You’ve set your sights on the beautiful setting of Playa Del Carmen, great! Now how do you actually get yourself there?
Many people will often settle for the taxi option, often being too confused or unaware about the logistics of how to get to Playa Del Carmen.
And I totally get it! While planning for my own trip, I was super frustrated at the lack of resources out there detailing how to get from place to place affordably. I absolutely hate paying for overpriced taxis when I don’t have to, so I scoured the web in an effort to teach myself how to get around Cancun and Playa Del Carmen before my last trip.
That leads me to the reason why I created this post. Did you know you could save a lot of money by opting for other forms of transportation? If you’re not sure how to do it, you’re in the right place! This guide will help you find your way from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen with ease.
To get to Playa Del Carmen, you will have a few different options. Each option has its pros and cons. The best option for you will depend on how many people you’re traveling with, who you’re traveling with, and what your budget is.
Read on and choose the best transportation option that works for you!
*Please note: All of the products listed in this post are my personal tried and true recommendations and may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running. Thanks!
Table of Contents
WHERE IS PLAYA DEL CARMEN?
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico is located in southeastern Mexico, on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. This coastal city is situated right next to the Caribbean Sea and forms a part of Mexico’s easternmost state, Quintana Roo.
Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya coastal area, Playa del Carmen is almost exactly in between the popular cities of Cancun and Tulum (approximately 35 miles from each city).
South of Playa Del Carmen, you’ll find wonderful visit-worthy towns like Akumal and Tulum. To the east of Playa Del Carmen is Isla Cozumel, an island famous for its magnificent coral reefs and snorkeling/diving experiences.
North of Playa Del Carmen sits the popular Mexican destination of Cancun as well as a beautiful, laid-back island named Isla Mujeres.
Don’t Miss: 25 Best Things To Do In Playa Del Carmen For An Unforgettable Vacation
HOW TO GET FROM CANCUN AIRPORT TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Coming from the Cancun Airport? One of the first things you’ll need to figure out is how to get to Playa Del Carmen once you touch down. Lucky for you, there are a few ways to get to Playa del Carmen from the airport.
Do note that many of the larger resorts in Playa Del Carmen provide free transportation from the airport to the property, so check with your hotel before planning transportation at your own expense.
If you’re vacationing in Playa Del Carmen, you’re most likely going to be flying into Cancun International Airport (CUN). From there, you can do the following:
- take private transportation booked in advance (great value for larger groups)
- taxi (most expensive)
- take the public ADO bus (cheapest)
- rent a car (most flexible option)
Don’t have time to read the whole guide? Here are the quick takeaways:
I’ve tried all three of these options during my past trips to Mexico and I’d say scheduling private transportation is my favorite option. I love this option because you get the perk of a taxi’s door-to-door service, but because the ride is prepaid, you won’t have to deal with all the pressure and stress the taxi guys throw at you!
My second favorite option is taking the ADO bus. This is an especially good option for travelers looking for a more budget-friendly option.
Bookaway is also a great resource to check out (and book) all your transportation options in one place.
With a bit of planning ahead and pre-scheduling, you’ll have a super stress-free experience at the airport! Let’s dive a bit deeper into your options.
Taxi ($50-70 USD)
With a taxi, there is no need to organize transportation ahead of time. This option requires the least planning, but if you want to save a few bucks, you’ll need to negotiate a price before hopping into the taxi.
Often, taxi drivers will quote you one price, but you can certainly haggle down the price by a few dollars. Once you and your driver agree on a price, just hop in, and be on your merry way.
This is a good option for travelers with lots of heavy bags who are staying at hotels farther away from public transportation stops.
We tend to only opt for the taxi when transferring from one hotel to another so that we don’t have to deal with lugging our heavy bags in the hot weather.
While taking a taxi to your destination in Playa Del Carmen is the most convenient, it is also the most expensive option on this list.
