Buggy Day Trips in Playa del Carmen

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

However, if you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle and venture out on a buggy tour with complementary activities (snorkelling, diving, abseiling, etc.), then you will be interested to know that among the best things to do in Playa del Carmen there are several excursions and tours, which will allow you to get into a 4x4 car to go deep 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 will discover beautiful landscapes, taste local food and learn about the ancient Mayan culture. All this, together with a specialised guide, ready to tell you the history of the place and clarify your doubts.

The adventure begins in Playa del Carmen when you meet your assigned guide. They will explain the basic concepts of driving and you will receive some instructions regarding the development of the route.

You will then board the buggy and set off into the Mayan jungle trail, where you will be sheltered by the trees.

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

• A quiet atmosphere, as this cenote is an uncrowded area. You will be able to swim in the crystal clear waters and relax while contemplating the natural scenery. If you wish, the guide will provide you with the necessary equipment to snorkel and observe the marine life up close.
• You will drive to a Mayan village and have the opportunity to enter one of the houses to have lunch with a Mayan family and share with them. You will learn about their ancient traditions and experiences in the region.
• You will be able to buy handicrafts, made by the locals. This way, you will have a souvenir of such a memorable visit and you will help this Mayan community.

At the end of this pleasant experience with nature and culture, you will get back on the buggy to return to the door of the hotel where you are staying.

Afterwards, you can continue the fun by going to the Xcaret Park in Playa del Carmen or go for a walk along the pedestrianised Quinta Avenida, which is a very busy area and runs parallel to the beach.

Interesting details

• Price: from 110€ per person.
• Duration: 3 hours (Approx.)
• Advantages of this option: this tour usually offers the option of pick-up and drop-off at the hotel, so you won't have to spend extra money on your own.
• Disadvantages of this option: this tour usually has to be done in pairs.

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

You will be able to get on a buggy and enjoy the speed while you go deep into the jungle to discover wonderful natural scenery, meet the Mayan community and learn about their customs.

Cenote Yax Muul

You will leave Playa del Carmen with a specialised guide and head to the Yax Muul Cenote, a 30 minutes tour. There you will put on a harness and descend approximately 12 metres to finally drop into a natural underground pool.

Mayan ceremony and zip line

Afterwards, you will continue on until you reach another cenote to be part of a Mayan ceremony, in which a shaman will ask for protection for you and, also, permission to Pachamama, to move around the area.

This way, the next activity begins, in which you will be launched through a zip line of approximately 250 metres. You will get a privileged panoramic view of the jungle and an incredible release of adrenaline.

Snorkel in the cenote Nohoch Nah Chiich

A final destination on this excursion is the Nohoch Nah Chiich cenote. Upon arrival, you will have to put on your snorkelling gear and dive into its cool waters. You will live a unique experience in a magical natural setting, with dozens of stalagmites and stalactites in your path.

Afterwards you return to Playa del Carmen with plenty of time for other activities on your itinerary: venture out to visit Isla Mujeres, go shopping, take your tickets to a Cirque du Soleil show, sample the 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 aquatic and extreme activities while you get closer to the Mayan culture.
• Disadvantages of this option: usually, this type of excursion is not recommended for children under 8 years old.

During your stay in the state of Quintana Roo, you should not hesitate to live an experience in the cenotes from Playa del Carmen.

You can get on a buggy and ride the road to amazing natural formations (Jaguar, Nohoch Nachich, Alux). You can dive into the crystal clear waters, do 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 of approximately 40 minutes.

This natural monument has an average depth of 9 metres and, to access it, you will have to go down a platform made up of several steps, the result of rock formations.

Then you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful vegetation and you will be able to dive in crystal clear waters and see some fish.

Nohoch Nachich Cenote with optional water activity

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

In this area you will need to turn on your lamp to gaze at the huge stalagmites and stalactites. Also, if you wish, you can put on your wetsuit or snorkel 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 the buggy makes a last stop at the private cenote Alux, characterised by its great depth and a platform for zip-line jumps.

You will also enjoy a small natural pool, some channel caves, a couple of waterfalls and a large cave. There is also 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 in three important cenotes of 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 on your own.

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

You will be able to explore and do the activities that you have previously selected: diving, snorkelling, zip-lining, abseiling.

Option 1: Yal Ku natural aquarium buggy tour & excursion

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

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

• Dive into the water and have one of the best snorkelling and diving experiences, discovering many tropical fish, turtles, etc. Of course, beforehand you will receive some basic instructions from the guide about the use of the equipment used in the dive.
• Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the dive, amidst crystal clear waters and beautiful mangrove swamps with lush vegetation.
• You will stroll through a forest, where you will see untouched nature, some birds and wildlife.
• You will walk along the beach, which complements this natural cenote and you will be amazed with the panorama offered.

Option 2: Rio Secreto buggy tour and excursion

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

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

The tour starts when you get on the buggy in Playa del Carmen and head to Rio Secreto (approximately 20 minutes). There, your guide will take you on a tour of the outer part of the site, consisting of long trails, lush trees, wildlife, some natural pools and a tranquil atmosphere.

Then the aquatic adventure begins in the underground cave, nicknamed the crystal museum because of 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 abseil, snorkel, and put on your snorkelling gear. Afterwards, you will leave the cave and, before boarding the buggy to return to Playa del Carmen, you will have lunch at the reserve's restaurant.

Option 3: excursion and buggy tour to Xel-Ha from Playa del Carmen

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

Next, your guide will take you on a walk along the trails that lead to a beautiful river while you watch some birds, and then you will ride on a floating tyre on a beautiful lagoon surrounded by an imposing mangrove swamp.

Afterwards, you'll be briefed on how to snorkel and get up close and personal with a variety of tropical fish and sea turtles.

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

Alternatively, you can opt for a trip to the ruins of Tulum or, if you prefer, you can take a one-hour ferry 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 tastes.
• Disadvantages of this option: generally, this type of activity does not include the entrance to the natural monuments, so you will have to pay for them separately.

Buggy excursions and tours in Playa del Carmen and its surroundings are a unique experience, which will not only provide you with an all-terrain adventure along the long trails of the Riviera Maya, but you will also be able to go deep into the jungle and explore amazing cenotes with millenary geological formations.

In addition, you can do aquatic activities (snorkelling, diving), rappel in the cenotes or jump on a zip line, to get a privileged aerial panoramic view.

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

Excursions and buggy tours in Playa del Carmen usually last from 3 to 6 hours. However, this does not mean that you will be driving for that period of time. In reality, you will be in front of the wheel for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the agreed route, which can be in 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 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 enjoy the speed of the buggy and the beauty of the scenery.

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

• Have your updated driving license ready, as you will have to show it to the guide to be able to sit in front of the steering wheel. However, if you don't plan to drive and just want to experience the buggy from the passenger seat, you don't need to worry about presenting this document.
• If you hire a six-seater buggy, you should be aware that only a maximum of four people can get in. Also, if you take the tour or excursion with children, they must ride in the back of the buggy.
• This type of excursion is not usually done alone, i.e. you must have a travel partner (friend, family).
• Bring a scarf and glasses to protect your face from the dust that usually rises on the trail.
• Dress comfortably and preferably in short clothes that allow you to move easily. Also, take swimming clothes, so that you can submerge yourself in the water of the cenotes.
• Take care of your skin by applying a product with a high sun protection factor against UVB and UVA rays. Also, take a bottle of water with you, so that you can constantly hydrate yourself. Remember that temperatures in Playa del Carmen usually reach 34ºC during the summer.