Open left menu playa del carmen. Playa del Carmen - a resort town in the heart of the Riviera Maya Cancun or Playa del Carmen reviews

In the minds of many tourists and all those interested in history and geography, this is a real fabulous and paradise corner of Mexico. Constant summer, mild climate, warm waters of the Caribbean, rich history, flora and fauna are what evoke the most pleasant emotions and impressions in everyone who happens to visit here at least once in their life. Playa del Carmen is fraught with a lot of surprises and mysterious places. Let's try to get to know them better.

Playa del Carmen view from an airplane

The Mexican Riviera is located on the east coast of Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo. The city of Playa del Carmen is the third largest city in the state and is the administrative center of the municipality of Solidaridad. Naturally, the main item in the local budget is tourism, because the coast is literally crammed with all kinds of hotels, parks, museums, beaches, clubs and restaurants. Very close to the coast is the island of Cozumel, famous for its entertainment industry, with which there is an excellent ferry connection.

Playa Carmen is not only a real mecca of tourism. The city is home to thousands of expats from all over the world, and this stretch of the Caribbean coast can, without exaggeration, be called a center of attraction for creative youth. This means you can experience both Mexico's past and future by meeting interesting, friendly, and approachable people on the streets and in bars. The step from archaeological sites to ultra-modern clubs and beaches in Playa del Carmen is very short.

How to get to Playa

To get from Russia to Playa del Carmen, you will have to take a flight with transfers in Cuba or the States. The most popular airline carriers flying here:

• Iberia;
• Lufthansa;
• AirFrance;

To get from Cancun to Playa on your own, you can use three available methods:

• bus;
• personal transfer;
• ferry.

From Cancun Airport you can get to Playa del Carmen by bus from Terminal 2 from 10:15 to 19:00, with hourly intervals. Travel time takes a little over an hour, and the fare is $10.

The best and easiest option would be to order a transfer from one of the many travel companies.

Personal transfer will cost from $65. To make the trip more profitable, you can gather a company and divide this amount among all passengers. The trip will be profitable and comfortable.

Ferries depart from Cozumel Island, travel time ranges from 30 minutes to an hour, and the fare is $8.

Playa - the pearl of the Caribbean coast

The history of Playa del Carmen goes back deep into the prehistoric era, when the Mayans lived in these lands. The huge temples and complex architecture and their achievements indicate that it was a great and advanced civilization.

The period of civilization here can be divided into three main parts: the Mayan civilization, the conquest of the land by Spain and the modern history of the development of the city as part of the municipality of Solidaridad in the state of Quintana Roo.

Interesting historical facts:

• Until the second half of the 80s, the village was inhabited mainly by fishermen and artists;
• its population in those years did not exceed one and a half thousand;
• in the twentieth century, agriculture and rubber wood processing actively developed;
• at the end of the twentieth century, active interaction with the island began thanks to connections with other islands and the mainland via ferry;
• The ferry service opened a new page in the history of Playa del Carmen - the active development of tourism.

Playa del Carmen and Cozumel Island

The city of Playa del Carmen is located very close to the island of Cozumel. And this island is the largest and most attractive pearl of the Yucatan Peninsula. Ancient Shaman-Ha, when looking at a map of the area, looks like a previous stop before the marvelous Cozumel, considered a holy island for the Mayan tribe. It was here that the first ships of the Spanish invaders landed.

Before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in these parts, this island had a different name, which the ancient inhabitants of the Mayan tribe dubbed it. At the dawn of mankind, the island was called Shaman-Ha. Today its name is translated as “Island of Swallows.”

The local nature is so unique and beyond the limits of human imagination, it immediately becomes clear why the inhabitants of the island had such a unique idea of ​​\u200b\u200blife. The weirdness of the rocks, the bright colors of sunsets and sunrises over the turquoise surface of the sea, majestic animals and plants, deep natural wells going deep into the bowels of a long cave system - awed the local residents. They imagined equally powerful and unusual gods, realizing that all this could not have arisen as a result of chance.

The Maya tribe deeply feared their deities and exalted them. Mountains, caves and an underwater river evoked a feeling of awe, which is why some rituals of the tribe arose to this day; huge statues of idols remind of them.

Heads and tails in Playa del Carmen

All lovers of traveling and getting to know the world better want to learn more about a variety of countries, cities or cultures. Before going on vacation, tourists think over and choose a route for travel and, of course, get to know it thanks to the pioneers who told all the features and delights of a particular vacation spot. One of those who are ready to introduce tourists to the fabulous Playa del Carmen is the program “Heads and Tails”. From the experience of TV presenters, you can glean a lot of useful information about how to get to the island, how to spend time on a limited budget and if you live on a large scale, what kind of entertainment lovers of active, extreme recreation or recreation with children can choose for themselves.

Attractions of Playa del Carmen

The main attractions of the island are its flora, fauna, unique natural landscapes and underwater world. In order not to lose sight of the main thing, you should familiarize yourself with the TOP 10 must-see places:

• Xcaret Park;
• diving with sharks;
• archaeological tours;
• sightseeing tours;
• Tequilla Academy;
• boat tours;
• SPA centers;
• dives and excursions to cenotes, grottoes and caves;
• surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing;
• ziplines and rope towns.

Diving in Playa

Diving in Playa del Carmen is amazing in its diversity. Both experienced divers and beginners can take part here. Since this is where the great reef connects Mexico and America, the diversity of underwater life is breathtaking. On the beaches you can dive with your own equipment or with rented equipment to meet a whole family of sea turtles. They "graze" peacefully on grassy meadows of lush seaweed. To get this kind of pleasure, you don’t have to know how to scuba dive; you can just use a mask and snorkel.

