The Best Way to Spend a Long Weekend in Playa del Carmen

Going on beach vacations is somewhat my specialty. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not your run of the mill “my family summers here and holidays here” type of beach goer, but I do try to get to a new beach (or two) a year. Part of my luck for checking out multiple spots in a year is my family’s love for going on cruises. The other part of my luck, well, it isn’t luck… it’s just saving my money to spend it on trips where I stay in my swimsuit the entire time. So far I’ve gone to Cabo, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Hawaii, South Beach and a handful of others. But you’re not here to listen to me ramble, you want to know the best way to spend a long weekend in Playa del Carmen.

The Best Way to Spend a Long Weekend in Playa del Carmen

A closer look at how we spent our weekend in Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen Hotels and Resorts

If you are looking for a unique hotel, I cannot recommend Hotel Aldea Thai any more. The Aldea Thai is located near the best restaurants, bars and clubs that Playa del Carmen has to offer. There are a variety of rooms available- and it was perfect for us going with a group of a dozen women. We split two separate suites, each suite having multiple bedrooms and a living space. One of our rooms even had a private pool on the terrace. All of the suites come with a dining room, kitchen, entertainment area with flat screen TV and WiFi internet at no additional charge, among other amenities.

Did I mention there’s a pool bar? Quite possibly the most gorgeous part of the entire hotel. The staff is extremely attentive and the drinks are strong- and aesthetically pleasing. You can also order food while you’re in the pool, in case you have the munchies.

If you’d rather skip the pool, the beach is about 2 blocks away. Not the worst walk in the world if you ask me.

Playa del Carmen Night Life

5th Avenue is the perfect place to walk and explore- food, shopping, drinks, you name it. Coco Bongo Show and Disco is located just a block away or two away from 5th Avenue. This was hands down the most fun we had any night out in Playa. Some of the girls discovered Coco Bongo and made a special deal with the promoters during the day to get us some level of VIP tickets for under $100 for the evening. I wasn’t there, but I’m sure glad they made it happen. If you’re better at planning, there are special options for tables and VIP levels that you can pre-purchase. Oh, did I mention that ALL of your drinks are paid for with your entry? Just tip. And tip well. You’ll get real lit if you tip.

Fun Things to Do in Playa Del Carmen

Take a day trip on a yacht or catamaran. You won’t regret it. We went on a boat trip that provided an open bar, fresh guacamole and tacos, snorkeling and a damn good time. They also shuttled us to and from our hotel, which is SO appreciated. I couldn’t recommend this more. And for you photo opp lovers, this is a gold mine. It isn’t cheap, but it isn’t expensive. You can shop around and find a wide variety of prices, but you want to make sure you find one that includes the important (to you) activities.

Where to Eat and Drink in Playa del Carmen

I fell in love with the places right below our hotel. We ended up there more nights and days than I should admit. Between the strong drinks, cheap prices and great food… you can’t blame us! My three favorites are The Freshy Fish, Shark Burgers Mamita’s Beach and Brochetas. There’s also a convenience store by these places- so have no fear, ice cream, water, ice, chips and everything else can be picked up. Yes, you do need to BUY water, friends. I would recommend buying more than you think you’ll need for a long weekend in Playa del Carmen.

What to Pack for a Long Weekend in Playa del Carmen

You’ll want to pack swimsuits, coverups, hats and things like a Kindle or books for the beach. Of course a beach bag for the days on the beach, too. As far as the attire throughout the rest of your trip, I found Playa del Carmen to be pretty casual except for the night life!