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Playa del Carmen is a popular destination not just with vacationing tourists but with a vibrant community of locals, local expats, foreign expats, and nomads, too. Keep reading to find out what needs to go on your packing list for Playa del Carmen!
What to Wear in Playa del Carmen
Table Of Contents
After visiting Playa Del Carmen on several occasions, I spent an extended period living there as a digital nomad. It was fantastic! So great, in fact that I have decided to move here, and it’s a place I call my home.
Because of the exchange rate, Mexico is particularly affordable for travelers right now. Many bloggers or people with remote businesses settle in this area due to its convenience, proximity to the US (and US time zones), and the incredible lifestyle available to its residents.
Canadian retirees move here between January and March to escape the blistery winter cold, while Italians and other Europeans flock to this metropolitan beachside town and start their own businesses or enjoy running businesses remotely.
Playacar Beach
In addition, Mexican nationals from other parts of the country such as Mexico City and Guadalajara also make the move to Playa permanently or own vacation homes where they can spend their holidays.
Playa del Carmen and the surrounding area is also popular for destination weddings and honeymoons.
No matter what draws you to this destination, be prepared for a fabulous experience with friendly locals, warm weather year-round, and plentiful experiences.
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Read these tips for nearby attractions:
Playa del Carmen is the perfect base to explore nearby attractions including Tulum, cenotes, local islands, and ancient Mayan ruins. Keep reading to learn more about what wear in Playa del Carmen.
Dress | Hat | Sunglasses | Bikini | Towel | Tote | Sandal
Beach
The Caribbean Sea on the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the biggest draws for sun-seeking travelers. It’s a gorgeous tint of aquamarine greens and turquoise blues.
This may come as a surprise, but despite how “touristy” the area might be, Cancun (45 minutes north of Playa del Carmen) actually has one of THE most beautiful beaches in the entire world. The bright white sand offers a strikingly beautiful contrast against the Caribbean water.
Elan Wrap Maxi Cover-Up Dress | Sizes XS-XL
Tulum (40 minutes south of Playa del Carmen) also has incredible beaches that are less populated than its neighbors to the north and has become a major hotspot in recent years.
Playa del Carmen offers beaches almost as beautiful as Cancun with a more metropolitan vibe in comparison to bohemian, trendy Tulum. It’s the perfect base for exploring other beaches and the rest of the Yucatan as well.
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When it comes to the beaches, skin is IN. It’s not unusual to see Brazilian-inspired thong bikinis or European-inspired topless bathing. Since this destination draws a variety of people, you’ll see a little bit of everything. These are the swim suits I’m wearing here in Playa and other beach destinations!
When you’re deciding what to wear in Playa del Carmen, bring your prettiest (and sexiest) bikini, cute cover-up, sun hat, cute thong sandals, beach towel, and strong sunblock.
These beach sandals styles are a must have!
Mamitas Beach Club
A cost effective way to enjoy beachfront space without spending $300/night at a hotel is to take advantage of beach clubs such as Be Kool, Mamitas, or Coralina at the new Grand Hyatt. For about 500-800 pesos per person, you can get a sunbed or day bed, with the cost subsidising your food and drinks for the day.
Solo Beach Day in Mamitas Beach Club
Many people come to Playa del Carmen for a good time and the high season attracts music-loving people dancing to the DJs spinning in the beach clubs. Don’t be surprised to find a huge crowd and club music.
For something quieter, choose accommodation south of 1st Street or north of 38th Street. All-inclusive resorts tend to be away from all the action so these are good for a relaxed, quiet time.
You’ll find many swimwear shops on Fifth Avenue, the main strip, so you can pick up some vacation pieces while you’re there.
Bracelets | Top | Clutch | Earrings | Shorts | Sandal
Nightlife
Whether you’re visiting for a bachelorette party or you just want to check out the local nightlife, you’re in luck: there’s a party going on every night of week. 12th Street is the main nightlife hub with clubs, bars, and live music.
