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S Keech: Our visit was the explore the Mayan culture and tradition and there is so much to do whilst staying in Playa del Carmen. We spent three days visiting the Mayan ruins at Chichten Izta, Coba and Tulum. My favourite being the latter, which is the only Mayan settlement to be ... See all Playa del Carmen holiday reviews | Write a review on Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen © Carolyn Coles
Overview
Playa del Carmen boasts one of the prettiest beaches on the coast and despite its growing tourism, it has a small-town, laid-back feel to it, attracting thousands of holidaymakers each year. The offshore reef offers some spectacular diving, and less than an hour away by boat is the island of Cozumel, with some of the best diving in Mexico. There are numerous dive centres offering reef and cave diving in the limestone caverns along the coast. The small commercial town centre is packed with souvenir shops, trendy bars and cafes, restaurants, designer clothes shops and hotels, and has a vibrant nightlife that caters for the smaller beach settlements nearby so holidaymakers can enjoy the best of both worlds. It can get very overcrowded with day-trippers from Cancun, as well as cruise ship passengers. South of town, the expanding Playacar development caters mainly for package tourists, its beach packed with sunbathers and deckchairs, and lined with hotel complexes; there is also an 18-hole golf course.

Shopping
Comfortable footwear is vital for holidaymakers intent on a shopping spree in Playa del Carmen, where everything you need in the dozens of enticing shops can be easily accessed on foot. The place to tog yourself out in designer-wear, from head to toe, is 5th Avenue, and to complement the look there are plenty of speciality stores to browse around for jewellery, Mayan-inspired arts and crafts, handbags and the like. Souvenirs range from tacky ashtrays to bright and beautiful sarongs, Mexican blankets and sombreros, and even genuine Cuban cigars from La Casa del Habano (US citizens may not purchase these). Playa del Carmen boasts a Wal-Mart on 30th Avenue, and several American style supermarkets like Chedraui on the corner of Juarez and Highway 307, and Super San Francisco on 30th Avenue. There are also numerous mini-marts selling essentials for holidaymakers, and plenty of pharmacies. The resort's main shopping malls are Plaza Pelicano on 10th Avenue and the Paseo del Carmen close to the ferry pier.
  • There's so much great shopping in Playa del Carmen, but don't bother haggling if you find a good deal. : Liv...See More Tips  |  Add Tip
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    • Restaurants
    No one need go hungry in Playa del Carmen because wherever you are in this holiday resort, there will be a great restaurant a stone's throw away. Cuisine ranges from traditional Mexican through all the international favourites, including sushi and vegetarian. For a top Mexican taste treat steer a little off the beaten track behind 5th Avenue and look out for a small taqueria where it is possible to pick up a tempting taco or two for a pittance. Street vendors in the main square (Zocalo) are also a good budget option, especially for fresh fruit and tasty tamales. When it comes to restaurant dining it is difficult to make recommendations from the dozens of good establishments available, but some of the more popular eateries are The Blue Lobster, its speciality obviously the crustacean of its name; The Blue Parrot, which offers dining on the beach with dancing in the evenings; and Season Bistro, which serves upscale Mexican with an international twist.
    • Fusion Beach Hotel Bar & Grill has great and awesome live music every night! It's located on Calle 6 & the Beach (the tables on the sandy beach are amazing!). They also have really cool fire shows nightly on the beach. : Andrea...See More Tips  |  Add Tip
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    • Nightlife
    Whether it is dancing cheek-to-cheek under the stars, sipping margaritas on a rooftop, soaking up some live jazz, people-watching from a street side bar, learning to salsa, or downing shots and raving it up on a flashing dance-floor, holiday visitors will find that Playa del Carmen after dark can fit the bill. One of the newest hotspots is the huge Bali Club on Calle 12, which spices up its dance floor with high-tech sound and light and some awesome fire, water and balloon effects. Another indoor dance club, which has live bands on Saturday nights, is Bliss, on Calle 4. Numerous open-air bars are in operation until the early hours, some offering live music or DJs and dancing as the night wears on, others, like the Beer Bucket on Calle 10, confining themselves to serving up drinks under the stars or palapa (woven palm frond) roofs.
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    • Activities
    For sporty types a holiday in Playa del Carmen offers plenty of activity both on top, under and away from the bright blue Caribbean Sea. The number one sport is scuba diving on the magnificent coral reefs that surround the area, and there are plenty of opportunities for beginners to experienced divers to make the most of it. The less adventurous can snorkel, viewing the underwater world from above. A plethora of watersports equipment is available to rent on and around the beach, from sailboats to jet skis, parasails to charter fishing boats. Those who prefer to stay dry can take to the Robert van Hagge designed 18-hole golf course south of town, or the sports centre on 10th Avenue which offers tennis and basketball courts and a running track. Horse-rides on the beach and through the jungle are popular, too. When it comes to sightseeing there are several options, ranging from Mayan ruins to exploring cave systems and cenotes (sinkholes) in the area, or taking excursions to nearby Cozumel Island or other spots along the 'Mayan Riviera' coastline.
    • Check out Chichén Itzá, Cobá and Tulum or just laze on the beach if you're not feeling too energetic. : Felix...See More Tips  |  Add Tip
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    • Negatives
    There are plenty of topless and nude beaches around Playa del Carmen and families travelling with young children should take this into account.

    Nearby Attractions

    Chichen Itza

    Chichen Itza

    The Mayan people are most well known for their advanced knowledge and brilliance regarding astrology, as well as for their incredible resilience. The stone remnants of their civilisation can be found spread throughout Mexico and Central America. Chichen Itza, with its famous pyramids and...  see full details



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