4 Days Exploring the Yucatán Peninsula

Staying in Playa del Carmen is the perfect base for exploring the Yucatán Peninsula’s rich history and natural beauty. Just a short drive away, the Tulum ruins offer stunning views of the Caribbean while immersing you in ancient Mayan culture. A trip to Ek Balam provides a more off-the-beaten-path experience, with towering ruins and intricate stone carvings. Cool off at Cenote Maya, an underground sinkhole with crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming. For a modern contrast, Cancún offers lively resorts, shopping, and dining just a day trip away. Playa del Carmen lets you enjoy both adventure and relaxation all in one spot.

Day 1: Playa Del Carmen

Stay or buy a day pass for The Royal in Playa Del Carmen

The Royal is a sprawling resort located right on the coast, and we scored a day pass that included unlimited drinks, food, pool access, and cabanas. It was definitely the right call! We arrived early and snagged a few shaded cabanas for a quick nap. The rest of the day was spent enjoying delicious meals at seaside restaurants, sipping on endless margaritas (the Maria Marie was my favorite), and swimming in the resort’s stunning cascading pools. All in all, it was a total win!

Downtown Playa Del Carmen

Downtown Playa del Carmen is an energetic hub, especially along 5th Avenue near the beach, where bars and clubs line the streets, and promoters try to lure you in with free drinks or compliments. It can feel a bit overwhelming, so if you’re looking to start the night on a more relaxed note, consider heading to Catch, a chic rooftop known for its seafood and cocktails (try the “Catch Me!”—it’s delicious!). After a few drinks, you can transition to something more gritty, like La Vaquita, a lively nightclub where we ended up in a small “VIP” area overlooking the dance floor. The drinks are typical cheap club fare, and the margaritas left much to be desired, so stick to something simple like a vodka soda. Once you’re in party mode, order some bottles of bubbly or a round of fire shots—though be prepared, they might not be what you expect!

All in all, we had a blast dancing with the cows until about 4am.

Day 2: Tulum

Tulum Ruins

Just a short drive away from Playa Del Carmen are the mystical Tulum ruins, where you can walk in the footsteps of ancient Mayan civilizations while gazing out at the Caribbean Sea. The towering cliffs and the turquoise waters create a striking backdrop to this historic site.

We purchased a package that included entrance fee, a boat ride, and snorkeling.

The Tulum ruins are a stunning archaeological site perched on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, offering both breathtaking views and a glimpse into ancient Mayan history. Once a thriving port city, Tulum was a center for trade and religious ceremonies, with structures like the iconic El Castillo serving as both a temple and a lighthouse. Today, it’s one of the most well-preserved coastal Mayan ruins, perfect for exploring both culture and nature.

We wandered through the ruins by the sea, catching sight of all the iguanas blending into the stonework. The ruins are really beautiful, but the beach they tower over is breathtaking. A gradient of blues that meet with the white sandy shoreline.

Lunch at Pancho Villa

Pancho Villa is a charming beachside spot down on the beach near the ruins. You’ll likely be hungry after a day of exploring. We were ravenous by the time we got there, ready to eat before our boat ride at 5pm. We ordered quickly, but the wait was long (typical “Mexico time”), so we snacked on quesadillas, guac, and nachos, eventually canceling the ceviche.

Snorkeling near the Tulum Ruins

Rushing to catch the boat after Pancho Villa, we ended up waiting until 5:30pm. As the sun dipped behind the mountains, we finally boarded to see the Tulum ruins from the sea at sunset—a stunning view! While snorkeling was an option, with the fading daylight, some of us decided to skip it and save energy for dinner in downtown Tulum. I still went even though it was a bit harder to see any sea life.

Dinner in downtown Tulum

Downtown Tulum is lined with world-class restaurants and beautifully curated shops, making it a dream for anyone who loves design and ambiance. If you’re like me, you’ll be giddy with excitement just walking the main strip! On a friend’s recommendation, we tried to get into Hartwood, but without a reservation, it was impossible. After wandering a bit, we stumbled upon a stunning restaurant with great music and a chill vibe, but like most spots during peak season, they couldn’t seat seven of us. Then, a stroke of luck—our friend asked about bar seating, and the host spotted a hidden area just big enough for our group. It felt like our own little VIP corner! At Gitano, the mezcal cocktails were fantastic, the food delicious, and while the service was slow, the magical atmosphere made it worth the wait. We were thrilled to find the perfect spot to enjoy a Tulum evening together.

Tip: Make a reservation for Tulum beachside restaurants, they get packed!

Day 3: Ek Balam & Cenote Maya

Early to rise on the third day of our trip. It was time for a planned tour with Altournative to Ek Balam and Cenote Maya.

