10 Best Day Trips from Playa del Carmen

An island paradise in the Caribbean Sea, Cozumel is as beloved for its coral reefs and scuba diving as it is for its historic Mayan ruins. Take the ferry from Playa del Carmen and spend a day roaming the coastline and exploring its vast underwater kingdom, before venturing into its lush greenery to visit churches and museums. 

Intrepid divers can explore Museo Subacuático de Arte (the Underwater Art Museum, an underwater sculpture site in Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park), or Chankanaab Eco Lagoon, home to manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles. For budding archeologists, nothing beats the ruins of San Gervasio, once a sacred site for Ix Che: the sacred Mayan Moon Goddess.

Meaning “Place of the Turtle” in the Mayan language, Akumal is a stunning coastal resort on Mexico's Riviera Maya. It boasts some of the bluest waters and whitest beaches you'll ever lay your eyes on. The sea here is rich with marine life, which is a huge drawcard for divers and snorkelers who can encounter schools of brilliant tropical fish, as well as stingrays and barracudas.

Journey into Akumal’s hinterland to visit picturesque Aktun Chen, a heavenly rainforest park that’s famed for its enigmatic caves, tranquil cenotes, and vast underground river system. Alternatively, spend a day in town perusing the shops and enjoying succulent seafood at a waterfront restaurant like laid-back Lo-Ha or rustic La Buena Vida.

An all-inclusive aquatic theme park in Mexico's magical Tulum, Xel-Ha entices with its spine-tingling waterslide (which snakes around the outside of a lighthouse) and inspiring snorkeling adventures. Get up close and personal with angelfish, parrotfish, sting rays, and conch shells. When you're not in the sea, you can take a tube ride along the park's mysterious Xel-Ha river system or go on a breathtaking caving adventure with a knowledgeable chaperone. 

Thrill-seekers will relish the park’s overwater zip line, or leaping from the Cliff of Courage into the deep green river below. Feeling hungry? Swing by Restaurant Xula Vista for an international buffet and panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea or grab a barstool at Jardin Corona for freshly grilled seafood.

Coba archaeological site is one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most enigmatic archaeological landmarks, with a name that translates in Mayan to “waters stirred by the wind.” Located off-the-beaten path, in the jungle, this former city delivers a riveting glimpse into the inner workings of the Mayan people through its pyramids and engraved stelae, which depict hallowed events and ceremonies. 

Situated approximately 30 miles northwest of Tulum, Coba dates back to as early as 50 BC and is home to the biggest network of stone causeways in the ancient Mayan world. When you're done marveling at the site's incredible architecture (including the Nohoch Mul Pyramid and the Macanxoc altars), wander around the nearby pueblo for gift shops and restaurants.

Teeming with 5-star resorts, Cancun is the perfect gateway to discover the Yucatán Peninsula’s lesser-known attractions, including historic Mayan ruins and an array of world-class swimming spots. Cancun’s a well-known spot for spring breakers but its stellar nightlife is only one small part of the story.   

Scuba divers will be in their element with day trips to the extraordinary MUSA (the largest underwater museum in the world) and Isla Mujeres (where you can swim with majestic spotted whale sharks). A 2.5-hour drive west, explore the UNESCO-listed Chichén Itzá, a sprawling complex of Mayan ruins featuring the El Castillo pyramid. 

Found all over the Yucatán Peninsula, a cenote is a natural sinkhole that’s a direct result of limestone bedrock giving way to reveal a pristine lagoon below. Ancient Mayans believed these sacred sites were portals to the gods with their mineral-rich waters and mesmerizing cave networks, enveloped by swathes of verdant jungle that teem with flora and fauna.

Hit the highway to swim in Cenote Yokdzonot, a remarkable beauty spot near the Ek Balam ruins that’s revered for its secluded rainforest setting, cascading rope-like vines, and iridescent hummingbirds. Alternatively, Rio Secreto’s cave dazzles with its cathedral ceiling, stalactites and stalagmites, and a mysterious underground river that’s the most brilliant shade of turquoise.

Located 10 minutes from the ancient Mayan city of Tulum, in the middle of the jungle, Laguna de Kaan Luum is one of Mexico's most spectacular natural treasures. While technically a cenote, this hypnotic aquatic attraction looks more like a lake with its huge expanse of blue-green water that seems to stretch forever.

Laguna de Kaan Luum draws crowds with its innumerable photo opportunities, jetties you can stroll along, and overwater hammocks that hang from rustic wooden poles. There are 2 safe swimming zones located in the shallow areas near the piers, as well as overwater swings where you can take in the sunset.

UNESCO-listed Chichén Itzá is a pre-Columbian city with an astounding collection of excavated Mayan ruins, covering an impressive 4 sq. miles (10 sq. km). This ancient site is home to incredible structures like El Castillo (a pyramid that features Quetzalcoatl: the revered plumed serpent), as well as The High Priest's Grave and The Temple of the Warriors. 

After you've taken in Chichén Itzá’s iconic architecture and elaborate carvings, visit its numerous secluded cenotes, including the sacred Xtoloc (the Mayan word for “iguana”). This jade-green sinkhole is purported to have been the sacrificial site of the ancient Mayan people, while today it’s a place of polytheistic worship.

An ecological reserve on the southern point of Cozumel Island, Punta Sur Eco Beach Park enthralls with its rugged coastline, variegated coral reef, powder-soft beaches, and abundance of native fauna. You can easily spend the day here snorkeling in the aquamarine sea, locating hidden Mayan ruins in the low green forest, or searching for crocodiles in the mangrove lagoon.

Less intrepid visitors can take in panoramic views of the park from Celarain Lighthouse, before photographing Punta Sur’s flamboyant pink flamingos and resident iguanas. Del Cielo Beach Club offers unforgettable waterfront dining under bright-white umbrellas. Try the spicy chicken fajitas and the handcrafted cocktails.

Showcasing exquisite colonial architecture and a collection of heavenly cenotes, the historic town of Valladolid has long been considered a hidden Yucatán gem. Spend a morning or afternoon here, strolling along the cobbled streets and marveling at the visually arresting buildings, which are painted in hues of rich ochre, banana yellow, sky blue, and blood red.

Valladolid boasts a number of important religious landmarks including the 16th-century Convent of San Bernardino of Siena (a Franciscan holy site with an ornate wooden altarpiece), and the baroque-style San Gervasio Cathedral (an imposing Catholic church featuring 2 beautiful bell towers). Marvel at Cenote Zaci’s crystal-clear water and cave-like ceiling, which is surrounded by exotic trees and covered in jungle flora.