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marymperezga · 5 years

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Best Things To Do In Playa Del Carmen (On The Riviera Maya)

Things to do in Playa Del Carmen

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Planning to visit Mexico soon? These are my favorite things to do in Playa del Carmen after living here for over a year. Pretty beaches, cenote swimming, Mayan ruins and more.

Playa del Carmen is a fun beach town on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, part of the classic Riviera Maya route down the coast.

Smaller and less touristy than Cancun, it’s becoming a popular travel destination for people looking for travel experiences that are more substantial than your typical all-inclusive resort.

I spent over a year working and living in Playa del Carmen as a digital nomad.

Lately, friends have been asking for vacation advice about the area — so I wanted to share some my favorite things to do in Playa del Carmen!

Things To Do In Playa Del Carmen

1: Cenote Diving/Snorkeling

Swimming at Cenote Azul

What’s a cenote you ask? It’s an underground cave filled with fresh water. The Yucatan has tons of them — sinkholes that open up into underground rivers with the clearest water you’ve ever seen.

If you have your PADI license, you can go scuba diving in these caves with a guide. Because there’s daylight near the entrance, a more technical cave diving license isn’t required.

Not a scuba diver? No problem. You can also go snorkeling at most cenotes. Some of my favorite cenotes near Playa del Carmen are:

Cenote Dos Ojos

Cenote Azul

Garden of Eden

Gran Cenote

2: Visit Ancient Mayan Ruins

Coba Mayan Ruins

The ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum are located South of Playa del Carmen in the town of Tulum. Tulum was once a small but important port city that sits on the edge of a cliff, with a beach below where you can swim too.

Because Tulum is so popular, the ruins can be crowded unless you arrive early in the morning. Coba is another Mayan site near Playa del Carmen which sees less visitors. You can even still climb the pyramid there too!

Of course, everyone who visits the Yucatan Peninsula wants to check out Mexico’s most famous ruins, Chichen Itza. This site is a bit further away, about 2 hours by car.

3: Playa Del Carmen Nightlife

Coco Bongo Nightclub

Playa del Carmen’s nightlife is fun, but not quite as crazy as Cancun. It’s a smaller town. However it does have one special nightclub called Coco Bongo that I think is worth a visit.

Part Vegas show, part nightclub, and a bit cheesy — but it’s still one hell of a party.

You’ll see flying acrobats, blockbuster movie characters, and rock-star impersonators take the stage in turns throughout the night while you drink from a giant plastic cup full of alcohol.

Every ticket includes full open bar all night, so take plenty of photos because you probably won’t remember what happened the next day!

4: Swimming With Sea Turtles

Snorkeling with Sea Turtles at Akumal

Who doesn’t want to swim with sea turtles? I’ve always wanted to, that’s for sure. I got my chance at Akumal beach, 30 minutes South of Playa del Carmen.

The shallow blue-green water here is home to Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead sea turtles that you can swim with.

To visit Akumal, the cheapest way is to take a colectivo taxi headed for Tulum from the stand located on Calle 2 Norte between Avenida 15 and 20 in Playa del Carmen. Tell them you want to get off at Akumal.

From the highway, it’s a 5-minute walk to Akumal Bay. Bring your own snorkeling gear, life jacket or rent some there. Swimming with the turtles is free!

5: Self-Guided Taco Tour

El Fogon Tacos are Tasty!

Hey, it’s Mexico. Mexican food in the Yucatan is cheap & delicious. There are a few special restaurants in Playa del Carmen I want to share with you.

If you’re looking for some authentic tacos, check out El Fogon. It’s a hangout for local taxi drivers. The place is super basic with plastic chairs and Mexican Idol blaring on the TV, but order 3 or 4 tacos pastor, a cold beer, and you’ll be in heaven.

Another great option for tacos is Don Sirloin. Their taco sauces are the best! My favorite is the jalapeno and pineapple one…

Don Sirloin has two locations, one on 10th Avenue between 12th Street and 14th Street and another on Constituyentes Avenue at the corner of 25th Avenue (next to Mega).

