Playa del Carmen: Adventure Hub
Hey beautiful dive buddies,
If you are into scuba diving and outdoor adventures,
Most of you have probably heard of the Riviera Maya, a tropical and lush swath of jungle along the turquoise coastline of the Mexican Caribbean. Its a beautiful area with many outdoor activities available for adventure seekers- but especially for scuba divers. So when we decided to move to the region, we had to carefully weigh many options before settling on a final destination. Among the top competitors were Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Cozumel. But we managed to narrow down our core criteria to 6 options:
1. Proximity to the best of reef and cenote diving (45mins or less)
2. proximity to great beaches (30mins or less)
3. proximity to main tourist attractions (1hr or less)
4. proximity to the airport & Costo (1hr or less)
5. cost of living ($/$$/$$$)
6. nightlife/dining/shopping (quality/diversity)
Each criteria counts as a star point and the city with the most stars would be the winner! Simple as that. So lets break it down.
Proximity to the best of reef and cenote diving
The coastline of the Riviera Maya and greater Quintana Roo is protected by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world! The most famed destination for some of the best Caribbean diving is the island of Cozumel. Its shores are surrounded by the reef on all sides, boasting beautiful world class dive sites that have intricate coral formations, jeering drop-offs and healthy marine life of all sizes. Divers will often encounter Hawksbill, Green and Loggerhead turtles, giant Eagle rays and sharks among many other spectacular reef creatures. The biodiversity, gentle currents and amazing visibility year round definitely wins Cozumel the number one spot for proximity to the best reef diving, but can it hold up on the other end? Unfortunately, no.
Cozumel does not have amazing dive-able cenotes, so divers will have to make the trip off island to have this experience. Although the mainland can be reached by an express boat or ferry, the time to reach Playa del Carmen (the closest destination) is roughly 40-45 minutes on a great day therefore making a cenote trip well beyond an hour, sometimes more like 2 in each directions. While totally worthwhile for visitors looking for a great day trip off island, this is not a great option for anyone wanting to do more caverns and caves during their trip.
Playa del Carmen on the other hand can reach the best dive sites in Cozumel by express dive boats in 45 minutes, making the marine park totally accessible and available for divers to enjoy without having to stay in Cozumel. It’s not a hassle at all and can be done for not excessively more than if staying in Cozumel. Prices range from $165-175 for two tank dives adding about $15-20 per dive for the express convenience. Playa del Carmen is also close to another hidden gem of the Riviera Maya; the National Marine park of Puerto Morelos. This little know dive destination is incredible and only a 30 minute drive north of Playa! Although it does not have those jaw dropping walls of Cozumel, the marine park has helped to maintain a very healthy and vibrant coral reef which is home to the largest schools of fish to be seen in the region. Snappers and grunts thrive in the gently sloping marine park but Eagle Rays and Nurse Sharks are common residents as well. Divers will certainly not be disappointed.
Now here is the winning factor for us. Playa del Carmen is also close to the majority of the best cenotes for diving and snorkelling. Only a very few are further than 45 minutes away, giving divers seemingly infinite options for cenote dive combos that will not disappoint!
Puerto Morelos also hosts a beautiful shipwreck which is its signature dive site. The artificial reef that has developed on the hull of the C-53
I’d like to share with you a little about Playa del Carmen, the up and coming little coastal Caribbean town that lies between Cancun and Tulum, and my home since before the pandemic. In 2019, we moved here (to Playa) for the diving. Just two instructors looking to start a small dive business and network ourselves into the rather extensive scuba community of Quintana Roo. It wasn’t even a question whether we should pick another town along the coast, we both knew the area well and chose Playa strategically for its location. If you look at all the activities available in Quintana Roo, Playa is found right in the epicenter! We are never more than 50 minutes away in any direction from ALL the best diving, dining and dancing in the Riviera Maya! It helps that the weather is favorable year round and the general vibe of the street is young and vibrant. Although we experienced strict measures at the onset of the pandemic, 3 months later our freedoms slowly were restored. We have not stopped exploring and learning everything about diving in and around Playa del Carmen ever since. What we discovered was amazing! From a scuba addict’s perspective, Playa is a diver’s delight.
Playa offers the best of both world for divers. The Caribbean sea and the freshwater underground river of caverns and caves.
