Once a sleepy village, Playa del Carmen has experienced an explosion in popularity in recent years thanks to its beautiful Mexicana Caribbean coastline. South of Cancun, Playa del Carmen is the ideal base to explore the fascinating sights along the Mayan Riviera. With its gorgeous white sands, excellent surfing conditions and easy-going atmosphere, Playa del Carmen is a paradise resort with a sub-tropical climate meaning it is almost always warm, or hot. The annual average temperature is 27°C, with temperatures rarely stooping below 12°C in the winter though it is important to note that September and October are prone to occasional tropical storms and hurricanes. Flights from the UK take about ten and a half hours.
With its lively nightlife and wealth of diving centres, Playa del Carmen is perfect for watersports fanatics…
With its vibrant nightlife, spectacular diving and a packed town centre full of shops and things to do, Playa del Carmen has something for every type of holidaymaker. With many dive centres it’s a great place for watersports enthusiasts and the beaches are packed with sunbathers. One thing to remember though is that Playa del Carmen can be very overcrowded as it is a popular retreat for day-trippers from Cancun.
One of the advantages of Playa del Carmen is that everything is within walking distance, though taxis are often preferable when the weather is particularly hot. The main street is 5th Avenue, or Quinta Avenida as it is known locally, which is often the reference point for most locations. This is a pedestrian-only road with lots on offer including stores, hotels and restaurants. In addition, 5th Avenue is arguably the best place to shop in Playa del Carmen with antiques, gifts, hand-made pottery, arts and crafts to purchase.
The beaches at Playa del Carmen are renowned for swimming, snorkelling and diving and there are a number to choose between within a very short space. The bay between Constituyentes and Coco Beach is particularly good for those who want a less crowded beach and somewhere to relax. There are many shops, hotels, restaurants and bars to enjoy before the bay runs into Coco Beach, a great spot for snorkelling.
It is from Coco Beach that you can enjoy one of the area's biggest attractions - a boat ride to Chunzubul, which is home to one of the world's most spectacular reefs. The ferry's schedule changes often, but it is best to get on the WJ Mexico, which offers a fast 25-minute ride, whereas the Xel-H and Cozumelero take 45 minutes. Coco Beach is also notably quieter the further north you are, with many vast, open and empty spaces.
The Playacar area is the most built-up resort that holds particular appeal with package tourists. It has one of the busiest beaches in Mexico along with an 18-hole golf course. If you plan to do a little sightseeing during your trip, this is where you will find some of the Mayan ruins, though the most spectacular sights are to be found around an hour away from the main resort in the city of Tulum with the Temple of the Frescoes and El Castillo, the castle, perched on a high cliff.
For a buzzing nightlife scene, begin on 5th Avenue, with a host of modern and traditional alternatives. The Blue Parrot is one of Playa del Carmen's most popular bars playing hits from many decades, while Deseo offers trance and lounge. Santanera offers an alternative scene within its clubbing walls, but Captain Tutix stays open until the early hours with many live bands to experience.