6: Salsa Dancing At Zenzi

Zenzi is a beach bar and restaurant, located right off the sand in Playa Del Carmen. While of course the food and drink here is great, the real attraction is the salsa dancing!

Every Saturday night a live salsa band plays as guests and visitors join in or simply watch as local dancers show off their best moves on the dance floor.

7: Boat Trip To Cozumel

Beautiful Beaches of Cozumel

Cozumel is a small island off the coast of Playa del Carmen known for it’s pristine beaches. Normally a stop for cruise ships, you can take a 45-minute ferry over on your own from Playa del Carmen for about $13 USD.

An easy & cheap day trip is renting a scooter and driving it around the island where all the best beaches are. Or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can try hitchhiking around the island instead.

As long as there isn’t a cruise ship in port, you’ll have those white sand beaches to yourself. Plenty of stops on the way for lunch & photos. Jump on the last ferry back to Playa del Carmen around sunset.

8: Parque Fundadores

Playa del Carmen’s Parque Fundadores

Parque Fundadores, or the “Founding Fathers Park”, is a public park in Playa del Carmen just north of the Cozumel ferry terminal along the beach with entertainment for the whole family.

While a playground entertains children, adults can take a stroll down the beach and check out the Portal Maya statue, sitting over 50 feet tall.

You might also catch a Papantla Flyer’s (Voladores de Papantla) performance in the park. A spectacular acrobatic show of men swinging from a 90ft pole by their feet! Please remember to tip them too!

9: Ride A Colectivo

Colectivo Public Taxi Vans

You can’t visit Playa del Carmen without using a Colectivo (group taxi). You’ll see these vans cruise down the street picking up locals. It’s an interesting (and confusing) experience if you’ve never tried it before.

They stuff as many people as possible into these things, and rides can cost less than $1.

Destinations are written on the windshield, but if you don’t know the names, it won’t make much sense. A good place to start is by grabbing one at the Colectivo station on Calle 2 Norte from Playa del Carmen to Akumal beach (mentioned earlier).

Remember to tell the driver where you’re going! It’s cheap, fun, and will push you out of your comfort zone a bit.

10: Go Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a great place to base yourself if you’re a scuba diver. Along with all the cool cenote cave diving areas I mentioned earlier, there are some decent reefs nearby too.

A few of the most popular are Pared Verde Ledge and Tortugas near Playa del Carmen itself, Gorgonians down near Akumal, Palancar Reef and Santa Rosa Wall off the coast of Cozumel.

There are tons of dive shops and schools in and around town, so if you’ve always wanted to get your PADI open water diving certification, Playa del Carmen is a great place to do it!

11: Hit The Beach!

Best Beaches in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen’s beaches have been hit be erosion pretty badly over the past few years, and frankly the beaches down in Tulum are a lot nicer, however, you can still find a spot to soak up the sun while enjoying a fruity drink.

Mamitas Beach

One great place to lay out in the sun is Mamitas Beach Club. You can rent lounge chairs with umbrellas, go jet skiing, parasailing, or take a sailboat ride. This is kind of the “party” beach where people go to be seen.

Playacar Beach

Another good beach is in front of Playacar Phase 1 Community. While the gated community is private, the beach is public. Just walk a few minutes South from the Cozumel Ferry Pier. Fewer tourists, more sand, and just a nicer beach. There are no services out there — bring your own food/beverages.

Punta Esmeralda Beach

This is a busy public beach at the far North end of Playa del Carmen, with more locals than tourists. At Punta Esmeralda there’s a limestone sinkhole/cenote that’s connected to the ocean that acts as a protected swimming spot for kids.

12: Walk Playa’s Famous 5th Avenue

Walking 5th Ave in Playa

You can’t visit Playa del Carmen and miss walking down “La Quinta”, aka 5th Avenue. It’s the main walking-street lined with all manner of shops, beach bars, and restaurants.

The cobbled-stoned street is where you’ll find most of the city’s nightlife. It’s a lot of fun to find a bar or cafe, sit down, and watch the (sometimes strange) parade of people walk by.

