Playa del Carmen

1. Bel Air Animal Park

The Bel Air Animal Park is the place to go to better understand the wildlife of the tropical region in which Playa del Carmen is located. A series of ecological paths lead through the venue’s Maya Forest and wind among the animals who live here at the park.

One particular highlight of the facility is its aviary, in which more than 300 birds fly freely above visitors’ heads. The Bel Air Animal Park also has several pools, including a children’s wading pool, where families can relax after walking along the trails.

Kayaking, snorkeling, and environmental workshops are also available at the park, as are concessions.

Carretera Federal Puerto Juarez- Chetumal KM. 265 Puerto Aventuras, Playa del Carmen 77710, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Phone: 52-98-41-71-03-25

2. Co.Cos Culinary School & Catering

Co.Cos Culinary School & Catering, whereby the Co.Cos is short for Cocina.Cosmopolitana, is a fun, friendly cooking school where budding chefs can learn to make the most out of the flavors of Playa del Carmen. The school has several different classes, all of which afford students a hands-on way of learning about the techniques and unique ingredients of Mexican cuisine.

There are meal-making courses ranging from one to three lessons, appetizer-making classes, and cocktail sessions at the drinking school. Guests can come once or for several sessions to perfect their craft at the school. Co.Cos also provides catering and private chef services.

Av La Gloria, Residencial El Cielo, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Phone: +52-98-45-93-12-45

3. Dolphinaris Riviera Maya Park

Dolphinaris Riviera Maya Park is a specialist in one-on-one dolphin encounters for children and families. Dolphinaris has a dedicated dolphin park facility where one can both relax in pools and spend time interacting up close with the dolphins.

The activities available at the park range in length and contact level—dolphin lovers can take a short 30-minute speed ride with one of these intelligent creatures or spend the entire day learning the ins and outs of how dolphin trainers do their jobs.

Alternatively, Dolphinaris offers 2-hour-long programs for swimming with, playing with, hugging, and riding the dolphins inside the facility.

Federal Highway Cancun – Chetumal Km 272, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Phone: +52-99-88-81-30-30

4. Edventure Tours

Edventure Tours provides three bespoke adventure experiences in the beautiful rain forest and on the stunning beaches of the Riviera Maya.

The snorkel package covers the cenotes and the underground river, while the zipline excursion adds both ATVing and zip lining through the jungle to the snorkeling.

Each of these tours can be enhanced with add-ons like trips to the nearby ruins and snorkeling in a local bay among turtles.

Finally, the most comprehensive Xtreme tour package includes every single activity on the Edventure tour roster, all in one day. Lunch and drinks are provided on all tours.

Local #5, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Phone: +52-98-48-71-22-09

5. Exotik Mayan Tours

Exotik Mayan Tours runs the gamut of interesting excursions through the rich culture and outstanding ecosystems of the Riviera Maya region of Mexico.

The company runs its tours in a small group format, and different excursion options can take the groups to ancient Mayan ruins, into the cenotes, up close with animals such as turtles and whale sharks, and even through the jungle at top speeds on an ATV.

One unique tour from Exotik is a trip through Mayan culture at Xcaret, a site with several interesting natural settings as well as a night show on the history of Mexico.

Exotik Mayan Tours also furnishes catamaran tours to neighboring islands.

Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen 77723, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Phone: +5-21-98-41-46-44-24

6. Explora Mexico Riviera Maya

Explora Mexico Riviera Maya takes tourists to the water on their numerous boat tours in the turquoise blue sea off the coast of Mexico. These private excursions include hotel pickup and transportation to one of the boats in the company’s fleet. Rides on the Caribbean Sea take guests to their marine destination, where they can enjoy fishing, snorkeling, or even swimming with a massive whale shark. Explora Mexico Riviera Maya also offers tours for landlubbers who don’t want to get their feet wet. These tours cover either Mayan ruins or cenotes and caves, and all are led by trained guides.

Calle 38, 13, El Pedregal, 77712 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Phone: +5-21-98-41-19-42-47

7. Gaston Charo

Gaston Charo is a gem of an art gallery located in an almost secret garden off Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue. Despite being so close to the bustle of one of the town’s main drags, Gaston Charo is hard to miss without knowing that the gallery is there, as it sits in what is known as Marieta’s Garden. The gallery is named after its owner Gaston Charo, an Argentinian artist who now calls Playa del Carmen home. The space embodies a whimsical, enchanted atmosphere with bright colors and unusual pieces. And although it celebrates local art, the collection on display can contain works by more than thirty artists from all over the world at any given time.

Calle Quinta Avenida, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Phone: +52-98-48-79-37-63