Best Beaches in Playa del Carmen

Best Beaches in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen’s coastline is not one single beach experience.

Different areas offer different surroundings, levels of activity and reasons to visit.

Xcalacoco Beach

Located in northern Playa del Carmen, Xcalacoco is particularly convenient to consider when staying in the northern part of the city.

Mamitas Beach

Mamitas is one of the better-known beach areas near the central tourist zone.

It fits travelers who want to combine beach time with easy access to the downtown area.

The municipality has also used Mamitas as the setting for tourism initiatives such as “La Ruta del Mar,” which highlights Playa del Carmen’s relationship with the sea through cultural, educational and recreational experiences.

Playa 88

Playa 88 is another beach option to include when exploring the northern-central stretch of Playa del Carmen.

Playacar Beach

Playacar offers a different beach setting connected with the southern part of Playa del Carmen.

Which Beach Should You Choose?

Instead of asking which beach is “the best,” ask:

Do you want to stay close to downtown?

Would you prefer a quieter northern area?

Are you planning a family day?

Do you want to combine your beach day with restaurants and shopping?

The answer will determine which beach makes the most sense for your itinerary.

Make the Most of Your Stay

Casa Olivara gives guests a residential base in Playa del Carmen from which to explore different beaches rather than having to stay at one location for the entire trip. Its current listing places the home minutes from Xcalacoco Beach and highlights access to La Selva’s shared pools and recreational amenities.

Explore Playa. Then come home to Casa Olivara.

Check availability → Airbnb

Xcalacoco Beach: A Local Guide

Xcalacoco Beach: A Local Guide

What Is Xcalacoco Beach?

Xcalacoco is one of the beaches along the northern side of Playa del Carmen.

For travelers staying outside the busiest central area, it can be a natural beach option to include in a Playa del Carmen itinerary.

Why Visit Xcalacoco?

The appeal is simple:

Caribbean water.

Palm-lined coastline.

A slower beach-day rhythm.

It can fit easily into a relaxed itinerary where the beach is part of the day rather than the entire trip.

What Should You Bring?

Keep your beach bag simple:

  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Sun protection
  • Water
  • Comfortable sandals
  • A waterproof bag for electronics

Always check current beach and weather conditions before heading out.

What Else Can You Do Nearby?

A beach day can be combined with lunch, time at your accommodation or another Riviera Maya experience.

That’s one of the advantages of staying in Playa del Carmen: you can create different combinations rather than following a single resort schedule.

Staying Near Xcalacoco

Casa Olivara is located in La Selva Residences in northern Playa del Carmen and its current Airbnb listing specifically highlights its location as being minutes from Xcalacoco Beach and Quinta Avenida.

The apartment offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms and space for up to six guests, making it suitable for travelers who want a home base rather than a single hotel room.

Plan Your Beach Day

One of the simplest ways to enjoy Playa del Carmen is to leave some space in your itinerary.

Morning at the beach.

Lunch.

An afternoon at home.

Dinner later in town.

No rush.

Make Casa Olivara your home base → Airbnb