You can spend hours wandering down the street, stopping into touristy shops, cafes, and trying different vegan smoothies. At night, street performers line the sides dressed in costumes, or breakdancing for tips.

13: Rooftop Pool At Be Playa

After a busy day exploring the sights of Playa Del Carmen, what better than a cocktail while lounging by the pool.

Unlike many of the rooftop pools in the area, the Be Playa pool champions a laid-back atmosphere and provides a welcome escape from the loud music of the surrounding hotels.

Attracting many locals and expats for this reason, Be Playa’s rooftop is small but cozy and a real treat after a long day.

14: Xpuha Beach Day Trip

South of Playa del Carmen, but before Tulum, there are two great beaches that make for a great day trip away from the larger crowds.

A 20-minute drive will bring you to Xpuha Beach; a stretch of beautiful white sand lies interspersed with beach bars and restaurants.

The beach entry fee is 50 pesos, and you can rent beach chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling equipment, and kayaks here too.

15: Relax At Xcacel Beach

Beautiful Xcacel Beach!

A bit further south you’ll find Xcacel, one of my favorite beaches in the Yucatan Peninsula. The ocean is a bit rougher than at Xpuha, but there’s also a freshwater cenote to cool off in.

May-October is sea turtle nesting season, and some areas of the beach may be roped off to protect buried turtle eggs. If you’re a good swimmer, there is some decent snorkeling on the North side of the beach.

The entry fee for this beach is 10 – 20 pesos (for sea turtle protection). This remote beach doesn’t really have many services, although there are bathrooms.

16: Alux Cave Restaurant

Restaurant in a Cave?

For an upscale dining experience, check out Alux, the restaurant built inside an underground cave!

Aluxes are supernatural spirits who protect Mexico’s sacred places.

Colored cave lights created a mysterious atmosphere, while waterfalls set the tone for a romantic evening.

After dinner, make sure to ask for a quick cave tour, because the whole complex is MUCH bigger than it first looks! You may even see a bat or two flying around.

17: Frida Kahlo Museum

Frida Kahlo is one of those artists you either know or you don’t. A local icon in Mexico, Frida created portraits and self-portraits inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico; mixing realistic images with fantasy.

The museum doesn’t contain any original works of art, but it does embrace the life and works of Frida Kahlo; giving visitors a chance to learn about her controversial art through photos, videos, diagrams, and collages.

Everything is very artistic and colorful, right through to the inevitable tourist gift shop, and it’s worth a visit if only for a little while!

18: Eat Some Street Elote

What is elote? Elote is essentially corn-on-the-cob, roasted on an open grill with a decadent coating of salt, chili powder, butter, lime juice, cotija cheese and mayonnaise.

Elote is referred to as Mexican Street Corn, famous for its sweet and smoky flavors with a salty hit as you bite through the outside, and found at many Mexican grills, or street food carts.

The best elote in Playa del Carmen can be found sold from carts on the main drag of Avenida Benito Juarez — especially in the evenings.

19: Rent A Jet Ski

Racing Jet Skis off Mamita’s Beach!

I’m sure we don’t need to do much convincing here – who doesn’t want to whizz around on a jet ski as part of their holiday? Particularly when the location is as stunning as Playa Del Carmen!

Mamitas beach is probably the best place to rent one to drive it like you stole it. The flat seas make for a speedy and exhilarating ride, making jet ski hire well worth the cost!

20: Take A Sailing Trip

Take a Sailing Trip off the Coast

From booze cruises to full-day sailing tours, the opportunities for getting out on the water are never-ending in Playa Del Carmen.

While the booze cruises are great for spring breakers, I prefer more relaxing trips to coral reefs for snorkeling. For the most romantic option, there’s also sunset trips.

21: Ocean Paragliding

Ocean paragliding is a hugely popular activity in Playa Del Carmen, with many boats ready to pull their passengers through the sky over the ocean.

Take off can be quite a bumpy ride, once you’re up in the air paragliding is one of the most serene and peaceful experiences on the busy beaches of Mexico.

As a bonus, paragliding gives you an excellent view of the coastline from above. Great for photos if you have a waterproof camera!

