When traveling as a family, we look for more than just a beautiful beach. We want comfort, great food, activities for every age, and experiences that become lasting memories. If you are wondering what to do in Playa del Carmen with your family, you will find it all here: the Caribbean Sea, Mayan culture, cenotes, natural parks, and the ease of an all-inclusive resort.
A Viva Resorts by Wyndham, we love welcoming families who want to relax, explore, and spend meaningful time together. That is why Viva Maya by Wyndham e Viva Azteca by Wyndham are the perfect home base for discovering the best of the Riviera Maya with comfort and peace of mind.
Both resorts are located beachfront in Playacar, one of the most convenient and secure areas of Playa del Carmen. From here, it is easy to visit Fifth Avenue, enjoy parks such as Xcaret or Xplor, explore nearby cenotes, and plan excursions to Tulum, Cobá, or Chichén Itzá.
Start at the Resort: Family Fun at Viva Maya by Wyndham
Before heading out to explore Playa del Carmen, it is worth enjoying everything the resort has to offer. At Viva Maya by Wyndham, no two days are ever the same.
Our all-inclusive stay allows families to travel with fewer worries. Guests can enjoy dining options for every taste, including buffet service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, themed nights, and à la carte restaurants featuring Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean, and international flavors. We also have Café Maya, a special coffee shop inside the resort, perfect for starting the morning slowly or taking a relaxing break between activities.
For younger guests, Vivito’s Club offers activities designed for kids to have fun, socialize, and enjoy their own vacation experience. Little ones can take part in games, face painting, sandcastle building, beach soccer, pool activities, piñatas, mini discos, and children’s shows. Meanwhile, adults can unwind at the adults-only pool, join a yoga class, visit Spa Necui, or participate in sports and entertainment activities led by our animation team.
One of Viva Maya’s most unique features is the trapeze. This one-of-a-kind experience in the Riviera Maya offers classes for both kids and adults. For many guests, it becomes one of
the most memorable moments of the trip: trying something new, laughing together, and celebrating every attempt.
The resort also features three pools: a main pool, a children’s pool, and an adults-only pool. On the beach, the adventure continues with snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, diving, beach volleyball, and other non-motorized water sports.
And when night falls, the energy keeps going with shows, music, family entertainment, and our Viva Vibe parties, where the fun continues under the sun or the moon.
Viva Azteca by Wyndham: An Intimate Resort with Access to Two Experiences
Viva Azteca by Wyndham is ideal for couples or families looking for a more intimate, welcoming resort that is easy to navigate. Because it is smaller in size, guests appreciate the personalized service and the feeling of having everything close by.
The hotel is located beachfront in Playacar and offers rooms with garden, pool, and ocean views. For those celebrating a special occasion, the Superior Ocean Front Honeymooners rooms provide a more exclusive experience by the Caribbean Sea.
One of the greatest advantages of staying at Viva Azteca is the “Stay at 1, Play at 2” benefit with Viva Maya. This means guests can enjoy two resorts in one stay. It is a very practical option for guests who want more restaurants, more activities, and more spaces to choose from during their vacation.
The dining experience is another highlight. By combining the options available at both resorts, guests can enjoy a wide variety of restaurants. At Viva Azteca, the main buffet serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with themed nights at the à la carte restaurants offering Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.
For snacks, drinks, and relaxed moments, Bar Cenote is available 24 hours a day with cocktails, coffee, juices, local and international beverages, and non-alcoholic options.
Guests can also enjoy complimentary bicycles within the Playacar complex, a game room with billiards, foosball, arcade games, and sports screens, children’s pools, jacuzzi, non-motorized water sports, and sports tournaments.
At night, the resort comes to life with live musicians, shows, karaoke, game nights, dancing, and the iconic Viva Vibe parties, featuring DJs, white parties, silent parties, and moments designed for all ages.
Playa del Carmen and Fifth Avenue: An Easy Walk
For those looking for things to do in Playa del Carmen beyond the beach, Fifth Avenue offers an easy and enjoyable way to experience the local atmosphere, take a walk, and enjoy activities for all ages.
Here, families can stroll, shop for souvenirs, enjoy ice cream, take photos, listen to live music, and feel the Caribbean spirit of the city.