The more we discovered, the more enthralled we became with all of the unique diving opportunities and available and the high level of professionalism required to stay competitive.
ben living here since 2019, just prior to the pandemic. In 2018, the pre pandemic era, I had arrived back in Playa after a long interval away. Firstly, I was struck by how much this once small and sleepy fishing village had blown up! The city had stretched out in all directions and lots of new neighbourhoods seemed to have popped up. Commonly sighted on the streets of Centro were beautiful human beings glowing as they rode by in the bike lanes, tourists from all walks of life and locals hard at their daily hustles. But something had stood out right away. I noticed various groups of wet-suited divers heading to the beach to catch their boats. Walking around more, of course, I noticed lots of red and white flags plastered all over the place. Playa had clearly emerged as a diving town which managed to flourish throughout the pandemic.
Back in the day, nobody really knew about Playa. It was but a stepping stone to get to Cozumel. People passed through to catch the ferry, not giving it another thought. Everyone has heard of Cozumel as a world class diving destination but not many bothered to check out Playa. At first! But as time went on, more and more adventurous souls decided to spend more time in the village and they realized there was a lot to do.
One thing I love about diving in Playa, is its prime location at the epicentre for all the best diving in Quintana Roo. If you are like me, you want to see the best of everything in your location. Cozumel is known for its beautiful coral reefs, so I knew I wanted to be able to dive in Cozumel but after visiting there several times, I knew I didn’t want to vacation there again and most definitely not live there. Cozumel is a geared towards their cruise ship culture and all inclusive hotels. The town is quite sleepy and there is not a whole lot to do outside of ocean water sports. I wanted to dive the cenotes of the Riviera. Now thats a tough one because they are scattered all over the state. Tulum is closest to mot of the popular diving cenotes but one main thing drove me away. Finding affordable accommodations has become rare on the beach side of the highway. Also the design on the town with only two main access points to the beach make it very frustrating to have a nice day at the beach. Furthermore, Tulum is not known for its reef dives so for those reasons it got scratched off the list. Puerto Morelos is boasted as a hidden gem of the Riviera, which it is. But its a very sleepy town and would be ideal for someone looking for a lot of RnR . As most bars and restaurants close at 6pm, one would be stuck with few options if looking for a nightlife.
When you first get to Playa del Carmen, you will probably be surprised by it’s size. The once small and sleepy fishing village has exploded over the last 40 years into an activity hub and international tourist destination. One of the biggest attractions, of course are a plethora of water activities. all activities in the Riviera Maya. If you are planning a dive trip to the Riviera Maya, don’t waste your time looking for where to stay because its crystal clear: Playa del Carmen!
When you come on a diving trip to Playa, it is all about immersing in the natural diversity and unique beauty. No two dives are alike.
The reef in Playa del Carmen will surprise you. Although it is much smaller than the reef in Cozumel and Puerto Morelos, a diver can still have some amazing encounters.
Most people have heard about Cancun, an international tourist hub that boasts nightlife, beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and lots of sunshine! Many have heard of Tulum, the cultural hub of the Riviera Maya where people flock to see the ancient ruins and get in touch with their spiritual side. But in recent years, travelers have been discovering that Playa del Carmen has everything anyone would want for a perfect Caribbean adventure.
This once sleepy fishing village, not more than 40 years ago, has now become a hot destination for thousands of tourists, but also for a new phenomenon in travel called- digital nomads. Why do more and more people come to Playa del Carmen? We have concluded that the main reason is LOCATION. Playa is about a 45 minute south of the Cancun Airport and about 45 minutes north of Tulum, at the epicentre of all adventures in Quintana Roo.
Every year Playa del Carmen has seen an increase in visitors, long and short term as more people discover what a truly amazing location it is, right in the epicenter of all adventures in Quintana Roo. offers a haven for young adults with online jobs. Easy border policies and extended visas, cheap accommodation and general low cost of living has made the digital nomad scene explode in Mexico. As the world emerges from the Covid crisis, we see a change in how people travel and live. Here is why Playa del Carmen is an adventure hub that has exploded since the Covid crisis.
Playa del Carmen is a little bit different from the other big towns along the coast of Quintana Roo. Unlike Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Tulum, Playa’s beaches are accessible by many roads. The village grew around the ferry Terminal to Cozumel, where the majority of travelers passing through Playa were headed. Eventually more of them decided to stop over for the night, and so it grew. If you take a walk down 5th avenue on a busy weekend, you would not see any resemblance to what it once was. Unlike other towns near by, Playa’s beaches are accessible by short walks. Most
we have risen in numbers looking to live and travel outside o are flocking to Playa for its ideal location attracting millions each year to its lush sandy beaches and buzzing night life. The vibe is very eclectic, attracting many travelers from all over the world.
a haven for digital nomads.
attraction in it of itself. The vibe you get when you reach Playa, as the locals call it, is one of youth and vibrance.