22: Sunrise Stand Up Paddle Boarding

You still haven’t seen the ocean in its true beauty until you do a sunrise paddle board session. The Aloha Paddle Club offers sunrise sessions for mixed groups.

Paddleboarding is available for all levels and abilities, with instructors present to provide guidance to anyone who may need it. An incredible way to appreciate the sunrise!

23: Grab An Acai Or Quinoa Bowl

Bio-Natural is an organic store and vegetarian restaurant, with plenty of vegan offerings and healthy options. It’s extremely popular in Playa.

Their fruit bowls are made fresh from scratch you can be sure that any dietary requirements you have will be taken care of. They also have some awesome cold-pressed juices.

Bio-Natural is worth a visit – particularly for the health-conscious! I often came here for breakfast, choosing the healthy & hearty quinoa bowl with a glass of carrot juice.

Where To Stay In Playa Del Carmen

Playa has become a popular tourist hub for travelers to base themselves while exploring the Yucatan Peninsula. If you’re wondering where to stay in Playa del Carmen, here are my recommendations depending on your budget.

Best Accommodation In Playa del Carmen

BUDGET Hostal MX

MID-RANGE Reina Roja

LUXURY BRIC Hotel & Spa

FREE AIRBNB COUPON CODE! Have you ever considered short-term apartment rentals? It’s a great way to save money! Click here to learn how to get $35 off your first booking.

Playa Del Carmen Tips & Advice

If you’re looking for a good time, want to know about best things to buy in Mexico and want something different than Cancun, you really can’t go wrong by basing yourself in Playa del Carmen to explore the best of what the Yucatan Peninsula has to offer. ★

Travel Planning Resources For Playa Del Carmen

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to find deals on airlines. Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Car Hire is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.

Recommended Guidebook: Lonely Planet Yucatan Suggested Reading: The Maya: Ancient Peoples & Places

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READ MORE FROM MEXICO

Best Of The Yucatan Peninsula Tips For Visiting Mayan Ruins Of Tulum How Much Does Traveling Mexico Cost? Chichen Itza: Mexico’s World Wonder Highlights & Things To Do In Cancun

Have any questions about things to do in Playa del Carmen? What about other suggestions? Drop me a message in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

from Tips For Traveling https://expertvagabond.com/playa-del-carmen-things-to-do/

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gatestreetbarn-blog · 6 years

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Mexico

Names: Laura Marsh & Olly Astbury

Honeymoon Dates: 24th December 2018 – 8th January 2019

Honeymoon Destination: Mexico

Tourist Operator Details & Feedback: Thomas Cook – really helpful in the run up to the honeymoon, helped us with any query we had.

Airline/Travel Details & Feedback: Thomas Cook Airlines – we sat in Premium which was very spacious and would definitely recommend. We booked two seats together and it felt private. Food and drinks were really good and plentiful!

Hotel/Accommodation & Feedback: The Royal Suites, Yucatan. We stayed in a Junior Suite with a Private Pool. The hotel was amazing. It was luxurious and we had a butler who helped us with restaurant bookings or any taxis we wanted to book. The restaurants at the hotel were brilliant and the food was incredible. We also had access to another 4 hotels over the complex but they weren’t able to come to ours so it felt very exclusive. We were there over New Year and there was a big New Year’s Eve party on the beach with fireworks. As the complex is so big, there are golf buggies everywhere to take you to where you want to go! It was an adults only hotel too which for us was heaven!

Recommended Attractions/Excursions/Restaurants etc. We did day trips to the island of Cozumel and Tulum. We rented a car in Cozumel and drove round the island. We went to lunch at Coconuts Restaurant which was this amazing shack on the beach with really tasty traditional food and cocktails. In Tulum we visited the ruins and had lunch nearby again with great traditional food and cocktails. We have both been to the area before and so we didn’t go to Chichen Itza on this trip as we had already been but it is well worth the trip. We would also recommend Isla Mujeres which is a beautiful island off the coast of Cancun where you travel in golf buggies around the island. We also did our PADI course within the resort which was brilliant to do and very easy to do in the hotel.

