coastal drive
Carretera Federal 307 (Riviera Maya)
The coastal highway from Cancún through Playa del Carmen and Tulum, linking beaches, cenotes and Maya sites along the Caribbean.
1 km · about 5 min drive
North AmericaMexicoQuintana Roo
Playa del Carmen
Quintana Roo, Mexico · North America
About Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is worth a stop: 25 minutes from Cozumel, 47km from Cenote Dos Ojos.
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo, Mexico, with about 150,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Cozumel, about 20 km away.
Playa del Carmen is a resort city along the Caribbean Sea in the southeastern state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is part of the municipality of Playa del Carmen, and is around 68 kilometers away from Cancun. As of 2020, the city's population was just over 304,942, making it Quintana Roo’s second-largest city afterRead more
Cancun.
Playa del Carmen is a popular tourist destination in Mexico's Riviera Maya region. Its current growth rate is set at 7.5% per year. According to Guinness World Records, it is one of Latin America's fastest-growing communities. In 2016, the city was the tenth-most popular international travel destination for U.S. travelers, and more than one million tourists passed through the city a year later. Playa's main airport is Cancún International Airport, which is around 70 kilometres (43 mi) away.
The area is known for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs, surrounding rainforests, and balnearios. The downtown area of the city revolves around Quinta Avenida, a busy pedestrian thoroughfare lined with shops, clubs, and restaurants. The weather is hot year-round. The summer and winter breaks are peak season for tourism.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Playa del Carmen?
Within an hour or so of Playa del Carmen: Carretera Federal 307 (Riviera Maya) (1 km), Cenote Dos Ojos (47 km), Tulum Beach (59 km), Tulum (59 km).
Where is Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo, Mexico, about 20 km from Cozumel.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 149,923
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- Mexico
- Region
- Quintana Roo
- Timezone
- America/Cancun
- Coordinates
- 20.6274, -87.0799
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Mexico
Green Angels (free tourist roadside assistance on federal highways): 078.
Full driving guide for MexicoTags
Worth the detour from Playa del Carmen
4 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Cenote Dos Ojos
A twin-entrance cenote system with crystal-clear water and an extensive underwater cave network popular for cave diving and snorkeling.
47 km · about 55 min drive
beach
Tulum Beach
A Caribbean beach beneath ancient Mayan clifftop ruins, blending archaeology with powdery white sand and turquoise sea.
59 km · about 70 min drive
ancient ruins
Tulum
A walled Maya city perched on dramatic cliffs overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea, one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya.
59 km · about 70 min drive
Driving roads near Playa del Carmen
- Right hereCarretera Federal 307 (Riviera Maya)The coastal highway from Cancún through Playa del Carmen and Tulum, linking beaches, cenotes and Maya sites along the Caribbean.
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Playa del Carmen.
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