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. 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. 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 those 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.
Restaurants: No one need go hungry in Playa del Carmen because wherever you
are in the 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 La Palapas Hemingway, which
serves healthy portions of authentic Mexican food.
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, 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.
Activities: For sporty types 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.
Attractions
ChichénItzá : 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.
Chichén Itzá, with its famous pyramids and temples,
is the Yucatán's most visited ancient Mayan site, set in the
jungle and said to have been inhabited for more than 2,000 years.
It was the centre of political, economic and military power, and
controlled trade in the region. The main attraction is the Pyramid
of Kukulkán (the plumed serpent god), or El Castillo, a
grand pyramid topped by a temple that dominates the site. Each side
has a stairway and the top affords excellent views over the area.
Inside the pyramid is a smaller pyramid, the inner sanctum,
containing one of the greatest finds on the site, the brilliant red
jaguar throne with jade spots, inlaid eyes and real jaguar teeth.
During the spring and autumn equinoxes (21 March and 21 September)
an exceptional spectacle occurs, lasting for a few hours, that
leaves crowds open-mouthed with wonder as the rippling shadows form
the illusion of a snake slithering down the staircase. The shadows
seem attached to the great serpent's heads at the foot of the main
stairway. Another building of interest is El Caracol (The Giant
Conch Snail), an observatory with slits in the dome aligned with
certain astronomical appearances at specific dates. On the far side
of the site, reached by a causeway, is the Sacred Cenote, a huge
natural well into which human sacrifices and other offerings were
thrown to please the gods. Many other temples, platforms and an
impressive ball court, are components of the ancient city, a site
of enormous proportions, featuring many columns and intricate
carvings, statues and reliefs.
Transport: Bus services from Cancún or Playa del Carmen (2.5hrs by bus);
Opening time: Daily from 8am to 5pm
S Keech; Jun 2006:
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... more
Travel Companies
Guerba specialise in hiking and overland adventure travel in
Mexico. UK departures only.
Subscribe to Word Travels Professional: Email and print off customised travel guides for your clients.
Brand this guide with your logo and contact details.
Word Travels includes authorative and reliable information on thousands of destinations.
More info Apply for a free trial
