During the BF and I's recent vacation to Mexico we opted to stay at the Riu Tequila. Located just…read moreunder a half mile from the beach (via private shaded walkway) getting there was a bit of a journey, but Playa Playacar was most def worth it once we arrived! ++ Gorgeous white sands. The sand is actually crushed coral and doesn't get too hot to walk on. Loved that! ++ Blue waters as far as the eye can see! ++ Tons of lounge chairs to relax on and palms for shade. ++ Scuba Caribe on hand to offer up free (non motorized) water sports to guests of the Riu Resorts. Motorized water sports and other activities were available such as parasailing, jet skis, etc... We opted to kayak two times during our trip. So much fun! ++ Resort employees would come by to take away empty cups. Though they did not serve drinks on the beach, you could def bring your own! So glad we chose this part of the Yucatan Peninsula for our Mexico vacation! Would def recommend it!

ENTRY IS FREE BABY!!! A very secret getaway, not so "touristy" area, which I like. More space…read moreindeed to just run away. My family has kept a condo here for years and we would have it ready in case we fly out of the country. This is a magical area, with 0 hotels and mostly small huts, full houses, condos, beach houses as well, and really just yourself and your towel. How cool is that??? It's not crowded. We were here in the summer of 2015, kept the grand trip alive, mostly out fishing, petting sea turtles and watching fish swim by. The sun is literally in your face, so it's normal and obvious to have that sunscreen in your face!!! What's really nice is that this beach also small stands to rent our some few equipment like snorkel gear, chairs, tables, and umbrellas. Very nice beach, I'm so happy to share this review with y'all

Playa del Carmen is a city that is on the Yucatán Peninsula near the Caribbean Sea and is a short…read moreferry ride from Cozumel cruise port. My husband and I vacationed in Playa del Carmen two times--once many years ago and once in 2026, both on cruises. We had to take a ferry from Cozumel port to Playa del Carmen. We enjoyed both vacations. The city has a good number of beaches, restaurants, stores, and fun outdoor activities, and the sunny, hot weather is a nice escape from our hometown weather. We did notice many police and/or military people patrolling the area to ensure safety.

Playa Del Carmen when you walk on the outskirts of 5th Ave you find the amazing street food vendors…read moreand cheaper souvenirs. You can find tacos for 15 pesos each of the most delicious food. There is no people harassing you to sell their merchandise. What you will find is Taxi, Taxi. We have walked 5th Ave and we enjoy walking on the other Avenues way better. It's those little street venues we enjoyed the best. If you want the big name restaurant then stay on 5th Ave. We will definitely coming back for more delicious tacos for sure!!

Location 5/5, Service 5/5, Food 4/5, Drinks 5/5, Clientele…read more2/5 *more on that below* This spot has one of the best beachside settings in Playa del Carmen. The entire restaurant, including the bar, is literally set in the sand, with tables right on the water just a few feet from the ocean. It's barefoot, toes in the sand dining done right, and the atmosphere alone makes it worth the visit. We did have one hiccup in the evening due to a rowdy group from a drone company that was extremely intoxicated and invasive of our space. Their belongings kept ending up on our table, and there were drunk men taking their shirts off and doing shots just a few feet away. Not sure if they didn't have enough tables or what, but we had made a reservation to celebrate a special event months in advanced, so it was a bit irritating. The servers eventually handled it and intervened multiple times, but at no point were they asked to move or relocate. Once that group settled down, the night became a much more enjoyable experience. We were a party of 12, and every single person raved about both their food and drinks. For drinks we had: Prickly Pear: Made with Orange Blossom Condesa Gin, St Germain, fresh lemon juice, rosemary syrup, mint, and strawberry. Bright and refreshing, though it came with more foam on top than expected. Coco Loco: A fresh whole coconut with Patrón Silver tequila, vodka, rum, gin, pineapple juice, and coconut cream. A true showstopper. Don't be intimidated by the mix of liquor, it is smooth, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink. No hangovers were had. Espresso Martini: Simple and clean with a light foam. Well executed, but not a signature cocktail compared to the others. For food we had: We were surprised with an amuse bouche of huitlacoche, often called Mexican truffle. It's a corn fungus with a rich, earthy flavor and this small bite was outstanding and set the tone for the meal. Queso Fundido: Oaxaca cheese with chorizo and flour tortillas. Great flavor, but very thick, making it a bit messy and difficult to serve. Guacamole: Prepared with tomato, onion, cilantro, and cotija cheese. Perfectly seasoned, fresh, and especially enjoyable paired with the queso fundido. Brisket: Served in chileatole sauce with huitlacoche truffle, carrots, and cotija cheese. Comforting, rich, and deeply flavorful. Robalo Guayaba: Guava sea bass served in guava sauce with chiltepín chili. Beautifully cooked with just a little too much sweetness and citrus. It would have benefited from a little bit of heat, or a vegetable or side to pair it with, as it is not served with anything other than a cooked slices of lemon. Creme Brulee Mexicano: A rice pudding infused crème brûlée with caramel and vanilla ice cream. A thoughtful twist on the classic, with the rice pudding adding depth and warmth to the dessert. Knocked down to 4 stars due to the rowdiness of some surrounding guests. We were seated on the sand and needed to walk through the entirety of the restaurant, but people without tables or reservations were standing in the middle of walkways and sitting on the steps down to the beach, many too intoxicated to stand up. I'm hopeful this is not the usual clientele, and I would return for the quality of the food, drinks, and the gorgeous setting.