When the Mexican Caribbean comes up, most people tend to think firstly of Cancun, the international tourism megalodon that has the worlds 3rd busiest airport in the world. The other camp will think of Tulum, a cultural hub of woke digital nomads searching for something a little more spiritual in nature. Well its almost like those two cities bled into each other and met half way in Playa del Carmen. She used to be a small sleepy fishing village only 40 years ago. A stepping stone to Cozumel or Tulum but in recent years, travelers have made longer stops to enjoy the local vibe.
If I want to describe Playa del Carmen to someone who has never been, I would say it is like putting Cancun and Tulum in a blender and Playa is the end result. For those who have not been to this part of Mexico yet, Cancun is an international tourism hub. . is a perfect blend of what Cancun and Tulum have to offer. It has something for every type of traveler
here are some of the reason why we chose Playa del Carmen as our home base.
Our decision to move to Playa del Carmen came swiftly in 2018. Adolfo and I were still living in Roatan, Honduras. Our passion for diving and ambitions to start our own scuba school had us whirling around ideas for a long time. We had a brand taking shape but Roatan just didn’t seem like the right place to plant our roots.
So we created a wish list of what we wanted out of a place and here is what we came up with:
Obviously we want to be in a world class diving destination that is beautiful and has a lot of variety, is Close to an international airport, close to outlet stores like Costco where we can actually get good quality stuff, accessibility to the beach, decent restaurant scene and ideally clothing stores that are better than Megapaca. Don’t get me wrong, I love Megapaca but when it took over my entire wardrobe I had to say ENOUGH is enough.
Playa del Carmen is the perfect destination to experience everything the Riviera Maya has to offer. This goes for tourists, digital nomads looking to explore the Riviera Maya and locals alike! Why?
#1. Location
2. activities something for everyone
3. accesibility to the beach
4. nightlife
5. shopping & restaurants
6. General vibe (Local Vibe)
Location
Hey beautiful dive buddies,
If you are into scuba diving and outdoor adventures,
Most of you have probably heard of the Riviera Maya, a tropical and lush swath of jungle along the turquoise coastline of the Mexican Caribbean. Its a beautiful area with many outdoor activities available for adventure seekers- but especially for scuba divers. So when we decided to move to the region, we had to carefully weigh many options before settling on a final destination. Among the top competitors were Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Cozumel. But we managed to narrow down our core criteria to 6 options:
1. Proximity to the best of reef and cenote diving (45mins or less)
2. proximity to great beaches (30mins or less)
3. proximity to main tourist attractions (1hr or less)
4. proximity to the airport & Costo (1hr or less)
5. cost of living ($/$$/$$$)
6. nightlife/dining/shopping (quality/diversity)
Each criteria counts as a star point and the city with the most stars would be the winner! Simple as that. So lets break it down.
Proximity to the best of reef and cenote diving
The coastline of the Riviera Maya and greater Quintana Roo is protected by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world! The most famed destination for some of the best Caribbean diving is the island of Cozumel. Its shores are surrounded by the reef on all sides, boasting beautiful world class dive sites that have intricate coral formations, jeering drop-offs and healthy marine life of all sizes. Divers will often encounter Hawksbill, Green and Loggerhead turtles, giant Eagle rays and sharks among many other spectacular reef creatures. The biodiversity, gentle currents and amazing visibility year round definitely wins Cozumel the number one spot for proximity to the best reef diving, but can it hold up on the other end? Unfortunately, no.
Cozumel does not have amazing dive-able cenotes, so divers will have to make the trip off island to have this experience. Although the mainland can be reached by an express boat or ferry, the time to reach Playa del Carmen (the closest destination) is roughly 40-45 minutes on a great day therefore making a cenote trip well beyond an hour, sometimes more like 2 in each directions. While totally worthwhile for visitors looking for a great day trip off island, this is not a great option for anyone wanting to do more caverns and caves during their trip.