General Comments and tips for others! The hotel was amazing and complete luxury that I have never experienced before. We did have some rainy afternoons but this only lasted for 10 minutes or so. It was very windy which did make our dives more difficult so if you are going to dive, perhaps look at going another time of year.

Definitely make sure you have time to do some day trips in the region as it is a beautiful part of the world. Go to a Cenote as they are amazing!

It was expensive; however, it was much cheaper than going to Mauritius or the Maldives at that time of year. As it was all inclusive, once you were there you felt like everything was free!

Would you Recommend to Others: YES Value for money: YES

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timetosurface-blog · 6 years

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Enjoying Cave Diving In Socorro Island With The Help Of Professional Association Of Diving Instructors

Scuba jumping has been one of the powerful exercises for voyagers who hunger for to pump their adrenaline levels. There is no lack of fine jump goals on the planet and one doesn't need to surge the extent that Australia's Great Barrier Reef! Numerous island goals found generally considerably closer offer sparkling scuba jumping and swimming knowledge.

Maldives

Maldives is a genuine heaven for jumpers from over the world and a key motivation behind why flights to Maldives remain so prominent. Several islands at Maldives have unending number of jump destinations that component phenomenal multi toned marine life going from sound corals, brilliant gorgonians, and also fishes of numerous uncommon assortments. It is even conceivable to recognize the sharks somewhat far from the shallow reef. The plunging and swimming background at Maldives is stunning and the jump focuses and Sidemount courses Tulum here add to the involvement with proficient teachers and exclusive requirement types of gear.

Sipadan, Malaysia

Off the North Eastern Malaysian Borneo's drift lies this solitary volcanic island, now terminated, which is a fortune trove of rich marine life and an ideal sanctuary for jumpers. Most jumping lovers booking tickets to Malaysiado not miss Sipadan. 12 jump destinations and a broad zone of shallow waters on the reef ensure that the jumpers and also swimming buffs have a ton of fun and shifted involvement. Take a brisk dive at 'Drop Off' or a tremendous brush with the marine life in shallow waters previously venturing out at 'South Point'. While locating the huge schools of Barracuda, green and birds of prey charge turtles and parrotfish is normal, angles like manta and falcon beams, hammerhead sharks and whale sharks are a portion of the guests in Sipadan waters.

Mauritius

The shower warm waters of the Indian Ocean guarantee that the shore of Mauritius remains an ideal home for astounding coral reefs supporting horde of brilliantly tinted marine species extending from awesome sessile life forms to littler and bigger fishes. Mauritius is prevalent for being an ideal goal for energizing tropical occasions. PADI cenote diving action might be trappings that the nation brags of; anyway these remain the most critical ones proceed. There are various conceivable outcomes in Mauritius extending from wreks jumping, give in plunging, coral and most strangely Shark plunging. Various plunge focuses offer jumping courses to the guests and furthermore give guided plunge visits.

Maria La Gorda, Cuba

cave diving tours might not have known about Cuba's debut plunge goal but rather ask a veteran and you will realize that Maria La Gorda is among world's best plunge goals. The marine life is unparalleled and ranges from littlest of the widely varied vegetation part to the biggest ones, not precluding even the sharks. Be that as it may, the site is favored for the most part by the veteran jumpers as there is nothing at Maria La Gorda except for plunging roads. The main jump focus and the inn may not coordinate numerous holidaymaker's desires. Be that as it may, a remarkable plunging background here keeps on attracting jumpers to search for shoddy air tickets to Cuba.

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touristguidebuzz · 7 years

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15 Awesome Things To Do In Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula

Mexico’s Amazing Yucatan Peninsula

Mexico

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is a vast coastal region brimming with tropical beaches, spectacular wildlife, ancient Mayan ruins, small colonial towns, and plenty of outdoor adventures.

The Yucatan Peninsula is a place of emerald waters turning to turquoise waves crashing on perfectly white coral-sand beaches.