A separate type of diving is diving into cenotes. These are cave wells or holes in the soil; they are numerous gates to the kingdom of one of the longest underground rivers. The cave system of the Yucatan Peninsula is 350 km long and ranks second largest. The river is called Sac-Actun; during the Mayan tribe, its waters were considered sacred, and the wells themselves were considered the gateway to the kingdom of the dead. That is why sacrifices were made here en masse, and lifeless bodies were thrown into the water.

Today, this place covered in legends, although it has lost the meaning that the ancient peoples put into their beliefs, it still evokes awe, and in some cases even fear. Only scuba diving certified holders can travel through the underwater labyrinth, accompanied by experienced instructors who speak Mexican, English and Russian. Some corridors in the caves are unexplored and diving into them can be dangerous, as warned by warning signs. But, despite all their danger and mystery, cenotes leave the most impressive impact on tourists who come to visit the peninsula. Mineral formations - stalactites, stalagmites and impressively sized columns create a unique underwater museum with a prehistoric narration of the history of these places. The unique cenote Zakaton is located deep in the jungle; its bottom has never been explored, since scuba divers who dived to 282 meters never reached it.

For all those who do not have a sufficient level of training, there is a wonderful opportunity to touch the underwater secrets by visiting Cenote Dos Ojos. The name of this cenote translates as “two eyes” and consists of two entrances. The first cenote is a huge pool with crystal clear water and a variety of natural mineral formations, which can be clearly seen thanks to the incident daylight. Snorkeling will allow you to explore the bottom of the cave for a long time. The second eye is called Bat Cave. The bat cave consists of several interconnected corridors, some of which are filled with water, while others are not, so bats settled in one of them and became the masters of this dungeon.

Parks

Xcaret Park is an eco-theme park that is a unique garden with amazing natural landscapes, entertainment and many rare birds and bizarre jungle inhabitants. The following activities are available to tourists:

• beach and bay for a comfortable pastime;
• diving in cenotes and with dolphins;
• restaurants and cafes;
• walks along the seabed;
• raft tours;
• 80-meter Scenics tower, allowing you to view the surroundings from a bird's eye view;
• macaw sanctuary;
• ancient Mayan cemetery.

This list reflects only the main and most popular entertainment of the eco-park; its remaining features can only be revealed by the most daring and inquisitive travelers.

In Playa del Carmen, beaches line the entire coastline. The main beach is the easiest to get to, since this is where ferries arrive and depart to Cozumel, its name is Principal. The remaining beaches are located behind it, and stretch along the northern part of the island. Their names are similar to the names of restaurants and comfortable hotels:

• Toucan;
• Mamitas;
• Shangri-La;
• Subul;
• Coco Beach.

The beaches offer a variety of entertainment and sporting activities. For example, you can use massage services, ride jet skis or wakeboards - surfboards with a motor. If vacationers want to go snorkeling, then it is better to go on a yacht or boat into the open sea, dive into cenotes or take a ferry to the neighboring islands, since the underwater world of Playadel Carmen will give less impressive emotions than the underwater world of the neighboring islands.

Shopping in Playa Del Carmen

Despite its miniature size, Playa del Carmen has two large shopping centers with cinemas and many boutiques with branded goods from world famous manufacturers. In addition to large shops, you can find food markets, souvenir shops and small shops where you can buy basic necessities and other goods.

Location of shops in Playadel Carmen:

• smaller stores such as Mega, Dorian, Wellmart are located on 50th Avenue, closer to the exit of the city;
• the largest shopping centers are located on 5th Avenue, these are CentroMaya and PlazaLasAmerica;
• at the intersection of 30th and 74th avenues there is an industrial market;
• the fish market can be visited at the intersection of 30th and 35th avenues;
• Every Sunday in the city center there is a vibrant fair with a lot of products, goods and great deals for tourists.

Conclusion

Playa del Carmen is a must-see city on the eastern Caribbean coast for any tourist in Mexico. The amazing nature of the Yucatan Peninsula has endowed this place with the most impressive natural resources. The development of civilization has brought its charm to these places, and the development of tourism has allowed travelers from all over the world to touch the ancient history and civilization of the Mayan tribe.

Today, tourists can find everything in Playa for a wide variety of recreation - from beaches and clubs to immersion in the rich history of this amazing region. Everyone here will receive and will definitely take with them a piece of a beautiful sunny place that looks like paradise.

Once an unremarkable fishing village, today Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular Mexican resorts. Located 70 km from Cancun, Playa (as the locals lovingly and familiarly call it) amazingly combines the cheeky atmosphere of a youth party and discreet European chic. The finely ground, almost white sand characteristic of the Caribbean coast ensures a steady pilgrimage of sun worshipers throughout the year, and lovers of active and ecotourism are attracted by the colorful national parks, of which there are a great many in the vicinity of Playa, and lush tropical nature.

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How to get to Playa del Carmen

There are no direct scheduled flights from Russia to Mexico. Flights are usually carried out with one stopover in Europe, Cuba or the USA. The same situation applies to flights from the CIS countries - a transfer in Europe will definitely be required. The best fares and reasonable connections are usually offered by Iberia, Lufthansa, Air France and KLM.

The closest city to Playa, Cancun, can be flown by Iberia airlines with a transfer in Madrid, Lufthansa in Frankfurt or KLM in Amsterdam. In any case, be prepared to spend at least 15 hours on the road.

From Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen you can take buses departing from the second and third terminals at 10:50, 11:30, 12:30, 13:20, 14:50, 15:35, 16:20, 17 :10, 18:00 and 19:00. Travel time is 65 minutes, fare is 8-11 USD. Tickets can be booked in advance in the appropriate section of the airport website. Prices on the page are as of September 2018.

You can also order a private transfer from Cancun Airport directly to your hotel from one of two official travel agencies. Fares start from 65 USD per car, which is very profitable if you are traveling with a group.

In addition, you can arrive to Playa by ferry from another popular resort town - the island of Cozumel. The journey will take from half an hour to an hour, depending on the provided watercraft. Cost - 7-8 USD; Up to 14 ferries operate per day.

