Playa Punta Esmeralda
Playa Punta Esmeralda
4
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4.0
510 reviews
Excellent
250
Very good
146
Average
78
Poor
16
Terrible
20
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Maggie
5 contributions
Jan 2020
You can escape the crowds and enjoy a leisurely walk to the beach, followed by a dip in the turquoise waters.
Keep walking along Quinta Avenida , crossing over CTM street,keeping the sea on your right. This route is perfect for strolling, jogging or biking as it's closed to traffic. You have greenery aĺl the way and a pleasant path. Keep going until you reach the Paradisus resort. A few meters on take the dirt track leading to the beach. The water is shallow and there's a lifeguard on duty. There's a family atmosphere. You can pay a few pesos to use the showers and toilet facilities.
Keep walking along Quinta Avenida , crossing over CTM street,keeping the sea on your right. This route is perfect for strolling, jogging or biking as it's closed to traffic. You have greenery aĺl the way and a pleasant path. Keep going until you reach the Paradisus resort. A few meters on take the dirt track leading to the beach. The water is shallow and there's a lifeguard on duty. There's a family atmosphere. You can pay a few pesos to use the showers and toilet facilities.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
currymonster37
United Kingdom388 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
The wretched sargassum is everywhere along this coast which is a travesty. However PDC are trying to tackle it. There are nets out far and tractors up and down the stretch of public beach. It is possible to get into the water and wade out until it’s lovely and clear. (Unlike Tulum where the mounds of it of the public beach make it impossible to get near the water!) We were pleasantly surprised as it wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be. The beach itself is well equipped with a nice wooden walk away from the car park, toilet and showers (pay for) and free Palapas. One of the best public beaches we have seen abroad and the staff take care of it.
Written 18 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,641 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We were looking for a nice beach area that wasn't too crowded and we found it with Playa Esmerelda. It is around a 30min walk from the main part of Playa Del Carmen. There were mainly locals swimming here and there was plenty of room to relax. There isn't much shade, so having a beach umbrella would be a good idea. Not quite 5 stars as we also ventured the following day south of the Cozumel departure pier and found more beaches that were arguably more pretty with plenty of space.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,450 contributions
Dec 2020
Playa Punta Esmeralda is a hidden gem away from crowded PDC known only by locals, who told me to come here.
Get away the crowded PDC central part by walking along the beach north, some 30 min. After big names holiday resorts north from the pier, you'll reach this calm and almost empty beach (important during this Covid era). Sea here is calmer and fresh cenote water mixes with the sea.
Get away the crowded PDC central part by walking along the beach north, some 30 min. After big names holiday resorts north from the pier, you'll reach this calm and almost empty beach (important during this Covid era). Sea here is calmer and fresh cenote water mixes with the sea.
Written 22 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bmolenaar
New York City, NY8 contributions
Oct 2021
Unique beach with both the ocean washing up on the shore, and fresh water pools flowing up from underground springs. Major area for families to gather and play together. Further north is a more rustic, untouched beach with palm trees and shrubs to shade from the sun. A very interesting experience. It is about a 45-60 minute walk from Centro Playa del Carmen, along 5th Avenue. A large sign welcomes you to the beach. It's an additional 5 minute walk from the street to the beach, dodging cars and scooters along an unpaved road, but worth the time
Written 26 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nonyx
Cancun, Mexico95 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
A beautiful place to spend an afternoon with the family. The best place to enjoy the turquoise blue characteristic of the Mexican Caribbean.
Very close to this beach is a cenote that you can also enjoy and the little ones will like it since it is very shallow (although that will not mean they will stop watching out for the imps) a place to enjoy with the family, in the company of that special person or if you venture alone, no one will tell you anything. The thing is to enjoy life in this beautiful place.
That is if you arrive early (if you have a vehicle) because the parking lot, despite being large, fills up completely and it is prohibited to park anywhere around this place. So you will have to leave your car quite far from the place.
Very close to this beach is a cenote that you can also enjoy and the little ones will like it since it is very shallow (although that will not mean they will stop watching out for the imps) a place to enjoy with the family, in the company of that special person or if you venture alone, no one will tell you anything. The thing is to enjoy life in this beautiful place.
