transportation is included.
Duration
10 mins
Availability
Everyday at 2:30pm
Price
$65 per person plus a $10 dock fee paid on arrival
ATV Tour, Five Ziplines and Cenote Swim
Travel through the Mayan jungle on this action-packed all-day guided tour. Hop on your own ATV (or ride along with a driver) and head to a cenote, an underwater pool, where you can take a refreshing dip. Then fly above the treetops on a ziplining course. A local Mayan lunch is included. Only those 18 years old and above are permitted to drive their own ATV. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.
Duration
4 hours
Availability
Everyday at 8am and 12pm
Price
$69 per person for a double ATV
$79 per person for a single ATV
Jungle Buggy Tour Including Cenote Swim
Journey deep into the Riviera Maya on this guided jungle buggy tour from Playa del Carmen. Steer a 4x4 buggy for about 18 miles and admire the lush forest scenery during this thrilling drive. Make a stop at a ranch for a refreshing swim and snorkel at a cenote. Hotel transport included.
Duration
3 hours
Availability
Monday - Saturday at 8:30am, 11:30am and 2:30pm
Price
$90 per person
Tulum Express Half-Day Tour
Visit the Mayan city of Tulum on a 6-hour tour from Playa del Carmen, and explore temples, pyramids, and history at the edge of the Caribbean Sea. See the site on a two-hour guided tour, then enjoy an hour to explore on your own, snap photos, or visit the Tulum beach. This 6-hour tour includes pickup and drop-off at Playa del Carmen hotels, as well as entrance fees at the Tulum Archeological Site.
Duration
6 hours
Availability
Monday - Friday at 7am
Price
$58.67 per person
Chichen Itza, Valladolid with Cenote Swim & Buffet
Journey to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula to visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza on this full-day excursion that includes easy hotel pickup and drop-off. Along with seeing El Castillo and learning how this pre-Columbian city played an important role in the Mayan civilization, visit the colonial town of Valladolid, stop at a cenote for a quick swim, and enjoy a buffet lunch.
Duration
12 hours
Availability
Everyday at 6am
Price
$102 per person
Tour of Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Cacao-Honey Experience
See what remains of the Maya empire and culture during this full-day, guided tour through two ancient cities. Discover the construction, history, and tradition within the walled Maya ruins in Tulum and climb the pyramid of Nohoch Mul in Coba before a guided tour. Unwind with a swim in a whimsical cenote and enjoy lunch at local restaurant. Includes round-trip transportation.
Duration
12 hours
Availability
Everyday at 7:30am
Price
$79 per person
Alternative
Tulum, Coba and a Cenote - $39 per person
Private Tequila Tasting, Cocktail Class and Rooftop Hopping
Come on an epic afternoon of tequila and mezcal tasting, cocktail making, and rooftop bar lounging. Settle in at three exclusive rooftop bars (one comes with an infinity pool) where you’ll be sipping drinks and snacking in style while also learning all about mezcal and tequila. Cheers!
Duration
3 hours
Availability
Everyday at 1pm
Price
$77.75 per person
The Traveler's Table: All Inclusive Fine Dining
Forget everything you know about going out to dinner. Take your taste buds on a journey through time, showcasing flavors and techniques from the Mayan empire to the present day. Learn and taste the influences of Spain, Africa, and the Middle East, with deliciously paired wines, mezcals, and tequilas, whilst sharing this 5-course meal with travelers from all over the world. Outstandingly fun, interactive and delicious!
Duration
3 hours
Availability
Thursdays at 6:30pm
Price
$139 per person
Local Walking Food Tour
Though there's no shortage of fantastic restaurants in Playa del Carmen, foodies that want to discover real Mexican cuisine shouldn't miss this street food tour, with a guide to lead the way. Visit some of the best local food vendors on your culinary adventure and taste local treats at seven different eateries. Along the way you can sample traditional snacks, sip included bottled water, and even learn a bit about Maya culture from your guide.
Duration
2 hours
Availability
Everyday at 10am, 1pm and 5pm
Price
$45 per person