Shared Shuttle Transfer ($30-40 USD)
If you’re able to plan ahead, arranged transfers are a great option for getting to Playa Del Carmen from Cancun.
Shared minivans and shared vehicles are convenient because they take you door-to-door from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen. The shared shuttle transportation service is usually offered by private transportation companies and can be booked online. We like booking with USA Transfers because they offer affordable prices and have awesome reviews.
Although more expensive than the ADO bus, a shared minivan will be more comfortable and may be a good option if your hotel is located farther away from the bus stations. And if you’re traveling in a larger group, opting for this form of transportation might not be too bad if you all split the costs.
Private Transfer (~$100-150)
If you’ve got more budget to play with or are traveling in a larger group, you can always opt for a private transfer. Private cars/shuttles are normally more spacious than taxis and they come with guaranteed trusted drivers. These are also bookable via USA Transfers.
Depending on what type of vehicle you choose, they can fit anywhere from 5-15 people. Since these shuttles charge per vehicle (not per person like buses/colectivos), it can be a good and even affordable option for groups of 5-8 people.
If you’ve got even more money to blow, you can opt for a luxury vehicle or even a limo in some cases!
By ADO Bus ($10 USD)
The ADO bus is the most affordable option to get to Playa Del Carmen from the airport. We love it for so many reasons.
First off, the bus system is reliable, safe, comfortable, and (best of all) cheap! They are air-conditioned and even have under-bus and overhead space for your luggage. Lastly, they’re very convenient due to the fact that they depart from the airport every half hour or so.
Whether you buy your bus ticket ahead of time online or book a seat from the ticket office, the ADO bus allows you to pre-select your seats so you’re not stressfully hunting down a seat when you hop on board.
ADO booths can be found in all of the terminals. Most international flights will arrive at Terminal 3 (all three times I’ve flown into Cancun Airport I’ve arrived at Terminal 3).
To take the ADO Bus, you’re going to be on the lookout for the red buses outside of the airport. Near the buses will be a small ticket booth with an attendee present. You’ll have to buy a ticket at the booth before boarding the bus.
Once you leave the terminal, you will see a lot of drivers with signs for people as well as drivers/workers offering you taxi service. Just politely decline or ignore them and outside. You will see a Margaritaville stand to your right–go past that to reach the red ADO bus stand.
Buy a bus ticket for your destination–in this case from the airport to Playa Del Carmen. At the time of writing, the cost from the airport to Playa Del Carmen is 216 pesos, or about $10 USD per person.
It’s best to have pesos in hand to buy the tickets, but they do accept USD (you may pay a bit more in USD). Change will be given in pesos.
I like to withdraw some pesos from the bank ATM inside the Cancun airport before heading outside. This is not to be confused with the money exchange kiosk, which I avoid at all costs.
Once you’re on the air-conditioned bus, put your bags in the overhead compartments and take a seat.
The bus will then head to a few other terminals to do additional pick-ups. After stopping at the terminals, you’ll be on your way to Playa. The ride takes about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic.
The ADO bus will take you to the ADO bus station on 5 Avenida and Juarez Avenue. This is the ONLY stop in Playa Del Carmen it makes. There is another bus stop in Playa on Calle 12 and 20 Avenida, but this airport bus does not stop at that one.
By Rental Car
Travelers who want the ultimate flexibility can opt to rent a car and drive themselves directly from Cancun to Playa del Carmen.
The drive from Cancun to Playa del Carmen is a straight shot down Mexico’s Highway 307. The highway is well-trafficked, paved, flat, easy to drive, and safe. The total drive time is approximately 1 hour.
You can easily rent a car from the Cancun Airport as well as within the city and even through various hotels.
Take note that while many car rental companies advertise super-low rates, the advertised rate usually does not include mandatory insurances and fees. Plan to spend $30 or more per day on a rental car, depending on the season. Be sure to opt for that car rental insurance!