Quince Vintage Wash Tencel Maxi Slip Dress | Sizes XS-XL
The local socialites dress to impress, but some places are more casual than others. When choosing things to pack for Playa del Carmen, if you’re headed to trendy hangouts, bring a chic dress with wedges and glitzy jewelry. For casual club hopping, you can wear a dress or playsuit plus pretty sandals.
Madewell Crop Linen Blazer: Sizes XXS-XXL Regular | 1X-4X Plus
Winter nights can be cool in the evenings so a light jacket is a must, especially if you plan to dance the night away at rooftop hotel bars such as the Thompson or Be Playa.
You can also shop for cute clothes in Playa, the local malls have high street favorites, such as H&M, Zara, Bershka, and Forever 21.
Also available through their website at Madewell.com.
For added versatility, these are popular convertible travel dress styles!
Tank | Hat | Shorts | Crossbody | Sunglasses | Sweater | Camera | Sandal
Ruins
Nearby to Playa del Carmen, you’ll find the famous ruins of Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world. It’s a super interesting place to visit, and the pyramid has some awesome stories and secrets (Just try and make it clap!)
Quince Linen Square Neck Jumpsuit | Sizes XS-XL
Depending on the time of year, visiting the ruins can be mild and comfortable or an unbearable hot experience. The winter months between November to April are coolest with January and February even requiring a sweater on some days and evenings. The warmer summer months can get extremely hot after early morning, and there is little shade to rest under.
Try to schedule your trip to the ruins on a day where the forecast calls for gray skies or even a light rain. Ask your hotel and check weather.com to know what to expect.
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To make the most of your experience, it’s important to wear comfortable shoes! The property is vast and in the heat your feet may swell–mine do.
Many travelers feel most comfortable in a pair of sneakers, but for me, my toes need to breathe! I’ve worn slides on casual days or wedge sandals for a night out, and other sandals look great in this part of the world, like gladiator sandals or white sandals.
These cute and comfortable sandals are exactly what you need.
Shop Columbia Freezer Maxi Dress: Amazon | Columbia
As for clothing, you can be comfortable without looking like you’re going to the gym. When you plan your Playa del Carmen packing list opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics. An airy sundress or breezy summer top with a skirt/shorts/light capris is perfect. Just remember the comfortable shoes and a sun hat!
Here are some fun and versatile beach dresses you can wear on and off the sand!
Chichen Itza – one of the 7 Wonders of the World
Some day trips to the ruins also include a visit to cenotes, so bring your swimsuit and a spare pair of dry underwear and a bra. A travel towel may also be handy to help you dry off for the rest of your journey.
The water in cenotes is always freezing cold but well worth getting into, even for a few minutes. With this in mind, bring along a warm layer such as a hoodie or sweater that you can wear after the cenotes or inside the air-conditioned coach buses or shuttles.
You can also head to the ruins in Tulum, or Coba, as an alternative day out to Chichen Itza.
Rashguard | Bikini Top and Bottom | Sunglasses | Snorkel Mask | Sandal | Camera
Water Activities
Playa del Carmen is a fantastic year-round scuba diving destination. The dive sites are close by, which means you can do two dives in the morning or afternoon without eating up your entire vacation time. This is great if you’re traveling with a non-diver!
Playa del Carmen scuba diving with Tank-ha
I recommend the Tank-ha dive shop for scuba diving. Not only are they my friends, but they’re a dive shop for divers created for the love of diving. Many other dive operators think only about business (money) first, so Tank-ha stands out as an authentic dive operator.
La Blanca Island Goddess One-Piece Swimsuit | Sizes 2-16
When planning what to wear in Playa del Carmen for water activities include your swimsuit, dive mask, polarized sunglasses, and strong sun block. Add a rash guard if you get cold easily (the water temp is around 75°F / 24°C) and your waterproof camera.
Whether you’re snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, or going on ANY boat trip, take a motion sickness tablet or wristband! For some reason, the water is choppy enough to make people seasick easily, even on short, ten-minute boat rides.