Great vibes and atmosphere. True beach spot. Garden like entrance that opens to the water. Service…read morewas great. Drinks were phenomenal. Good was good. Really enjoyed the coconut shrimp. Great spot for a special dinner.

Great little public beach that is not as crowded as the one in town…read more Parking is on the street and can get tricky/tough to find on weekends. There is a walkway to the beach with bathrooms and showers at the end, and a lifeguard station. Along the beach there are places you can rent a chair, or just throw your towel on the sand. There is also a protected area for swimming right where the public walkway comes out. No one bothered us or tried to sell us anything while we were there. I would recommend a beach umbrella though if you don't rent a chair because there is no shade. We will be back!

I was walking on beach from my resort in front of Playa Xcalacoco on Jan 8, 2020 at 8am. 5 of…read moretheir dogs ran from their buildings to the beach-water front and one bit me. It drew blood and I had to get medical treatment in Cancun's private hospital at my own out of pocket expense. It was very expensive...in the thousands$$$$ The next day I went to this business and asked for proof of rabies vaccinations, which they did not have. The owner offered me 1000 pesos ($50 USA). THE TAXI TO CANCUN COST $120 USA. Needless to say, I lost 2 days of vacation that I can't get back, a very expense injury I am responsible for, and additional rabies protocol vaccinations in the USA. I would not use this beach access at any cost if you care for your well being. The dogs are always loose and are a danger to those walking onto this property. Just up the beach is free public access and no dogs. Don't support this irresponsible business owner!!!!!!

I enjoyed sitting at this park to watch street performers and to see the Portal Maya - a 52 foot…read moretall sculpture that commemorates the end of the Mayan calendar cycle and symbolizes unity between humanity and nature. You are likely to see many locals as well as tourists in this park. You may be approached by street sellers but I did not find them overly pushy. I found the street performers to be outstanding and well deserving of a good tip.

On a trip to Playa del Carmen, I stopped by Parque Fundadores for a bit after checking out La…read moreQuinta. La Quinta is basically Playa's downtown area where you'll find a bunch of shops, restaurants, and bars. At the end of the avenue is Parque Fundadores. While it's a cool spot, I wouldn't really describe it as a park. It's moreso just an area by the beach where you have a large sculpture that they're known for. Plus a water fountain, some seating, some street art that spells "Playa Del Carmen" and that's about it. You can check it out in 15 minutes tops. And you have restaurants and bars close by if you'd like to check that out after.

Most of the waiters speak English . The food is wonderful and when you rent a lounger or cabana you…read moreget more than half the rental price back in food credit. They have large beach towels also so no need to bring anything with you. Toilets, showers, massage. You won't be disappointed .

I've been coming to Encanto for about 2 years. So many good changes have been made to better this…read morebeach club since the first time I came here in 2022.  The service here has remained consistently great, but the layout of the beach club has changed a lot. Great changes were made.  I usually come here when I want a relaxing day to soak up the sun. If you come on the weekends it can get very busy. Please be patient with the employees. They work really hard..they're running around in the hot sun trying their best to get to all the customers. Please be patient with them!!! They are wonderful!!!  I've gone to a couple beach clubs in Playa and Encanto is on the cheaper side. You pay for your daybed or cabana and part of that goes towards your food and drinks and at the end of the day you just pay the difference. Come to Encanto if you want a chill and relaxing day!!!

While staying in Playcar Phase I, we'd often pass these ruins while walking to the popular tourist…read morearea. I was curious to learn what the history was behind them but without any formal placard, I had to do some internet research. Turns out, these ruins are a small part of many building groups between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen that were used for Maya women to honor the Goddess Ixchel, a pilgrimage necessary for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. Three remain - two in Playacar Phase II and one in Playacar Phase I, which is the one I visited. A short walk through the jungle connects all three. It's the only free Mayan rural site in Mexico, and the only Mayan ruins maintained in a contemporary residential communities; therefore, if you're interested in getting a taste of ancient culture while on your beach trip to Playa del Carmen, it might just be worth checking out!

The Xaman-Ha Ruins is the only free Mayan ruin site in Mexico - no entrance fees! Maintained by the…read morenearby community, it's still standing tall and proud today. It's very beautiful, super peaceful, we learned some wonderful facts for sure. I also learned from a previous Yelp Commentator of the Goddess Ixchel who was often praised and worshiped by the Mayan women for good health and childbirth. Super interesting to know. Apparently it's so expanded, that you have to pass "phases," which are sections, so in Playacar Phase I and Phase II, you can definitely see it and there are shortcuts through a small jungle to the actual Xaman-Ha Ruins. It's very beautiful!!

Very nice FREE beach! You only pay $5 pesos to use bathroom or shower. (Quarter in usd)…read more Very safe with locals and free parking as well. Great beach on a budget. They also have a small hidden cenote at the beach. Great place to take pics.

Very local or once was! Beautiful beach with a small cenote. Gets very busy on weekends especially…read moreSundays. There's a food truck with good tacos& beer.

We ate here two times and both meals were excellent. The first time we shared a 1.5 kilo fish that…read morewas more than enough food for the four of us. The second time I had the grilled octopus & it was very well seasoned & prepared. My wife had the steak & it was cooked perfectly, it was tender, & tasted great. You can dine on the beach or inside & the ambiance with the fire pits in the sand was very inviting. Good food & good service, would love to eat here again!

The food here was absolutely amazing!! Perfect location and incredible friendly and helpful staff!read more