Playa del Carmen on the other hand can reach the best dive sites in Cozumel by express dive boats in 45 minutes, making the marine park totally accessible and available for divers to enjoy without having to stay in Cozumel. It’s not a hassle at all and can be done for not excessively more than if staying in Cozumel. Prices range from $165-175 for two tank dives adding about $15-20 per dive for the express convenience. Playa del Carmen is also close to another hidden gem of the Riviera Maya; the National Marine park of Puerto Morelos. This little know dive destination is incredible and only a 30 minute drive north of Playa! Although it does not have those jaw dropping walls of Cozumel, the marine park has helped to maintain a very healthy and vibrant coral reef which is home to the largest schools of fish to be seen in the region. Snappers and grunts thrive in the gently sloping marine park but Eagle Rays and Nurse Sharks are common residents as well. Divers will certainly not be disappointed.
Now here is the winning factor for us. Playa del Carmen is also close to the majority of the best cenotes for diving and snorkelling. Only a very few are further than 45 minutes away, giving divers seemingly infinite options for cenote dive combos that will not disappoint!
Puerto Morelos also hosts a beautiful shipwreck which is its signature dive site. The artificial reef that has developed on the hull of the C-53
I’d like to share with you a little about Playa del Carmen, the up and coming little coastal Caribbean town that lies between Cancun and Tulum, and my home since before the pandemic. In 2019, we moved here (to Playa) for the diving. Just two instructors looking to start a small dive business and network ourselves into the rather extensive scuba community of Quintana Roo. It wasn’t even a question whether we should pick another town along the coast, we both knew the area well and chose Playa strategically for its location. If you look at all the activities available in Quintana Roo, Playa is found right in the epicenter! We are never more than 50 minutes away in any direction from ALL the best diving, dining and dancing in the Riviera Maya! It helps that the weather is favorable year round and the general vibe of the street is young and vibrant. Although we experienced strict measures at the onset of the pandemic, 3 months later our freedoms slowly were restored. We have not stopped exploring and learning everything about diving in and around Playa del Carmen ever since. What we discovered was amazing! From a scuba addict’s perspective, Playa is a diver’s delight.
Playa offers the best of both world for divers. The Caribbean sea and the freshwater underground river of caverns and caves.
The more we discovered, the more enthralled we became with all of the unique diving opportunities and available and the high level of professionalism required to stay competitive.
ben living here since 2019, just prior to the pandemic. In 2018, the pre pandemic era, I had arrived back in Playa after a long interval away. Firstly, I was struck by how much this once small and sleepy fishing village had blown up! The city had stretched out in all directions and lots of new neighbourhoods seemed to have popped up. Commonly sighted on the streets of Centro were beautiful human beings glowing as they rode by in the bike lanes, tourists from all walks of life and locals hard at their daily hustles. But something had stood out right away. I noticed various groups of wet-suited divers heading to the beach to catch their boats. Walking around more, of course, I noticed lots of red and white flags plastered all over the place. Playa had clearly emerged as a diving town which managed to flourish throughout the pandemic.
Back in the day, nobody really knew about Playa. It was but a stepping stone to get to Cozumel. People passed through to catch the ferry, not giving it another thought. Everyone has heard of Cozumel as a world class diving destination but not many bothered to check out Playa. At first! But as time went on, more and more adventurous souls decided to spend more time in the village and they realized there was a lot to do.
One thing I love about diving in Playa, is its prime location at the epicentre for all the best diving in Quintana Roo. If you are like me, you want to see the best of everything in your location. Cozumel is known for its beautiful coral reefs, so I knew I wanted to be able to dive in Cozumel but after visiting there several times, I knew I didn’t want to vacation there again and most definitely not live there. Cozumel is a geared towards their cruise ship culture and all inclusive hotels. The town is quite sleepy and there is not a whole lot to do outside of ocean water sports. I wanted to dive the cenotes of the Riviera. Now thats a tough one because they are scattered all over the state. Tulum is closest to mot of the popular diving cenotes but one main thing drove me away. Finding affordable accommodations has become rare on the beach side of the highway. Also the design on the town with only two main access points to the beach make it very frustrating to have a nice day at the beach. Furthermore, Tulum is not known for its reef dives so for those reasons it got scratched off the list. Puerto Morelos is boasted as a hidden gem of the Riviera, which it is. But its a very sleepy town and would be ideal for someone looking for a lot of RnR . As most bars and restaurants close at 6pm, one would be stuck with few options if looking for a nightlife.
When you first get to Playa del Carmen, you will probably be surprised by it’s size. The once small and sleepy fishing village has exploded over the last 40 years into an activity hub and international tourist destination. One of the biggest attractions, of course are a plethora of water activities. all activities in the Riviera Maya. If you are planning a dive trip to the Riviera Maya, don’t waste your time looking for where to stay because its crystal clear: Playa del Carmen!