Between the months of June and August, there’s an amazing natural occurrence of whale sharks migrating to the area. You can go on a day trip or spend a couple of nights in the beautiful Isla Mujeres to visit these gentle giants.
Learn more about Isla Mujeres here and bring these snorkeling essentials!
Jacket | Bag | Shirtdress | Hat | Sunglasses | Camera | Sandal
Day Trips
I love Playa del Carmen and it will always be my second home. There’s something for everyone: it’s the perfect place for an activity-filled vacation that will keep you coming back for more.
Eddie Bauer Departure Ankle Pants | Sizes XS-3X
You can easily take organized tours or make your own plans with the convenient and efficient local transport. Places not to miss are: Coba Ruins, Tulum Ruins, Chichen Itza, cenotes, Merida, and the beaches in Tulum.
Left: Compass Rose Medium Packing Cubes (13″ x 8.5″ x 2.8″) | Right: Compass Rose Slim Packing Cubes (13″ x 5″ x 2.8″)
How to Pack Travel Clothes
It’s time to pack your clothes to prepare for your big Playa del Carmen trip! Many readers use our packing cubes for this task. The Compass Rose Packing Cubes are now offered in two sizes: slim and medium. The slim size cubes measure 13 x 5 x 2.8, and the medium size cubes measure 2.8 x 13 x 8.5. Both fit an international carry-on suitcase and can help you organize and compress clothing items. The medium size cubes are great for bulkier items, but still sit in a carry-on perfectly!
If you’d like more help on learning how to use packing cubes, see the video below.
Learn our hacks with packing cubes in this video!
We also put together a five-part YouTube series showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
Fresh tuna seafood tostada from Aguachilles Restaurant
Where to Eat in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is home to so many wonderful restaurants. The local seafood in particular is incredible and extremely well-priced! I love Aguachilles and El Pirata, two popular places to eat ceviche, seafood tostadas, or shrimp tacos.
The best places for Mexican food are El Fogon and La Ceiba, near the centrally located supermarket Mega. The fajita platter plates at El Fogon are a must and so delicious and they’re well known el pastor tacos are amazing.
Due to the large number of foreign expats, there are a number of incredible restaurants with international cuisine, including Parilla Muchogusto (Argentinian steaks and the best gourmet burgers in town), Don Chendo (Chicago style deep pan pizzas), and Trattoria del Centro (incredible Italian food).
Living room space of my Playa del Carmen condo!
Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen
One of the most cost-effective options if you’re traveling with a group, are planning an extended stay in the area, or want to feel more at home in Playa is booking a vacation rental.
Playa del Carmen has been where I’ve considered “home” the past few years. I actually bought a condo there in early 2022, and I recently launched it on Airbnb!
Love how inviting the main bedroom is at my condo in Playa!
It’s a sunny and spacious 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom penthouse condo with a private rooftop terrace, 2 balconies where you can enjoy your morning coffee, new appliances, a dedicated office space to work from home, and chic modern coastal decor.
Plus, it’s in one of the best locations in Playa del Carmen, just minutes from the beach, 5th Ave, restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and more.
The rooftop terrace where I’ve spent considerable time
I’m so excited to share my home with others and offer an inviting space for travelers to discover the wonders of Playa del Carmen!
Be Playa Hotel Room (features a hot tub and balcony)
There are various other accommodation options here, too, including beach-front resorts, affordable boutique hotels, and hostels. There’s something for every budget and every vibe you’re looking for!
My favorite hotel in Playa del Carmen is Be Playa – chic, contemporary, well-priced, and awesome location!
For two other options, Hotel Aútentico Vertical is an art-filled, insta-worthy boutique hotel just around the corner from the fun-filled 5th Avenue, and the Fiesta Inn is a stylish, clean, and budget-friendly boutique hotel with a gorgeous rooftop pool!
You can book well-priced vacation rentals using Airbnb and compare hotel prices on Booking.com.
