Best Beach Destination in Mexico: Playa del Carmen Best Things to Do on a Budget

There are so many beach destinations in Mexico, like Cancun or Tulum. Situated on the Riviera Maya along the Caribbean coast, Playa del Carmen is relatively easy to reach from those coastal cities in Mexico and there are so many things to do in Playa del Carmen – even if you're traveling there on a budget!

In this post, Mayuri from To Some Place New is going to share some of the best tips for spending your vacation in Playa del Carmen and how to make the most of your stay without spending too much of your travel funds. 

So, are you looking for Playa del Carmen best things to do on a budget? Are you hesitant to decide whether you should go to Playa del Carmen or Mazatlan for a beach getaway in Mexico? Let's dive in! 

Is Playa del Carmen Cheap? – Best Things to Do in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Mexico is one of the popular and cheapest holiday destinations from the USA and Canada. Most flight tickets are packaged with all-inclusive food and drink restaurants. 

If you are traveling to Playa del Carmen to eat and have a great time, well, you can definitely eat like a king there, as Mexican foods are delicious and super affordable – even in a popular tourist destination like Playa del Carmen.

Here are some common dishes and food to eat in Playa del Carmen:

  • Quesadilla at a local stall for 15 pesos (around $1.20 USD)
  • Tacos meal for 45 pesos (around $2.40 USD)
  • Margarita for 25 pesos (around $1.50 USD)
  • Chorro for 13 pesos (around 75 cents USD)
Some beach around Playa del Carmen.

Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a beautiful resort town that boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. Our resort Gran Porto Real was located very close to 5th Avenue.

If you're looking for some more budget-friendly options for accommodation in Playa del Carmen, you can also consider staying at Winday Hotel or Hotel Coco Rio

5th Avenue is a safe place for tourists to hang out, enjoy a meal, or dance the night away, so choosing accommodations close to this area will definitely make it easier to get around Playa del Carmen without having to spend more money for transport!

What to Do in Playa del Carmen on a Budget

At 5th Avenue, we could get some cheap tacos and a frozen margarita to spend our day in Playa del Carmen on a budget. We were allowed to use as much as toppings or fillings as we wanted!

You will also find many souvenir stores on 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. Most souvenirs or knick-knacks were for 38 pesos (around $2 USD).

Items included magnets, keychains, small coin purse (around $5 USD), bracelet with your name on it ($10 USD), sand-filled tiny bottle ($1 USD – yeah I bought one home, OOPS!)

5th Avenue, Playa del Carmen.

Where to Go Beyond Playa del Carmen

You can book tours to Chichen Itza or any other ruins of your choice from Playa del Carmen.

If you're looking for some fun excursions, you can also consider going to Aqua Nick, a Nickelodeon theme park in Riviera Maya where you can spend your day enjoying the waterpark and meet some of the best Nickelodeon characters, like Sponge Bob or Patrick. 

Playa del Carmen also offers some of the best activities for outdoor enthusiasts. You can also book an excursion for ziplining or snorkeling around Riviera Maya to make the most of your trip from Playa del Carmen!


Contributor: Mayuri from To Some Place New

Mayuri comes from the Northeastern side of India, while her husband Salil is from the western part. Together, they currently reside in Canada and decided to document their travel journeys on the blog through ToSomePlaceNew in late 2015. Salil is the master creator behind the lens, while Mayuri takes care of all the pre and post editing, writing blog posts, Instagram posts, and all other contents on the site. 

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