HOW TO GET FROM DOWNTOWN CANCUN TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Don’t have time to read the whole guide? Here are the quick takeaways:
- If you have a ton of bags with you, the ADO bus or arranged transfer will be your best bet.
- If you are traveling with a larger group, an arranged transfer will be the most comfortable for your group.
- To really save money, the Playa Express cannot be beaten!
Taxi ($40-50)
Again, the taxi is going to be your most convenient but most expensive option. You can expect to be quoted around $50 from downtown Cancun, but that price should be flexible with a little bit of haggling.
Arranged Transfer ($30-40 USD)
Arranged transfers are a great option for getting to Playa Del Carmen from downton Cancun.
Again, you will get door-to-door transportation from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen. We like booking with USA Transfers because they offer affordable prices and have awesome reviews overall.
Though more expensive than the ADO bus, here are some of its benefits:
- It will likely be a lot more comfortable
- You won’t have to find your way to the bus stop
- It is good for larger groups
ADO Bus ($3 USD)
Taking the ADO bus from downtown is such an affordable option, compared to the amount you’d be paying if you opted for a taxi.
To take the ADO bus to Playa Del Carmen, you’re going to head to the main ADO bus terminal in the downtown area. From here, purchase a ticket to Playa Del Carmen.
Buses run every hour and drop passengers at the 5th Avenue terminal.
The ticket should cost approximately $3 USD per person. Again, you can purchase tickets online or at any ADO bus counter.
Once you get to Playa Del Carmen, you can choose to get off at one of two stops. The first ADO bus station (the main one) is on Avenida 5 and Avenida Juarez and the other one (Playa Del Carmen Alterna) is on Avenida 20 and Calle 12.
Playa Express ($2 USD)
From downtown Cancun, there is another form of transportation to get to Playa that we love and recommend for people who are traveling lightly or just looking for day trip transportation. This is the Playa Express!
The Playa Express is a type of colectivo (shared public transportation vans) that provides convenient access to and from Playa Del Carmen. These vans are visibly marked with the words “Playa Express” on the outside.
The Playa Express is different from the regular colectivo in that they are a bit nicer. They have actual seats with seatbelts, air conditioning, and small storage space above the seats. Depending on the traffic, you can get to Cancun in 1 to 1.5 hours.
The best part? It only costs 45 pesos (~$2 USD) per person!
To get onto a Playa Express in Cancun, head across the street from the main ADO bus terminal in the downtown area. The Playa Express vans will likely be between Avenida Uxmal and Avenida Tulum.
If you’re having trouble finding them, listen for the Playa Express drivers calling out “Playa!”. During busier hours, there will usually be a small line of people that forms as they wait to pay the drivers before boarding.
Usually, there will be more than one van present at a time. As soon as one fills up, that one will take off. They’ll then start filling up the next van.
During the ride to Playa Del Carmen, the Playa Express will pick up additional travelers along Highway 307. These stops are very quick and won’t cause much of a delay.
After reaching Puerto Morelos, the van may stop more frequently depending on where other travelers want to hop off. When we rode the Playa Express last from Cancun to Playa, the van stopped ~10 times along the highway but never for more than 15-30 seconds (just enough time to let a few people on or off.
Once you reach the last stop in Playa Del Carmen, they will tell you to hop off. You will likely be on Av. Benito Juarez. From here, you will need to either walk ~10 minutes all the way down Av. Benito Juarez to get to the Parque Los Fundadores area or take a quick taxi ride back to your destination.
Av. Benito Juarez is lined with large local shops and lots of banks with street food vendors dotted along the way. It’s a pretty bustling and lit-up street and we did not feel out of place or in danger in any way.
Need to catch the Playa Express from Playa Del Carmen to Cancun? The Playa Express vans will be on Calle 2 and 20th Avenida Nte.
HOW TO GET FROM HOTEL ZONE TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN
From the Hotel Zone, you can easily schedule private/shared transportation or catch a cab from anywhere you are to get you to Playa Del Carmen.