• How to build a route between Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Ek Balam

Weather in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen has a stable mild climate throughout the year. The average winter temperature is +26°, in summer the thermometer stays around +35°. From May to the end of November is the rainy season (accordingly, with high air humidity), they are especially intense at the end of August, September and October.

Entertainment and attractions in Playa del Carmen

The main entertainment of Playa del Carmen, which all tourists without exception indulge in, is thoughtfully picking their toes in the fine alabaster sand, lazily contemplating the immaculately smooth blue horizon line.

If the spirit of adventure drives you away from the paradise beaches of Playa, you can go on an organized trip to the lagoons and secluded coves of the coast under the canopy of tropical vegetation. The duration of the excursion is about 7 hours. The evening mini-cruise Cancun - Isla Mujeres is suitable for fans of fiery Caribbean rhythms. There is a bar on board with the inevitable tequila, and on the island there is a folk show and a nightly torchlight disco.

History buffs should visit the Mayan cities of Chichen Itza and Tulum with their ancient step pyramids, gates and temples of a mysteriously vanished civilization.

Xcaret National Eco-Archaeological Park offers a whole arsenal of active activities: snorkeling and diving, horse riding, swimming with dolphins, caves with butterflies and bats, traveling along an underground river and much more.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN (MEXICO)– a small town located 68 km south of the airport. Over the course of several decades, a small fishing village on the Caribbean Sea has rapidly turned into a Mecca of world tourism. Today PLAYA DEL CARMEN looks like a cozy European town, only unlike Europe, it has a mild climate all year round, sun and warm sea 27-29C.

Our office is located in PLAYA DEL CARMEN and we are very glad that we can live and work in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

In PLAYA DEL CARMEN you cannot build buildings higher than four floors, so the city has retained its charming provincialism. There is no clear division into tourist and residential areas, as in Cancun, in PLAYA DEL CARMEN.

The hotel area of ​​PLAYA DEL CARMEN is called Playacar and is located in the southern part of the city. In Playacar you can also visit the Club de Golf PlayaCar golf club.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN MEXICO – Playacar hotel zone

PLAYA DEL CARMEN is the most convenient starting point for trips to the Riviera Maya. From the city it is convenient to visit the Mayan ruins and ancient cities of Mexico – Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza, natural and recreational parks of Mexico – Xcaret, Xplor And Xel-Ha, as well as numerous cenotes Yucatan.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN also has a small airport from which you can fly to Chichen Itza, to Cozumel Island, Holbox Island or just fly over the surrounding area.

From PLAYA DEL CARMEN you can go early in the morning on a sea voyage on a yacht or sailboat, driven by a warm breeze, or go diving or snorkeling, because along the coast there is the second longest coral reef in the world.

Just wander or sunbathe on the endless snow-white beaches of PLAYA DEL CARMEN, relax under an umbrella made of palm leaves, peering into the horizon, where in the distance you can see the outline of the island of Cozumel, thanks to which there are no big waves on the Caribbean coast in PLAYA DEL CARMEN.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN – Shops (shopping)

The town of PLAYA DEL CARMEN also owes its popularity among tourists to 5th Avenue(5 Avenida). What could be more pleasant than a walk on a warm evening along a well-groomed pedestrian 5th Avenue, for example, along Serdechnaya Street (pictured below).

On 5th Avenue in PLAYA DEL CARMEN there is excellent shopping in numerous shops, shops and small galleries with works of local artists and jewelers, as well as an amazing selection of restaurants for every taste with good European and Mexican cuisine, where in the evenings there is live music of different times and styles. Of course, the national flavor is brought into the atmosphere of PLAYA DEL CARMEN by mariachis - wandering musicians.

In stores on 5th Avenue PLAYA DEL CARMEN a large selection of silver and gold items with precious and semi-precious stones, Mexican textiles with traditional Indian embroidery; interior items in ethnic style, paintings by local artists, CDs with Latin American music of all kinds.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN has many small family workshops where silver jewelry is created.

If you need shopping on a grand scale, then in PLAYA DEL CARMEN there are more than 10 stores - hypermarkets, such as our Auchan or Carousel. There is no need to visit several stores, the prices and assortment are approximately the same everywhere. These are the networks: Mega, Wallmart, Soriana and Chedraui, there are several stores operating using a card system, such as Metro.

Within the city limits, on 30Avenida there are 2 Mega and Wallmart hypermarkets; from 5th Avenue you can walk there in 10 minutes at a leisurely pace. The remaining hypermarkets are located on the other side of the Carretera Federal highway, and for the trip you will have to take a taxi (from the city center of PLAYA DEL CARMEN 50 - 70 pesos, which translates into rubles 130-180 rubles).

In hypermarkets you can buy fruits that you will not find on 5th Avenue and alcohol, which is several times cheaper compared to the tourist shops of PLAYA DEL CARMEN on 5th Avenue (example prices in the photo below).

Bars and restaurants PLAYA DEL CARMEN

Casa del Agua (5 Avenida y Calle 2) The owners of this restaurant are of Mexican-German origin, and therefore the dishes of chef Johannes Schute combine European traditions with the Caribbean.

The Cenacolo restaurant, located at the Quinto Sol Boutique Hotel, serves excellent Italian cuisine.

At Blue Lobster, you can enjoy grilled lobster sold by the pound, shrimp dishes and steaks on the beautiful outdoor terrace.

Siesta Fiesta Bar Fah is an open-air restaurant and bar located next to the Siesta Fiesta Hotel. The restaurant specializes in Mayan cuisine - it is inexpensive, tasty and authentic. This is one of the most popular bars in the city thanks to live music concerts - various groups, both local and visiting, play here every day from morning to midnight, and the repertoire is very diverse from blues and rock to national Mexican music.

