Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular tourist destinations for foreigners and locals where nightlife and water activities are the attractions that reign in tourists. It is located just 1 hour from Cancun and just 30 minutes by boat from the island of Cozumel. This place has an impressive variety of attractions of all types and for all preferences. From nightclubs to options for diving and snorkelling, you can find everything here. You can also access one of the most significant and popular aquatic amusement parks in Mexico, Xcaret. Located only 10 minutes away by car, you can find thousands of activities to do here, among which you can dive into its private beach.

Playa del Carmen is considered one of the perfect destinations for professional and amateur divers. This place has a variety of reefs and corals and has many areas where the marine current is minimal. This makes it an ideal place for beginners and advanced divers to obtain a certification.

Here you will find a great variety of aquatic expeditions where you can even dive among marine caverns, reefs, open sea and even cenotes. So if your plan is to start diving, then Playa del Carmen is the perfect place to learn.

Where to dive in Playa del Carmen?

• Diving in the reefs of Playa del Carmen: As its name says, you will be diving in an area where there is one of the most beautiful reef belts of Playa del Carmen. What makes diving here ideal is that it has a considerably shallow depth and has minimal currents. So if you have no previous experience of diving, Playa del Carmen is a great start.

It is a must-do experience for tourists, and you will receive sufficient training and advice from professional divers. As we mentioned before, you don't need to have previous experience as this activity is quite easy but above all, beautiful. It is not every day that you get to swim through a reef in the Caribbean Sea.

As it is a protected site, you will be able to observe a variety of marine species such as fish, small octopuses and if you are lucky, you may even spot some sea turtles. Some expeditions even include a hydrating drink or just a snack. As you dive into the open sea, it is the perfect place that will make you fall in love.

• PADI certification courses: This is where diving becomes a little more technical and where you will have to put a lot of effort and desire to learn. Playa del Carmen is where one of the most popular PADI diving centres is located and is the perfect place to get your diving certificate. If you are not so familiar with this, we will tell you. Different levels of certificates are provided for diving into different depths and here, you will be able to take the initiation certificate that goes from 10 to 14 meters deep approximately. In these sessions, you will have didactic material that will be provided to you before your physical practice where you will have to learn the techniques, the functionality of the equipment and the most important thing, to learn to go out to the surface in the correct way.

As you dive into the Caribbean Sea, these certificates are more valuable. You will get to dive in exceptional places like in the reef belt, in an underground cavern if you are looking for more technicality, and even in the open sea in the Riviera Maya. Undoubtedly it is an experience that no one can dislike. In addition, there are also other types of courses or certificates such as the PADI Open Water diving course, considered the course par excellence for all divers. The advantage of this certificate is that it gives you the right and freedom to dive anywhere in the world in any PADI centre, as it gives you the necessary validity to prepare yourself on your own and rent the equipment without the need to be with an assigned guide, although of course, there are also different certificates for different depths.

• Diving in the Cenotes of Playa del Carmen: It is well-known that Quintana Roo and the central zone of this state have several Cenotes, most of which you can swim and snorkel in, but others have a network of underground caverns that are perfect for diving. Can you imagine what you can find there? It will be better for you to experience it in the flesh by visiting the Cenote Dos Ojos, one of the longest Cenotes in the Mexican Republic. It is located only 48 kilometres from Playa del Carmen and is definitely worth a visit.

It is worth mentioning that in this type of underwater expedition, you must do it in the company of a professional diver. As it is a place full of rocks and stalactites, it is necessary to have someone guide you. You can enjoy diving here as it is a controlled environment and does not have sea currents because it is a cave, and you can go through the whole area if you desire. For diving in the cenotes, you must have basic knowledge or at least the Open Water Certification, better known as level 1. This is because you will have to pass through places that are a little narrow or require some technicality.

But it is undoubtedly a huge advantage if you dive in this incredible city.

If you are looking for fun, expanding your skills and enjoying while you do so, then visit Playa del Carmen! It is a city that needs no introduction because it is known all over the world and where the most iconic music festivals of the genre are held, such as Corona Sunsets. It is the perfect place to come and explore some archaeological ruins and above all, come and cool off on an aquatic expedition diving in the Caribbean Sea. This experience is something that no one can take away from you, and you can proudly say that you went swimming in the Caribbean.

It's time to explore and dive into Playa del Carmen!