Playa del Carmen is one of those places that I think gets a bad rap from people who assume it’s too touristy to be worth visiting.
Yes, it is touristy. Yes, 5th Avenue can be crowded. And yes, there are plenty of all-inclusive resorts, souvenir shops, and restaurants designed specifically for tourists.
But there’s another side of Playa del Carmen that I really enjoyed discovering.
It’s a place where you can work out in the morning, walk to the beach, grab affordable tacos for lunch, take a ferry to an island for the afternoon, and finish the day with wine or drinks somewhere along 5th Avenue. It’s also an incredibly convenient base for exploring other parts of the Riviera Maya.
I spent time figuring out what I’d actually recommend to someone visiting Playa del Carmen, and these are the places and experiences that made my time there so much better.
Work Out Like a Local
One of the things I loved about Playa del Carmen was how easy it was to maintain a normal fitness routine while traveling.
I worked out with PDC Fitness Club, which became one of my favorite activities while I was there. If you’re staying in Playa and enjoy being active and having a supportive, fun community, I definitely recommend working out with them!
The workouts are 100% free, and the coaches are incredible. Between yoga, HIIT workouts at the track, sunrise beach sessions, and their run club, there is something for everyone! You can check out the details on their IG here. If you’re feeling nervous about working out with a group, please don’t! The coaches and all of the members are incredibly welcoming and encouraging; everyone truly cheers each other on. It is really incredible and one of the things I miss the most about being in Playa.
If you can’t make it to one of the PDC Fitness Club workouts, the Deportivo Mario Villanueva Madrid has a track and sports complex that you can access for free (except when there is a soccer match or other event happening). It’s a great place to go for a run, walk, or workout when you don’t feel like being inside a gym.
I love finding places like this when I travel because it gives you a chance to experience a destination while keeping up with your fitness regimen, and you get to feel a little more like a local rather than constantly feeling like a tourist.
Spend a Day at the Beach
Obviously, you can’t come to Playa del Carmen without spending time at the beach. But not all of the beaches here feel the same, and I definitely developed a couple of favorites.
Playa Coco Beach, Playa 72, and Punta Esmeralda are my favorites for spending an entire beach day or just going for a morning or sunset walk. They are located on the north edge of town; the beaches are much wider than the ones in the center, and you get to enjoy the beach away from the busiest parts of the main tourist area.
One of the best things about Playa del Carmen is that you don’t necessarily need to plan an elaborate beach excursion. Sometimes the best day is simply grabbing a towel, finding a good stretch of sand, and staying there for a few hours.
Where to grab a drink?
5th Avenue gets a lot of criticism for being touristy, but there are still places along it that I really enjoy.
One of my favorites for a relaxed drink is Off the Vine. Wine bars are not as common in much of Mexico as they are in other parts of the world, so if you like wine, this is a great place to slow down for a glass while you’re wandering around 5th Avenue. Sometimes after spending the day running around doing activities, that’s exactly what you need. Sit down, order a glass, and people-watch for a while.
For beachfront drinks, head to Lido, a hotel that welcomes non-hotel guests into their beachfront restaurant and bar. Really close to Lido, you’ll find both Red Room and Dirty Martini Lounge. Red Room is a small, funky bar with good DJ music and a much more intimate atmosphere. It’s the kind of place I like when I want to go somewhere with personality rather than just finding the biggest party. Dirty Martini Lounge is another popular option for a little more of a social atmosphere, particularly with foreigners. They have 2-for-1 martinis on Tuesdays, plus karaoke on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
If you’re craving a cute patio with yummy craft beer, Chela de Playa is located on one of the most beautiful streets in all of Playa. It is a great beer-focused bar (that serves more than just beer), where you can play board games, watch sports on the TV, or admire the turtles in the cenote attached to their patio. If you like beer, I recommend trying their white IPA, if they have it on tap when you visit.
To change it up and have some fun at a bar with loads of games, go to the south end of town and visit The Warehouse. They have a lot of games and activities, including video games, (small) paddle courts, board games, ping pong, Jenga, etc.
If you’re looking for nightlife, there are TONS of clubs and bars all around the tourist area. Personally, those large, packed clubs are not my style. If you like to dance but prefer a smaller scene and fewer tourists, head to Club 54 or Encanto Beach. On Fridays, Encanto Beach has a retro night, with a focus on 80s, 90s, and 2000s music that is really fun, and they have good drink specials. Check their social media LINK to see what the details are when you’re visiting.
