Which is better Cancun or Playa del Carmen?

Cancun and Playa del Carmen are two of Mexico’s preferred tourist destinations. Both in the state of Quintana Roo, both part of the Riviera Maya, both near the Mesoamerican Coral Reef System, in 2022, the two attracted more than 45 Million visitors.

Cancun, known for its luxurious resorts and nightlife, is a top destination for those looking for a lively and exciting experience. With a wide range of activities such as water sports, golfing, shopping, and cultural tours, Cancun is perfect for all types of travelers. Additionally, its location on the Caribbean Sea allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful turquoise waters and white sand beaches that are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or simply relaxing.

On the other hand, Playa del Carmen offers a more laid-back and bohemian vibe, making it ideal for those looking for a more authentic and relaxed vacation. The city is known for its charming downtown area, where visitors can find a wide range of local shops, restaurants, and bars. Playa del Carmen is also a great starting point for exploring nearby attractions such as the Mayan ruins of Tulum or the natural beauty of Xcaret Eco Park.

If you wish to visit the beautiful Riviera Maya, do not forget that travelers to the state of Quintana Roo have to pay their own Visitax – the tourism tax mandatory for all the foreigner tourists.

Cancun and Playa del Carmen if brief

General Information

Get there from Mexico City

Kids’ attractions

Shopping

Night life

Cancun

The city of Cancun is divided into two main areas: the Hotel Zone – a narrow 25 kilometers long and 400 meters wide strip of land, connected to the Yucatan Peninsula by two bridges, that runs along the coast and is home to many of the city’s resorts, shopping centers, restaurants, and nightlife, and the Downtown area – located inland and home to local businesses, schools, street markets, and residential neighborhoods.

Why visit Cancun?

• Cancun has an excellent climate with average temperature of 27° C and around 240 sunny days per year.
• Vibrant nightlife with a party atmosphere in nightclubs, bars and restaurants throughout the beach area. Coco Bongo, La Vaquita Cancun, Mandala Beach, Señor Ranas and Party Zone are among the most visited places.
• Shopping in modern, large and well-stocked shopping centers, where visitors can find big international and local brands as well as handicrafts and souvenirs. At Tulum Avenue tourists will find ceramics, textiles, goldsmithing with jade and amber.
• High quality cuisine – from street food to gourmet restaurants, the Tikin-Xic, or the cochinita pibil, the many ways of cooking local seafood or all the variety of tacos you will see, one is guaranteed, the quality of the food is superb and the taste – unforgettable.
• Spectacular beaches expanded at 22 kilometers along the coast, Cancun’s sandy beaches are famous for their crystal waters. Among the most popular are Playa Delfines, Playa de las Tortugas, Playa Ballenas, Playa Caracol, Las Perlas, Chac mool, Marlín and Playa Langosta.
• Diving – a significant part of the tourists coming to Cancun are divers attracted by the coral reef, the translucent sea and the exotic marine flora and fauna. Here you will find all needed to practice the sport – from certified schools and instructors to equipment rental or sale, divers feel at home here.
• Other water sports like surfing, flyboarding, jet skis, kayaking and canoeing, Jetpack and Paddle board are also very popular. Some of them can be practiced not only in the sea but also in nearby cenotes and mangrove forests.
• Other tourists’ spots:
  • Scenic Tower, a 110 meters high tower from offering a stunning 360° view on the island,
  • Palapas Park;
  • Planetarium;
  • Kabah Ecological Park.
• Museums as different and the Tequila and the Mayan Museums, where tourists will learn about two of the core symbols of this part of Mexico.
• Those interested in archaeology can visit the Miguelito, the archaeological zone of El Rey and also the Mayan remains of Yamil Lu’um.
• Golf at Pok-ta-pok with 18 holes, surrounded by the beautiful Nichupté lagoon and the Caribbean Sea and at Iberostar Golf Club Cancun –18 holes golf course designed by famous Japanese golfer Isao Aoki.

There are different types of accommodation for all tastes and budgets. From the cheaper B&B, hostels and motels to the most sophisticated luxury hotels like the 5 starred The Ritz-Carlton Cancun Hotel, Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort and Waldorf Astoria Cancun, Hyatt Zilara Cancun, and Kempinski Hotel Cancún.