It’s a place of lush green forests dotted with Mayan ruins, cool shades of colonial-era architecture, and sea-life ablaze with color – all under Caribbean blue skies.

Many people shorten “Yucatan Peninsula” to “Yucatan”. That’s actually misleading, since the peninsula itself is made up of four different states: Yucatan, Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Tabasco.

The peninsula separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, and everything tropical you associate with the word “Caribbean” is on full display along its shorelines. It’s one of my favorite parts of Mexico!

Understandably, the Yucatan is an increasingly popular place to take a vacation, with cheap & easy flights from many major cities to Mexico’s notorious party town of Cancun.

But there is sooooo much more to the Yucatan Peninsula than Cancun!

Best Of The Yucatan Peninsula

Mayan Ruins Of Chichen Itza

1: Explore Chichen Itza

This UNESCO world heritage site is a centerpiece of the Mayan archaeological scene in Mexico, and gets around 1.4 million visitors a year — the region’s most popular ruins.

For over a thousand years this was one of the great cities of Central America – located here because of proximity to deep cenotes that gave access to fresh water. The modern site covers 5 square kilometers of exposed archaeology and impressive above-ground stone buildings, surrounded by dense forest.

You’ve probably seen pictures of the temple of Kukulcan – also known as El Castillo – because it’s breathtakingly photogenic. However, a century’s worth of excavations means the rest of Chichen Itza is equally cool.

Amazing Pink Lakes of Las Coloradas

2: Visit Las Coloradas

In a corner of the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, about 3 hours from Cancun, you’ll find a magical place where sea water turns bright pink on an epic scale.

It’s all down to salt production. The Las Coloradas pink lakes are used for industrial-scale sea-salt production. As the water evaporates, salinity causes an explosion in the growth of red algae, plankton and brine shrimp, tinting the water reddish-pink.

You can visit the lakes (and small town by the same name) if you have a car, and walk along their shores taking surreal photos of the pink water. It’s a really weird sight – and, curiously, the reason why flamingos are pink!

You may even spot some flamingos hanging out in the area too. Las Coloradas has become Instagram famous recently, and it’s no longer possible to get into the water, but you can still take photos.

Snorkeling with Turtles at Akumal

3: Snorkel With Sea Turtles

Who doesn’t want to swim with sea turtles? Well you can at Akumal beach, just 30 minutes South of Playa del Carmen. This shallow blue-green water is home to 3 different kinds of sea turtles that you can swim with.

For years you could simply swim with the turtles at Akumal on your own, bringing your own snorkeling gear. However to help preserve the area, they’ve implemented some new rules in 2017.

A lifejacket is required (which you can rent along with snorkel gear), and lifeguards patrol the water on paddle boards. Organized sea turtle snorkeling tours are also offered by locals.

Traditional Mexican Hammocks

4: Buy A Hammock In Merida

The capital city of Yucatan state has colonial history is written into the architecture of most of the buildings in the beautiful, pedestrian-friendly city centre, and liberal use of white limestone has given Merida the nickname “the white city”.

It’s a cosmopolitan place, meaning there are plenty of tourists – but broad streets and high rooftops never make it feel crowded or heavily populated. It’s a great place to base yourself for exploring the rest of the peninsula.

There are some great Maya ruins located nearby, like the site at Uxmal. Along with huge flocks of pink flamingos just 2 hours away at Celestun Biosphere.

Merida is also a perfect place to pick up a locally made Mexican hammock. Hammock weaving in the Yucatan Peninsula is a 700 year old tradition, producing some of the most beautiful hammocks in the world.

Swimming with Whale Sharks

5: Whale Sharks At Isla Holbox

Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean, growing up to 40 feet long and weighing up to 20,000 pounds. And, you can swim with them! However you don’t have to worry about them eating you, as they prefer plankton.

Swimming next to a 30 foot long sea creature, the size of a bus, was a wild experience. It’s a bit intimidating to be honest… they’re huge!

Whale shark snorkeling trips can be organized from Cancun, but if you want a real adventure, I recommend doing it from Isla Holbox, a small sleepy island paradise off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Yellow Buildings in Izamal

6: Izamal The Yellow Town

Welcome to another city obsessed with a primary color! Almost every major expanse of wall and building facade was painted a deep golden yellow for a special visit from Pope John Paul II in 1993, and they just never changed it.

