PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO: FACTS FOR THE TRAVELER

HOW TO GET THERE

The best way to get to Playa del Carmen is to fly to Cancun. ADO is a first class bus line that offers non-stop transportation from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen (approx.1 hour). The cost of one way ticket is 85 Mexican Pesos or about US$7.

WHERE TO STAY

If you want to be in the middle of everything, it is recommended to stay in one of the several boutique hotels located on the Quinta Avenida, the heart of the town. Newer constructions are blooming every week and accommodation to suit all budgets is sprung out around the town. The urban hip boutique hotel “Mosquito Blue” (www.mosquitoblue.com. Tel. USA 1.866.547.8756), the cool “Cielo Hotel and Lounge” (www.hotelcielo.com. Tel. USA 718.710.4773) and the trendy “In Fashion” (www.infashionhotel.com.Tel. Mex.: +52 984 879 4740) stand out with their particular styles and outstanding service. If you prefer something away from the urban area, yet still in Playa del Carmen or close to it, “Playacar” and “Puerto Aventura” (www.puertoaventuras.com. Toll Free US: 1-800-811-9551) are residential and tourist developments with all-inclusive hotels, golf courses, restaurants, yacht charters and entertainment. Sandos Playacar Beach Resort, Royal Hideaway Playacar and Allegro Playacar are among the all-inclusive resorts in “Playacar.” 

WHERE TO EAT

There are so many options for dining and a whole guide could be dedicated just to that topic alone, but here are some few recommendations: the brunches at “La Cueva del Chango” (Address: Calle 38, between 5th Ave. and the beach. Tel. 984-1470271. www.lacuevadelchango.com) are legendary with its Mexican specialties, crepes and empanadas, served in a garden that looks like a jungle; located at the corner of 5th Avenue and Constituyentes, “Karma Bagels” will amaze you with its original and diverse bagel menu and salads, making it an ideal option for a light quick lunch; “Babe’s Noodles and Bar” is the best Thai food in town (Address: 5th Avenue between 28th and 30th street. Tel + 52 984 803 0056); “La Pesca” is a local’s favorite with some of the best seafood in Playa (Address: 30th Ave between 14th and 16th street); “Pizza Pazza” has delicious and affordable gourmet pizzas on 5th avenue; “HOT Baking Company” located in the “Calle Corazon” (Address: Heart Street and 5th avenue) has the best bread, cookies and buns in town and if you are craving for some good coffee, just stop by the busy “Cafe Sasta” (Address: On 5th Ave. between 8th and 10th  St.) or “Ah Cacao” (on 5th Ave & Constituyentes) take a seat and just watch the world pass by. For a chic dinner try “Los Danzantes” (Address: 12th street between 1st and the beach. www.losdanzantes.com), a Mexican restaurant with dishes of delicious and exotic tastes served in a trendy atmosphere.

WHERE TO PARTY

If you want to party the night away in one of the several cosmopolitan nightclubs located along the beach, Playa del Carmen will have something for everyone. You will find a wide range of clubs with salsa to electronic music known locally as “antros” (clubs). Some famous local clubs are “La Santanera” (Address: 10th street between 5th and 10th av. Tel. 984- 8032294. www.lasantanera.com) and “Bali Club”(Address: 12th street between 5th and 10th Av. Tel. 52 984 803 2864. www.baliclub.com.mx).  The legendary Coco Bongo has just opened in Playa del Carmen after its success in Cancun, offering an interesting concept of clubbing mixed with performances. Be prepared to see a fake Michael Jackson on stage, a flying Beetle Juice or an extraordinary show with acrobats! (Address: 12th street and 10th av. Tel. 52-984-8033232. www.cocobongo.com.mx) To know more of what’s happening in town, check the online local magazine www.la5ta.com.

