Where is Playa Del Carmen ?

Playa Del Carmen, is located on the Riviera Maya, only a 50 minute ride south of the Cancun airport and another 40 minutes south will get you to Tulum. Playa is the largest town in the Riviera Maya, having grown extensively since being a sleepy fisherman's village. Thanks to a few laws that restrict the height of buildings, Playa has managed to maintain its quaint atmosphere. It has not been overrun by big hotels stealing all the beautiful ocean views. 

We live, work and play in beautiful Playa del Carmen, Mexico (The heart of the Mayan Riviera) and can share with you our first hand knowledge and opinions of some of its hidden treasures.
You can make hotel reservations and book tours directly on the site. We have carefully selected accommodations: hotels, condos for rent, cabanas, as well as, highly recommended scuba diving centers, eco tours, fishing and other activities, restaurants, transportation and car rental companies.

Map of Playa Del Carmen This is a detailed map of Playa del Carmen. This may take a minute to download depending on your connection. This version looks rough when on screen but it is great when printed. This has the locations of most of the hotels and condos that we can offer you.  To see the above map you will need Adobe Acrobat, if your computer does not have it you can download it from here for free. If you click on the map to your right, it will give you a larger image but it is not easy to see all the street numbers but can give you an idea of the town. It is best to print the the above "Map of Playa del Carmen" link.

Map of Quintana Roo and The Riviera Maya.

    click on the image to enlarge

Activities

The best part of being in Playa Del Carmen is the variety of activities that exist.  Their is something for everyone. If you however just want to relax there is no better beach than Mamitas Beach, this is the best beach in Playa Del Carmen. Other more secluded beaches can be found by driving the distance along the coast between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. There are some nice hidden stops in between.

Scuba Diving:   Playa del Carmen has some of the most amazing diving in the world, yes you heard it right, and its not in the ocean it's inland.  Yep ( inland ) that's right stop scratching your head...the CENOTES are also know as CAVERNS and they are amazing and safe to swim and snorkel as well as dive.  If you don't believe me go to this site and check out the pictures. 
Whether you are an experienced diver or someone who wants to learn, we have a dive center that can cater to your specific needs.  They also have snorkeling tours available in the ocean and cenotes. There is just too much information on diving to put it on this site so go to www.divingplayadelcarmen.com for the most comprehensive diving web site in the Riviera Maya.

Eco Tours: We have found the best eco tours guides in the area. They offer unique and exclusive adventures. Explore the natural paradise of the Yucatan Peninsula with safety in mind and loads of fun. People have raved about these! Really different and educational. One of the tours, Pac Chen, they have won awards for.

Fishing Trips: Playa Del Carmen was once a sleepy fisherman's village, the sleepy part is gone but the fishing is still here! We have found a local fisherman who enjoys taking anyone out for serious fishing. Book your trip you wont regret it!

Catamaran Tours: A beautiful 41 ft. custom built catamaran with friendly and professional crew (owner operated so there is personal touch) will take you on a beautiful trip making a stop in a secluded snorkel cove overlooked by small Mayan temple. A really relaxing day trip.

ATV Jungle Tours:  Take a trip through the wild Mayan jungle on ATV bikes. Swim and snorkel in a clear freshwater cenote pool. Ride well maintained automatic ATVs through tropical jungle. Take a couple hours out of your busy day relaxing in playa and go on the ATV's. It is a 2 hour tour full of energy.

Learn Spanish in Paradise:  Solexico Language and Cultural Centers provide students with the best opportunity to learn Spanish in a short period of time while being immersed in the Mexican culture. You can even arrange to live with a Mexican family.  This way you will be learning Spanish in school and while living with the host family.

Skydiving in Playa Del Carmen:  The skydiving crew here has been enjoying human flight for more than 20 years. During that time, advances in equipment and training have made it safer and easier for more people to enjoy the world's most exciting sport (after cave diving !)

Transportation from Cancun airport: 
 

Transfer Services Our transfer services can be reserved as one way trip to or from airport and as round trip. RESERVE THIS TRANSPORTATION There is a minimum two person charge. Please reserve 3 days in advance.   Destinations Cancun Airport - Hotel in Cancun $ 9 $ 17 Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen $ 23 $ 45 Cancun Airport - Ferry to Isla Mujeres $ 9 $ 17 Cancun Airport - Tulum $ 35 $ 70 Cancun Airport - Puerto Morelos $ 23 $ 45 Cancun Airport - Puerto Aventuras $ 28 $ 55 Cancun Airport - Akumal $ 35 $ 70 Cancun Airport - Xpu-Ha $ 35 $ 70 Cancun Airport - Xcaret $ 23 $ 45 Cancun Airport - Kantenah $ 35 $ 70 Cancun Airport - Punta Bete $ 23 $ 45 Cancun Airport - Punta Maroma $ 23 $ 45 A host and a van like these will be waiting for you: Cancun Airport RESERVE THIS TRANSPORTATION Rates per Person in USD. Taxes included.