Playa del Carmen has no shortage of bars and clubs, especially around 5th Avenue, so you can easily find somewhere to keep the night going that fits the vibe you’re looking for. If you’re staying in Playa for a while, I’d definitely mix in some of these smaller bars and clubs I mentioned rather than spending every night on 5th Avenue.
Where to eat?
Let’s get to one of the most important parts of any trip to Mexico: the food. And if you follow my blog, you know I generally highlight affordable food options, and this post is no different!
Three of my favorite taco spots in Playa del Carmen are Birria de la 30, Master Tacos, and Tacos el Cuñao. These are all in the northern half of the city, serving up great birria tacos (my favorite), along with many other popular styles. They provide quick, friendly service and put out consistent dishes. Note that Tacos el Cuñao is a food truck, so if you want to sit down and relax for a while for your meal, I wouldn’t go there then, but be sure to try it another time because it’s delicious!Â
Yes, I know you’re in Mexico. But sometimes you want a burger. Smashing Burgers has two locations in Playa del Carmen and serves up some really good smash burgers. It’s an easy option when you’ve been eating Mexican food for days and suddenly find yourself craving something completely different. No judgment here.
Another great budget-friendly option is Pizza Renzo, serving up pizza by the slice at a couple of locations in Playa del Carmen. This is an easy choice when you don’t want something quick vs sitting down for a full meal. It’s cheap, convenient, and good-enough-pizza to settle your hunger quickly at a very low cost. Make sure you have cash; they don’t accept cards, but with pizza slices only costing 30 pesos or so, you also don’t need much cash!
If you’re looking for another break from Mexican food, check out Sushi Roll for their 2-for-1 sushi rolls Monday through Wednesday from 6 pm–9 pm. It’s a great deal if you’re traveling on a budget but still want to go out for dinner. And honestly, I’m always going to remember a good happy-hour deal when I’m traveling.
These are exactly the kind of casual, delicious, inexpensive meals I look for when traveling. You don’t need a fancy restaurant or reservation to have an incredible meal in Mexico.
If you’re staying in Playa del Carmen long-term and want to try some new restaurants, be sure to look into PDC Club. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because this membership-based program is organized by the same owner of PDC Fitness Club (a really kind guy named Rob!). With a membership to PDC Club, you pay a very low monthly cost and get access to tons of included benefits from all over the city, from coffee to breakfast to cocktails, and meals! Check out the current details here!
Day trip recommendations from Playa del Carmen
Take the ferry to Isla Mujeres
If you have enough time in Playa del Carmen, I’d definitely recommend taking a trip to Isla Mujeres. You can take a bus (or taxi) to Cancun from Playa del Carmen, then hop on the ferry to Isla Mujeres; they run every half hour or so.
It’s a completely different experience from spending the day around Playa del Carmen, and the gorgeous, turquoise Caribbean water is reason enough to go.
I love adding an island day to a longer trip because it gives you a break from city streets, restaurants, and sightseeing. You can spend the day swimming, relaxing, exploring, and enjoying the scenery before heading back to Playa in the late evening, or stay a night if you want!
Take a Day Trip to Cozumel
Another easy day (or two-day) trip is Cozumel. Because a ferry goes directly to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen (versus needing to go to Cancun to reach Isla Mujeres), Cozumel is a relatively simple option if you want to see more of the Caribbean without putting in much logistical effort.
It’s especially worth considering if you like snorkeling, diving, or being in the water. Even if you aren’t planning a full underwater adventure, it’s still a fun way to spend a day outside of Playa del Carmen. If you’re not planning to scuba dive, consider renting a car or moped on the island, to be able to move around more frelly and explore the full island.
Don’t Skip Tulum
Playa del Carmen is also a great home base for exploring Tulum.
Tulum has become incredibly popular, but there’s a reason people keep going. In the spring of 2026, the beaches were struggling with sargassum, but the best part of Tulum to me is visiting the cenotes anyway!Â
It is easy to bus between Playa and Tulum, especially if you only want to explore the town. But I recommend renting a car from Playa and driving to Tulum, so you can explore the cenotes at your own pace, without worrying about taxis and buses. It’s an easy drive, and the cenotes are so worth it! If you’ve never been, I’d definitely make the trip while you’re staying in Playa del Carmen.
