6 Best Beaches in Playa del Carmen

One of Playa del Carmen’s best-kept secrets, Punta Esmeralda is a seductive sugar-white beach that’s fringed with deep green palm trees and verdant tropical jungle. One can easily spend a week here, splashing about in the Caribbean Sea which glimmers in brilliant hues of turquoise and cobalt.

Set on the Yucatán Peninsula's Riviera Maya, this idyllic slice of paradise is renowned for its crystal-clear cenote that’s shallow, ideal for kids and runs parallel to the beach. Feeling hungry? Keep your eyes peeled for local vendors selling tropical fruits or head to Faro Azul cafe for chilaquiles and hotcakes.

Lined with upscale accommodation and an abundance of apple-green palm trees, Playacar Beach entrances with its pale golden sand and aquamarine water that seems to stretch into infinity. Only minutes from Playa del Carmen’s Centro district, this idyllic spot is prized for its multitude of exciting watersports like snorkeling, parasailing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

While open to the public, parts of Playacar Beach are accessed exclusively by resort and condo guests who benefit from comfy sun loungers, beach umbrellas, and a wealth of fabulous restaurants. A short stroll away, discover the Xaman-Há ruins, a riveting archaeological site belonging to the Mayans, that was once the ceremonial center for the fertility goddess Ixchel.

Situated in the heart of town, Playa 88 boasts fewer amenities than neighboring beauty spots, but that doesn’t make it less spectacular. Awarded Blue Flag status for its ongoing commitment to preserving the environment, the beach entices with its sapphire water, fiery sunsets, and spotless fine-white sand.

Every evening, locals erect beach volleyball nets along the shoreline and challenge visitors to a competitive match. After you’ve shown off your sporting skills, head to Paradisus Playa del Carmen, a 5-star hotel that faces the beach, for a glamorous drink at its swim-up bar.

If you’re vacationing in Playa del Carmen with the family, spend a day at Parque Los Fundadores, a public space and picnic ground located in the popular Centro neighborhood. Famed for its Portal Maya monument, a bronze homage to indigenous culture, the park is elevated with lush, landscaped gardens, architectural fountains, and a panoramic ocean backdrop that’s nothing short of exquisite. 

In the heart of the park, you’ll find Capilla de Nuestra Senora del Carmen, an iconic white stucco church that’s surrounded by palm trees and a popular venue for weddings. Buy handcrafted items from the Nuns of St Clara before taking in a sermon at an English-speaking mass.

A short drive north of Playa del Carmen you’ll find Xcalacolo Beach, a mesmerizing stretch of vanilla-white sand that’s interrupted by occasional rocky outcrops where glistening tidepools ripple. Spend the day here floating about in the warm turquoise water, lounging in the local beach clubs, or combing the shoreline for beautiful seashells.

On one end of Xcalacolo, several luxury hotels can be found, each with its own thatched overwater hut from where you can photograph rainbows and sunsets. For lunch, head to Coral Restaurant by Viceroy which features a tiki-style outdoor bar, spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea, and some of the tastiest tacos you’ll try on the Yucatán.

One of Riviera Maya’s most popular beaches, Playa Mamitas attracts visitors for miles around with its sugary sand, aquamarine water, and wildly fun beach club. Outside, you can lounge on sumptuous sun beds or shade yourself under vast umbrellas, before heading to the bar for a signature cocktail.

The Mamita’s Beach Club menu teems with delicious international dishes spanning sushi, tacos, and cheesy pizzas. Come sundown, boogie the night away to resident DJs before taking a dip in the sapphire swimming pool.