Playa Del Carmen Beach Day Worth It?

[MisterBubbles]

On the Western itinerary that ports in Cozumel is it possible to just hop on the ferry and get off at Playa del Carmen for a beach day on your own? Is being part of a DCL excursion necessary? What part of the beach is the best to visit for the day?

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Honestly, I wouldn't take the ferry to PDC. The water on Cozumel is much calmer. Cozumel has many nice beaches that wouldn't require the time and ferry. Check into Paradise Beach, Nachi Cocum, Mr Sanchos and the most beautiful Punta Sur.

 

[jrabbit]

The DCL excursions take the ferry from the same dock where the ship is to the mainland. I am pretty sure that there are NO independent travelers on that ferry since it is a "charter" by DCL / excursion operators

 

[MisterBubbles]

The DCL excursions take the ferry from the same dock where the ship is to the mainland. I am pretty sure that there are NO independent travelers on that ferry since it is a "charter" by DCL / excursion operators

Wow! So no way to get across without being part of a group? Interesting. I couldn't find any excursions on the DCL website that visit PDC. Wonder if they have removed them?

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Wow! So no way to get across without being part of a group? Interesting. I couldn't find any excursions on the DCL website that visit PDC. Wonder if they have removed them?

There are three different ferry companies that serve Cozumel-PDC.

 

[jrabbit]

@MisterBubbles Like @jiminyC_fan says - there ARE ferries that cross between Coz and PDC. I just don't know where they depart from (close by, far afield, other)

I don't know if DCL has ever had any excursions that just took you over to PDC or drop you off at a beach / resort there. They still have Amazing Secret River, Tulum Ruins, Xcaret, XPLOR, Xel-Ha and maybe other excursions that are close by PDC (with Tulum being a LONG ways away)

 

[jiminyC_fan]

The ferries are walkable from the DCL port at Cozumel. It is north of the port. It drops you off pretty much right on 5th Ave in PDC.

 

[Travel60]

Check your arrival/departure times against the ferries schedules. We have friends who live a few minutes outside of Playa. On our last Western, they wanted us to come see their new house. After checking arrival/departure time we realized it was a pretty short day (all aboard around 4, I think) and we would barely have time to make it there and back (I wouldn't want to trust that the last possible ferry would (1) run, (2) be on time, (3) give me time to walk back to the ship. So, they came over to Cozumel instead for lunch. Still hope to see their house someday.

 

[MisterBubbles]

Check your arrival/departure times against the ferries schedules. We have friends who live a few minutes outside of Playa. On our last Western, they wanted us to come see their new house. After checking arrival/departure time we realized it was a pretty short day (all aboard around 4, I think) and we would barely have time to make it there and back (I wouldn't want to trust that the last possible ferry would (1) run, (2) be on time, (3) give me time to walk back to the ship. So, they came over to Cozumel instead for lunch. Still hope to see their house someday.

Thanks! Good to know about the schedule.

 

[MisterBubbles]

Honestly, I wouldn't take the ferry to PDC. The water on Cozumel is much calmer. Cozumel has many nice beaches that wouldn't require the time and ferry. Check into Paradise Beach, Nachi Cocum, Mr Sanchos and the most beautiful Punta Sur.

Thank you. I will check these out.