The Mosqito Blue restaurant is located in the hotel of the same name. This restaurant is easily recognized by its exceptionally light colors in the design that stand out from the general background. There is a whole team of Italian chefs here who prepare Mediterranean cuisine well, using ingredients traditional to Mexican Caribbean cuisine. There is a good selection of wines and cocktails.

I came to Playa Del Carmen on the advice of American friends who consider this resort the best in the whole world. As a result, I ended up in a truly beautiful town, almost paradise in terms of the beauty of its beaches and sea, which became an excellent opportunity for me to relax after living in noisy Cancun.

True, Playa Del Carmen can be called the best resort, perhaps in Central and South America, but not in the whole world. In terms of the feeling of peace, tranquility and exceptional relaxation, Playa can hardly compete with the Caribbean islands, the Mediterranean and, especially, Turkey and Greece.

So, I stayed in Playa del Carmen for less than a month, since Mexico City was waiting for me and on a long 6-month journey. I remember the town as nice, quiet enough to really relax, but still it was Mexican, and this is not at all a positive feature of it.

As in other cities in Mexico, in Playa I noticed wariness and even passive aggression of local residents, who were sometimes even arrested right on the streets, loud swearing, strange sidelong glances, and even local criminal gangs, which, by the way, just look like a group of students discussing the series . Unfortunately, even a city as clearly aimed at tourism as Playa was not deprived of attention on the drug route from South America to , so I would never call this city safe or peaceful.

However, the beaches here are large and much cleaner than in Cancun, the sea water is truly amazing, ideal for amateur snorkeling, and the beachfront villas can cost you a fairly modest price compared to bungalows in the Maldives or the Caribbean.

The playa will probably be in the top 100 places to visit at least once in your life, but for me it will be somewhere at the bottom of that list.

If you are going somewhere for your honeymoon, then you will probably really like a week in this city (if you book a room in an expensive hotel!).

However, we should not forget that the city itself is quite strange, chaotic and simply dirty. However, like everything else in Mexico.

How to get there

From Russia to Playa del Carmen you can only get by plane. There are no ferries, road, rail or other means of communication with Russia.

Playa del Carmen itself has a regional airport, but it does not serve international flights. Therefore, you will have to fly here through Cancun airport.

How to get from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen

There are several ways to get from the airport to Playa del Carmen:

• by ADO bus for about 8 USD to the bus station, then from the bus station you can take a taxi to your hotel;
• by taxi for 100 USD to your hotel;
• by minibus to the center of Playa Del Carmen (private companies) for 6-10 USD;
• by car rented at the airport along the following route:

Attention! To return from Playa del Carmen to Cancun airport, you need to find the ADO bus station rather than go to the bus station. It is located on 20 Avenue North (20 av North), at the intersection with 12th street (12 North street). Below you will see what it looks like:

Clue:

Playa del Carmen - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 8

Kazan 8

Samara 9

Ekaterinburg 10

Novosibirsk 12

Vladivostok 15

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Everyone says that Yucatan and Playa del Carmen in particular are a year-round resort, but they also have their own nuances due to seasonal climate changes. Coming here in the summer, you may experience a week of heavy tropical rain that lasts 2-8 hours. In this case, the air temperature will be very high and comfortable for swimming. It is also worth considering that in the summer there can be big waves in Playa.

Coming here in winter, you may find the sea too cold for swimming (December-January), which, nevertheless, will appeal to those who like coolness. But the air temperature will be summer, hot and pleasant.

I advise you to choose the middle option - April-May and September-October. At this time, the weather takes both pros and cons from each season, a little of everything. There simply cannot be an exact answer to the question “when is the best time to go to Playa del Carmen”: some people will like the hot sea, and it doesn’t matter that it sometimes rains (summer), others will like cool water, but no heat ( winter).

Playa del Carmen in summer

In summer, this part of the world is very, very hot and humid. So humid that clothes and towels never dry completely. If you don't like moisture and dampness, you shouldn't go to Playa in the summer!

It is also important to know that in summer the air temperature can rise to a critical level and it will be very hot. Although the water in the sea will also be very warm, ideal for swimming with children.

Playa del Carmen in autumn

Autumn is the best season for traveling. It falls in September–October, when the rains finally end and the sea has not yet cooled down.

I would advise you to go to Playa at this time of year or in the spring.

Playa del Carmen in spring

If you are not afraid of two-hour heavy rains, do not want to swim in the cold sea, but do not like extreme heat, come to Yucatan in April-May, when the beaches are empty, everything around is clean, flowers are blooming and the weather is excellent.

So you can have a great holiday in Playa del Carmen in the spring!

Playa del Carmen in winter

From December to February, the most traditional season for beach holidays lasts in Playa del Carmen. However, there is one important point: the sea at this time of year is not very warm and is not suitable for those who are looking for the opportunity to swim in a warm tropical lagoon!

The best thing about the winter months is absolutely zero chance of clouds and rainy days!

Clue:

Playa del Carmen - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

There are only two areas in Playa del Carmen that tourists should stay in. This is the Center and Sak Pakal, which is located next to the center. They all have a long coastline with clean beaches. Another tourist destination is the promenade to the north and south of Playa del Carmen, occupied by large hotels and resorts.

Below you will see a map of all the main areas in Playa del Carmen and find out what they are like.

• The center is the best place to stay in Playa del Carmen. You will have access to all possible infrastructure, restaurants and cafes, shops and buses. At the same time, no locals live here, which is a definite plus in Mexico! I strongly advise you to choose this area for living. This is what the street looks like in this area:

• Sac Pacal is a small and very cheap area north of Playa del Carmen. There are also hotels, restaurants and cafes here, but the atmosphere is more depressing, although you can stay during your vacation. I lived right here, although in the end I still had to constantly walk to the Center. The buildings here are less dense, the houses are lower than in the Center, the sidewalks are worse. This is what a typical street in the area looks like:

By type of accommodation in Playa you can choose from the following list:

• renting a hotel room - from 20 to 180 USD per day for a double room;
• renting a room in a luxury hotel - 200-300 USD per day for a double room;
• renting hotel apartments (two or three rooms) - from 40 to 250 USD per day for four;
• renting a villa with a pool - from 300 to 1500 USD per day for 6-10 people, usually 3 or 4 bedrooms;
• renting an apartment from a private owner for a long time through a real estate agency (for example, with an annual contract - from 200 USD per month for a small apartment or 600-1000 USD per month for a villa with a pool and good furniture).

