Are you looking to visit Playa del Carmen with kids and wondering what you can do there? As a travel family, we have spent a lot of time in Mexico, especially in Playa del Carmen. Claire actually lived there for 3 years. So you can rest assured that what you are reading here is the best insider information about the best things to do in Playa del Carmen with kids to help you start planning your own family vacation.
Playa del Carmen is fast becoming one of the top travel destinations to visit for digital nomads, solo travelers, and families alike. In this article, we’re going to walk you through some of the best Playa del Carmen activities for families to do in and around one of Mexico’s most relaxing yet adventurous resort cities.
The Best Playa Del Carmen Activities for Families
Playa del Carmen is located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico and is well-known for its natural beauty and various
Sounds fun, right?
There are so many different
Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.
Best Playa Del Carmen Tours: Click here to check out the top Playa Del Carmen tours
Best Playa Del Carmen Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Playa Del Carmen
Best Playa Del Carmen Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Playa Del Carmen
Is Playa Del Carmen Safe for Families?
We know you might read a lot of negative things about visiting Playa del Carmen. We get asked a lot if we think Playa del Carmen is safe to visit with kids, and we always answer the same thing.
We visit all the time with our children. Yes, it’s safe. Just don’t go looking for trouble (i.e. trying to buy drugs) and you and your family will be as safe in Playa del Carmen tours as you would in any other vacation destination in the world.
Playa del Carmen is not only considered safe for families, but it’s also easy to get around, has plenty of family-related activities (snorkeling,
So it really is no wonder that it attracts families from all over the world with its beautiful beaches and relaxing surroundings as it is still considered to be one of the top 3 safest resort towns in Mexico, along with Cozumel and Cancún.
If you are looking for a reliable company to
Now that we have covered that, here are the top 5 Playa del Carmen Activities for families you came here looking for:
Quick Tip: You can also book tours for the trip here:
Chichen Itza Guided Group Walking Tour
Tulum Ruins and Cenote Guided Tour
Top 5 Playa Del Carmen Activities for Families in 2022
1. Spend the Day at One of the Xcaret Parks
Playa del Carmen is home to three major eco parks: Xel-Ha, Xcaret and Xplor.
Xel-Ha is a waterpark best suited for good swimmers and, therefore, older kids. Its main attractions include snorkeling tours, rope swings, and swimming in the cenotes.
Xplor Adventure Park’s major attractions are ziplines, an underground river, amphibious vehicles and rafting.
Xcaret park – our favorite of all 3 – are just about as touristy as they get. But you are on vacation, so it really has to be done, especially if you have children. There are many different parks to choose from, so make sure you do your research before choosing which one to book. They also always have lots of offers so it’s worth checking out what deals they have by clicking here.
2. Relax in Tulum
Tulum is one of the most well-known ‘bohemian’ escapes in the world right now. It’s not wrong to say that in 2024, everyone is visiting Tulum. And ever since the world shut down, more people have been arriving there than ever. While it’s not somewhere we personally want to spend a lot of time, we do love visiting Tulum on day trips, and here’s why.
Some of the best things to do in Tulum, according to my list:
- Visiting Tulum Ruins
- Going shopping for the cutest matching boho clothes for you and your little one(s) in Tulum town
- Eating delicious food. Side note: there is an especially great range of vegan and vegetarian options in Tulum!
- Hitting up all of the top Tulum Instagram spots with your family (send Vanessa a message for info on her Insta tour of Tulum! quoting claireprivate for a discounted price)
- Cooling down in a cenote after a long day
Seriously, there is nothing better than cooling off on a hot day in one of the cenotes close to Playa del Carmen! We’re not going to lie, there are a LOT of cenotes around, so it really can feel very overwhelming when trying to pick one to visit.
The way we see it, you have three options for cenotes:
- Do it yourself.
- Go on a tour.
- Book a driver.
If you want to go with option 1 and do it yourself then You can
For option 2, our friend Vanessa has an amazing tour that takes you to
Another option is to just book a private driver for the day and ask him to take you to a few cenotes. They almost always know the good ones to visit that aren’t full of people!
You can also read about: The Best Playa del Carmen All Inclusive Family Resorts
3. Explore Cozumel
One of our recommended Playa del Carmen activities for families is taking a
One important thing to know about Cozumel is that it’s a big cruise ship destination, so normally it’s packed with cruise ship tourists. However, as the ships still aren’t sailing, it’s nice and quiet over there right now, making it even more appealing for families. It’s a small island but the main center is very developed, where you will find everything from Rolex to Starbucks right on the main road.
