Diving
Playa del Carmen offers not only marine beauty but also the history of an ancient civilization. The Mayan Riviera has the second largest coral reef in the world, boasting mystical paths in the caverns of its cenotes, exotic marine life in its reefs and the opportunity to swim in its long underground rivers. There are numerous certified Dive shops that offer excursions.
Swimming In The Mayan Underworld
Swimming is everywhere in Playa del Carmen where natural reefs are everywhere.
Snorkeling off coast of Cozumel
Cozumel is one of the best places in the world to dive & snorkel. It’s a water-lover’s paradise. Famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau declared it “one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas in the world.” The water is clear & fifty shades of turquoise, with visibility up to 200 feet. You can also learn to scuba dive in Cozumel…there are tons of instructors & dive shops. Cozumel is a small island that can be reached by a 1 hour ferry-boat ride from Playa del Carmen. It is the third most popular cruise ship stop in the world – not a place to stay, but a great place to snorkel.
Swim with Bull Sharks
Bull sharks are usually found in warm, shallow waters along the coast and in rivers - and while the most famous bull shark dives are in Fiji, the bull shark dives in Playa del Carmen are more easily accessible and cheaper.Bull sharks usually visit the area November – March and although they are considered aggressive, there are very few bull shark attacks in the world.
Swim with Whale Sharks
Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the ocean, but eat plankton and are of no danger to humans. The official Whale Shark season dates are typically mid May – mid September. Most boats don’t start running tours until June just in case the Whale Sharks are late arriving. There are numerous tours available for both Bull Sharks or Whale Sharks
Mayan Ruins
In the Yucatan jungle of the Riviera Maya lie the remains of ancient Mayan cities that many call the “Egypt of the Americas.” The Mayan ruins are awe-inspiring and provide a deeper understanding of Mexican history. The four most famous and beautiful to see are Chichen-Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Palenque, Calakmul, and Tulum. Tulum is the most accessible and beautiful, sitting atop cliffs overlooking the Caribbean, about a 1 hour ride from Playa del Carmen. Please see our concierge for tour information or shuttle information to any of the Mayan Ruins
Xcaret
Xcaret is a must-see eco-archeological park for families visiting Playa del Carmen, and is about a 15 minute drive. It is easy to spend the entire day experiencing more than 50 cultural and natural attractions. Swim or ride through cenotes and rivers, visit a 19th century mansion, stop to see the Chapel of our Lady of Guadalupe and the St. Francis of Assisi chapel, snorkel the lagoon, swim with dolphins, visit the Aquarium, experience the Mayan culture and ruins, walk around a genuine Mexican cemetery, admire the scenery from the Scenic Tower, Children under 12 years will enjoy the children’s park with slides, suspension bridges, tunnels, and cenotes. all located on the water, next to mangroves inhabited by pink flamingos. Wonderful cultural show at sunset.There are also several restaurants and an extensive wine cellar.
Zip-Lining
There are several awesome places to go zip-lining including Xplor, the most visited zip-line park in the world. Two circuits of seven zip-lines each, make for a thrilling exploration of Playa del Carmen’s jungle. A waterslide and two refreshing water landings will get you soaking wet in the most adventurous fashion.Xplor is about a 15 minute ride from Playa. Please see our concierge for tickets and information.
Cenotes
Playa del Carmen is very fortunate to be slap bang in the middle of an area in Mexico that is filled with natural wonders not found anywhere else in the world.
One of the most impressive of these phenomenons are cenotes! The Yucatan Peninsula is the only place you can find these mesmerizing wonders, and it’s home to over 7,000 of them.
These majestic bodies of water are formed when a cave collapses, creating a magical world of aquatic life and wondrous underwater rock formations.
A cenote is a deep, water-filled sinkhole in limestone that is created when the roof of an underground cavern collapses. This creates a natural pool which is then filled by rain and water flowing from underground rivers.Cenotes tend to have very clear, cool, fresh water and many go for several miles with natural light coming through holes in the ground.
Cenote draw tourists who come to swim and dive and explore these refreshing natural swimming holes. Please see our concierge for tour information or shuttle information to any of the cenotes. Easily combined with Mayan Ruins for a day trip.
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing is extremely popular along the coast of Playa del Carmen. The powerful currents in the channel between the coast and the island of Cozumel create the perfect habitat for all types of game fish, and there are numerous fishing boats that can be rented for the day or half day. All come with crew, rods and bait as well as refreshments. Whatever you catch can be cooked at many restaurants on shore.
Selvatica
Selvatica which literally means: “pertaining to the jungle”, has been a fertile campground to explorers and adventurers from many bygone eras.
These vast lands once inhabited by the ancient Mayans, many years later became the region’s basecamp and home to a famous Tycoon of the once prolific gum extraction industry, creating a huge myth surrounding his peculiar ways of having fun, while also protecting the jungle.
This rich hertitage serves as background for the World’s number ONE adventure park! Come live the most extraordinary adventure of your life and you too, become part of the legend of Selvatica.