To take public transportation, you’re going to have to make your way over to downtown Cancun as all colectivos that go to Playa Del Carmen will only pick up from downtown Cancun.
To get downtown, you will need a taxi or catch the colectivo (R-1 or R-2) to get to the main ADO bus terminal to take advantage of the options listed above.
Since public transportation from the Hotel Zone to Playa Del Carmen is a multistep process, a private transfer is usually the best option if you’re short on time, traveling with lots of bags, or traveling with a large group.
If you have luggage at all, I would recommend taking the ADO bus because the Playa Express does not have any luggage storage aboard the vans.
IS A TAXI OR ARRANGED TRANSFER WORTH THE MONEY?
There is no doubt that taking a taxi or arranged transfer is very convenient.
While these are the more expensive options, with enough people (ideally 3+ people), it could be worth it to get a cab or pre-arranged shuttle.
This is because taxis and shuttles charge per vehicle, not per person like buses/colectivos. For example, if your shuttle costs $40 total and you have 4 people with you, your per-person cost would end up being just $10 each.
If your taxi costs $60 total and you have 4 people with you, your per-person cost would end up being just $15 each.
DO YOU NEED A CAR IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN?
The short answer is no, you do not need a car to enjoy your Playa Del Carmen vacation. Playa Del Carmen is a very walkable town and the touristy area where all the hotels/restaurants/clubs are is relatively compact.
The only time you really might need to rent a car in Playa del Carmen is if you are planning a trip to somewhere outside of Playa, or if you are staying outside of the center. With that said, public transportation is pretty inexpensive and readily available.
Colectivo buses can take you all around the city, the ADO bus gets you around the Yucatan Peninsula, and taxis can get you everywhere else (for a heftier price). If you want to enjoy a few excursions outside of Playa Del Carmen, chances are there are tour operators that can get you there, transportation and hotel pickup included.
However, if you really want that flexibility of having a car to head out of the city on your own, I’d recommend renting a car for just the days you need it.
During the time you plan to explore Playa’s city limits, there is no need to rent one. Rent a car for the days you plan to explore elsewhere and return it for the days you don’t.
(Example scenario: Enjoy Playa Del Carmen for your first few days upon arrival, car-free. Then rent a car on your last remaining days to drive to Akumal to snorkel, drive to Coba to tour the ruins, drive to Tulum for an overnight stay or two. Return the car to the airport once you’re all checked out and ready to leave Mexico.)
One of the most convenient ways to rent a rental car is with City Car Rental. The average cost for a car rental from Cancun is $13 USD/day for an economy car (it’s more expensive if you rent from Playa Del Carmen), and your reservation includes car rental insurance. That’s so convenient in my mind because who wants to worry about international insurance coverage, anyway?
Driving in a foreign country can be overwhelming, but in Mexico, we find it not too difficult. Inside cities like Playa del Carmen and other larger cities the traffic can be a bit busy, but outside the cities, there are surprisingly few cars on the road.
In Mexico, they drive on the right side of the road and the steering wheel is on the left side of the car, just like it is in the USA and most parts of Europe.
WHERE TO STAY IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO
Lodging accommodations in Playa Del Carmen are nearly endless, with tons of affordable hotel options as well as super luxurious ones. Of course, you could stay at one of the many “name-brand” hotels you’re familiar with, but if you want to try something new, consider these immaculate design hotels and boutique options below:
For a luxurious stay at budget travel prices: Meliora By Bunik
Meliora By Bunik is a hotel in Downtown Playa del Carmen, walking distance to Quinta Avenida near it all. The hotel boasts spacious, modern rooms and has an outdoor pool with lounging hammocks to enjoy, spa services, and concierge services available. WiFi in public areas is free.
