A Relaxing Long Weekend in Playa del Carmen

You will most likely arrive at Cancun International Airport by the early afternoon. After taking a quick 30-45 minute shuttle to your hotel or resort, it is time to relax by the pool or on the beach. Grab yourself a refreshing margarita and settle in for the rest of your afternoon. Make sure to catch the sunset on the beach! There is nothing better than eating dinner on the beach as the sun sets and darkness settles over the restaurant.

If you are staying in Playa del Carmen proper, try INTI Beach. They have amazing cocktails and fresh seafood in a relaxing ocean front atmosphere. Make sure to try their mezcalita if you like the smoky flavors of Oaxacan mezcal.

Explore the Yucatan

You’re going to have an early morning to start a full day of exploring Mayan ruins, swimming in a cenote and trying traditional food. I recommend hiring a private guide (if budget allows) rather than a group tour to have a more tailored experience. A well-versed guide can take you to sites and cenotes where you will be the only ones on the property.

Ruins

Start your day at Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Make sure to get there early to avoid the heat and the crowds. After marveling at the pyramid, visit the Sacred Cenote, where offerings were made to the rain god, Chaac. Wander around the site to visit the astronomical observatory that the Mayans used to track the movements of the planet Venus.

If you are feeling more adventurous, check out Ek Balam. This is the only pyramid in the region that can still be climbed. This is a less-visited site compared to the popular Chichen Itza.

Valladolid

After this hot excursion, it is time to relax by getting lunch in the colonial town of Valladolid. This charming town with its colorful buildings and tree-covered square offers a chance to stroll through the shops and cafés. For lunch, make sure to stop by Restaurante Eleganzza where you can sample the region's specialty meat, cochinita pibil. This pulled pork entree is roasted overnight in a pit, wrapped in banana leaves and soaked in citrus juices. Eating cochinita pibil in a taco or torta is an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else!

Cenote

After digesting your delicious lunch, it is time to stop by a cenote. These natural sinkholes dot the landscape of the Yucatan and Quintana Roo. These deep blue waters provide the perfect counterbalance to the sweltering heat. Try a less busy cenote like Xux Ha, outside of Valladolid.

Beach Day

Recover from the adventure from the day before. If you are staying at a resort, head down to the pool and beach where you can relax for the day. If you are staying in Playa del Carmen or want another beach experience, try one of the many daily beach clubs, like Lido, where you can rent a chair to order food and drinks all day.

Food Tour

After a restful day, try one of the local, lead food tours where you can get authentic Mexican staples such as tacos, chile rellenos and mole. If you are feeling adventurous, try huitlacoche, a fungus that grows on corn stalks that was eaten by the Mayans and Aztecs.

Cenote Hopping

There are many options for a day of cenote hopping. Before starting, stop by La Cueva del Chango for the best chilaquiles in Playa del Carmen. Sooth your burning taste buds with fresh-pressed guava juice.

Travel south of Playa del Carmen to visit Rio Secreto ecological park. Wearing a headlamp and wet suit, traverse the caves beneath Quintana Roo while learning about the geological wonders in crystal-clear waters. For a more relaxing cenote, try Cenote Cristalino, where you can walk through the jungle to reach the sparkling waters. There are lockers and changing rooms where you can get ready. I suggest bringing food if you want to stay for a long time. There is a small store, where snacks can be bought.

Nightlife

Get ready for a stroll along Fifth Avenue for an evening of shopping and live music. There are lots of clothing stores, souvenir shops, and tequila stops scattered along the two-mile-long road. Make sure to stop by stores that sell locally made goods, like textiles and pottery to help support the community of Playa del Carmen. There are dancers and bands spread throughout the route, but don’t forget to view the indigenous Mayan dancers in Parque Los Fundadores. Enjoy a refreshing aqua frescas or fruit popsicle while enjoying the sunset through the Portal Maya sculpture.