Playa Punta Esmeralda – A Slice Of Paradise In Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is well known as a popular tourist area. And is located close to Cancun’s International airport providing easy access to Tulum and Cozumel. Playa’s shoreline of white sands contrasts with the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea. And there’s a host of bustling boutiques, bars, and restaurants located on 5th Avenue.
But there’s another local beach that’s stayed relatively unknown to visitors just outside the city centre. Find out more about Playa Punta Esmeralda – a slice of paradise in Playa del Carmen here…

Where is it?

Punta Esmeralda is really close to 5th Avenue! You can walk to the small beach access road which is just on the right north of the Paradisus resort. Following 5th Avenue all the way down. If you drive there you can park all along the access road without any charge. Take the Paradisus exit on the 50 Avenida Norte highway.
A bus ride will take around 30 minutes and you’ll be dropped off just before the Paradisus hotel. Leaving you a 10-minute walk to reach the beach. Or go by shared van or a taxi to get you all the way.

What can you do there?

This freshwater, crystal-clear cenote is really close to the sea. You can actually see the source of the water feeding the cenote – bubbling up from the underground river system. And the shallow water is ideal for children to play.

You’ll be able to unwind on the white, sandy beach. Or picnic in the wooded, shady areas. There’s also a playground suitable for children of all ages.
Food vendors walk up and down the beach selling snacks and drinks. And there’s even a food truck that specialises in seafood at the northern end. There are tables to eat at, and restroom facilities here. Walking for just a couple of minutes from either end of the cenote will bring you to a beach bar for refreshments. And washrooms.
The beach deck has wheelchair access. And there’s a lifeguard patrolling to ensure every swimmer’s safety. Conditions for swimming are perfect. And the beach is kept clean with the help of the local community.

When’s the best time to go?

Because Punta Esmeralda is open to the public with free access it’s extremely popular with local families. And Sunday is by far the busiest day. As a lot of local businesses close on Mondays this is also a busy day. Getting there early on Tuesday through to Friday is your best bet.

What tips will make the most of my visit?

In order to make your trip to Punta Esmeralda as eco-friendly and happy as possible you should:

• Bring a beach umbrella and fold-up beach chairs as there’s not much shade and you can’t hire loungers
• Turn your car around if you drive there to face the exit as the access road is really narrow and difficult to manoeuvre when it gets busy
• Bring a rubbish bag with you to take home all of your trash and keep the beach clean – and take part in the frequent beach cleaning campaigns if they coincide with your visit
• Avoid visiting on a Sunday when the beach is at its fullest

Snorkelling Adventures Nearby

When you need a snorkel Playa del Carmen expert look no further than dive masters from Koox Diving. They believe that safety is paramount. And you’ll still get to have the adventure of a lifetime filled with fun. All snorkelling activities include equipment, transportation, and cenote entrance fees. And you’ll be able to record all of your memories on a GoPro camera that’s provided for you too.