For a moderately priced design hotel: Hotel La Semilla
This is where we stayed on our last trip to Playa; amazing ambiance, free breakfast, and attention to detail in the design of the entire property!
The hotel itself is completely breathtaking, with a beautiful outdoor garden and dining area where we enjoyed our homemade breakfast each morning. I mean, look at it, it’s charming as heck and drop-dead gorgeous!
Hotel La Semilla B&B has a very tranquil, laid-back atmosphere. The organic and simple design reflects a sense of Mexican history, heritage, style and simplicity. The property is located in the middle of the trendiest part of town (Calle 38) and is surrounded by jungle. Truly, the best of both worlds!
For a moderately priced design hotel farther away from the crowds: Petit Lafitte Hotel
Petit Lafitte is our second pick when it comes to affordable yet stylish lodging in Playa Del Carmen. This is a tranquil beachfront hotel a 15-minute drive from Playa del Carmen city center. It’s a great choice if you want to be based in a more quiet and serene area of Playa Del Carmen.
Aside from the beautiful tropical grounds, it offers air-conditioned rooms, 2 restaurants, and an outdoor pool. There are on-site massage services as well.
For a luxurious all-inclusive stay: Excellence Riviera Cancun All-Inclusive
My absolute favorite adults-only all-inclusive resort! I’m a huge fan of the Excellence properties. And you can usually find pretty good deals if you book early enough (often 40%+ off room rates). I don’t do all-inclusive often, but when I do, you better believe I’m getting a good deal on price!
Excellence Resorts all feature peaceful beaches with fine, white sands, several outdoor pools, the most relaxing spa and hydrotherapy area you’ll ever find in this budget range, and ample spaces for relaxation. The all-inclusive rate covers food and beverages at 9+ international restaurants and 10+ bars.
You’ll get to stay in huge, modern rooms, all featuring big bathing tubs and furnished balconies–plus some have ocean views, private hammocks, swim-up access to pools, and private plunge pools.
On top of that, they have tons of scheduled activities throughout the day, so even if you do nothing else around Cancun, you’re sure to have a lot to do at the resort. Some examples include group aquatic Zumba, bike rides around the property, poker and casino night, Mexican fiesta buffets, workout classes, ‘free’ SUP and kayak usage, and nightly shows.
If you’re going to go all-inclusive, you gotta do it right! The sheer amount of bars, restaurants, and activities offered at their resorts make them worth every dollar spent.
ESSENTIAL PACKING LIST FOR PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO
Aside from the normal clothing and toiletries you’d pack for any regular trip, here are the things I’d recommend you not leave home without for your Cancun / Playa Del Carmen trip:
- Lightweight Packable Day Bag | Inside my larger travel backpack, I always bring a lightweight, packable backpack to use for day-to-day exploration. The Fjallraven Kanken Mini is perfect for carrying a few snacks, a lightweight jacket, cameras, phones, a water bottle, and whatever else I need for the day.
- Packing Cubes | Start packing the smart way. The key to smart packing is going to be compartmentalization, aka your packing cubes. This set comes with a bunch of different sizes, so you can create a separate compartment for undies and socks, one for clothing, one for toiletries, and one for anything else you may want to organize. By using packing cubes, it’s so much easier to pull out only what you need, rather than dig through all of your luggage to find that one thing you’re looking for.
- Laundry Bag | Summer = lots of sweaty, smelly worn clothes. Don’t soil your entire bag by mixing worn clothes with your unworn clothes! Definitely bring a laundry bag to separate your clean clothes from your dirty clothes to maintain the utmost freshness.
- Clothing | Pack your usual tropical vacationing clothes, as well as a few layers for unexpected cooler temperatures. This includes tanks, shorts, swimsuits, and swim coverups!
- Light Rain Jacket | Traveling to tropical areas does not necessarily mean there won’t be rain or wind. Packing a light rain jacket will definitely come in handy in unpredictable tropical climates. This one for men and this one for women are some of the best jackets for any kind of travel. They’re ultralight, wind and water-repellent, and take up virtually no space so they’re easy to carry wherever you go.