Cancun hosts the most important international tourist airport in Mexico – the main entrance for tourists to the Riviera Maya. Cancun can also be reached on cruise ships linking the city with the south part of the country.

A user-friendly network of urban transportation together with taxis, including Uber, help the tourists move around the city.

Various excursions from Cancun to other sites on the Mayan riviera and deeper in Quintana Roo are ed in Cancun are welcomed by those interested in local history and culture, and by those fascinated by the wild nature. The deposits of Tulum, the ruins of Chichén Itzá, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, the famous cenotes or the theme parks of Xcaret, Xplor, Xel-Ha, are among the most preferred.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is smaller and calmer than Cancun. Despite this, it is one of the main cities in this part of the Yucatan Peninsula. Located in the Riviera Maya, it is the capital of the municipality Solidaridad, in the state of Quintana Roo.

Close to Playa del Carmen is another famous tourist destination – the island of Cozumel. Although not as visited as Cancun, each year these sites gain more and more tourists who prefer to pass their vacation there and not in Cancun.

Why visit Playa del Carmen?

Being less popular, this destination offers better price in terms of accommodation. The hotels and tourist bureaus here are further lowering the price of the hotel rooms by offering packages with various excursions and/or flights.

• The climate is magnificent even in winter. The average temperature is 27°C and with almost 240 days of sunshine during the year.
• A vibrant nightlife and winter festival. Playa del Carmen’s most famous nightclub is Coco Bongo Show & Disco. In addition, on Fifth Avenue, a pedestrian street that runs parallel to the beach, there are a large number of nightclubs, restaurants, and bars. At the end of January, for those who wish to have even more fun, the Carnival occurs with its characteristic parades and shows.
• Shopping – mainly at 5th Avenue. Plaza Playacar, Venta S Basar, Casa Partagas offer original cigars. Sin Pecado sells Mexican crafts and souvenirs like local paintings and ceramics.
• The quality of its gastronomy is unbeatable, in addition, you will eat exquisite and cheap. The best places are: El Fogón, is very popular with everyone who wants grilled food and drink delicious fruit juices and Mu. Burgerhouse, is characterized by providing very rich, abundant and cheap dishes, the menu is varied. Their burgers of 180 grams of meat are the best in the city and the beer is artisanal.
• The beaches, surrounded by palm trees, are beautiful and peaceful, preserving their pure nature. Among the best are:
  • Punta Esmeralda with its cenotes of unforgettable nature;
  • Playa Xcalacoco is a public beach with a family, silent and quiet atmosphere;
  • Playa Paraíso, Tulum with calm waters and white sand; is one of the most beautiful in the Riviera Maya, is located 2.4 kilometers from the Archaeological Zone of Tulum;
  • Playacar is surrounded by hotels, which makes it very frequented;
  • and finally the Public Beach 88, which has Blue Flag certificate, is ideal for swimming for its serene and crystalline waters.
• The experience with diving in the waters of Playa del Carmen is spectacular. You will be able to interact with turtles, dolphins and sharks. Explore one of the most impressive and best preserved coral reefs in the world. In addition, there are dive shops that organize excursions, teach courses and provide all the implements, plus specialized personnel that will guide the experience of tourists in the depths.
• Those interested in water sports can live the experience of practicing in its waters: Mayan water complex, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, jetpack, flyboard and stand-up paddleboarding.

There are several sites not to miss in Playa del Carmen:

• In the first place, what gives it more fame, its cenotes, very attractive for tourism, immersing yourself in its waters is a spectacular experience, there are so many that it is thought that there are still some to discover;
• the Aviary Xaman-Ha, is a bird sanctuary, dedicated to the care and breeding of more than fifty Mexican species;
• Los Fundadores Park, where you can contemplate sculptures and witness performances.

Conclusion

Cancun and Playa del Carmen are two incredible tourist destinations attracting millions of tourists every year.

No matter which city you choose to visit, both Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer unique experiences that are sure to leave a lasting impression on any traveler. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, these two destinations are definitely worth adding to your travel bucket list.