You can book a room, but first compare prices. But you can find rental housing.

What are the prices for holidays?

Below you will see prices that will help you calculate your budget for a holiday in Playa del Carmen:

• The price of staying in an expensive hotel is 150 USD, in an inexpensive hotel - 50 USD, in one of the cheapest hotels - 25 USD.
• The price of lunch in an inexpensive restaurant is 10 USD, dinner in an expensive restaurant is 30 USD, lunch with meat in a traditional cafe is 5-15 USD.
• The price of excursions is from 30 USD to 160 USD.
• The price of a taxi ride around the city is 5-10 USD, by bus around the city - 1 USD.

As you can see, Playa is a fairly expensive resort.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub Mexican peso, $

Main attractions. What to see

The main attractions of Playa del Carmen are the cenotes and Mayan ruins. You will find a selection of the best of them on my map below (with photographs, where icons will indicate the type of recreation in the cenotes - diving/swimming/diving/snorkeling).

Below I will tell you about the main attractions.

Top 5

I advise you to visit all the cenotes in one day, as most of them are nearby - see the map!

Beaches. Which ones are better

There are no separate beaches in Playa del Carmen; they are all part of one huge beach that stretches along the entire city. So, some of them have various advantages, which I will discuss below. It is worth noting that the number of waves and entry into the sea on all beaches is absolutely the same - the bottom here is sandy, all beaches are relatively convenient for children (for example, from 5 years old) and at the same time have only weak waves. It is worth noting that the further south the beach, the more algae there may be on it, this depends on the quality of beach cleaning, and not on natural cycles.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

There are two main museums in Playa del Carmen that are worth visiting for most tourists, especially families. This is the Museum of 3D Wonders, where you can take pictures in surreal poses and landscapes, as well as the Gallery of Contemporary Art. Also on the streets in the city center you will find several more art galleries, the entrance to which usually costs 5 USD or is free, since the paintings are for sale. Below you will see the location of these two museums:

• Gaston Charo Contemporary Art Gallery is a great opportunity to delve into the world of surreal local contemporary art. Opening hours: from 15 to 23:30. Admission is free. Canvases cost from 20 to 7000 USD. Address: 5ta avenida | Entre 6 y8.

Tourist streets

In Playa del Carmen, the entire Center area is one continuous zone for tourists. This is where all the best restaurants, bars and cafes, boutiques and shops, various galleries and parks are located. Below on the map I have marked three parks and a stadium, which are the easiest to navigate in the city.

Look at the entire area between them and along them from the coast - this will be the main tourist area of ​​the city. From the inner part of the city you should be limited by a road called Avenida 50 or Avenida 50. I advise you never to go further than this to the north and west. The exception is a trip to Cenote Chac Tun and a walk along Benito Juarez Avenue to the Alux restaurant. The main arteries of the city are Constituentes Avenue and Avenida 10 Norte.

What to see in the area

To go to another city in Mexico, in Playa del Carmen, you need to come to the intersection of 20 Avenue North and 12th Street North (20 av North and 12 North Street). This is what this station looks like, which is not a city bus station, but a private bus stop for ADO buses (the best in Playa!):

So, from here you can get to different cities in Mexico, with or without transfers. I recommend you visit the following:

• (70 km) - it’s worth going to from Playa del Carmen only if you really love beaches and really want to see the beaches of Cancun in the Hotelera Zone. To do this, you need to take an ADO bus to Cancun, it will take you to the Cancun bus station, then transfer to a regular bus to the Hotelera Zone. The trip in total will take about 1.5 hours.

• Puerto Morelos(40 km) - an amazing resort town of a very small scale that will give you a truly Caribbean mood on vacation! Here you can visit the zoo with monkeys (Jardín Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin), the amazingly beautiful cenote Cenote Zapote Ecoparque (with a tour) and the Croco Cun Zoo (where you can touch a crocodile, feed a monkey, look at big wild cats) on the way out of the city on the highway from Cancun.

• Punta Maroma(20 km) - a small settlement near Playa. The beach here is amazing, full of thick palm trees, and behind them the real jungle begins! There are expensive hotels nearby, so the prices here are appropriate. True, it’s not worth going here if you don’t like “wild tourism”.

• Tulum(65 km) is an ancient Mayan city located right at the water's edge. To get there, you first need to take the Playa - Tulum bus, then take a taxi. The trip will cost approximately 15 USD per person one way.

• (280 km) - you can get here by ADO bus or by plane - in 1 hour. It is best to choose a plane, it will be quite cheap, especially if you go to the airport by bus. This is a colonial city with a rich history and beautiful architecture, which is worth seeing for everyone who has already flown to Mexico!

Nearby Islands

Below you will see a map of the islands that are located near Playa and Cancun:

Food. What to try

Naturally, in Mexico you should definitely try Mexican cuisine, but it is in Playa del Carmen that I advise you to opt for seafood dishes. They are usually much more expensive than meat dishes, but worth it!

Don't order cheap squid, study different types of fish, crayfish, try lobster, mussels, and you will definitely like it!

