{"id":80757,"date":"2026-05-14T17:18:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:18:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/4-excursions-around-playa-del-carmen-on-a-trip-to-yucatan\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T17:20:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:20:21","slug":"4-excursions-around-playa-del-carmen-on-a-trip-to-yucatan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/4-excursions-around-playa-del-carmen-on-a-trip-to-yucatan\/","title":{"rendered":"4 excursions around Playa del Carmen on a trip to Yucat\u00e1n"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With two weeks in the Yucat\u00e1n Peninsula, we had plenty of time to enjoy the Caribbean Sea, but also to discover everything that makes this region of Mexico so charming. And around Playa del Carmen, there&#8217;s no shortage of ideas for excursions. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Playa del Carmen is a very practical base from which to explore the Riviera Maya. We really like this type of holiday, which allows us to put our suitcases down for a few days and still be able to leave easily for the day. Some places can be visited in half a day, others in a full day, but all allow you to see a different side of the Yucat\u00e1n.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the 4 excursions around Playa del Carmen we&#8217;ve selected.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"85adb7\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #85adb7;\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/b6ew0oqpyuo-1200x801.jpg\" alt=\"trees near seashore during daytime\" class=\"wp-image-80739 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/b6ew0oqpyuo-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/b6ew0oqpyuo-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/b6ew0oqpyuo.jpg 1797w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Sommaire d\u00e9taill\u00e9<\/span>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/4-excursions-around-playa-del-carmen-on-a-trip-to-yucatan\/#Visit_Chichen_Itza_the_must-see_excursion\" >Visit Chich\u00e9n Itz\u00e1, the must-see excursion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/4-excursions-around-playa-del-carmen-on-a-trip-to-yucatan\/#Bathing_in_Yucatans_cenotes\" >Bathing in Yucat\u00e1n&#8217;s cenotes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/4-excursions-around-playa-del-carmen-on-a-trip-to-yucatan\/#Spend_a_day_on_the_island_of_Cozumel_facing_the_Caribbean_Sea\" >Spend a day on the island of Cozumel facing the Caribbean Sea<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/4-excursions-around-playa-del-carmen-on-a-trip-to-yucatan\/#Discover_Bacalar_and_its_blue_lagoon\" >Discover Bacalar and its blue lagoon<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/4-excursions-around-playa-del-carmen-on-a-trip-to-yucatan\/#Practical_advice\" >Practical advice<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_Chichen_Itza_the_must-see_excursion\"><\/span>Visit Chich\u00e9n Itz\u00e1, the must-see excursion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, it&#8217;s impossible to talk about excursions around Playa del Carmen without starting with <strong>Chich\u00e9n Itz\u00e1<\/strong><em>. <\/em> <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This ancient Mayan city made a huge impression on us, as much for its size as for its history. Upon arrival at the site, the <strong>Kukulc\u00e1n pyramid<\/strong> immediately catches the eye. It rises from the middle of the site with an incredible presence.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no set itinerary for your visit. We do, however, recommend starting with the main pyramid, <strong>El Castillo<\/strong>, ideal for taking great photos as soon as you arrive. Today, it is no longer possible to climb to its summit.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can then follow <strong>the ancient Mayan sacred path<\/strong> to discover several of the site&#8217;s major monuments:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the <strong>Warriors&#8217; Temple<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the<strong>esplanade of the Thousand Columns<\/strong> representing feared warriors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the large Pelota game (the largest in Mexico)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>El Caracol<\/strong>, the old observatory<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the <strong>Venus platform<\/strong> (used for rituals)  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the <strong>Tzompantli<\/strong>, also known as the Altar of the Dead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#x1f68c; From Playa del Carmen, you can get there by bus (about 2h30 from Playa del Carmen), you should allow a full day to enjoy the site without running. An early morning departure is clearly preferable, both to avoid the hottest hours and to visit the site in better conditions. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#x1f4a1; For those who prefer to be accompanied in <strong>French when visiting Chich\u00e9n Itz\u00e1<\/strong>, there are organized excursions with a French-speaking guide, notably via local agencies such as <a href=\"https:\/\/excursions-rivieramaya.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pixan Riviera<\/a>, departing from Playa del Carmen.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"86959a\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #86959a;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/jelupxqdkdw-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Chich&#xE9;n Itz&#xE1;\" class=\"wp-image-80740 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/jelupxqdkdw-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/jelupxqdkdw-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/jelupxqdkdw.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bathing_in_Yucatans_cenotes\"><\/span>Bathing in Yucat\u00e1n&#8217;s cenotes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cenotes were one of the highlights of our trip to the Yucat\u00e1n.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>First of all, what is a cenote?<\/strong>  It&#8217;s a natural cavity filled with fresh water. Some are completely open to the jungle, others are hidden in caves where the light filters gently through the rocks.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around Playa del Carmen, there are many accessible cenotes. To prepare for our trip, we took a look at the ones that regularly popped up on travel blogs, and three names came up very often: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cenote Azul<\/strong>: the easiest to reach from Playa del Carmen. It&#8217;s about 20 to 25 minutes&#8217; drive away, and can be reached by colectivo or cab. It&#8217;s an <strong>open-air cenote<\/strong> with turquoise-blue waters, surrounded by dense vegetation.   The atmosphere is family-friendly, with several areas for leisurely bathing.  <br\/><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cenote Dos Ojos<\/strong>: about 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen, this cenote offers a very different atmosphere. The cenote&#8217;s setting is <strong>largely underground<\/strong>, with rocky cavities and passages bathed in subdued light.  Its crystal-clear water takes on beautiful bluish hues, making it a particularly impressive spot for snorkeling.  <br\/><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cenote Sac Actun<\/strong>: a journey of around an hour is required to reach it. Here, the experience is much more immersive, with <strong>a vast underground universe of caves, limestone galleries and spectacular rock formations<\/strong>. The water is transparent, sometimes almost crystalline, and the whole creates a more intimate and mysterious atmosphere, ideal if you like unusual places.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The water in the cenotes is often cool, around 24 to 26\u00b0C in the region. On paper, this sounds pleasant, but once you&#8217;re there, the sensation can be more intense, especially when the cenote is shaded. So, for children or the more chilly, a little lycra might be a good idea. It&#8217;s a simple detail, but one that sometimes allows you to stay in the water longer and enjoy the moment to the full.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also recommend arriving early in the day. The atmosphere is often more peaceful, and you can better appreciate the scenery before more visitors arrive.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"40555a\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #40555a;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bmqemgpeifm-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"cenotes\" class=\"wp-image-80742 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bmqemgpeifm-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bmqemgpeifm-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bmqemgpeifm.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spend_a_day_on_the_island_of_Cozumel_facing_the_Caribbean_Sea\"><\/span>Spend a day on the island of Cozumel facing the Caribbean Sea<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Located just opposite Playa del Carmen, Cozumel is a very easy excursion to integrate into a Riviera Maya holiday. The ferry crossing is already very pleasant. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The connection between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel is made from the city&#8217;s marine terminal. The crossing takes around 45 minutes, making it easy to take a day trip. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cozumel is incredible for its seabed. The water is a magnificent shade of blue. Even if you&#8217;re not an experienced diver, you can enjoy the island&#8217;s underwater riches with a mask and snorkel.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are several places worth visiting during a day on the<strong> island of Cozumel<\/strong>. <strong>Playa Palancar<\/strong> for its beautiful beach, and <strong>El Cielo<\/strong> is one of the best-known spots for its translucent waters<em> (accessible only by boat to see stingrays and starfish). <\/em> <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Accessible in 45 minutes by ferry from Playa Del Carmen<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"40baaf\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #40baaf;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/phqlog1j91a-1200x900.jpg\" alt=\"playa del carmen\" class=\"wp-image-80743 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/phqlog1j91a-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/phqlog1j91a-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/phqlog1j91a.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Discover_Bacalar_and_its_blue_lagoon\"><\/span>Discover Bacalar and its blue lagoon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bacalar is another must-see. Its famous <strong>seven-colored<\/strong> lagoon is a truly magical sight. Even though it&#8217;s further away from Playa del Carmen (about 3h30 drive), we think it&#8217;s well worth the effort, especially if you&#8217;ve got two weeks in the area.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As soon as you take your first glimpse of the lagoon, the colors are astonishing. Depending on depth, light and time of day, the water changes from turquoise to deep blue. The overall impression is one of immediate calm, almost timeless.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To get the most out of Bacalar, a boat trip is a must. It allows you to discover several emblematic areas of the lagoon and better understand the very particular geography of the place.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kayaking is also a great way to explore Bacalar more gently, really taking the time to observe the changing colors of the water.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Practical_advice\"><\/span>Practical advice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lodging in the center of Playa del Carmen or near the Quinta Avenida makes it easy to reach tour departures, restaurants and the ferry to Cozumel. After a busy day, we recommend accommodation with a swimming pool, such as the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/mx\/kinbe.fr.html?aid=2424481&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/mx\/kinbe.fr.html?aid=2424481&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kinbe Hotel Boutique<\/a><\/strong>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Leaving early in the morning<\/strong> often allows you to avoid the hottest weather and enjoy the sites in a more pleasant atmosphere.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Slip <strong>a small waterproof bag or pouch<\/strong> into your luggage to protect your phone, papers and wallet during water excursions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bring <strong>some cash<\/strong> with you, as some of the smaller sites, parking lots and on-site stands don&#8217;t always accept credit cards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All the above locations are listed on <strong>our map<\/strong>, to make it easier to find the places mentioned in the article and organize your travel.<\/p>\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/2\/embed?mid=1xaeZDxYWZN_prwco9h16cBTEUojBMd4&#038;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"100%\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<div style='text-align:right' class='yasr-auto-insert-visitor'><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With two weeks in the Yucat\u00e1n Peninsula, we had plenty of time to enjoy the Caribbean Sea, but also to discover everything that makes this region of Mexico so charming. And around Playa del Carmen, there&#8217;s no shortage of ideas for excursions. Playa del Carmen is a very practical base from which to explore the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":80766,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"0","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true},"categories":[72],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-80757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-guides"],"acf":[],"_wp_attached_file":null,"_wp_attachment_image_alt":null,"rank_math_primary_category":"55","rank_math_title":"4 excursions around Playa del Carmen on a trip to Yucat\u00e1n","rank_math_description":null,"rank_math_focus_keyword":null,"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/b6ew0oqpyuo.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80757"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80764,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80757\/revisions\/80764"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pourquoi-pas-nous.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}