That is if you arrive early (if you have a vehicle) because the parking lot, despite being large, fills up completely and it is prohibited to park anywhere around this place. So you will have to leave your car quite far from the place.
Written 4 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz Navarro
16 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The beach is full even during the week (Monday, specifically) People have music playing very loudly, even though there are signs not to do so. The water (color) of the cenote is not as shown in internet photos. I only give it 2 stars because the sea water in some parts looks almost crystal clear and the height of the water is very low.
Written 5 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chyechka
Toronto, Canada128 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Based on pics and other reviews, thought this would be a unique experience. We’re not scared of locals, and many people complained about that, so we grabbed a cab, and headed there to spend the day. My first tip should have been when I asked the driver about the beach and he said, “mas o meno”, the Spanish equivalent of “meh”.We only brought water, many reviews talked about a snack bar, so we figured we’d nibble there. The “freshwater” part. Ewwww. I wouldn’t even put my foot in there. The beach? Sargassum. Expected a little, but there was LOADS, and it smelled. Fine. Nature. But there was trash everywhere! We parked ourselves in a shady spot, behind us, littered with glass bottles, wrappers, plastic, beer caps, i could go on. Snack bar? Doesn’t exist. Nowhere to even buy water.
Showers were clean. Had to pay to use them. No taxis to be heard of. Had to walk down a long, dusty road to a taxi stand where the drivers were lounging on hammocks. They seemed utterly annoyed to drive us. Biggest waste of 30 bucks and half a day. Would not recommend
Showers were clean. Had to pay to use them. No taxis to be heard of. Had to walk down a long, dusty road to a taxi stand where the drivers were lounging on hammocks. They seemed utterly annoyed to drive us. Biggest waste of 30 bucks and half a day. Would not recommend
Written 23 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave R
Mentor, OH5 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
First time here and even the taxi driver asked how did you hear about this place? Beautiful beach with a tropical setting. One open bar if you want drinks and don’t mind the floor of beach sand. From my perspective people who live in Playa del Carmen know this beach but most tourists like me don’t. Found it from good reviews. Would definitely go back.
Written 20 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
heatherkirbee
71 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
The beach was beautiful and much less crowded that those closer to Playa central. It also has bathrooms and change rooms which is convenient. Unfortunately there was a really nasty smell coming from the seaweed that had been cleaned off the beach and put in a large pile. It took away from the overall experience. The next day we walked further up the beach, back toward Playa to where there was no smell, and no crowds. It was perfect for us!
Written 8 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the fishing like her? Can you fish from beaches, docks, and or rock structures? If so what bait and what can you catch?
Written 18 March 2024
9am a 5 pm para accesar, pero salir puedes quedarte hasta que se vaya el sol
Written 9 January 2021
no you do not need to bring your own towel. The hotel has multiple towel stations where you can get fresh towels throughout the day.
Written 20 July 2019
Hola, voy en unos dias? la recomendas para ir con chicos? un turista dijo en un comentario que roban, es asi?
Written 16 April 2019
Yo fui con niños y mis papas y suegros que son mayores, vi seguridad a la entrada y en la playa también, nunca me senti inseguro. Esa fue mi experiencia
Written 9 January 2021
Hola! El año próximo viajamos a Playa del Carmen. Queria ir a punta esmeralda. Podrian indicarme si hay vans o buses que te lleven?
Gracias
Written 10 November 2018
Ojo! Tiene bastantes algas aún. Además tiene un solo sector con servicios de comida. Te cobran 500 pesos por el alquiler de dos reposeras con sombrilla (700 por camastro) pero te los van descontando por lo que consumís.
Written 22 January 2019
There are some street venders selling some beach snacks.
Written 18 May 2018
Playa Punta Esmeralda coming from Cancun, is it after PDC or before. Can you send a location map.
Is there food and drinks available at the beach.
Written 23 April 2018
Is there parking at this beach?
Written 7 March 2018
Yes there is along the road. Love this spot
Written 9 March 2018
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