Once a small fishing village known as Xaman-Ha meaning ‘waters of the north’, Playa del Carmen is now a lively beach town which still shows glimpses of its traditional village charm.
Holidays to Playa Del Carmen (or Playa, as it’s known locally), suit all kinds of holidaymaker. History and culture buffs will love the ancient ruins in this area and nature lovers and eco warriors can explore the fascinating wildlife to their hearts content.
Sun worshippers head for the beaches, however the main beach area near the ferry terminal tends to get quite busy so if it’s seclusion you crave head further down the coast. The usual array of water sports are readily available right along this shoreline.
If diving’s your thing, take the ferry across to the island of Cozumel, known as one of the worlds very best sites. It only takes 45 minutes so is ideal for a day trip.
The main street in the town is 5th Avenue which runs parallel to the seafront. The locals call it Playa Del Carmen’s Pedestrian Walkway, and this is where it all happens!
By day it’s the place to shop and by night it’s the place to party! Restaurants can get a little pricey here but if you head off down some of the side streets you’ll get more value for your money.
The discos are located slightly away from the hotels so you can be sure of a decent nights sleep, that is unless you plan to party until dawn!
Did you know? Mexicans love their chocolate and in Aztec times the cacao bean was used as a form of currency!