- Adventure Sandals | Tevas and Chacos are my go-to brands for multipurpose summer sandals. If you’re planning on having an adventurous day or two, you should definitely consider getting adventure sandals — comfortable for long-distance walking, safe for submerging in water, and super durable.
- Walking Shoes | One pair of closed-toed shoes (walking shoes or running shoes) is always crucial for any trip. These ones that I’ve been traveling around with are super light and breathable. I can even walk 15+ miles in them before getting sore feet.
- For women: Adidas Cloudfoam runners are classic looking and ultra-comfortable.
- For men: ON Running Shoes have risen in popularity, and for good reason! They are comfortable as heck, my boyfriend loves his pair.
- Cooling Facial Mist | When you’re faced with mid-day humidity, it can be very hard to deal with. Keeping a small bottle of facial mist in your purse or backpack on a hot day will save your life. This mist takes all the cooling, soothing ingredients you can think of—aloe, cucumber, and green tea—and combines them into one refreshing spritzer for your face.
- Dry Shampoo | Bring some dry shampoo to use in between washes to instantly revitalize and freshen your semi-dirty hair.
- Leave-In Conditioner | I recommend bringing a leave-in conditioner to help nurture your hair after spending time in pools and the salty ocean. As someone with naturally frizzy hair, my hair tends to get tangled, coarse, and even more frizzy after it’s submerged in water. This leave-in conditioner is a cult favorite – just put it in your damp hair after your shower and comb it through.
- Face Sunscreen | We are absolutely obsessed with the magical Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen that goes on completely matte. That’s right, no white-cast, no greasy film!
- Sunscreen | Applying sunscreen to your body is absolutely necessary for tropical destinations. If you plan on snorkeling near the reefs, choose a coral reef-safe option as traditional sunscreen contains chemicals that damage and even kill the precious reefs. And honestly, it’s not enough to just buy any old bottle that has a “reef-friendly” label on it. It turns out many sunscreens claiming to be “reef-friendly” or “reef-safe” actually aren’t!
- Here are a few travel-sized biodegradable sunscreens you can easily buy on Amazon:
- After Sun Cooling Spray| Let’s be real– you’re probably going to be spending the majority of your vacation outdoors under the sun. Chances are, you’re going to get a nice tan, and maybe even a sunburn or two! Even if you don’t get sunburned, you should still treat your exposed skin to some much-needed hydration with an after-sun cooling spray or after-sun lotion.
- Hand Sanitizer | Hand sanitizer gel or wipes are a must any time you’re going to be in contact with surfaces many other people have touched. Never leave your hotel room without it! And if you do happen to forget it, remember to wash your hands often, especially before eating or touching your face.
- Body Wipes / Feminine Wipes | Feeling a bit gross but don’t have the time to shower right in that instant? Just whip out one of these body wipes for a quick refresher. The feminine wipes I like are infused with cucumber and aloe. Trust me, you will feel and smell so much better. Always good to have a few handy in your travel bag.
- Oil Blotting Sheets | On a typical day in a hot and tropical place, your makeup will slide/sweat off your face in exactly three seconds after stepping outside. Rather than layering on more makeup, first, focus on tackling your shiny, sweaty glow. The solution? Use blotting sheets whenever your face starts getting sweaty.
- Cooling Face Mask | After a long day of exploring, nothing will feel better than propping your feet up and slapping on a cooling face mask for 10-20 minutes. Lay back and relax!
- Insect Repellent Lotion | Mosquitos love hot climates, so I would definitely recommend packing insect repellent with a high DEET percentage, no matter the season you’re traveling. Sawyer makes some really great bug repellent products, and they’re travel-friendly too!
