Playa Chica Puerto del Carmen
A charming, family-friendly sandy beach in Puerto del Carmen, perfect for snorkeling and diving with clear waters and convenient amenities.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Playa Chica Puerto del Carmen
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming, family-friendly sandy beach in Puerto del Carmen, perfect for snorkeling and diving with clear waters and convenient amenities.
"Lovely little free public sandy beach, great location, easily approchable."
🚗 Parking Patience
Street parking fills up fast! Arrive early or be prepared for a bit of a search.
🤿 Dive into Adventure
Try a 'try dive' for around 70 euros; it's a popular activity here.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Crystal Clear Waters
The main beach area
Enjoy pristine, transparent waters perfect for swimming and observing marine life.
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Snorkeling & Diving Hotspot
Near the rocky areas
Explore vibrant underwater worlds with abundant fish and interesting rock formations.
Sunrise Serenity
Eastern side of the beach
Witness breathtaking sunrises over the ocean, offering a peaceful start to your day.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Calm: Best Times to Visit Playa Chica
Dive In: Activities and Amenities
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Patience
Street parking fills up fast! Arrive early or be prepared for a bit of a search.
🤿 Dive into Adventure
Try a 'try dive' for around 70 euros; it's a popular activity here.
☀️ Sunbed Strategy
Paid sunbeds are limited and cost around 5 euros. Bring your own towel if you prefer.
🚭 Smoke-Free Zone
Playa Chica is a designated smoke-free area for environmental and health reasons.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Patience
Street parking fills up fast! Arrive early or be prepared for a bit of a search.
🤿 Dive into Adventure
Try a 'try dive' for around 70 euros; it's a popular activity here.
☀️ Sunbed Strategy
Paid sunbeds are limited and cost around 5 euros. Bring your own towel if you prefer.
🚭 Smoke-Free Zone
Playa Chica is a designated smoke-free area for environmental and health reasons.
🐠 Snorkel Ready
The rocky areas are fantastic for snorkeling, with plenty of fish to see close to shore.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Playa Chica is a beloved free public sandy beach in Puerto del Carmen, praised for its clear waters, excellent snorkeling, and family-friendly atmosphere. While parking and sunbed availability can be challenging, its accessibility and vibrant underwater life make it a popular choice for divers and beachgoers alike. It's noted as a smoke-free zone, contributing to a cleaner environment.
"Lovely little free public sandy beach, great location, easily approchable.
Great for snorkeling, as well as there are rocks in the water.
It also has a free public toilet nearby and showers.
There is parking nearby as well, but it does tend to fill up quite quickly. The area is popular for divers as well."
CJ
"1. Very small
2. Unpleasant sand
3. The best in terms of fish close to the shore
4. 4 high showers and 4 small taps for feet
5. 3 toilets open until 19:00
6. Super wall for jumping into the water from 2 meters
7. 1 bar
8. No shops
9. 1 diving rental
10. No parking. Only on the street in the area but everything is taken all the time. You can spend 1 hour driving around, maybe you will find a parking space
11. No paid sunbeds for renting
12. Usually clean and transparent water
13. 5 benches for sitting in front of the beach
14. A shelter for the disabled, with 2 sitting places
15. Almost all diving schools begin lessons on this beach
16. No supervised. No lifeguard."
Michał Molka
"Nice free public sandy beach, great location, easily approchable.
Great for snorkeling, as well as there are rocks in the water.
It also has a free public toilet nearby and showers.
For a price of 5 euros, you can buy a sunbed under a parasol."
Maxim Treep
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Playa Chica is conveniently located in Puerto del Carmen. While street parking is available, it tends to fill up quickly, so arriving early or considering a taxi might be best.
Yes, Playa Chica is described as easily approachable and is a free public sandy beach.
From Cancun airport, you can take an ADO bus to Playa del Carmen, which is a cost-effective option.
Playa Chica is centrally located, making it accessible for walks from many areas within Puerto del Carmen, especially from the main promenade.