Budget

• El Fogon is a casual cafe/eatery serving traditional Mexican cuisine. Be sure to ask for multiple sauces to go with your dish, or just always order something new. Opening hours: from 13:00 to 06:00. The average check for lunch is 15 USD (150 MXN). Full address: 30 Avenida Nte.
• El Oasis is a cheap cafe-diner with simple Mexican cuisine. Decorated in the spirit of a tropical Caribbean hut. Opening hours: from 11:00 to 22:00. The average check for lunch is 15 USD (150 MXN). Full address: Calle 12 entre 5 y Av, Calle 75 Norte.
• La Senda is a small cozy cafe that allows you to taste all the dishes of Mexican cuisine at the lowest price in the center of Playa del Carmen. Opening hours: from 9:00 to 22:30. The average check for lunch is 10-15 USD (100-150 MXN). Full address: 10 Avenida Nte.

Mid-level

• Zenzi is one of those places without which you cannot say that you have seen what this resort is like. The chic restaurant right under the palm trees on the beach should be visited after 17:00. Opening hours: from 08:00 to 02:00, in the morning it operates as a beach bar with sun loungers, and in the evening as a restaurant with a bar. The average check for lunch is 20 USD (200 MXN, salad + meat dish + cocktail). Full address: Calle 10 Nte, on the shore.
• Kaxapa Factory is a Venezuelan and Mexican restaurant owned by a family of Venezuelan immigrants. Very authentic place! Opening hours: from 14:00 to 22:00. The average check for lunch is 15 USD (150 MXN). Full address: Calle 10 Nte. SN Local 7, at 28 Julio Park.
• Piola is a fairly casual restaurant with a wide selection of pizza and other Italian dishes. Opening hours: from 12:00 to 01:00. The average check for lunch is 15 USD (150 MXN). Full address: Avenida 38 Norte, behind the Mahekal Hotel.

• Carboncitos is a very atmospheric restaurant in a colonial-era house; you are guaranteed an amazing mood. Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine is served, everything is very tasty and homemade. Opening hours: from 07:30 to 23:00. The average bill for a luxurious dinner is 15-20 USD (300-400 MXN). Full address: Calle 4, entre Avenida 5 y 10.

Dear

• La Casa del Agua is the most expensive place I've been to in Mexico. What captivates you here is the amazing interior, the location in a colonial-style building, the atmosphere inside and the Michelin-starred food served in the restaurant! Opening hours: from 16:00 to 23:00. The average check for dinner is 30-60 USD (300-600 MXN). Full address: Calle 2 Norte, 50 meters from the beach.

Holidays

The electronic music festival The BPM Festival takes place in Playa del Carmen in January and in Portugal in the summer. This festival is very popular among local youth and American student tourists. True, you should be wary of any mass gatherings in Mexico (be it entertainment, tourist holidays, religious ceremonies, etc.). For example, on January 16, 2017, at the last electronic festival in Playa del Carmen, there was a shooting, 5 people were killed, and 15 more were injured. It is worth understanding that any such festivals in Mexico are primarily a place for the distribution and use of drugs (more than 60% of people will be “high” and more than half of them will be on hard drugs such as cocaine). Read below for more information about safety in Mexico.

Safety. What to watch out for

Playa del Carmen is perhaps the safest Mexican resort, if such a thing exists. However, due to the high level of crime both in Latin America and specifically in the Yucatan, I do not recommend traveling to this part of the world with children.

Some argue that there is no crime in Yucatan, that drug trafficking and drug trafficking take place somewhere far away, in the north of the country, but this is not so. Alas, this also exists in Yucatan, just to a lesser extent. Therefore, looking deeper into any area, you may encounter an atmosphere that is clearly criminal, and at the same time in its prime. In the city there are constantly arrests for drug trafficking, there is constant (!) drug trafficking, gangs and a dominant cartel, however, as in all of Mexico.

The police walk the streets with machine guns and not at all in twos, as is customary in Europe. This is because we are talking about well-organized crime here. Attacks on law enforcement officers occur in groups of 10-12 people, and in a shootout, both local residents and both armed parties necessarily suffer.

Things to do

In the vicinity of Playa del Carmen there are several interesting parks and eco-parks that will appeal to every tourist. The eco-park combines the functions of a water park, an interactive museum and, often, a beach holiday. Below you will see a map of these parks:

• Xel-Ha Park (near Tulum) is another eco-friendly amusement park that is very popular in the area. I would definitely recommend it for you to visit. Entry cost is 150 USD all inclusive.

Shopping and shops

Playa del Carmen is a great shopping destination. There are many authentic Mexican shops with local goods: from souvenirs, textiles and paintings to clothes and shoes. And in shopping centers there are a sufficient number of international brands, such as H&M, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger and others.

Below I have compiled a map of shopping centers and supermarkets for those who want to bring a lot of shopping from Playa del Carmen, as well as for those who would prefer to dine at home, thereby cutting their vacation budget by almost half, since restaurants in Playa del Carmen Carmen's are quite expensive. Compared, for example, with Turkey, this is a threefold increase for the same quality of food and service.

So, in Playa you will find the following shopping centers:

• Plaza Quinta Alegria - a fairly large shopping center where you can find everything you need. This shopping center is designed in an American format, is very convenient and is an oasis of modernity in this resort. Opening hours: from 09:00 to 23:00. Address: Calle Quinta Avenida. Mz 35.

• Paseo Del Carmen is a small shopping center in the tourist area of ​​Playa del Carmen. Architecturally, it is a whole mini-district of small two-story villas, and not one building, as in a regular shopping center. Walking along the streets, you will find boutiques and restaurants right next door. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 23:00. Full address: 10 Avenida Sur 8.
• Plaza Playcar is a shopping center in the area of ​​expensive Playacar hotels, where prices are quite inflated by the standards of this resort. However, it will be of interest to any shopping lover. The architectural solution here is non-standard - the shopping center does not look like an ordinary American one, but is decorated in a colonial style with boutiques and courtyards with fountains. Opening hours: from 08:00 to 22:00. Full address: Paseo Xaman Ha Mz. 25 Lt. 19, 4 Playacar Phase II.
• Centro Maya is another American format shopping center in Playa del Carmen. However, it may also be of interest to you. Opening hours: from 09:00 to 23:00. Full address: Paseo Xaman Ha Mz. 25 Lt. 19, 4 Playacar Phase II.

