Most people who arrive in Playa del Carmen by air will land at Cancun International Airport. This is one of Mexico’s busiest air hubs and is 45 minutes away from the beach resort. A number of international carriers offer direct flights to Cancun although most flights arrive from Mexico City or the US.

The airport is a three-terminal building with an extensive range of facilities. These include restaurants, shops, baby changing areas, airport lounges, information desks, banks and ATMs, hire car agencies, tour agencies and disabled access. Playa del Carmen does have a very small airport but this is solely for domestic flights to archaeological sights and islands within close proximity.

There are a number of options for getting to Playa del Carmen from Cancun Airport. These include taxis, colectivos, and the bus. The cheapest option is the bus, with services running once every hour. If however you miss one and don’t want to wait for the next, colectivos are vans which seat up to 10 people and leave as soon as they are full enough to justify the trip. Taxis are quick and easy, although they are more expensive and fares should be negotiated in advance.

There are public buses running to major destinations in Mexico from Playa del Carmen, although these can often be uncomfortable if you are travelling very long distances. If you are on a budget, a good idea would be to take a bus to Cancun from where you can get a train to other destinations throughout the country. The main highways are very good and a hire car is a good option, although be careful on the roads as local drivers tend to ignore the road rules. Ferries are also available to take passengers to and from surrounding islands.

Once you are in Playa del Carmen, you will find that it is a very pedestrian friendly city. Walking around the town is the best way to see the sights although many people choose to rent bicycles. Taxis are available throughout the city but as the main thoroughfare, Fifth Avenue, is pedestrian only, taxis are only useful for trips out of town. Car hire agencies can be found at the airport and in the city centre although it is cheaper and more convenient to book online and in advance.