If you do end up visiting Cozumel, here are some family-friendly activities we’d recommend doing:
- Scuba Diving.
- Taking a trip to El Cielo (book this through Vanessa – she can arrange transport from Playa for you all).
- Going on the
glass bottom boat tour. - Renting a car and doing a lap of the island.
- Visiting the Mayan Ruins.
- Chilling at one of the numerous
beach clubs .
I recommend doing this tour with Living Dreams Mexico. They are the most ethical and awesome company around and it’s a flat fee, no hidden costs.
They even give you all of the photos included in the price, most companies charge $80 or more for this alone!
You can check the current pricing and book by clicking here.
4. Visit Chichen Itza
It is a bit of a drive, but visiting
The site of Chichen Itza is almost 10 kilometers and will take around 2-3 hours to explore. With older kids, we also recommend going to Chichen Itza at night to watch the light show during the summer months. The only “downside” is that the whole thing is in Spanish, so if you don’t speak any Spanish, you will struggle.
5. Take a Day Trip to Isla Mujeres
Another one of our personal favorite days out from Playa del Carmen is to take a
You get picked up in Playa and are taken to Cancun by road. Then you hop on the catamaran and from there, it’s all about sunning yourself and relaxing. Hopefully.
Once you arrive in Isla Mujeres, there is normally a snorkeling tour followed by some time on Playa Norte (officially one of the most beautiful beaches in the world!). After that, you get taken to a local restaurant where you get a buffet lunch (not at all terrible), and then it’s home time. We know it might not sound that special, but it can be a lot of fun with your family. Plus, Isla Mujeres is so beautiful, you really must see it at least once!
Book a Day Trip to Isla Mujeres here
PRO TIP: Relax on a catamaran tour of Isla Mujeres
Want to know why the Riviera Maya is one of Mexico’s best travel destinations? Because it has some of the most exquisite colored seas in the world, the sea temperature is warm all year round, and don’t even get us started on the beaches!
The best way to explore some of the most beautiful beaches is of course by boat. You can take a tour from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, or Cancun. The actual catamaran leaves from Cancun so the first part of the tour will be by road to Cancun to meet the catamaran. Tours really range in price and quality.
Other Playa Del Carmen Activities for Families
About half an hour from Playa del Carmen, you will find Akumal Monkey Sanctuary where you and your kids can learn more about rescued animals and endangered species in general, and even take a jungle tour with an experienced guide.
In Tulum – Only a short drive away from Tulum, the Sian Ka’an nature eco reserve allows you to see animals and marine life native to the Yucatan in a protected, natural setting where you can partake in various activities from kayaking to fishing.
In Cancún – Pet some of the animals in Cancún’s small zoo, Croco Cun, while also learning about the almost extinct Yucatecan crocodile as well as other animals native to the Yucatan-peninsula. It is important to note that Crococun can only be visited as part of a tour.
You might also want to read about:
The Benefits of Traveling Slowly with Kids: A Guide for Parents
Affordable Family-Friendly Accommodations: Tips and Tricks
Ski Holiday with Children | Top 9 Family Friendly Ski Vacation Spots
Map of Accommodation in Playa Del Carmen
Looking for somewhere to stay? Check out these options!
Andaz Mayakoba All Inclusive
Grand Velas Riviera Maya – All Inclusive
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Playa Del Carmen Travel Guide Planning
🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Playa Del Carmen?
Yes! You can check out my packing list for Playa Del Carmen on Amazon here.
🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m in Playa Del Carmen?
I strongly recommend using GottoGo. You can book almost all transport in the major Mexican tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Playa Del Carmen?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options available!
If you are traveling from Playa del Carmen then I recommend booking through my friend Vanessa at Turismo Channel. You can check out their tours by clicking here and using the following discount codes for the best prices clairecaroff (car rental), claire10off (for 10% off group tours), claireprivate (for a discount on private tours). You can also send her a WhatsApp message quoting the above codes to receive the discount.
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat.
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
Kiwi offers you affordable flights. You can book service for flight, train, and bus tickets.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
You can also opt to use Solis Wifi for their Wifi plan.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
