Today Playa del Carmen is the best family friendly destination in Mexico, a huge city with huge tourist resorts that turn over billions of dollars a year, but a couple of years ago Playa del Carmen was nothing more than a tiny fishing village. Its shipping port to Cozumel, the island with the world’s second-largest coral reef, has contributed greatly to its development. Now, the city is the hub of the Riviera Maya. Full guide to traveling to Playa del Carmen Beach in Mexico and a few travel tips. Take a look at this article to find out more about playa del carmen beach.
The lively historical center offers small hotels and bungalows that attract European tourists. Nearby, the narrow public beach in Cancun and Mexico aligns its terraces and picnic areas with views of the transparent waters. It is very normal to find yourself on the white sand at 2:00 a.m. when the bars close. One kilometer to the south are the hotel clubs. They are located in the hotel zone of Playa del Carmen called Playacar. They all look alike: building, lawn, swimming pool, palapa (restaurant), more or less noisy leisure, and more or less successful evenings. But the first line of sea between the Caribbean Sea and the Playacar golf course cannot be denied.
You will be 15 minutes by boat from the island of Cozumel, which has the most important coral reef in the northern hemisphere. For diving, many hotels offer a free baptism in the pool.
If you like to swim in the underground rivers and crystal clear lagoons surrounded by tropical birds and colorful butterflies, don’t miss the Xcaret: an eco-archaeological park five minutes away. To book: most hotels entrust the management of tours in the region to concessionary travel agencies. They all have an information and sales office inside the establishments.
You will be 15 minutes away by boat from the island of Cozumel, which has the most important coral reef in the northern hemisphere. For diving, many hotels offer a free baptism in the pool and subcontract PADI certification courses. Another must landmark in Mexico you must visit: the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, located west of Playa del Carmen, in the center of the Yucatan, at 1h45 by car, which is why we recommend renting a car in Cancun. It is one of the main cities of the “new empire” founded in 987. Don’t hesitate to climb the 91 steps of the main pyramid to enjoy the view of the surrounding jungle. Return in the evening.
Another place: Tulum, where the facade of one of the main buildings of the 12th and 13th centuries dominates a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Complement this visit with a swim in the Xel-Ha lagoon: an authentic natural swimming pool, crowded however, where the cold waters of the springs mix with the warm currents of the sea. In total, a day and 40 minutes of road should be foreseen. If you like to swim in the underground rivers and crystal-clear lagoons surrounded by tropical birds and brightly colored butterflies, don’t miss the Xcaret: an eco-archaeological park five minutes away.
To book: most hotels entrust the management of tours in the region to concessionary travel agencies. They all have a training and sales office inside the establishments.
Playa del Carmen: what to do?
You can swim in the famous “cenotes”, galleries of freshwater activities dug into the ground of the peninsula. Companies specialized in ecological tourism offer day trips accompanied by more or less impressive zip line descents through the jungle.
Tulum, where the facade of one of the main buildings of the 12th and 13th centuries dominates a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Complement this visit with a swim in the Xel-Ha lagoon: an authentic natural swimming pool, crowded, however, where the cold waters of the springs mix with the warm currents of the sea. In total, a day and 40 minutes of the road must be foreseen.
Reminder
It is preferable to carry small currency in Mexican pesos and US dollars in small bills. Small shops, taxis and street vendors rarely have change for large bills. There are bills of 20, 50 and 100 MXN.
To avoid
Some excursions propose a “reunion with the Mayan people”. While it is true that you will be able to see the descendants of this pre-Columbian civilization, the term “reencounter” is often a hackneyed expression? Because of lack of time, there is no place to engage in conversation. Sometimes, meals are not shared with the inhabitants. Find out before you leave.
Playa del Carmen: what to eat
Rich and particular, the cuisine of the Yucatan Peninsula is composed mainly of corn-based dishes (tortillas), very varied meats, seasoned with more or less hot chili (not very hot in hotels) or coriander. Here the crustaceans are excellent. Grouper is a fish that can often be found at a good price in restaurants.
Playa del Carmen: What to buy?
Yucatan hammocks are finely woven with nylon or cotton, which makes them comfortable. They can be found in different lengths, between 15 and 25 USD. Avoid the rest of the materials, they are rough for the skin. Blouses, shawls (“brimming”), masks and leather sandals are easily found in the markets. Silver is worked with varied styles and motifs.
