Playa del Carmen Things To Do

Sometimes called the monkey sanctuary, or kuxi k'aax in Maya, the jungle place is a 20-acre private monkey reserve where you can interact with your fellow primates. All of the dozen or so animals have been rescued from neglectful owners or were orphans, and fees go toward feeding them. It’s a thirty minute drive from Playa del Carmen, just north of the city on Highway 307.

The world renowned Xcaret is like an ancient Mayan ecological theme park. At times the 200-acre region feels more like a Mexican version of Disneyland, but there’s no denying its appeal. Here, you can swim in an underground river, take a dip with a dolphin, snorkel in a lagoon, watch a Mayan dance, or kick back with a spa treatment. The site even encompasses archaeological ruins and recreated Mayan villages.

Sign up with Punta Venado to go horseback riding on the white sandy beaches of the Riviera Maya, near Xcaret – an outstanding ecological theme park. The experience is truly unforgettable – the ocean views are inspiring and the horses are well taken care of. Even young children will enjoy the ride atop the gentle beasts.

The world renowned Xcaret is like an ancient Mayan ecological theme park. At times the 200-acre region feels more like a Mexican version of Disneyland, but there’s no denying its appeal. Here, you can swim in an underground river, take a dip with a dolphin, snorkel in a lagoon, watch a Mayan dance, or kick back with a spa treatment. The site even encompasses archaeological ruins and recreated Mayan villages.

Jump on a Yamaha ATV for an adrenaline-filled two hours bumping along narrow dirt paths through the dense Mexican jungle. Along the way, you’ll stop to observe spider monkeys, swim in crystal clear rivers and cenotes, and explore caves and minimally excavated Mayan ruins. Jump on a Yamaha ATV for an adrenaline-filled two hours bumping along narrow dirt paths through the dense Mexican jungle.

Snorkeling and diving on the beautiful barrier reef just off Playa’s shore is one of the top choices for tourists. The more adventurous divers can swim through the cenote underwater caverns, swim with whale sharks, or even get PADI certified (courses last between 1-4 days). Cyan-Ha Dive Center offers a variety of packages; their two-tank dive ($70) allows you to be under water for 50 minutes – twice the time of a one-tank dive.