Izamal is built on a series of hills that once housed Mayan pyramids (and much of the town still speaks the Mayan language). There is still one big pyramid overlooking the town that you can actually climb.

Like Merida, the Izamal is designed to be walkable (be sure to check out the enormous yellow-painted Franciscan monastery in the historic center) – but you can also get around by hiring horse-drawn carriages.

Dzitnup Cenote Outside Valladolid

7: Swimming In Cenotes

What’s a cenote you ask? It’s an underground cave filled with fresh water. The Yucatan Peninsula has tons of them — sinkholes that open up into underground rivers with the clearest water you’ve ever seen.

Cenotes are the perfect way to cool off on a hot day, Mexico’s natural swimming holes created when the limestone bedrock caved in to reveal underground rivers below.

There are around 2000 different cenotes across the Yucatan. I’ve visited many of them, but some of my favorites are Dzitnip, Azul, Dos Ojos, and La Noria.

For the more adventurous, scuba divers can also explore these underwater caves if you’re a certified PADI diver. The Yucatan is one of the world’s premier cave-diving destinations.

San Gervasio Church in Valladolid

8: Mayan Food In Valladolid

Not to be confused with its Spanish counterpart, this sleepy colonial city is also built on top of an ancient Mayan settlement. The centra plaza is full of classic Spanish-looking buildings, museums, and many wonderfully tasty traditional Maya restaurants and food stalls!

Valladolid is another good base for exploring the Yucatan Peninsula with affordable accommodation, close proximity to Chichen Itza (only 45 minutes away), and a bunch of different freshwater cenotes nearby.

The Yucatecan food here is awesome, and I highly recommend you try some traditional favorites like Cochinita Pibil (pulled pork) and Relleno Negro De Pavo (black turkey soup).

Crazy Cancun Nightlife

9: Party In Cancún!

A rough translation of the word Cancun in Mayan is “pot of snakes” – and this accurately describes how you might feel about this riotous city of hotels, bars and every kind of party you can dream up.

Cancun does have a lot going for it though. You can swim with whale sharks, rent jet skis, relax on the beach, take a scuba diving course, race Lamborghinis, or sail around at sunset with a drink in your hand.

Plus, of course, the awesome nightlife you’ll find there.

Most people visit Cancun for the all-inclusive resorts and late night debauchery, but if you skip the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula, you’re totally missing the best stuff in my opinion!

5th Ave in Playa del Carmen

10: Walk La Quinta Avenida

When it comes to Playa del Carmen, aka “Playa”, I’m a little biased – I spent over a year living and working here. It’s one of the major tourist spots along the Riviera Maya, an impressive stretch of coastline from Cancun to Tulum.

Despite its popularity, the town is a lot less party-oriented than its neighbors, and the nightlife isn’t as crazy. It’s also pedestrian-friendly and laid out in a grid, making exploring on foot an absolute breeze.

Playa del Carmen’s highlight is a walking-street called La Quinta Avenida, lined with all manner of shops, beach bars, and restaurants. For more details on what you can do in Playa del Carmen, check out my dedicated blog post.

Scuba Diving in Cozumel

11: Scuba Diving Around Cozumel

A short ferry ride away from Playa del Carmen, the island of Cozumel runs at a completely different pace of life. This low limestone island is lined with scenic rocky beaches and jungle.

It’s also on the cruise ship route, as clearly seen from the amount of gift shops near the docks at San Miguel, home to most of the island’s population – but get away from town and the island’s rich emptiness reveals itself.

Unsurprisingly, Cozumel is a premier destination for scuba diving & snorkeling, catering to all skill levels.

One of my favorite things to do is just rent a car or moped and drive around the island, stopping at pretty beaches and fun bars along the way (careful not to drink too much!).