If you want to book your private van go to Private Transportation .

If you want to rent a car this is the best company and price in cancun airport.

Hotels, Condos and All Inclusive

As you can see our hotel list is mainly comprised of small to medium hotels.  Usually they are run by the owner and that's what gives them a special touch.  We have only added 3 All inclusive hotels that we think are the best ones and none of them are in Playacar.

Hotels
La Tortuga Playa Del Carmen Has Pool From $50 to $135	Riviera del Sol Playa Del Carmen Has Pool From $50 to $120	Deseo Playa Del Carmen Has Pool From $128 to $208	Posada Freud Playa Del Carmen From $25 to $65	Posada Mariposa Playa del Carmen From $40 to $75 Hotel rooms & Apartments
Costa del Mar Playa Del Carmen Has pool/ On beach! From $50 to $75	CocoRio Playa Del Carmen From $45 to $75	Riviera Caribe Maya Playa Del Carmen Has Pool From $48 to $120	Adelia Maria Playa Del Carmen Has Pool From $70 to $150	Villa Amanecer Playa Del Carmen Has Pool From $55 to $120
La Lunata Playa Del Carmen From $79 to $189	Kinbe Playa Del Carmen From $35 to $75	Tierra Maya Playa Del Carmen From $50 to $130 Has Pool
All Inclusives Hotels
Porto Real All Inclusive Playa Del Carmen Has Pool / On beach! From $70 to $245 prices are per person, all inclusive or per room for hotel only.	Las Palapas Playa Del Carmen From $122 to $250 On the Beach Includes Breakfast	Capitan Lafitte all inclusive Near Playa Del Carmen Has Pool / On beach! From $110 to $380 prices are per room
Hotels in Tulum
Zamas Tulum From $50 to $135 On the Beach	Cabanas Copal Tulum From $8 to $95 On the Beach
Other Areas in the Riviera Maya
Blue Sky Tankah From $79 to $229 On the Beach

These condos are exquisitely finished and have everything you would want on your vacation to Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. 

Restaurants and Bars

These are 2 of our favorite restaurants but, for a complete list go to rest & bars (a new window will open). For a taste of local Mexican check out on the complete list, Dona Mary one of the best local, out of the way restaurants.

Il Baretto Restaurant

Best Coffee in Town and great inexpensive Italian meals. Open for great breakfasts.

Big portions of fresh past starting at 5 dollars to 8 dollars, and lots more to chose from.

Located on the corner of 5th Avenue and 26 street.  Open from 7am to 11:00 pm

Wine Bar Restaurant
Italian cuisine in the same category as Byblos... great food and atmosphere.
This is a nice dinner on a fun corner in Playa. This is one of our top two favorite higher end restaurants in town. We have enjoyed things such as lamb chops, filet mignon and risotto. We will also be adding more details from their menu soon. Nice spot to "people watch" from your table right on 5th Ave. Nice wine selection for Playa.  Located on the corner of 5th Ave. and 12th street.

Weather

Important telephone numbers
Taxi 873-0032
Fire Department (984) 87 9 36 69 –   87 9 36 70   Cell 116
Ambulance (984) 87 9 36 69 –   87 9 36 70 Cell 116
Police Department Playa Del Carmen(984) 87 7 33 40 Cell 113

Real estate and businesses for sale go to www.playabusiness.com

These books and magazines might be of interest to you before coming to Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

Tulum

We, the authors of this site, live in Playa Del Carmen. When we want to get away for a night or weekend, I think we would almost always choose to go to Tulum. It is where we can relax and enjoy peace and quiet. It is beautiful and quaint. (Of course the Tulum ruins are there too.) We recommend staying in one of the beachfront cabanas...but if you are on more of a budget travel, stay in town and explore the beaches and the ruins during the day. The actual town of Tulum is not situated on the beach but is about 3km, a 30 peso (approx. $3 US) cab ride away. In town offers you more restaurants, handicrafts, grocery, fresh fruit and vegetable markets, Bital bank etc...small little town but can provide necessities.  I think we would always recommend making reservations before arriving but maybe if you are more of a free spirit, you could show up, grab anything for the first night then explore the amazing small beach hotels and find what you want. We have personally stayed at Zamas and would HIGHLY recommend it. Most places have hammocks right outside your room, very addicting.
Follow this link for more information Tulum.

Cabañas Copal	RM, RO		Tulum	Beach	$31
Zahra	RO		Tulum	Beach	$38
Cabañas Los Lirios	RM		Tulum	Beach	$45
Ana y Jose Charming Hotel & Spa	RM, RO		Tulum	Beach	$79
Parayso Hotel and Spa	RM, RO		Tulum	Beach	$85
Maya Tankah by Freedom Paradise	AI		Tulum	Beach	$96
Dreams Tulum	AI		Tulum	Beach	$104