Swathes of gorgeous white sands, turquoise waters lapping gently on to the shore, a laidback atmosphere, palm trees swaying in the breeze: holidays in Playa del Carmen, on Mexico's Caribbean coast, are about lazy days in the sun and fun evenings in the excellent bars and restaurants of this pleasant resort.

Quieter than nearby Cancun, Playa del Carmen holidays are focussed more on the simple things in life, such as relaxing, swimming and letting the cares of the world fritter away under the Mexican sun. Here, life for holidaymakers revolves around the beaches and pools of the many excellent all-inclusive resorts, which feature high-end hotels and spas.

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Expect high temperatures, plenty of sunshine and modest rainfall every month of the year in Playa del Carmen. Dry season is between November and May and it's a pleasant time to visit. June until October is the wet season and storms are more frequent.

Tequila Fest; January: The taste of Mexico is condensed into a tiny shot of tequila. At the Tequila Fest in Playa del Carmen you can learn about the strong stuff with mariachi bands performing in the background. The resort's restaurants also offer tequila with the perfect food accompaniments.

Yucatan Fair; November: There are traditional and modern performances to be seen and family-friendly activities to be enjoyed at this annual celebration of life on the Yucatan Peninsula. Travel east to Merida to catch all the fun of the fair.

Riviera Maya Jazz Festival; November: Enjoy the smooth sounds of jazz against a backdrop of blue skies, turquoise seas and white sand. 

Nightlife: There are plenty of places to eat and drink outside of the hotels, and most of the action in Playa del Carmen is concentrated on the two-mile stretch of pedestrian-only road known as Fifth Avenue, or Quinta Avenida.

Relaxing: Many day-trippers from Cancun fill the beaches of Playa del Carmen during the day, though the bay between Constituyentes and Coco Beach offers some respite from the swarm of sunbathers.

Active types:  If you fancy heading out of the resort altogether for a day, there are plenty of options. The diving paradise of Cozumel is a short ferry ride away, while the Eco Park at Xcaret offers even more opportunities to get up close to nature. The exceptional park offers swimming with dolphins, underground rivers to explore, plus heaps of other family fun options. Couples and groups will also love this adventure playground.

Grown-up families:  You can reach the ancient Mayan site of Chichen Itza in just three hours, where you can dive into Mexico's fascinating past. It's a long day trip but it's worth it to see what’s been crowned one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.