One late Spring, I decided to seek out a beach town in Mexico for a short relaxing vacation. During a past trip to the country, I had a brief day trip by the sea but this time I wanted to experience one of Mexico’s beach resorts. Cancun was the first place that popped to mind given it’s popularity but something told me to search its smaller neighboring towns for a little more relaxed vibe. As someone almost always traveling on a very tight budget, I knew that some more low-key, lesser known locations might be a better choice. I discovered Playa del Carmen to be a great and affordable resort town in Mexico.
Disclosure: The information in this post is true the best of my knowledge. I am not responsible for any disappointment, injury, or other upset due to following the advice of this or any page of this website. You can see my full disclosure in the footer of this page.
How to Get to Playa del Carmen
My first task was to find out how to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun International Airport: the closest major airport. I found that the most affordable method was via bus. ADO bus company operates throughout many parts of Mexico and for just 240 pesos (less than $15 at the time), it was just over an hour long journey down the coast to Playa del Carmen. While you can reserve tickets online at the ADO bus website, I found that it wouldn’t accept a foreign credit card. (The website is still handy for checking the timetables and number of available seats.)
I had no problem purchasing a ticket upon arrival. I just made sure to allow enough time for a possible long line. The ADO bus ticketing counter was very easy to find upon exiting the terminal. In case I didn’t see the big red “ADO” sign, there were many agents there to point me in the right direction. (If asking where it is, make sure to say “ADO” how they do: “Ah-Day-Oh”).
Why I Went to Playa del Carmen over Cancun
As stated earlier, one of the first things that attracted me to the city was the relatively lower prices compared to other resort towns. There were a couple of other reasons why I chose Playa del Carmen over Cancun.
Cancun’s city layout is such that most of the hotels, restaurants, major beaches etc. are in an area known as the “hotel zone” which is almost completely removed and isolated from the rest of the city. I didn’t want to feel completely encased in a little tourist bubble. I really enjoyed Playa del Carmen for it’s connection between the quieter residential neighborhoods and the fun bustle and color of the touristy areas.
Playa del Carmen is known for being quite safe for Mexico overall whereas I believe in Cancun, it is really only the before-mentioned hotel zone that is safe due to high security. I liked being in a city where I could explore freely and comfortably as a solo female traveler (Though I did exercise basic caution such as avoiding walking around late at night and not displaying expensive belongings).
While admittedly Cancun’s beaches may be more sprawling and picturesque, I was attracted by the easy access to Playa del Carmen’s beaches from the rest of the city. At less than half the population of Cancun, Playa is a small manageable size for exploring on foot with most of the restaurants and shops right near the beautiful shore.
I was aware that many resort towns are known for their party atmosphere and loud nightlife for young crowds (such as those who descend on Cancun for the Spring Break holiday). While Playa del Carmen certainly has some nice nightlife and excitement, it is known for having a more relaxed and laid back vibe versus Cancun. I loved this peaceful atmosphere as I explored this colorful city and lounged on the sand.
Exploring Playa
The main hub of activity in Playa del Carmen is Fifth Avenue (or Quinta Avenue) where the largest concentration of amazing restaurants, bars, and shops can be found. This long avenue is conveniently just a couple of blocks from the beach.
One of my favorite free activities in Playa del Carmen is exploring the art galleries, most of which can be found on Fifth Avenue. I’d say one of the best art galleries was Gastón Charó with beautiful modern pieces. Fantastic indigenous art can be found at Tierra Huichol where the knowledgeable owners are happy to tell you about these unique and colorful works.
There is even a small museum dedicated to Frida Kahlo. However, I’ll be honest: for a museum with no original works by the artist, I thought ~$15 for general admission was a little expensive.
At the southern end of Fifth avenue you can find Parque Los Fundadores or Founder’s Park, where you can enjoy some wonderful outdoor performances of traditional Mayan dance and acrobatics.
Also along Fifth Avenue, I saw many tour offers for the nearby Cenotes: beautiful swimming holes that were historically used for drinking water as well as excursions to Mayan temples such as Chichen Itza. These tours were a bit expensive for me but if others are interested, booking in advance on sites like this is probably the safest way.
Some Cheap Eats in Playa del Carmen
Mexico is full of flavorful and extremely affordable cuisine! Given the proximity to the water, I sought out some delicious seafood in Playa del Carmen. I enjoyed some of the best fish tacos I’ve ever had at Chiltepin Marisquillos.
One of the my most memorable meals was the breakfast special La Perla Pixan. Though admittedly this restaurant is more mid-range in price, the authentic cuisine was fantastic and the breakfast options were on the cheaper side of their menu.
Some of my favorite meals were the most simple. A local dish I simply had to try was Cochinita Pibil: slow roasted pork. It is popular served on tacos with cheese and various condiments. Perhaps the most famous place in Playa del Carmen to find Cochinita Pibil is La Cochi Loka (I believe it was previously called La Cochinita).
Where I Stayed in Playa del Carmen
There are plenty of quality, affordable Airbnbs in Playa del Carmen. I had a great experience at Live Coco Suites which had modern studio-style apartments and a lovely rooftop terrace complete with a grill, a small pool and beautiful views over the city. At about $30 a night, It was a fantastic deal. If you’d like to know how to book a great accommodation in general, I hope you’ll check out my tips for using Airbnb!
Some Other Little Things to Know About Playa del Carmen
I suppose it should come as no surprise, but a fair warning: it gets very hot and humid. My trip was during late May which was right on the verge of seeing downright uncomfortable temperatures. I certainly saw a few days hovering around 95 degrees! Though it didn’t hamper my visit, late April to early May would probably be a better time to visit.
You should always have a little cash on you as some smaller businesses and restaurants will not accept credit cards. However… I was advised NOT to use ATM’s as there have been incidents of hacking and stealing of card info. While interestingly some businesses catered to tourists will accept American dollars, I suggest getting some local cash out (Pesos) ahead of time. You can go to a currency exchange counter at the airport but I learned that a more affordable way of getting foreign currency is ordering it directly from your bank.
Perhaps an obvious note, but a little reminder that: tipping is expected for most services. As someone who frequently travels to countries like South Korea where tipping isn’t customary, I just had to remind myself of this. Restaurants, taxis, even the baggage handler for the ADO bus: just a few extra pesos is sufficient.
One last little note: be a kind and considerate traveler. There is something about the resort town atmosphere that can get people a little too relaxed and in an entitled mindset. I feel it’s a shame when I see overly impatient customers, eye-rolling because a member of the staff doesn’t speak English, or public drunkenness that turns ugly. So, I think it never hurts to remind ourselves to be considerate wherever we go: learn even just a few basic phrases in the local language, never litter (especially in natural environments like the beach), and just be kind… always.
Siempre Playa
Playa del Carmen charmed me with it’s colorful laid back vibes. It was the perfect option for someone like me looking for a more relaxed authentic atmosphere versus other larger resort locations. I’ve had the joy of spending time in some different areas of this region and I’m certainly not done exploring this beautiful country. I’d definitely return to Playa del Carmen to experience an affordable resort town in Mexico. For anyone planning to visit, I recommend checking out my packing list for Mexico for all your travel needs!