MUST DO

  • Walk along and explore the “Quinta Avenida” (or 5th Avenue): This long pedestrian cobblestone avenue is the heart of Playa del Carmen. And just like the NYC’s 5th Avenue, this street proves that this Mexican town has a lot of style with exclusive clothing stores, cafes, upscale restaurants, hotels, clubs, jewelry shops, spas and much more.  Day, afternoon or night, this street is full of life and things to do.
  • Enjoy the sandy beaches… and the party! Playa del Carmen is famous for its fun and upscale beach clubs along the coast where people from all around the world get their bodies tanned by the Caribbean sun while drinking margaritas, chilling out on the sand or in the swimming pools, or dancing the latest world club songs played by a live DJ! Club Playa Mamitas is one of the hottest and most sophisticated beach clubs in town (Address: 28th Street. Between Zona Federal Marítima and 5th ave. www.mamitasbeachclub.com). For those people who prefer to avoid the crowds and the party, it is easy to find a quiet spot along the long beach front of Playa del Carmen to enjoy the sun and the ocean breeze
  • The paradise for outdoors and water sports lovers: For the active traveler, Playa del Carmen has all kinds of outdoors and water sport opportunities such as scuba diving (some of the best in the world!), snorkeling, jet-skiing, parasailing, rappelling, boating, kayaking, windsurfing and kite-surfing to mention a few. There are plenty travel agencies along “Quinta Avenida” that can arrange day trips for one or more of these activities.

 MUST SEE

  • Cozumel: An hour ferry ride takes you to this small island that is world famous for scuba diving. You can go on your own or with a tour company. To have more freedom, it is recommended to take the first ferry in the morning, rent a scooter for a day and drive around the island along the coast, checking the beach clubs on one side of Cozumel and stopping at the white-sand beaches on the other side.
  • Xcaret: A popular tourist destination located eight kilometers south of Playa del Carmen. This “eco-archaeological park” is a sort of a Mexican themed park that has Mayan ruins, caves and an aquarium.  You can go snorkeling and scuba diving in this site. www.xcaret.com.
  • Xel-Ha: Another eco-archaeological park a bit away from Playa del Carmen (29 miles). It also has caves, cenotes (sinkholes) and subterranean rivers. You can go snorkeling, scuba diving or Sea Treking. www.xel-ha.com.
  • Cenotes and underground rivers: There are hundreds of “cenotes” (sinkholes) in the State of Yucatan where you can swim, relax, rappel or go cave diving.  There are many touring companies in Playa del Carmen that can take you to visit these cave systems and underground rivers. “Rio Secreto” (www.riosecretotours.com) and “Kantun-Chi” (www.kantunchi.com) are highly recommended.
  • Akumal: Located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Akumal is a beach front community with white-sand beaches, snorkeling and diving spots where you can see sea turtles.
  • Tulum Ruins and its surroundings: Definitely a must see! You can take a day tour or drive from Playa del Carmen on a day trip. This extraordinary archaeological site of Mayan ruins is located on a cliff facing the blue crystal waters of the Caribbean. A short drive from this Pre-Columbian Maya walled city is Playa Paraiso (Paradise Beach), a beautiful hidden virgin beach with pristine calm turquoise waters.  If you prefer the village atmosphere, Mexican vibe and the seclusion, staying in the town of Tulum could be an option for those more used to the off beaten track rather that the touristy hubs. There are a few top end accommodations, but you can stay in one of the simple cabanas built in the traditional Mayan style on the beach. Take advantage that the international touristy chains haven’t yet invaded this town!
  • Coba: Located between two lagoons, Coba is an archeological site of the Mayan Civilization that contains ruins of temples and pyramids, some of them covered with jungle vegetation.  Several local tour operators offer day tours that include a visit to Coba, a cenote and the experience of a Maya ceremony.
  • Chichen Itza: It is the most impressive Maya ruins on the Yucatán peninsula. This ancient Mayan City is a large and important archeological site. It has become one of the most visited in Mexico. It covers an area of approximately six square miles and to visit, it is recommended to take a full day. It is about three hours drive from Playa del Carmen.