Ek Balam Mayan Ruins

We rode 2 hours northwest to Ek Balam, another fascinating Mayan ruin often overshadowed by more famous sites like Chichén Itzá. At Ek Balam, you’ll have the chance to explore intricate stone carvings and climb the impressive Acropolis for panoramic jungle views. There is also one of the best preserved stucco facades in Mesoamerica. Stucco figures were excavated in nearly pristine condition, having been carefully buried by the ancient Maya about 1200 years ago.

We chose to go to these smaller ruins over Chichén Itzá because they would be less crowded and you could still climb the temples.

As you explore the Mayan ruins with a guide, you’ll get fascinating insights into their advanced society, which thrived with innovations while also practicing disfigurement and human sacrifice. When you reach the main temple, prepare for a steep climb—there are no railings, and the narrow steps can feel dizzying as you look down. But don’t let that stop you! The view from the top is absolutely worth it, with ancient temples rising out of the lush forest below, creating a breathtaking scene you’ll never forget.

After exploring the ruins, you’ll ride through modern Mayan villages, offering a stark contrast to the grandeur of the ancient temples. These small, low-ceiling homes feel more like humble boroughs compared to the palaces of the past. About 45 minutes later, you’ll arrive at Cenote Maya, run by Altournative, a company that supports the economic and cultural growth of Mayan communities. They employ locals to boost the economy while preserving Mayan traditions. The park itself is stunning. You’ll start with a short Mayan ceremony, then stroll through a beautiful organic garden before enjoying a buffet of traditional Mayan dishes.

Swim in Cenote Maya

After lunch, you’ll change into your swimsuit and head into Cenote Maya, a breathtaking natural sinkhole where crystal-clear groundwater is exposed. One of the highlights is repelling into the cenote itself, descending into the cavern with tree roots dangling into the water below—it feels like entering another world. While you can’t bring a GoPro, they have photographers capturing candid shots throughout the experience. Yes, you’ll need to pay for the photos, but it supports local jobs, and they do an excellent job capturing the moments, often without you even noticing.

Catch for dinner

We returned to our Airbnb around 6 PM and cracked open some beers on the rooftop terrace to unwind before our 8:30 PM dinner reservation. We headed back to Catch on 5th Avenue for another rooftop dining experience. This place served the best food of our entire trip! While the prices are on the higher side, the incredible flavors make it worth every penny. We indulged in a delicious assortment of scallops, sashimi, crab, steak, and ceviche. The ambiance felt very West Hollywood, with rooftop pools bathed in purple and pink lights, palm trees swaying, and candlelit tables. Everything was pristine, and the waitstaff were both attractive and impeccably dressed. While I don’t always crave this vibe, it’s a refreshing change of pace every now and then.

Day 4: Playa Del Carmen

Shopping in Playa Del Carmen

Playa Del Carmen stores are fixed pricing so no bargaining here, which I prefer, because I’m terrible at it. The prices were very fair, I got three really nice ornaments, a stuffed animal, a baby girl dress, and some chums for $30. Then I went down the way and got some killer leather huaraches for $35. We found the boys having some beers at a bar and joined them for lunch. Then back to the place to get ready for the countdown to 2017!

El Muelle for dinner

We went to El Muelle for a fixed price dinner at 7pm. We were definitely the early birds. I forgot that in latin culture people eat later. The main course seafood assortment was a little bland. We decided to move on for our next post dinner cocktail. We stumbled upon a restaurant that was moderately empty. As we sat sipping at the bar a karaoke singer set up, and before we knew it the party got started. This guy was a riot and got us all doing the merengue and singing along to Spanish hits. Looking back this was my favorite part of the night. We went to Mamita’s night club for the countdown, where we had reserved a table on the balcony overlooking the beach and a massive stage. We danced the night away from some new friends from San Francisco until the wee hours of the morning. DJs, fireworks, and vodka tonics! 

Day 5: Cancún

The Westin Cancún

Cancún Limo picked us up at noon to drive us to The Westin Cancún, where we’d spend our last night. It was an early flight at 8am so we wanted to be close. We arrived and had lunch, then sprawled out on some lounge chairs by the sea for some much needed relaxation time. The ocean on the Yucatán Peninsula is a gorgeous bright blue. We each took our turn to jump into the sea. We had been in a pool, and a cenote, but we hadn’t been in the ocean yet! I was feeling ashamed we hadn’t made it in yet, but we had jam packed our four day trip.

Fred’s House for dinner

We showered to head to our 5:45 pm rezzie at Fred’s House, which a friend had recommended. We were a bit late and almost lost our cabana spot. In order to see the sun set over a body of water you need to be overlooking the Nichupte Lagoon. This cabana is right on the lagoon and absolutely stunning. It feels really tropical and they are known for their fresh fruit cocktails. For an upscale restaurant the prices were really reasonable. About $7 for one of these drinks, and main courses starting at $12. There is a lot of fresh seafood on the menu and very friendly staff. It was an great way to end our vacation!

7 friends. 5 days. 4 cities. Countless drinks. 2 mayan ruins. 1 cenote. And a partridge in a pear tree.

If you have have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below! 

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