Tulum’s Beautiful Beaches

12: Sunbathing & Yoga In Tulum

Tulum has the best beaches in the Yucatan Peninsula. The area originally served as a major port for the nearby Mayan jungle city of Cobá – but these days it’s full of hippies, backpackers, and celebrities looking to unwind.

Strictly speaking, there are three “Tulums.” There’s the pueblo (local town) where you can find affordable places to eat and sleep. The Tulum Archaeological Site features Mayan ruins perched on the edge of a sea cliff.

Lastly, Tulum’s playa is the stretch of coastline where you’ll find fancy resorts, vegan restaurants, health spas, and yoga studios. Rent a beach cruiser bicycle and check out all of Tulum’s great beaches!

Tulum has ample scuba diving, snorkeling, kite surfing, yoga, and cenote opportunities. You can also head a little out of town into the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve for awesome mangrove & wildlife tours.

Bacalar Lagoon

13: Kayaking Bacalar Lagoon

It’s hard to imagine this sedate lakeside town being overrun by pirates – but that’s the history in these parts. A lack of defensive power in the 17th Century saw the arrival of Caribbean pirates, using natural waterways from the sea to aid their plundering.

Today it’s a quiet, relaxing place of 12,000 souls, well-preserved fishermen’s houses – and lots of boats. If you come to Bacalar and don’t rent a kayak for the day, you’re missing all the fun!

Paddling across the glowing blue waters of the Lagoon of Seven Colors, you’ll notice how it gets its name from the effect of different depths and contrasting ground soils upon sunlight, giving the lagoon a multi-hued appearance.

Exploring Caves at Rio Secreto

14: Mexico’s Adventure Theme Parks

Throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, especially along the Riviera Maya, you’ll find a series of outdoor adventure theme parks built to take advantage of the natural landscape.

Some of the post popular ones are Xcaret, Xel Ha, Xplor and Rio Secreto. They’re like organized adventures that will take you zip-lining through the trees, swimming in caves, driving ATVs, or snorkeling with colorful fish.

A great way for families to spend a day in Mexico, but adults will have a good time at these theme parks too. I think my favorite was Rio Secreto, because it feels a little more authentic and less touristy.

Maya Ruins of Calakmul

15: Calakmul Mayan Ruins

Calakmul is an ancient Mayan city located deep within the jungle in Campeche state near the border with Guatemala. Not many people make it out this way due to it’s remote location.

Surrounded by the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, it’s extremely remote, and a true adventure for those looking to get off the beaten tourist trail in the Yucatan Peninsula. You’re likely to see only a handful of other visitors.

Among the many interesting structures found at this archeological site are two gigantic pyramids — with the largest one reaching 55 meters high (165 feet). It’s the 2nd highest pyramid in Mexico, and you can still climb it!

Is The Yucatan Safe?

Despite Mexico’s troubled history with cartel violence, local governments in the Yucatan Peninsula have worked hard to keep their major tourist attractions crime-free.

It’s significantly safer for visitors than other parts of Mexico, making it a popular vacation destination for Mexicans as well as foreigners.

Petty crime and common travel scams can be an issue in more touristy towns like Cancun & Playa del Carmen, but the more serious drug cartel type violence usually doesn’t target tourists.

Renting a Buggy on Cozumel

Transport Around The Yucatan

If your budget can stretch to it, usually recommending renting a car – it’ll give you the freedom you want, and allow you to get to attractions early in the morning, before the crowds turn up and midday heat sets in.

Otherwise, you’ll be pretty well served by the ADO bus network – apart from when you’re in the more out-the-way places. Note that you can’t buy bus tickets online – the only way is to purchase them at local bus terminals.

You can also hunt down local colectivos, shared transportation, where you’ll be squeezing into cars with local (this isn’t a great option if you have a lot of luggage).

Best Time To Visit

If you’re from a relatively chilly part of the United States or Europe, plan to visit Yucatan between the end of October and the beginning of April. It’s when the skies are clearest and the temperature is most bearable.

Busy season in the Yucatan Peninsula starts in December and goes on through March. Basically when all the snow-birds from the US and Canada fly down to escape the winter snow. ★

Traveling To Mexico Soon?