Posted on June 12, 2015 by Rufus — No Comments ↓

Location of Playa Del Carmen

…at least know where you’re going…

Google maps is an awesome thing.

20 years ago we had to go to the library and look in some dusty atlas if we didn’t know the location of a random place.

Want to go to Durkadurkastan?

Just type the name into Google and you can immediately see the location.

Much better than having to chat to some sexually repressed librarian with dodgy glasses.

So what is the location of Playa Del Carmen?

Check it out on Google.

However, the problem with all maps is that the names often mean nothing.

Cozumel? Akumal? Tulum? They sound more like appetizers at a Mayan banquet.

So this article is all about the location of Playa Del Carmen and its proximity to loads of cool shit.

But let’s start with the absolute basics:

Playa Del Carmen is in the south east of Mexico on the Caribbean coastline.

Arrow on globe pointing to Playa Del Carmen's location.

GPS Coordinates Of Playa Del Carmen

I’ll be honest.

I have no idea about GPS coordinates.

It just sounds like some random numbers.

But if you’re driving to Playa Del Carmen then you probably have a nav system and know how to use these numbers better than I do.

The GPS coordinates for Playa Del Carmen are 20° 37′ 39? N, 87° 4′ 52? W.

How do I know? Well I googled it.

It’s not like there is a big street sign in Playa Del Carmen that details the coordinates.

It does mean that Playa Del Carmen is 20° away from the equator.

So expect a pretty hot tropical climate.

And remember that is occasionally gets battered by a hurricane during the summer.

Playa Del Carmen Is At The Center Of The Riviera Maya

Playa Del Carmen is located on a strip of coastline known as the Riviera Maya.

The name Riviera Maya was invented a few years ago by the Mexican tourist board as they wanted an attractive name in order to attract more tourists.

The Riviera Maya starts in Cancun and stretches down to Tulum.

It’s a relatively short stretch of land on the coast that the Mexican authorities will be promoting as their number one tourist destination.

The location of Playa Del Carmen is amazing.

It is bang in the center of the Riviera Maya.

That means it is the right in the center of tourism in Mexico.

A woman holding a globe with Playa Del Carmen center.

Why You Should Visit Playa Del Carmen Now?

The location of Playa Del Carmen means it is strategically important for tourism.

So it’s going to be expanding rapidly over the next ten years.

They are developing the whole Riviera Maya, and Playa Del Carmen’s location means that more and more tourists will be visiting this cute town.

So visit Playa Del Carmen now while it’s still quaint and relaxed.

You never know.

In 20 years Playa Del Carmen might be overpopulated like Cancun, and everyone will be complaining that it’s “not like it used to be.”

Perhaps, for this reason, the central location of Playa Del Carmen is working to its disadvantage.

The Advantages Of The Central Location Of Playa Del Carmen

However, because Playa Del Carmen has such an amazing central location, all the top attractions are within easy reach.

So you can stay in Playa Del Carmen.

And then make day trips to all these awesome places.

A Mexican map with a compass on top of it.

Playa Del Carmen’s Proximity To Other Locations In The Riviera Maya

The following gives you an idea of all the different places you go visit on a day trip from Playa Del Carmen.

I think it does some justice to my statement about Playa Del Carmen’s great central location.

Cancun – Cancun is about one hour’s drive north from Playa Del Carmen along the excellent coastal highway.

Tulum – The incredible beach and ruins and Tulum are about one hour’s drive south of Playa Del Carmen (maybe a little less with a private van and a driver who nails it).

Coba ruins – These awesome ruins deep in the jungle are just past Tulum, about 1.5 hours drive from Playa Del Carmen.

Cozumel – Cozumel is the large island directly across from Playa Del Carmen. It’s beautiful and well worth a visit. You’ll have to take the Playa Del Carmen ferry which leaves every hour. If you time it right, it takes only 45 minutes to reach Cozumel.

Xcaret – The most famous and biggest attraction park in the Riviera Maya is literally next door to Playa Del Carmen. It will take 10 minutes to drive, but you could even walk or cycle.

Chichen Itza – Mexico’s most visited tourist attraction is these incredible ruins. Chichen Itza is also considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. It’s a 2.5 – 3 hour journey.

Akumal – Want to swim with sea turtles? Akumal is just 30 minutes south of Playa Del Carmen. Many combine Akumal and Tulum into one trip.

Puerto Morelos – If you’re looking for a chilled day in a cute Mexican fishing village, then Puerto Morelos is just 30 minutes drive away.

Puerto Aventuras – If you want to hang out with movie stars on pristine beaches then the uber rich area of Puerto Aventuras is twenty minutes south of Playa Del Carmen.