5 beaches · within 60 km
There are 5 beaches within 60 km of Playa del Carmen in a straight line, an hour or a little more by road. The closest is Punta Esmeralda, 3 km away; the farthest, Xcacel, is 44 km. They are listed under the Pueblos Mágicos of Cozumel and Tulum, which make good bases.
The dry season, November to April, brings the calmest seas. From June to October expect afternoon storms, and on the Caribbean coast, sargassum in some years.
Best months, when most of these towns are dry with comfortable afternoons: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
The Beaches 5
-
Punta Esmeralda · Beach · 3 km from Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo
Free public beach in north Playa del Carmen where a freshwater cenote spills across the sand into calm, shallow sea. -
Xpu-Ha · Beach · 26 km from Playa del Carmen · Near Tulum
A long white beach with calm water north of Akumal, with a public access point among the hotels and cenotes nearby. -
Chen Río · Beach · 36 km from Playa del Carmen · Near Cozumel
A sheltered cove on the wild east coast, where rocks calm the open sea enough to swim; a good stop on a drive around the island. -
Punta Morena · Beach · 36 km from Playa del Carmen · Near Cozumel
A wide, wind-swept beach on Cozumel's open east coast, with big waves, limestone outcrops and a beach restaurant. -
Xcacel · Beach · 44 km from Playa del Carmen · Near Tulum
A protected sea turtle sanctuary with an undeveloped beach and a freshwater cenote in the mangroves behind it.
On the map
Distances are in a straight line; roads add about a third.
Where to stay
The Pueblos Mágicos these places are closest to, each with hotels, food and getting-there notes.
More places like these
More around Playa del Carmen
Beaches elsewhere
Names and locations from OpenStreetMap; notes and write-ups are our own.