4 Best Buggy Day Trips in Playa del Carmen

During your visit to Playa del Carmen, you will enjoy its crystal clear waters, warm sand, and beautiful palm trees. You can also walk along Fifth Avenue, a busy street lined with restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cafes, and shops. You will also find tourist resorts and plenty of entertainment.

However, if you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle and go on an adventure with a buggy tour and additional activities (snorkelling, diving, abseiling, etc.), then you will be interested to know that among the best things to do in Playa del Carmen are several excursions and tours, that will allow you to climb into a 4x4 vehicle to venture into the jungle, swim in a cenote and visit the Riviera Maya.

If during your visit you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy an off-road adventure in the jungle of Playa del Carmen, then you should join a buggy tour of this exotic region.

You'll discover beautiful landscapes, taste local food and learn about the ancient Mayan culture. All this, together with a specialised guide who is ready to tell you about the history of the place and answer any questions you may have.

The adventure begins in Playa del Carmen when you meet your assigned guide. They will explain the basics of driving and give you some instructions about the route.

Next, you will climb into the buggy and set off along the Mayan jungle trail, where you will be surrounded by trees.

This three-hour tour is ideal if you don't have much time but still want to discover this magical place in Playa del Carmen. You will drive approximately 30 kilometres in a buggy to a cenote hidden in the jungle, where you will enjoy:

• A peaceful atmosphere, as this cenote is an uncrowded area. You can swim in crystal clear waters and relax while contemplating the natural landscape. In addition, if you wish, the guide will provide you with the necessary equipment for snorkelling so you can observe the marine life up close.
• You will drive to a Mayan village and have the opportunity to enter one of the houses to eat with the family and share with them. This way, you will learn about their ancestral traditions and experiences in the region.
• You can buy handicrafts made by the locals. This way, you will have a souvenir of your memorable visit and help this Mayan community.

At the end of this pleasant experience with nature and culture, you will board the buggy again and return to the door of your hotel.

Afterwards, you can continue the fun by going to Xcaret Playa del Carmen Park or taking a walk along the pedestrian-only Fifth Avenue, which is a busy area parallel to the beach.

Details of interest

• Price: from £110 per person.
• Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
• Advantages of this option: this excursion usually offers round-trip hotel pick-up, so you won't have to spend extra money on transportation.
• Disadvantages of this option: this excursion is generally for couples.

If you are a speed enthusiast and love water activities, you must join one of the best day trips from Playa del Carmen.

You can hop on a buggy and enjoy the speed as you venture into the jungle to discover wonderful natural settings and learn about the Mayan community and its customs.

Cenote Yax Muul

You will depart from Playa del Carmen with a specialised guide and head to Cenote Yax Muul, a journey of approximately 30 minutes. There, you will put on a harness and descend approximately 12 metres to finally fall into a natural underground pool.

Mayan ceremony and zip line

You will then continue on to another cenote to take part in a Mayan ceremony, in which a shaman will ask for protection for you and permission from Pachamama to travel through the area.

This marks the start of the next activity, in which you will launch yourself down a zip line of approximately 250 metres. You will enjoy a privileged panoramic view of the jungle and an incredible adrenaline rush.

Snorkelling in the Nohoch Nah Chiich cenote

The last destination on this excursion is the Nohoch Nah Chiich cenote. Upon arrival, you will put on your snorkelling equipment and dive into its cool waters. You will have a unique experience in a magical natural setting, with dozens of stalagmites and stalactites around you.

Afterwards, you will return to Playa del Carmen with enough time to enjoy other activities on your itinerary: venture out to visit Isla Mujeres, go shopping, attend a Cirque du Soleil show with your tickets, try traditional food on a gastronomic tour, or enjoy the nightlife in the clubs and bars.

Details of interest

• Price: from £150 per person.
• Duration: half day.
• Advantages of this option: you will enjoy water and extreme activities while learning about Mayan culture.
• Disadvantages of this option: these types of excursions are not usually recommended for children under 8 years old.

During your stay in the state of Quintana Roo, don't miss out on an experience in the cenotes from Playa del Carmen.

You can hop on a buggy and travel along the road to amazing natural formations (Jaguar, Nohoch Nachich, Alux). You can dive into their crystal-clear waters, enjoy water activities (optional) and learn about the history of these cenotes.

Jaguar Cenote

The first destination is the open cenote called Jaguar, which you will reach by driving from Playa del Carmen on a buggy route that takes approximately 40 minutes.

This natural monument has an average depth of 9 metres and, to access it, you will need to descend a platform made up of several steps, formed by rock formations.

Soon, you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful vegetation and you can dive into crystal clear waters and see some fish.

Nohoch Nachich Cenote with optional water activities

Next, the guide will take you to the Nohoch Nachich cenote, known for being the entrance to one of the longest underground rivers in the world and, therefore, a destination included in most tours.

In this area, you will need to turn on your lamp to see the enormous stalagmites and stalactites. If you wish, you can also put on a diving or snorkelling suit and explore a little. You will feel like you are in a magical and mysterious world.

Private cenote Alux

On the way back to Playa del Carmen in the buggy, there is one last stop at the private Alux cenote, characterised by its great depth and zip line jumping platform.

You will also enjoy a small natural pool, some cave channels, a couple of waterfalls and a large cave. In addition, there is a picnic area with several tables where you can enjoy a light meal accompanied by some non-alcoholic drinks.