Try a Resort Day Pass
You don’t necessarily have to stay at an all-inclusive resort to enjoy one. One of my favorite ways to get the resort experience without actually booking a resort is to buy a day pass.
The Hyatt offers day-pass options that let you spend the day enjoying the resort without paying for an overnight stay. The day pass options there vary depending on whether they have an event going on, but the prices were always good and included a food & beverage credit. You can make a reservation via whatsapp or just walk in and see what the deal is that day.
Another nice option is the all-inclusive day pass at The Reef Coco Beach. This is a great choice if you want to spend an entire day eating, drinking, swimming, and fully enjoying the resort without worrying about your wallet every time you want another drink.
Honestly, a resort day pass is one of my favorite travel hacks when I’m staying somewhere that has a lot of nice resorts. You get the vacation experience without having to pay resort prices for your entire trip.
Find a Bikini at Bikinis Marily Beach
If you’re anything like me, there’s a good chance you can never have too many bikinis. Bikinis Marily Beach is a fun place to shop for swimwear while you’re in Playa del Carmen. It’s especially convenient if you realize halfway through your trip that you somehow need another bathing suit.
In the spring of 2026, her bikinis were selling for 250 pesos a piece, one-piece swimsuits were 500 pesos, and I got a really cute dress for 500 as well. Marilyn is so sweet, and she makes everything by hand herself, right in the shop!
Shop the Sunday Market
If you’re in Playa del Carmen on a Sunday, check out the market along 30 Avenida Norte. This is a nice way to spend some time browsing the streets and finding things that are a little more interesting than the typical souvenir shops along 5th Avenue. You’ll find both new and used clothing, houseware items, athletic gear, as well as vendors selling all kinds of local foods. I always enjoy checking out local markets when I travel because you never really know what you’re going to find; be sure to have cash!
Practical information
Let’s talk groceries
If you’re staying in Playa del Carmen for more than a few days and want a grocery store that provides the same large selection and cleanliness that you may be used to back home, Super Chedraui Selecto is a great place to stock up on groceries.
Be warned- while this grocery store feels like you’re in Canada or the USA, because of that, it comes with a higher price tag as well. It’s not the cheapest store in the area, but after 3.5 years traveling full time, it was such a treat for me! It’s much more than just grabbing a few bottles of water and snacks. You can find everything you need to actually cook full meals, pack beach picnics, or keep breakfast supplies in your accommodation.Â
If you’d like a cheaper shopping experience, MEGA Soriana or Walmart also work great for one-stop shops!
If You Need a Doctor, Here’s Where I’d Go
Hopefully you won’t need a doctor while you’re traveling, but it’s always good to know where to go before you actually need one.
If you need really simple medical care, like a sore throat, a UTI, or because you’ve got the cotton part of a Q-tip stuck in your ear canal (yes… speaking from personal experience), visiting the medical offices attached to most Farmacias Similares is a great option. For around $5 USD or less, you can see a doctor in minutes, get a prescription (or get your cotton removed from your ear), and be on your way. Make sure you have cash for the doctor’s visit, and expect to pay 70-120 pesos (depending on the time of day and the day of the week).
If you find yourself needing more detailed or serious medical care, like lab testing and getting an IV, because you have a parasite (again, personal experience), then visit Dr. Bernardo DĂaz, who runs a walk-in clinic and speaks English. I had an exceptional experience here after other doctors told me I was fine, and I knew I was not. What stood out to me was that he genuinely seemed to care about his patients rather than making the whole experience feel rushed or impersonal.Â
If you find yourself needing medical care while you’re in Playa del Carmen, it’s nice to already have recommendations you can trust.
Playa del Carmen Is More Than 5th Avenue
If there’s one thing I’d want people to take away from this, it’s that Playa del Carmen is more than 5th Avenue and the beach.
It’s easy to spend your entire trip bouncing between your hotel, the beach, and the touristy restaurants along 5th Avenue. But if you stay a little longer and start exploring, there’s a much more everyday side of Playa that I really enjoyed.
You can work out at a local gym, run on a free track, shop for groceries, eat tacos for a few dollars, find a Sunday market, grab a glass of wine, take a ferry to an island, spend a day at an all-inclusive resort, and still have plenty of time to sit on the beach doing absolutely nothing.
In Playa, it’s easy to see the tourist attractions, but you also get to experience what it might actually feel like to live there for a little while. Happy Travels!
The Ambitious Passport 