If you're planning a trip to Cancun and Playa del Carmen, then you'll want to be sure to take advantage of all the tours that are available. Whether it's a dolphin swim, visiting the Mayan ruins in Tulum or visiting an eco-park for some zip-lining fun, there's something for everyone on a Playa del Carmen tour! We've picked out our favorite activities from Cancun and Playa del Carmen so that you can start planning your next vacation (full of Playa del Carmen excursions) right away!
What we love about a Playa del Carmen tour
Playa del Carmen excursions are like no other, departing from the resort town on the coast of Mexico’s Caribbean coastline. It has been a popular destination for years, both for tourists and international expats, and it continues to grow in popularity.
Playa del Carmen is a beautiful beach town with plenty of history. The city was founded in 1848 by Spanish colonists who arrived from Cuba during the Caste War. It’s also home to ancient Mayan ruins and buildings that date back thousands of years ago!
There are many things to do in Playa del Carmen tour guides including snorkeling, scuba diving, relaxing on the beach or enjoying some delicious Mexican food at one of our favorite restaurants like El Olvido (try their fish tacos) or El Chilito (their chicken mole poblano). If you love history then consider visiting Xcaret Park where you can explore an old underwater city built by Mayans hundreds of years ago!
Xcaret Plus Tour
The Xcaret Plus Tour is an all-inclusive tour that will take you through two great parks in the Riviera Maya. It's one of the day trips from Playa del Carmen you should consider.
At the Xcaret eco-park, you can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, visiting the underground river and seeing many species of birds. If you love wildlife, this could be your favorite of all of the Playa del Carmen excursions.
Once you've had enough of the water, you can visit Xplor park with its zip lines, aerial tramways and other adrenaline-inducing attractions.
Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen and Tulum Tour from Playa del Carmen
Chichen Itza is one of the most important pre-Columbian civilizations in Mexico, and visiting Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen is a must.
The Mayan city was built by the Toltec people, who had migrated south from their homelands to escape war with their northern neighbors.
It's best known for its El Castillo (“the Castle”), a massive pyramid that was built between A.D. 800 and 1000 and dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, the Mesoamerican god of wind, learning, and knowledge.
Tulum boasts some of the largest stone buildings ever constructed by the Maya—and it's also home to several spectacular beaches! This site contains well-preserved ruins of ceremonial centers with temple pyramids rising above ocean cliffs overlooking white sand beaches on both sides with turquoise waters below them making for one breathtaking view after another! Lucky for visitors to Cancun, Chichen Itza from Playa del Carmen is a quick trip, so be sure to add it to your Playa del Carmen tour!
Tulum Xel Ha All-Inclusive Tour
This tour is perfect for a fun time. You’ll get to explore this beautiful destination in the best way possible: by boat! The tour includes everything from transportation to a buffet lunch and unlimited drinks (including alcohol). Plus, your guide will point out wildlife along the way, including sea turtles and dolphins.
The cost of this all-inclusive tour varies depending on how many people are in your group, with prices starting at $50 per person. It’s also important to note that you must be 18 years old or older in order to participate. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know when booking so we can make sure they’re addressed during your trip!
For those who don't love all-inclusive experiences, there are plenty of other day trips from Playa del Carmen options available too!
Cenote Snorkel and Mayan Village Expedition
A cenote is a large sinkhole filled with water and stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations. It's often called the "cave of life" because it was home to many ancient civilizations.
Cenotes are usually located in limestone areas, which means they are abundant in Mexico. Most cenotes have been discovered by locals who know how to find them using clues like trees growing out of cracks in the rock or sounds from underground streams where water can be heard flowing into these natural wonders.
If you're interested in exploring this natural phenomenon for yourself—and who doesn't want to do that?—here are some things you should know:
- There are many cool ones to choose from! These are some Playa del Carmen tours you most certainly don't want to miss. Whether you want to dive deep into cavernous tunnels or enjoy shallower waters above ground level, there's sure to be something that suits your style and skill level (or the talent level of whoever else is coming along).
- Be prepared! Bring along all of your usual beach equipment (towels and sunscreen) as well as anything else that might help make your trip more comfortable (like waterproof bags if bringing towels). A lot of cenotes require long hikes through rugged terrain so footwear needs waterproofing too; tennis shoes will do just fine here but hiking boots would be better suited for rougher terrain such as jagged rocks or uneven trails through dense forests full of thorny bushes.*
Mexico Snorkel Cruise with Lobster Lunch
It's a great experience to see the best of Cozumel from the water. This cruise lasts about two hours and also includes a lobster lunch, making it the perfect Playa del Carmen tour for the afternoon.
The boat has plenty of space for you to relax, including restrooms and a bar. The crew will make sure that your food is served when you want it, so no need to worry about getting seasick or missing out on the meal.
Cozumel Highlights & Beach Break
Cozumel is a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as beach breaks. The island has many beaches, including:
- Playa del Mar (Aquarium) Beach - Located near the city of Cozumel and therefore safe, this beach is known for its shallow waters and abundance of fish species. It's also close to the aquarium La Casamata de San Diego.
- Punta Sur Beach - This is one of the most popular beaches on Cozumel because it has clear blue water perfect for snorkeling or diving. You can find restaurants nearby selling food that's freshly caught in the area.
- Punta Nizuc Beach - The water here is also clear enough to see colorful fish while swimming or snorkeling! This beach offers shade from palm trees as well as hammocks where you can relax after spending some time in the water.
The Ultimate Cozumel Eco-Adventure Park
This park is located near Playa del Carmen and Cancun. It is a great way to get out in nature and enjoy the sights and sounds of Mexico. You can expect to see exotic animals such as jaguars, coatis, deer, iguanas and crocodiles at this wonderful park. The park also has some beautiful beaches for you to relax on or enjoy surfing lessons! There are hiking trails throughout the park that lead you through different ecosystems such as lowland rainforest or dry tropical forest where you can learn about plants & animals native to these areas of Mexico while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Have fun on your next trip to Cancun and Playa del Carmen with these tours!
Have fun on your next trip to Cancun and Playa del Carmen with these tours!
- The Cancun Underwater Museum is a unique experience in which you can see the sculptures in an underwater environment. It's available for diving, snorkeling, and swimming at Akumal Beach.
- Playa del Carmen offers stunning beaches that are perfect for sunbathing or surfing. The city also has a beautiful historical center with many restaurants and shops where you can spend hours discovering all that this wonderful place has to offer.
You will find information about these events as well as prices when looking online or asking at your hotel or hostel.
6 Day Trips from Playa del Carmen to consider
- Cozumel
- Tulum
- Chichen Itza
- Xcaret
- Cel Ha
- Cancun
We hope you enjoyed our list of the top things to do in Playa del Carmen and Cancun. You're sure to love your Playa del Carmen tour if you book some of these Playa del Carmen excursions. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an action-packed adventure, there are plenty of options to choose from here! Start planning your next trip here.
Summary:
Whether it's a dolphin swim, visiting the Mayan ruins in Tulum or visiting an eco-park for some zip-lining fun, there's something for everyone on a Playa del Carmen tour!