Details of interest

• Price: from £76 per person.
• Duration: 5 hours (approx.)
• Advantages of this option: this tour combines adventure tourism at three important cenotes in the region with a cultural experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: food and drinks are not included in the tour, so you will have to pay for them yourself.

If you are excited about the idea of exploring Playa del Carmen by buggy in the company of an expert during your visit, but want to follow your own route, you should opt for a customised excursion or tour, in which a guide will take you to the destinations of your choice.

You can explore and enjoy the activities you select in advance: diving, snorkelling, zip-lining, abseiling.

Option 1: Buggy excursion and tour of the Yal Ku natural aquarium

You will depart from the buggy centre in Playa del Carmen with a small group and your assigned guide. You will travel along a route of approximately 42 minutes until you reach the Yal Ku natural aquarium.

This is a cenote that combines a freshwater and saltwater ecosystem, which is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. There, you can:

• Dive into the water and have one of the best snorkelling and diving experiences, discovering many tropical fish, turtles, etc. Of course, you will first receive some basic instructions from the guide on how to use the diving equipment.
• Enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by crystal clear waters and beautiful mangroves with lush vegetation.
• You will walk through a forest where you can contemplate unspoilt nature, birds and wildlife.
• You will walk along the beach, which complements this natural cenote, and you will be amazed by the view.

Option 2: Río Secreto buggy tour and excursion

Río Secreto is another route that you can customise for your buggy tour in Playa del Carmen. This is a nature reserve with an amazing system of stalagmites and stalactites inside an underground cave.

On this tour, you will experience an adventure on wheels, walk and dive into crystal clear waters while discovering impressive geological formations.

The excursion begins when you board the buggy in Playa del Carmen and head to Río Secreto (approximately 20 minutes). There, the guide will take you on a tour of the outer part of the site, which consists of long trails, lush trees, wildlife, several natural pools and a peaceful atmosphere.

Next, the aquatic adventure begins in the aforementioned underground cave, nicknamed the crystal museum due to its countless mineral formations and calm blue waters.

There, you will not only be able to contemplate a magical setting that will reveal a history of millions of years, but you will also have the opportunity to rappel, put on the necessary diving equipment and go snorkelling. Afterwards, you will leave the cave and, before getting on the buggy to return to Playa del Carmen, you can eat at the reserve's restaurant.

Option 3: Excursion and buggy tour to Xel-Há from Playa del Carmen

This excursion takes you by buggy north of Playa del Carmen to Xel-Há, on a journey of approximately 35 minutes. Upon arrival at this ecological park, you will be in direct contact with the flora and fauna of the Riviera Maya.

Next, the guide will take you on a walk along the trails that lead to a beautiful river while you observe some birds. Then, you will ride on a floating tube through a beautiful lagoon surrounded by an impressive mangrove forest.

Afterwards, you will receive the necessary instructions for snorkelling and admiring a variety of tropical fish and sea turtles up close.

In fact, you can combine this tour with a visit to the Yal Ku natural aquarium, due to its proximity.

You can also opt for a trip to the ruins of Tulum or, if you prefer, take a one-hour ferry ride to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen to explore these beaches on a buggy adventure.

Details of interest

• Price: from £75 per person.
• Duration: 5 to 6 hours (approx.)
• Advantages of this option: you will have the opportunity to plan the route of the excursion and buggy tour according to your preferences.
• Disadvantages of this option: generally, this type of activity does not include admission to natural monuments, so you will have to pay for them separately.

Buggy tours in Playa del Carmen and its surroundings are a unique experience that will not only provide you with an off-road adventure along the long trails of the Riviera Maya, but also allow you to venture into the jungle and explore amazing cenotes with ancient geological formations.

In addition, you can enjoy water activities (snorkelling, diving), abseiling in the cenotes or zip-lining for a privileged aerial view.

You will also have the opportunity to visit a Mayan village and interact with the local people to learn about their customs and try their cuisine.

Buggy tours and excursions in Playa del Carmen usually last between 3 and 6 hours. However, this does not mean that you will be driving for the entire time. In reality, you will be behind the wheel for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the agreed route, which may be on or around the beach.

For example, if the excursion only goes into the jungle to visit some hidden cenotes, you will only need to drive for 30 minutes. But if you want to explore Tulum from Playa del Carmen, the driving time will be approximately 50 minutes for a 61-kilometre route.

In either case, you will be able to enjoy the speed of the buggy and the beauty of the landscape.

To go on a buggy tour in Playa del Carmen or to some of the nearby destinations, you should follow some practical tips that will help you avoid inconveniences and improve your experience during the tour.

• Have your valid driving licence to hand, as you will need to show it to the guide before you can get behind the wheel. However, if you do not plan to drive and just want to enjoy the experience from the passenger seat, you do not need to worry about presenting this document.
• If you hire a six-seater buggy, please note that a maximum of four people can ride in it. In addition, when taking the tour or excursion with children, they must sit in the back.
• This type of excursion is not usually done alone, so you will need to have a travel companion (friend, family member).
• Bring a scarf and sunglasses to protect your face from the dust that usually kicks up when you set off.
• Wear comfortable, preferably short clothing that allows you to move easily. Also, bring a swimsuit so you can take a dip in the cenotes.
• Protect your skin from the sun by applying a product with a high SPF to protect against UVB and UVA rays. Also, bring a bottle of water with you so you can stay hydrated. Remember that temperatures in Playa del Carmen often reach 34ºC during the summer.