Playa del Carmen with Kids: Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas for Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• Playa del Carmen downtown – busy concentration of shops and restaurants, open during the day, but more popular to stroll at night
• Secret beach and cenote – a hidden local spot with a small river-like cenote (shallow for kids), read tips on how to access it here

• Parque Los Fundadores – beachfront park right near Playa del Carmen ferry dock
  • Take a photo with the Playa del Carmen colorful letters sign
  • Capilla de Nta Señora del Carmen – church with beautiful views of the ocean
  • Portal Maya – iconic arched sculpture framing the beach
  • For kids – ship playground
• Take a ferry across and discover Cozumel
  • Winjet or Ultramar both operate frequent ferries, buy your tickets in advance or in-person 
  • Wander downtown Cozumel
  • Boat trip out to El Cielo – known for its clear electric blue water, snorkeling and starfish (El Cielo was closed part of 2019 because of excessive reef damage – research whether it is currently open before making plans)
  • Paradise Beach Club – beach, restaurant, water sports, inflatable floating water park

• Xcaret – an eco-archaeological park that offers a wide array of activities and attractions for everyone
• Cenote Azul – one of the most family-friendly cenotes we visited, with multiple open-air pools and shallow areas that worked especially well with our toddler. Read my full guide to visiting cenotes in the Yucatán with kids for the three very different cenotes we tried with our baby and toddler.
• Xpu-ha Beach – gorgeous beach with restaurants and beach clubs renting loungers
• Cenote Dos Ojos – diving, snorkeling, climbing cenote experience in a stunning cave (not good for young kids)
• Cenote Dos Osos – open circular river cenote with an adventure park – slides, kayaks, snorkeling and more

• Chichen Itza – famous Mayan ruins complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World
• Cenote Ik Kil – natural pool 80’ below the ground with long hanging vines, about 10-minute drive from Chichen Itza
• Valladolid – a colorful and charming Colonial-era city that sits between Playa del Carmen (1hr 45mins)/Tulum (1hr 30mins) and Chichen Itza (45mins) 
• Cenote Suytun – picturesque and mysterious cenote inside a stunning cave, about a 15-20 minute drive from Valladolid
• Coba – ancient Mayan ruins site, climb Nohoch Mul Pyramid for impressive views of the Yucatan, about 1hr 30mins drive from Playa del Carmen (or about 1hr from Valladolid, about 45mins from Tulum)

Food Ideas for Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• El Fogon – locals favorite known for al pastor tacos
• Chiltepin – Mexican/Latin American cuisine with a focus on seafood
• Kaxapa Factory – Venezuelan arepas and breakfast
• Zenzi – beachfront restaurant and bar
• PapaCharly – cozy, eclectic Italian restaurant
• Restaurante El Atrio del Mayab – Yucatan/Mexican cuisine with a great garden patio (in Valladolid)

Top Tips for Playa del Carmen, Mexico

• There are thousands of cenotes in the Yucatan peninsula, do a little research to find something that fits your needs and specific location. Some of the cenotes are very similar and others are unrecognizably different. We intentionally visited three very different cenotes to get a feel for the variety. 
• You’ll find countless tour providers offering day trips to many of the area’s top attractions. There should be plenty of options to find something that works for you or do it yourself.
• There are endless options for where to stay in the Riviera Maya district of Mexico. I’ve returned to this area numerous times and have stayed in all different spots. If you want to get outside your resort and explore all the Yucatan Peninsula has to offer, Playa del Carmen is a great location. You’re in the middle of it all and able to go any direction to explore something fun – North to Cancun, West to Valladolid and Mayan ruins, South to Tulum, East to Cozumel and everything in between. 

Is Playa del Carmen Good for Families?

Yes, I think Playa del Carmen can be a great choice for a family trip to Mexico, especially if you want more than a beach and resort vacation.

We visited with a 4-month-old and 2-year-old and found plenty we could comfortably do together. What I especially like about Playa del Carmen, though, is its location. You can enjoy the beach and walk around town, then use it as a base for completely different experiences around the Riviera Maya and Yucatán Peninsula.

Swim in a cenote one day, take the ferry to Cozumel the next, explore Mayan ruins, visit Valladolid, or simply leave an afternoon open for the beach.

If your family likes combining downtime with exploring, Playa del Carmen gives you plenty of flexibility to build the trip that works for you.