Playa del Carmen is also the departure point for the ferry to Cozumel, an island famous for its crystal-clear waters and world-class diving. If your family enjoys snorkeling or wants to plan a full-day excursion, Cozumel is an excellent option.
Xcaret, Xel-Há, and Xplor: Parks to Experience the Riviera Maya
One of the advantages of staying at Viva Maya o Viva Azteca is being close to some of the most famous parks in the Riviera Maya.
Xcaret Park is just a short drive away and is a great option for families who want to combine nature, Mexican culture, underground rivers, animals, shows, and gastronomy. It is a very complete park and ideal for spending the entire day.
Xel-Há is perfect for guests who want to swim, snorkel, and enjoy a natural setting with water activities. It is a great choice for kids who love the water and open-air spaces.
Xplor is ideal for those with an adventurous spirit. Here, visitors can experience zip lines, amphibious vehicles, underground rivers, and adrenaline-filled activities.
Each park has its own style, so we recommend choosing based on the kids’ ages, your family’s pace, and the type of experience you want to enjoy.
Cenotes Near Playa del Carmen: Nature That Amazes
Visiting a cenote is one of the most special experiences in the Riviera Maya. These freshwater sinkholes were important to Mayan culture and are now unique places to swim, admire nature, and connect with the environment.
From Playa del Carmen, guests can visit nearby cenotes such as Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote. Both are popular for their clear waters and natural beauty. They are excellent options for families looking for a different kind of excursion without traveling too far.
To make the most of the visit, we recommend bringing a swimsuit, towel, comfortable sandals, and biodegradable sunscreen. It is also important to follow each cenote’s rules, protect the water, and respect the natural environment.
Tulum: Mayan Ruins by the Sea
Tulum is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Mexico, and it is easy to see why. Its ruins sit on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, creating an unforgettable view.
For families, Tulum is a very special visit because it combines history, culture, and scenery. You can walk among ancient Mayan buildings, learn about the importance of this walled city, and enjoy spectacular views of the sea.
From Playa del Carmen, the drive takes about one hour, making it possible to visit Tulum on a half-day excursion or combine it with a nearby cenote.
Cobá and Chichén Itzá: Mayan History to Remember
For guests who want to dive deeper into Mayan history, Cobá and Chichén Itzá are two excellent options.
Cobá is located in the middle of the jungle and offers a more natural and peaceful experience. Its tree-lined paths help visitors imagine what life may have been like in this ancient city. It is ideal for families who enjoy walking, exploring, and being close to nature.
Chichén Itzá, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, requires a longer excursion, but it is well worth the trip. The Kukulkán Pyramid, temples, and ceremonial spaces reveal the grandeur of the Mayan civilization. For families with older children or teenagers, it can be an educational and truly memorable experience.
Mexican Culture Inside and Outside the Resort
Culture can also be experienced without leaving the hotel. At Villaggi Viva, we enjoy sharing music, dance, gastronomy, cultural shows, and themed nights that bring guests closer to Mexico in a joyful, family-friendly way.
We also recommend trying local flavors, visiting artisan markets, and speaking with our team for nearby recommendations. Sometimes, the best memories come from simple moments: a song, a new dish, a walk on the beach, or an afternoon of family games.
An Easy, Complete Family Vacation Full of Memorable Moments
Playa del Carmen has everything families need for an unforgettable vacation: beaches, cenotes, culture, parks, archaeological sites, shopping, and adventure. But the experience is even better when you have a comfortable resort to return to at the end of the day.
A Viva Maya by Wyndham e Viva Azteca by Wyndham, we help guests find their own rhythm. Some prefer spending the day at the beach. Others want to explore cenotes, visit Tulum, or walk along Fifth Avenue. Many choose to enjoy a little bit of everything.
What matters most is that each day here can be as active or as relaxed as you want it to be. We take care of the flavors, entertainment, children’s activities, adult spaces, and the warm atmosphere that makes a vacation feel like true rest.
Playa del Carmen invites families to discover, play, learn, and enjoy time together. And at Viva Resorts by Wyndham, we are delighted to be the starting point for experiencing it all as a family.
