Playa del Carmen

Where should I stay?

Where should I eat?

• El Fogón · Centro (Avenida 30) · Mexican taquería: A busy, no-frills taquería known for tacos al pastor carved off the spit and grilled meats at local prices.
• Los Aguachiles · Centro · Mexican seafood: A lively seafood spot serving aguachile, ceviche and fish tacos in a casual cantina setting.
• La Cueva del Chango · Calle 38, near the beach · Mexican: A leafy garden restaurant popular for long Mexican breakfasts like chilaquiles and huevos motuleños.
• Ah Cacao Chocolate Café · Quinta Avenida · Café / chocolate: A café focused on Mexican cacao, good for a spiced hot chocolate or iced mocha while walking Fifth Avenue.
• Alux · Colonia Ejidal · Mexican / international: A restaurant and lounge built inside a natural limestone cavern, worth it mainly for the setting.
• Harry's · Quinta Avenida · Steakhouse / seafood: An upscale steak and seafood house with a cenote-style garden, suited to a special-occasion dinner.

What should I do?

• Quinta Avenida · Centro: The pedestrian main street running parallel to the beach, lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
• Parque Fundadores · Centro: The seaside plaza with the large Portal Maya sculpture, where Papantla voladores often perform.
• Playa Mamitas · Calle 28, north of Centro: The town's busiest beach strip, with beach clubs, loungers for rent and calm water for swimming.
• Punta Esmeralda · North Playa del Carmen: A quieter public beach where a small cenote flows into the sea, popular with local families.
• Xcaret · Riviera Maya, south of town: A large eco-archaeological park with underground rivers, wildlife and an evening show of Mexican culture.
• Río Secreto · Riviera Maya, south of town: Guided small-group walks and swims through a semi-flooded cave system full of stalactites.
• Cenote Azul · Riviera Maya, near Puerto Aventuras: An open-air cenote with clear turquoise pools for swimming and snorkeling, about 25 minutes south of town.
• Ferry to Cozumel · Centro (ferry pier): A roughly 45-minute ferry ride to Cozumel island for a day of reef snorkeling or diving.