10 Nature Parks near Playa del Carmen, Mexico: Map & Photos

10 parks and reserves · within 60 km

There are 10 parks and reserves within 60 km of Playa del Carmen in a straight line, an hour or a little more by road. The closest is Xplor, 7 km away; the farthest, Punta Nizuc, is 54 km. They are all listed under Cozumel, a Pueblo Mágico that makes a good base.

Parks and reserves are best on weekdays and early in the day. Bring water, and check the opening hours, since some close one day a week.

Best months, when most of these towns are dry with comfortable afternoons: Feb, Mar, Apr, May.

The Nature Parks 10

Xplor · Nature reserve · 7 km from Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo
All-inclusive adventure park next to Xcaret: two zip-line circuits, amphibious vehicles and rafting and swimming through stalactite caves.
Xcaret · Nature reserve · 8 km from Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo
Big eco-park on a Caribbean inlet south of Playa del Carmen, built around underground rivers and the ruins of the Maya port of Polé.
Xenses · Nature reserve · 8 km from Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo
Grupo Xcaret's sensory park near Playa del Carmen: optical illusions, a topsy-turvy village, mud baths, a salt river and a zip line.
Chankanaab · Nature reserve · 24 km from Playa del Carmen · Near Cozumel
A park on the west coast with a reef for easy snorkeling from shore, a lagoon linked to the sea, and botanical gardens.
Jardín Botánico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín · Nature reserve · 29 km from Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo
Puerto Morelos' 65-hectare jungle botanical garden, with labelled trails, a chiclero camp, a small Maya ruin, a lookout tower and spider monkeys.
Ruta de los Cenotes · Nature reserve · 30 km from Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo
Jungle road from Puerto Morelos toward Leona Vicario lined with some 20 cenotes, from wild sinkholes to adventure parks with zip lines.
Palancar Reef · Nature reserve · 32 km from Playa del Carmen · Near Cozumel
Cozumel's most famous reef, off the island's southwest coast: coral towers, tunnels and drop-offs for divers and snorkelers.
Croco Cun · Nature reserve · 33 km from Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo
Interactive zoo north of Puerto Morelos that began as a crocodile farm; guided tours meet crocodiles, deer, monkeys and rescued local wildlife.
Punta Sur · Nature reserve · 43 km from Playa del Carmen · Near Cozumel
An eco park at the island's southern tip: the Celarain lighthouse, a lagoon with crocodiles and birds, and quiet beaches with reef.
Punta Nizuc · Nature reserve · 54 km from Playa del Carmen · Quintana Roo
Rocky southern tip of Cancún's hotel zone with the reef closest to the city, MUSA sculptures and mangrove speedboat tours.