Bars. Where to go

There are a lot of bars in Playa del Carmen, and they are all concentrated in the central tourist area. There really is where to spend the unforgettable night of your life, so you shouldn’t stop at 1-2 establishments, you should go through 3-6 per night to enjoy the heady atmosphere of this city.

• Kitxen is for those who are primarily interested in cocktails and don't want to spend a fortune in one night. The prices here are quite reasonable and will help you save your budget when traveling. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 02:00. The average bill for a couple of cocktails is 10 USD. Full address: 5th Avenue and 20th Street.
• La Fe is probably one of the most popular bars in the resort. It is located right in the middle of the tourist pedestrian center, here you can sit indoors or right at the tables on the street, looking at the tourists. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 02:00. The average bill for dinner with alcohol is 20 USD. Full address: Quinta Avenida between Calle 26 y 28.
• La Perla Pixan Cuisine is an excellent bar and restaurant that has a special Mexican atmosphere. Opening hours: from 11:00 to 03:00. The average bill for dinner with alcohol is up to 30 USD. Full address: Calle 34 between Avenidas 5 and 10. Below is a photo of this place:

• Ranita is one of those good bars where you can just chat with friends without shouting over each other. Opening hours: from 13:00 to 02:00. The average bill for a cocktail is 4-5 USD. Full address: Calle 10 between Avenida 10 y 5.
• Don Mezcal is an authentic Mexican bar where you can try many types of tequila. Opening hours: from 17:30 to 03:00. The average bill for a cocktail is 4-6 USD. Full address: Quinta Avenida and Calle 10 Norte, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
• Dolores Yucabar is a great bar with a rooftop terrace. Opening hours: from 13:00 to 03:00. The price of tequila and cocktails is from 2 to 6 USD. Full address: 1° Ave. Norte on the corner of Calle 12 Norte.

Clubs and nightlife

In total, in Playa del Carmen you can find three dozen nightclubs, dance clubs, karaoke clubs, and bars with dance floors. Below I present a selection of the most modern of them, since most of those available still have a small format.

All clubs do not have an official dress code, but all local Mexicans dress quite presentably - you can see men in pantsuits, men in trousers and vests. There is a double standard here - tourists are allowed in in everything except tracksuits, T-shirts and shorts (as well as sneakers and flip-flops), and for Mexicans the dress code is very strict. That is, you, as a tourist, can come in (for guys) trousers, a shirt and shoes, or (for girls) shorts (but not beach shorts), trousers or a skirt and any beautiful blouse.

Also in Playa del Carmen there is a policy of purchasing tickets only on an all-inclusive basis. There are usually different packages to choose from. For example: entrance + drinks from 1 am to 4 am costs the standard amount stated below for each club, and another option: entry + drinks from 11 pm to 6 am + signature cocktail costs 30-50% more.

Please note: all nightclubs on Playa are strictly 18 years old only, so you may have to show identification if you look younger.

• Mandala is a great nightclub for those who are not used to dancing all night but just want to go to a club for some late night fun. Usually only young people under 26-27 years old relax here. Opening hours: from 22:00 to 3:00. Entrance fee is 75 USD with drinks. Full address: Calle 12 Av. 1ra, Col. Centro.
• Coco Maya is a very modern club with only DJs, without shows of dance groups, vocals or other artists. True, some DJs rap. I would recommend this club only for those who are 18-30 years old, since it is usually very crowded and uncomfortable to relax in the traditional sense of the word - here, first of all, people dance, jump, and actively participate in DJ performances. The club is quite large, designed for 3000 people. Opening hours: from 23:00 to 6:00. Entrance fee – VIP with drinks 65 USD. Full address: Calle 11 Norte.

• Coco Bongo is a large modern club that hosts great shows every day. Here you can not only dance and drink, but also watch performances by artists, dance troupes, and burlesque. In total there are 30-40 different performances per night. The entire contingent is represented here - American and Mexican tourists from 20 to 60 years old. I would say that this club is more aimed at an audience of 20-30 years old, but tourists come here of all kinds. Opening hours: from 23:30 to 6:00. Entry price is 70 USD, including all drinks. The cost of cocktails is free. Full address: Calle 12 Norte 10 (at the intersection of 12th and 10th streets).

Extreme Sports

In Playa del Carmen, all extreme entertainment is tied to water sports. Here are some that may interest you:

• Flight on a parachute tied to a boat (i.e. parasailing) - 80 USD.
• Jet ski, rental - 40 USD per half hour. This watercraft may not be given to a minor child, but usually the rules are not so strict, there are exceptions (for example, from 14 or 16 years old).

• Scuba diving - 80-100 USD. This adventure is quite expensive, but it's worth it! Usually the boat will take you to a cove on Cozumel Island or to one of the lagoons in Yucatan that you will definitely love!

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

From Playa del Carmen, I strongly advise you not to bring souvenirs at all. Usually masks, textiles or lamps purchased here do not fit into the interior at all.

Mexican culture is so colorful that all the souvenirs will be inappropriately colorful, and in the end they will just have to be hidden in the closet. Therefore, I advise you to limit yourself to refrigerator magnets (how could you live without it!) and clothes in a modern style from brand stores (American, mostly).

At the same time, they sell very colorful figurines on the theme of Dia de los Muertos, which will delight lovers of bright souvenirs; Quite interesting decorations made from ornamental stones that easily blend into simple or classic interiors. On the streets there are souvenir shops with baubles on which you can quickly sew any inscription as a keepsake. Finally, stunning gold obsidians can be found here - a rock collector's dream!