When you come on a diving trip to Playa, it is all about immersing in the natural diversity and unique beauty. No two dives are alike.
The reef in Playa del Carmen will surprise you. Although it is much smaller than the reef in Cozumel and Puerto Morelos, a diver can still have some amazing encounters.
Most people have heard about Cancun, an international tourist hub that boasts nightlife, beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and lots of sunshine! Many have heard of Tulum, the cultural hub of the Riviera Maya where people flock to see the ancient ruins and get in touch with their spiritual side. But in recent years, travelers have been discovering that Playa del Carmen has everything anyone would want for a perfect Caribbean adventure.
This once sleepy fishing village, not more than 40 years ago, has now become a hot destination for thousands of tourists, but also for a new phenomenon in travel called- digital nomads. Why do more and more people come to Playa del Carmen? We have concluded that the main reason is LOCATION. Playa is about a 45 minute south of the Cancun Airport and about 45 minutes north of Tulum, at the epicentre of all adventures in Quintana Roo.
Every year Playa del Carmen has seen an increase in visitors, long and short term as more people discover what a truly amazing location it is, right in the epicenter of all adventures in Quintana Roo. offers a haven for young adults with online jobs. Easy border policies and extended visas, cheap accommodation and general low cost of living has made the digital nomad scene explode in Mexico. As the world emerges from the Covid crisis, we see a change in how people travel and live. Here is why Playa del Carmen is an adventure hub that has exploded since the Covid crisis.
Playa del Carmen is a little bit different from the other big towns along the coast of Quintana Roo. Unlike Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Tulum, Playa’s beaches are accessible by many roads. The village grew around the ferry Terminal to Cozumel, where the majority of travelers passing through Playa were headed. Eventually more of them decided to stop over for the night, and so it grew. If you take a walk down 5th avenue on a busy weekend, you would not see any resemblance to what it once was. Unlike other towns near by, Playa’s beaches are accessible by short walks. Most
we have risen in numbers looking to live and travel outside o are flocking to Playa for its ideal location attracting millions each year to its lush sandy beaches and buzzing night life. The vibe is very eclectic, attracting many travelers from all over the world.
a haven for digital nomads.
attraction in it of itself. The vibe you get when you reach Playa, as the locals call it, is one of youth and vibrance.
When the Mexican Caribbean comes up, most people tend to think firstly of Cancun, the international tourism megalodon that has the worlds 3rd busiest airport in the world. The other camp will think of Tulum, a cultural hub of woke digital nomads searching for something a little more spiritual in nature. Well its almost like those two cities bled into each other and met half way in Playa del Carmen. She used to be a small sleepy fishing village only 40 years ago. A stepping stone to Cozumel or Tulum but in recent years, travelers have made longer stops to enjoy the local vibe.
If I want to describe Playa del Carmen to someone who has never been, I would say it is like putting Cancun and Tulum in a blender and Playa is the end result. For those who have not been to this part of Mexico yet, Cancun is an international tourism hub. . is a perfect blend of what Cancun and Tulum have to offer. It has something for every type of traveler
here are some of the reason why we chose Playa del Carmen as our home base.
Our decision to move to Playa del Carmen came swiftly in 2018. Adolfo and I were still living in Roatan, Honduras. Our passion for diving and ambitions to start our own scuba school had us whirling around ideas for a long time. We had a brand taking shape but Roatan just didn’t seem like the right place to plant our roots.
So we created a wish list of what we wanted out of a place and here is what we came up with:
Obviously we want to be in a world class diving destination that is beautiful and has a lot of variety, is Close to an international airport, close to outlet stores like Costco where we can actually get good quality stuff, accessibility to the beach, decent restaurant scene and ideally clothing stores that are better than Megapaca. Don’t get me wrong, I love Megapaca but when it took over my entire wardrobe I had to say ENOUGH is enough.
Playa del Carmen is the perfect destination to experience everything the Riviera Maya has to offer. This goes for tourists, digital nomads looking to explore the Riviera Maya and locals alike! Why?
#1. Location
2. activities something for everyone
3. accesibility to the beach
4. nightlife
5. shopping & restaurants
6. General vibe (Local Vibe)
Location
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Playa del Carmen: Adventure Hub
Hey beautiful dive buddies, If you are into scuba diving and outdoor adventures, Most of you have probably heard of the Riviera Maya, a tropical and lush swath of jungle along the turquoise coastline of the Mexican...