4 great family-friendly things to do in Playa del Carmen

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Sarah Fazendin is the founder of A Week at the Beach blog. You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Spring break madness. Pumping nightclubs. Cheap all-inclusive resorts. These are some of the things you may associate with Cancun, Mexico.

But dig a little deeper, and you’ll discover something entirely different just a few miles south of Cancun. Mexico’s Riviera Maya is dotted with a number of beautiful resorts, small fishing villages and intriguing expat communities.

The Riviera Maya, including the city of Playa del Carmen, is charming, safe, quiet and extremely family-friendly.

Here are my family’s favorite things to do in and around Playa del Carmen.

1. Explore Mexico’s jungle at Xel Ha

xel-ha-mexico Photo courtesy of Drew and Merissa.

Xel Ha is a natural waterpark (pictured above) located south of Playa del Carmen. In addition to a massive, natural lagoon where you can snorkel with many varieties of fish, kids love the nature walk, zip line, and tubing experiences.

Opt for an all-inclusive entry fee, which includes most activities, snorkel gear and all your food and drink for the day. We decided to splurge and have our kids swim with dolphins at Xel Ha, which is an extra fee of about $100 per person.

2. Find a quiet beach near Playa del Carmen.

xel-ha-mexico-child-playing

In Mexico, all beaches are public. So even if you have access to a beach in front of your condo or vacation rental, you can explore to find the perfect beach for your family.

In Playa del Carmen, especially during the months of February, March and April, the beaches can get a bit crowded. If you’re looking for more room to spread out or enjoy some privacy, walk north up the beach past the resorts and you’ll find a wide span of beach with no buildings. This is a favorite patch for locals, and a less crowded space for the kids to play and run around safely.

If you have access to a car, you can also drive to some pristine beach areas along the Riviera Maya. Look for small signs off the main highway. Some beaches will require a small parking fee, but you can usually have a look and only pay if you decide to stay.

3. Enjoy the best street tacos in Mexico.

fish-tacos-street-food Photo courtesy of Ernesto Andrade.

In Mexico you don’t need to head to a fancy restaurant to enjoy a great meal. Some of my family’s favorite meals have been street tacos. There are a number of locally owned taco stands and small restaurants around Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

When you first arrive, keep your eyes open for the taco stand with the largest crowd of locals. This is a great way to spot the best food! For less than $20 you can happily feed a family of four.

4. Rent a boat and spend the day snorkeling.

snorkling-in-mexico

There are a number of boat and snorkel operators across the Riviera Maya. But to ensure the best experience possible, do your research and book in advance with a trustworthy and responsible local operator.

We love EcoColors, a local tour company with a fantastic group of guides. If you have young children, it’s wise to book a private boat so you can move at your own pace and set your own schedule. Children as young as four can snorkel, but they often tire easily. Chartering a boat allows you flexibility to meet you family’s needs.

My family loves Mexico’s Riviera Maya and I’m sure yours will too!


Like the sound of it? Take a look at our homestays in Playa del Carmen, or check out our full listings for all of our homestays in Mexico.


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