How to get around the city

The easiest way to get around Playa del Carmen is on foot, since 90% of the areas are housing for locals and are not interesting for tourists. And the sights in the surrounding area are worth exploring with the help of excursions; this is the most convenient solution for everyone.

Taxi. What features exist

A taxi around the city costs around 3-5 USD, but in principle everything is accessible on foot. Travel can only be paid in cash, preferably in dollars. Below you will see a map of the location of taxi ranks, companies and telephone numbers:

Buses

Regular buses run around the city with a fare of 1 USD (3 MXN), which most tourists simply do not need, because the central area is located in a fairly convenient geographical location and does not require too much effort from visitors to explore it. Payment on buses is made only in pesos, dollars are not accepted, stops are usually upon request.

Transport rental

Renting a car in Playa del Carmen is popular among tourists to see the Mayan ruins throughout the peninsula, various cenotes and nearby towns. However, if you plan to see only 3-5 attractions, you should consider getting there by bus and/or taxi, as this will be much cheaper.

Renting a good car costs about 100 USD per day, payment is made in Mexican pesos or dollars. You can compare prices from different rental companies.

Renting a car in Mexico will only be worth it if you want to explore more than 5 or even 10 attractions in the area on your own, since bus service and cheap taxis are everywhere. And in Playa itself, the central area, where all the most interesting and necessary things are located, is quite convenient for walking, so there is no need to rent a car.

Playa del Carmen - holidays with children

Despite the fact that there are many eco-parks, cenotes and water activities in this region of Mexico, I would not recommend going to Playa del Carmen with children, since it is still not the safest and cleanest place.

There have been thousands of cases of severe poisoning (when the effects are felt for months or weeks), deterioration of immunity after travel, not to mention culture shock among children and adults.

So, I personally recommend Turkey for holidays with children (for children under 3 years old, for schoolchildren and for teenagers).

Although most of the space is occupied by wonderful beaches and entertainment centers, the variety of hotel services in Playa del Carmen is also amazing. Here everyone can find a suitable option.
An excellent budget solution would be the Occidental Allegro Playacar 4*, located a 15-minute walk from the town itself. Lovers of luxury and unusual service will love La Tortuga & Spa, created in a boutique style and located in close proximity to the beach in the city itself. You can experience all the delights of a luxurious, relaxing holiday here for a fee - just visit the beautiful beach club.
The luxury 5-star hotel Grand Riviera Princess operates on an all-inclusive basis. Fully stocked minibars, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, expensive marble bathrooms, and even the presence of a hydromassage bath will surprise no one here. There is enough entertainment on the territory for both active and passive recreation - 6 tennis courts, 13 swimming pools, restaurants with a wide range of world cuisine - why go to the city?

Climate

The climate in Playa is quite mild and stable throughout the year. In winter, the average temperature is +27°, and in summer the thermometer stays at +36°. The rainy season begins from May to November, but its greatest intensity is from late August to October.

Having visited Mexico once, you will certainly want to buy souvenirs, both for yourself and for relatives and friends. The most popular traditional souvenir products are:

Wicker baskets;
woven products;
various handmade trinkets and jewelry made in national style;
bright colorful hammocks;
famously famous tequila.

But do not forget that most shops close for the lunch siesta, which starts from 13-00 and ends at 16-00.
If you decide to have fun in this direction and are looking for a big shopping option, this will not be a problem. There are more than 10 huge shopping centers like our Auchan in Playa. Their prices and assortment are approximately the same, so you can choose one you like better and not waste your precious vacation time visiting the others. These trading networks have the following names:

Wallmart;
Mega;
Soriana;
Chedraui.

As for the location of these stores, only the first two from this list are located within the city limits - Mega and Wallmart on 30Avenida. You can get there from 5th Avenue in literally 5-10 minutes at a leisurely pace. To visit other large shopping centers, you will still have to fork out for a taxi, which will cost 50-70 pesos (about 180 rubles) if you come from the city center, since they are located on the other side of the Carretera Federal highway.
But to buy jewelry, you should still go to local small shops. There are many family workshops in Playa del Carmen, where experience and manufacturing technologies are passed on only by inheritance. So it is quite possible to find truly unique and very beautiful things, for example, made of silver, for a fairly reasonable price.

Entertainment and attractions in Playa del Carmen

Once you arrive at the resort, you'll want to relax on the white sandy beach while swimming in the Caribbean Sea. But if you want to change your lazy stay on the beach for a more active holiday, then there are several tourist sites here for your attention.

Resort attraction located 6 km south of Playa. Previously, a settlement of the Mayan tribe lived on 81 hectares, and now excursions dedicated to their culture are held here. Part of the territory is occupied by dense jungle, an underground river also flows here, there is a beach, an aquarium, flower greenhouses, an open church, a museum, and a theater. In the park you can ride horses, swim with dolphins, or rent equipment and go diving and snorkeling.

If you are an active diving enthusiast, you should head to Mexico's largest island, Cozumel, located opposite Playa, which is a 45-minute ferry ride away. It is famous for its indescribably beautiful underwater world and ranks second in the world for the largest coral reef, the length of which is more than 700 km.

The cities of Tulum and Chichen Itza

History buffs should definitely visit the Mayan cities of Tulum and Chichen Itza, where the legendary step pyramids, temples and gates of an ancient civilization that disappeared under mysterious circumstances are located. You can also go on an organized sightseeing tour of the coastal bays and lagoons, lasting about 7 hours.

An excursion along the underground river Rio Secreto will be no less interesting. The start time for such entertainment is almost every hour, starting at 9 am. Duration about 3.5 hours. The tour is available for groups of up to 15 people.
Before starting the journey, you will receive equipment and light instructions on the rules of behavior throughout the excursion. The only caveat is that you cannot take photographs yourself; for this, a professional photographer goes with the tourists along with the guide, the cost of whose services is somewhat expensive - almost the same as the price of the tour itself. By the way, for an adult such entertainment will cost $79, and for children the ticket price is halved.