Most people go to Playa del Carmen and the rest of Mexico’s beaches to knock back a couple of drinks on a sandy beach and unwind in the sun. However, I always like to find and check out some new activities wherever I go, even if I fail horribly at them, and plenty of travelers share my mindset.
If you want to combine your relaxing Caribbean vacation with some adventure, book one of the many seaside Playa del Carmen hotels and try out at least one of the following things!
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Go Parasailing
What better way to get your adrenaline going than sailing through the air while a boat pulls you over the beautiful waters of Playa del Carmen? Plenty of companies and Playa del Carmen hotels offer parasailing activities, so either book your adventure through a hotel like Mamita’s Beach Club or an operator like Wow Excursions.
Sail the Mayan Riviera in a Catamaran
Check out the view of the Mayan Riviera from the ocean, and enjoy the beautiful tropical waters further off the coast of Playa del Carmen. This is one of the best way to combine adventure and relaxation, as after a day of sailing and snorkeling, you can relax on a private beach on the tiny, but beautiful, Isla Mujeres. The excursion even provides a full meal and drinks at the end of the day!
Photo by Jennifer Hill via Trover.com
Zip Line Through the Jungle
Venture further inland and try out almost every adrenaline-fueled activity you can think of, from zip lining to rafting through caves. You can try Xplor’s tour of the jungle near Playa del Carmen or search for another operator. Make sure you are in pretty good shape and get ready for a pretty unforgettable day as you swim around underground caves, zip through tree tops, and discover natural beauty in the area that most tourists will never see.
Swim With the Turtles
If you’re not in the mood for an action-packed adventure, but want to spend a day in the water and see something new, sign up for one of the many snorkeling tours in Playa del Carmen. Most tours depart from Akumal Bay and let tourists discover beautiful coral reefs as well as giant turtles and all kinds of other wildlife under the ocean. If you want to take a closer look at the wonderful ocean around you, this is definitely the way to go.
Take a Day Trip to Tulum
Photo by Matthew Wolf via Trover.com
Even if you haven’t heard of Tulum, you have definitely come across pictures of the stunning ancient beachside site. An easy day trip from Playa del Carmen, Tulum really combines the best of everything. The area has an incredible beach (ranked fourth best in the world), interesting history in the form of an archaeological site dating from 1200 BC, and offers adrenaline junkies plenty to do as well, as you can choose anything from cave diving to rappelling down a cenote. Set aside a day from lounging by the Playa del Carmen hotels to sign up for a Tulum expedition.
Tulum is also an excellent destination for snorkeling – check out some great cenotes for Tulum snorkeling!
Next time you’re in Playa del Carmen, which one of these activities would you want to do first? Comment below!