While Playa Chica is well-known, some seek out 'hidden' beaches near Playa del Carmen for a less crowded experience. +1
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Playa Chica is a free public beach, meaning there is no admission fee to enter.
No booking is required to visit Playa Chica as it is a public beach. However, if you plan on diving, booking a 'try dive' is recommended.
As a public beach, Playa Chica is generally accessible throughout the day. The public toilets are open until 7 PM.
Yes, Playa Chica is a designated smoke-free zone, aligning with global trends for environmental and human health.
While there are some paid sunbeds and parasols available for around 5 euros, they are limited. It's advisable to arrive early or bring your own.
🎫 🏊 Onsite Experience
Playa Chica is ideal for swimming, snorkeling due to its clear waters and rocky areas, and is a popular spot for diving schools to conduct lessons and 'try dives'. +1
Yes, it's described as a family-friendly beach with calm waters, though supervision is advised as there is no lifeguard.
Yes, there are free public toilets (open until 7 PM) and high showers available at Playa Chica.
The beach is sandy, though some reviews mention it can be 'unpleasant sand'. However, it's generally considered a lovely free public sandy beach.
It can get busy, especially during peak times. Weekday mornings and off-season visits offer a less crowded experience.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There is one bar directly at the beach, but reviews indicate there are no shops immediately adjacent to Playa Chica.
For good food and atmosphere in Playa del Carmen, consider restaurants like 'Los Sanchez' which is located on a beautiful street near the beach.
Tacos are a popular and delicious option in Playa del Carmen, often found in local restaurants.
There are no specific restrictions mentioned about bringing your own food and drinks, making it a good option for a picnic.
While there isn't a shop directly at the beach, you might find options along the main promenade of Puerto del Carmen.
📸 📸 Photography
Early mornings for sunrise and late afternoons for golden hour offer the most beautiful light for photography.
The clear waters and abundant marine life make it an excellent spot for underwater photography, especially for divers and snorkelers. 
The rocky formations, marine life, and the sunrise provide unique photographic subjects. The 2-meter wall for jumping also offers dynamic shots.
Divers and underwater photographers often use equipment like Olympus OM-D E-M10 with Lumix 8mm fisheye lenses and Nauticam housings.
Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local rules before flying a drone over the beach.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🐠 Dive Enthusiasts & Snorkelers
🚶♀️ Budget Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Diving and Snorkeling Paradise
For those interested in a 'try dive,' the cost is approximately 70 euros per person, offering a fantastic opportunity to explore the underwater world safely with certified instructors. Beyond diving, the snorkeling here is exceptional, with reviewers noting it as 'the best in terms of fish close to the shore.' The underwater visibility is generally excellent, allowing for clear views of the vibrant sea life.
Night dives are also a unique experience offered here, revealing a different side of the marine ecosystem. The nocturnal creatures and the altered ambiance of the ocean after dark provide a thrilling adventure for experienced divers.
Navigating Puerto del Carmen: Transportation Tips
For those arriving from further afield, like Cancun airport, the ADO bus service is a popular and economical choice for reaching Playa del Carmen.
It's worth noting that Playa Chica is a smoke-free zone, a policy implemented to protect the environment and human health. This is an important consideration for visitors who may wish to smoke.
The Playa Chica Experience: Amenities and Atmosphere
For comfort, paid sunbeds and parasols can be rented for a small fee (around 5 euros), but availability is limited, so it's wise to arrive early or bring your own beach gear. A single bar is present on the beach for refreshments. However, there are no shops directly at Playa Chica, so any necessities should be purchased beforehand.
The beach is also known for a 2-meter wall that offers a fun spot for jumping into the water, adding a touch of adventure. Despite its small size, it's a popular spot, especially for diving schools. While generally clean and transparent, some reviews mention the sand quality, but the overall experience is positive for those seeking a quiet, accessible beach with good snorkeling opportunities.
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