- Permethrin Insect Repellent Spray for Clothing | This clothing insect repellent spray is a game-changer. If you’re going to be outdoors in areas where mosquitos are prevalent, I’d highly recommend preparing your clothes with this fabric spray!
- How does it work? This is a treatment spray for clothes that adheres only to fabrics, leaving no smell or residue on clothes and doesn’t harm human skin. Permethrin spray lasts for up to 6 machine washes, which is more than enough for most tropical trips. Real life story– I hiked Machu Picchu after treating my hiking clothes with this, and I only got a total of 2 mosquito bites after the 4-day trip, whereas some of my friends got 20+ bites. Worth it.
- Pro Tip: Buy and use before you leave for your trip. A few days before departure, spray all of your clothes, plus anything else made of fabric that you’d like treated.
- Insect Repelling Lightweight Pullover | Too lazy to treat your clothes with insect repellent? I know, it’s a process. The ExOfficio BugsAway pullover is the next best thing– it’s super lightweight too.
- Hat, Bandana, or Buff | Keep the sun off your skin with a fancy sunhat, bandana, or a Buff. All three can be used to shield your neck or forehead from the sun. As a bonus, bandanas and Buffs can be used as headbands to keep hair and sweat off of your face. Soak your bandana or Buff then put it on your head, face, or neck for a quick cool down.
- Cooling Towel | Perfect for working out, a day at the beach, or simply sitting there baking in the sun—you’ll feel Chill Pal‘s cooling effect as soon as you take it out of the package. To activate the cooling towel, just soak it in water and wring it out, then wear it as a bandana or use it as a towel. Another hot weather game-changing travel essential.
- Travel Towel | These are light and quick-drying, which is exactly what you need in hot, humid climates. Super useful if you plan on having beach days or staying in hostels. This one is a great option.
- Travel Clothesline | This is a small and portable clothesline that allows you to hang up your wet clothes almost anywhere. I’ve found that it’s really handy whenever I have wet bathing suits or towels that need to be air-dried. I love it for its multi-purpose functionality!
- Dry Bag | Another multi-purpose item on the list! Dry bags are completely necessary for keeping your dry belongings (clothes, electronics, money, etc)… dry. Don’t set foot on a kayak, boat or canoe without putting your stuff in a dry bag. Trust me, it’s better than ending up with a phone or camera submerged in water in the case where the boat tips or something. It’s also super handy for carrying around wet bathing suits and towels. Or even doubling as your laundry bag!
- Underwater Smartphone Housing | Don’t want to invest in an underwater camera? That’s fine, just stick your phone in the AxisGo’s underwater housing! It’s designed to protect your phone from the harshest weather conditions while offering the freedom to safely capture those special moments underwater.
- Portable Power Bank | You’re probably going to be out all day, snapping away taking pictures, GPSing to all the great food spots… the last thing you want is to be stranded with no phone battery! A portable power bank is a must-have, and Anker’s ultra-light, ultra-portable power bank is tried and true by so many travelers! I never embark on a day of exploration without it.
- Soft Hydration Flask | Stay hydrated in the warm weather with a water bottle that can go anywhere with you—and fold up when not in use. I love the packability of these bottles!
- Snorkel Set | If you plan on snorkeling a lot, bring your own set to save on rental costs.
- Medicine | If you get motion sickness, consider bringing a motion sickness reliever like Dramamine for various watercraft adventures or even the ferry ride over to Isla Mujeres. If you need other meds, don’t forget your pain killers, antacids, etc.
I hope this post has helped take the mystery out of how to get from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen! After all, you should be spending more of your time figuring out things you want to do in Playa, rather than on the logistics of how to get there!
Looking for more Mexico tips? Read More:
The Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen: A Month By Month Guide
17 Exciting Things To Do On Isla Mujeres, Mexico: The Complete Activity Guide
Tips for Cancun, Mexico: 15 Things I Wish I’d Known Before My Trip
25+ Exciting Things To Do In Cancun To Make Your Trip Unforgettable
