Playa del Carmen is home to some of Mexico’s most exotic locales, with palm trees dotting miles of beaches, lush jungles and ancient Mayan ruins all waiting to be explored. For the VIP traveler looking for a little adventure, Playa del Carmen has many thrilling options available. Here are five ways to get the white-glove treatment while participating in exciting experiences:
Swim With Whale Sharks
Though whale sharks are the largest creatures in the animal kingdom (they have mouths that measure about 1,5 mt wide!), they are notably placid and only eat plankton. Their gentle demeanor makes them perfect companions to swim with, even allowing some divers to catch a ride on top of them.
Booking a private snorkeling tour will take you on a fully catered trip out to Isla Mujeres, where you’ll be introduced to a local marine biologist and a personal guide.
Visit the Sian Ka’an Natural Reserve
Sian Ka’an is a biosphere nature reserve located about an hour south of Playa del Carmen. Meaning “Origin of the Sky” in the Mayan language, the reserve was created in 1986 to support conservation projects regarding local ecosystems and sustainability. Visitors to Sian Ka’an are given unrivaled views of the Caribbean coast, as well as a view of Mexican wildlife such as crocodiles, dolphins, and sea turtles.
The VIP tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site includes a snorkeling session in the barrier reef, followed by a gourmet seafood lunch and complimentary bottle of Champagne.
Explore the Mayan Ruins
Playa del Carmen isn’t just a beautiful vacation destination, it’s a historic locale too. Located approximately two hours inland from Playa del Carmen are the ruins of the ancient Mayan city, Chichen Itza.
Get a chance to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site by booking a private tour that will not only educate you on the Mayan culture, but will also take you to through the colonial town of Valladolid for an authentic Mexican meal and swimming in the sacred Mayan underground watering hole.
Sail on a Private Yacht
There’s nothing quite like sailing on the open sea. Hiring a private yacht to take you on a trip to the tip of Cozumel Island is a great way to see the surrounding areas. On board, you’ll have a personal chef to cater to your epicurean needs alongside an open, premium bar.
After landing on the private beach El Cielo, guests are encouraged to sunbathe, snorkel, and indulge to their heart’s content.
Zip Line Through the Jungle
Flying through the treetops of the Mayan jungle by zipline is a favorite Playa del Carmen pastime for seasoned adventurers. The zipline glides through 2.5 km of terrain before dropping guests off on a series of wobbly suspension bridges and bungee swings.
In addition to ziplining, a luxury tour to Selvatica will take you through a thrilling afternoon of off-roading across the jungle floor, and swimming in a cenote.
