Twenty years ago, Playa del Carmen was an unassuming fishing village on Mexico’s sun-toasted Mayan Riviera. Now, it’s a magnet for travellers seeking somewhere that ticks all the boxes of the best beach vacation in Mexico. Read on to find out how to do Playa del Carmen on a tiny budget.
Cheapest Way to Get to Playa del Carmen
Most travellers will arrive in the state of Quintana Roo on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula by flight to Cancun or Cozumel. Once there, the cheapest way to Playa del Carmen is on a bus.
The bus company ADO leaves from the Cancun Airport or from the ADO bus station located in Cancun Centro. Expect to pay about C$16 per person from the airport and anywhere around (equivalent to) C$6 from Centro to get to Playa del Carmen.
For another option, take a taxi shuttle to Playa del Carmen from the airport. You can book a shuttle through an official transportation provider via the Cancun Airport, which will ensure your reservation is legit. Prices will be from about C$76 for a taxi from the airport to Playa del Carmen.
Budget Hotels in Playa del Carmen
Hostal Inn
Rates from: C$12
Where: Centro
If you’re looking for a cheap and clean place to stay in Playa del Carmen, Hostal Inn delivers. They offer spacious female-only and mixed dorm rooms, as well as double rooms if you’re a small group travelling on a budget! There’s an outdoor pool, shared kitchen, and a casual vibe from other like-minded budget travellers all seeking a great Mexican vacation. You’ll find a local supermarket nearby for staples, and of course, there are a bunch of restaurants at your doorstep. The white sand beach of Playa del Carmen is about 1.5 km away.
Hostal Vive la Vida
Rates from: C$10
Where: Centro
At Hostal Vive la Vida, you’re a quick 5-minute walk from the main square and if you want to head out of the central area of Playa del Carmen, there’s a bus stop just 200 m away. This backpacker accommodation offers low-cost shared rooms with air conditioning and free WiFI. You won’t miss out on the perks of more expensive hotels either – there’s a pool, free parking, and tea/coffee making facilities in every room. If you’re travelling alone, you’re bound to meet other solo travellers here.
Hotel de Mar
Rates from: C$34
Where: Centro, near the beach
For anyone who likes their own space and a private bathroom, the 3-star Hotel de Mar is a well-located budget option in Playa del Carmen, offering basic rooms with double or single beds and all the fixings of a great hotel stay. Take a rest away from the beach or shopping with an hour in front of the flatscreen TV with the air con on. Or people-watch from the balcony overlooking busy shopping street below; who knows, you may even get a glimpse of the azure sea. When you want something to do, you’re never too far away from the action or the serenity of the beautiful beaches nearby.
Things to Do in Playa Del Carmen for Cheap (Or Free)
Check out the Instagrammable sights
Nuestra Senora del Carmen Church, the little white church in Parque Fundadores is probably one of the first buildings to catch your eye as you step off the bus. Its stark white, smooth exterior and rounded frame looks stunning against the backdrop of palm trees and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a wedding or a quinceañera (15th birthday celebration).
While you’re at Parque Fundadores, stick around to watch a group of brave locals mount a towering flagpole and perch on a rickety platform before spinning down to the ground – upside down and without a net!
Where: Parque Fundadores, 5th Ave
Cost: Free
Fresh fruit cups
From Parque Fundadores, walk down 5th Ave (aka The Strip) towards the beach where you’ll pass rows of markets stalls. Here at the popular Avenida 5, you’ll find several vendors selling cups of freshly cut fruit. There’s nothing quite like fragrant, juicy fruit on a hot day to increase your beach vacation vibes.
Where: 5th Ave, Playa del Carmen
Cost: Less than C$3
Hit the beach
The cheapest and best way to experience Playa is with a lazy day at the beach. Pack your quick dry towel in your day bag, borrow a towel from your hotel, or buy a cheap branded beach towel from the many tourist shops. Then just spend the day sunbathing and swimming without spending much money at all. Beaches in Playa del Carmen are free and open to the public, so you’ve got lots to choose from!
A popular choice in the north end of town is Tukan Beach, known for their chill vibes and activities. Or you can head to Parque Pundadores right off Avenida 5 for a game of volleyball. If you’re into the picture-perfect white sand thing, then make your way to Playacar Beach and you won’t be disappointed. If you’ve got snorkelling gear at home, be sure to bring it with you.
Where: Any beach in Playa
Cost: Free
Low-cost lunch cruise
Want to cruise the seas without a high price tag? Grab a takeaway lunch and hop on the ferry to Cozumel and call it an exciting lunch cruise. Ferries depart Playa several times a day with many same-day returns too. The journey takes about 45 minutes each way, which is plenty of time to inhale the sea air, take some photos, and maybe even spot some dolphins in the wild.
Where: Playa del Carmen ferry terminal
Cost: About C$11.50 (163 pesos) each way
Find Cheap Drinks in Playa Del Carmen
You’ll find countless 2-for-1 drink deals in Playa, but beware: the Margaritas may taste more like a 7-Eleven Slurpee. A drink special of 2 for 150 pesos is not cheap. Look for prices more in the 60 pesos (about C$4) range (per drink), if you don’t want to be ripped off.
Bucket of beer
Try Carboncitos from 3 to 6 p.m. for buckets of icy cold beer for a fun happy hour in Playa del Carmen. Want to order a cocktail? Be prepared, it may be served from atop the waiter’s head.
Where: 4th St at the Hotel Cielo
Cost: from C$14 (about 200 pesos) for a bucket of 6 beer
Beachside cocktails
Mahekal Beach Resort offers two-for-one drinks right on the beach from 5 to 6 p.m. daily. Who can resist a sundowner at the end of the day?
Where: 38th St and the beach
Cost: C$8 (about 116 pesos) for 2 drinks
Swing at a bar
Do not leave Playa del Carmen without a session at a swing bar. What’s a swing bar? It’s a bar with swings hanging from the ceiling instead of bar stools. Pez Vela is located in the heart of the action. Think friendly bartenders, a revolving door of tourists from all over the world, and feels of being a kid in an adult atmosphere.
Where: Corner of 5th Ave and 2nd St
Cost: Cheap beer and cocktails
See (and Eat) Food
From the sea
Las Brisas Restaurant is an unassuming little place that draws attention from curious visitors largely because it’s frequently crowded with Mexicans (usually an indicator of good, budget-friendly food). The grilled octopus at this Playa del Carmen restaurant is outstanding – tender-fresh and just slightly charred, and the avocado-shrimp salad features avocado halves overflowing with plump shrimp in tangy mayo. If seafood is your thing, go here pronto.
Where: 4th and 10th Ave
Cost: mains from C$6 (about 90 pesos)
Tasty tacos in Playa del Carmen
No trip to Mexico is complete without several tacos in your belly. Another favourite with the locals in Playa is Los Aguachiles. This place is rated highly for its tasty fish tacos and shrimp tostadas. But there’s more than just tacos and tostadas. If you like a variety, try the calamari coconut shrimp, or the grilled octopus served in spicy salsa. Yes, please.
Where: two locations: 25th Ave, and Constiyuentes Ave, Playa del Carmen
Cost: tacos from C$2 (about 30 pesos)
Ready to Book a Vacay to Playa Del Carmen?
Now that you’re armed with the best and most budget things to do in Playa, start booking your trip. Find cheap flights to Cancun with Skyscanner search engines, and be sure to download our app for planning on the go.