What Activities to Do in Playa del Carmen
From its beautiful beaches to lush forests to the bustling city center, there is SO much to see and do in Playa del Carmen!
Take advantage of the town’s crystal clear water by taking a dip in a cenote. These magical sinkholes are found all around the city and are not to be missed! If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for a fun cenote excursion that might start with a jungle ride on a four-wheeler and end with zip lining into a cenote!
If you’re an ocean lover, you can do some incredible snorkeling and scuba diving in and around Playa. Or, take a quick ferry ride to experience the world-famous diving in Cozumel!
The Yucatan peninsula is also home to so many archaological wonders, so be sure to venture out to see some Mayan ruins. The ruins at Chichen Itza are one of the most popular historical sites in the whole country. Wandering through the ancient city is truly a magical experience. And close by are the picturequse seaside Mayan ruins in Tulum, which are the only ruins by the sea in all of Mexico.
The nearby city of Merida has gorgeous colonial architecture, and so does Valladolid, a quaint town that’s walkable and charming.
When you want to relax, you can lay out on one of the many gorgeous beaches or reserve a spot at a beach club so you can sip a margarita from your own private daybed!
What are your tips on what to wear in Playa del Carmen? Share in the comments!
For more Mexico packing tips, please read:
- Packing List for Vacations in the Riviera Maya, Mexico
- What to Pack for Isla Mujeres
- What to Wear in Tulum
- What to Pack for Isla Holbox, Mexico
Suggested travel resource:
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Cozumel is a must. Went there for 3 days. A really liked it better than playa actually. Thanks for the list
I’m planning to attend a destination wedding in the Riviera Maya next year and I’m thinking of adding on several days in Playa del Carmen, so I really appreciate reading your expert knowledge of the area!
Going to Playa del Carmen next April with the entire family to celebrate our 50 wedding anniversary! Passing these tips on to my daughters and granddaughters! I’m trying to encourage them to pack lighter. Thank you
Planning a trip to Playa for my 40th birthday next year and I’m so glad that you have so many recommendations for outfit ideas as I typically get stuck just wearing tanks and shorts. Also the suggestions for places to eat and sight see are on my list 🙂
About to embark on a trip to Playa del carmen. I’m doing a resort stay since it is my first time to Mexico but hoping it’s not my last. The information on types of fabrics is super informing in what I’ve packed and feel confident I’ll enjoy it more without that worry I’ll be over heated. Thank you for all the info and the motivation to soon travel solo.
I originally started following your site because of your posts about PDC. When I was younger (27), way back in 1998, I traveled to PDC solo while my ex-fiancee vacated our shared condo in Cleveland. I had never traveled solo before and it was magical and scary and wonderful.
I continued to travel solo, mostly to PDC and met lifelong friends there who I still visit today. Now I mostly jump around from PDC to Puerto Morales to Isla Mujeres. I have proudly never spent a single night in Cancun.
Anyway, when I read your engaging posts about your move to PDC, I was hooked on TFG! I am now, thanks to you, carry on only and loving it. Most of my travel purchases are based on your reviews.
I’m 51 now and booked for solo weeks in Isla, PDC andPuerto Morales in November and your posts inform and inspire me still.
Kind regards, Traci Nolan
I was just there in March and I loved it. I choose to stay at an Adult Only Hotel because it was Spring Break time and lots of families, and because it was my vaccation I needed to have quite time on the beach and restuants. I work in classrooms so I thought it would be a different way to spend the trip. Can’t wait to go again. Love you chooses for cloths. I took a few to many dress, I also love using packing bags for my cloths. Space Savers
Hi Celeste, thank you so much for sharing your travel experiences of your recent trip with us, so glad you had such an amazing trip!!
Wow great outfit’s for the summer seasons, i really love the outfit’s, i love your posts thanks for sharing tip and suggestions. i like your words.
Thank you for this post! I just got back from a vacation on the Rivera Maya & was perfectly prepared & packed.
Yay! That’s awesome Liz 🙂