Making the most of Playa del Carmen
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Some ships serving Playa use smaller boats to tender passengers to the ferry terminal near the central plaza. After dropping off passengers, cruise ships often continue on to Cozumel, and those calling at Playa return to their ship aboard the Playa–Cozumel ferry.
Other ships berth at Puerto Calica, also called Punta Venado, a deepwater port about 8 mi/13 km south of Playa. There is little nearby, though buses and taxis usually wait outside the terminal. A taxi into Playa costs about US$10.
Take a printable map with you.
Playa del Carmen, commonly just Playa, is the centre of the Riviera Maya concept stretching from Cancún to Tulum and the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve. Several cruise ships use Calica quarry docks around six miles south. South of town, the Mayan-themed ecological park Xcaret, pronounced e-shcaret, is popular. Playa activity centres on Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue, a pedestrian route from calle 1 norte to calle 34 one block inland from the beach, lined…
A typical Playa day means relaxing beneath an umbrella along the striking Mayan Riviera beaches with a margarita. The azure sea is ideal for swimming and the steady breeze helps keep visitors cool. Beachside bars and restaurants line Playa del Carmen's shore, inviting lunch with shoes off and toes in cool white sand.
Getting around
For Tulum on a long day, take a city bus from the PdC boardwalk depot for about $3.00 per person one way. It drops passengers on the main highway, then it is a half mile walk to Tulum; admission is about $12.00.
Take a collectivo to snorkel Xcaret or Xel Ha lagoons.
Use the ferry to Cozumel for the world-famous reef. Do not buy a round trip: it restricts departure to the designated return time printed on the ticket. Instead buy one way each time, so you can return whenever you wish and fit your own plans.
Buses to downtown Cancun leave Playa del Carmen every 15 minutes.
Nearby places
For a quieter mood, Akumal and Tulum are close by. A day in colonial Valladolid can include its historic churches and buildings.
Money
Mexico's currency is the peso (MXN). It uses the same symbol as US dollars, which may confuse visitors; dollar prices in tourist areas are labelled US$ or shown with a double-stroke S. The rate is about 17 peso to 1US$.
US dollars are widely taken in the far north and tourist locations elsewhere.
Cards are less widely accepted than in Europe or the USA, and some businesses charge around 5% extra for card transactions.
Staying connected
Spanish is the principal language.
Free-WiFi cafés are scattered throughout town. Near the ferry pier, Atomic Internet Cafe is on 8th Street between 5th and 10th Avenues, while Cyberia is on 4th Street at 15th Avenue.
Opening Hours and
Big towns and cities: Mon-Sun 1000/1100-2000/2200; elsewhere: Mon-Fri 0900-1400/1600.