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 towww.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.
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
Condo Bamboo Playa Del Carmen 6 Blocks from the Beach - on 35th Avenue near
Solexico
2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms - Sleeps 4 Price starts @ 490
USD per week
Condo SeaMonkey Playa Del Carmen
1 block from the beach - on 5th Ave
3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms has Private Jacuzzis Sleeps 6 Price starts @
1300 USD per week
Condo Ali Playa del Carmen 1 block from the beach - on 5th Ave
2 bedrooms 3 bathrooms has Private Jacuzzis Sleeps 4-6 Price starts @
1100 USD per week
Hora Feliz
Playa Del Carmen
1 bedroom condos $300 to $400 per week
Penthouse Freud
Playa Del Carmen
3 bedrooms
4 nights $575 - 7 nights $1200
Palms Condos
Playa Del Carmen
1 Bedroom
starting at $1000 per week 1 Block from Beach
Palms Condos
Playa Del Carmen
2 Bedroom
starting at $1200 per week 1 Block from Beach
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.
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 about3km, 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 Zamasand would HIGHLY recommend it. Most
places have hammocks right outside your room, very addicting.
Follow this link for more information Tulum.