Playa Del Carmen holidays will take you to the fabulous Caribbean coast in Mexico. Known as the capital of the Riviera Maya, here you can enjoy stunning white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Once a small fishing village known as Xaman-Ha meaning waters of the North, it’s now a bustling beach town though still manages to retain its traditional village charm. At a short 50 minute coach transfer from Cancun airport, you can soon be sipping cocktails 35`C Caribbean sun.
Holidays to Playa Del Carmen (or Playa, as it’s known locally), suit all kinds of holiday maker. Visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Xel-Ha for traditional culture and take a drive through the lush jungle interior to discover local wildlife and unspoilt villages. The Chaak Tun Cave is well worth a visit too. For the kids, or the big kids among you, Xcaret is a fantastic day out. This is an Eco Maya theme park which has a butterfly house, a small zoo and hosts live performances.
Spend the day at the beach where water sports are widely available, snorkelling and diving being most popular. The main beach area near the ferry terminal tends to be the busiest so if it’s seclusion you crave head further down the coast. There are many bars along the beach front where you can stop for a long, refreshing drink and a bite to eat.
Boat trips can take you along the coast to explore the coral reefs, great for divers and also fishing trips are available too. If diving’s your thing, take the ferry across to the island of Cozumel, known as one of the dive capitals of the world. It only takes 45 minutes so great for a day trip.
Shopping’s really good here too for those who enjoy more retail therapy! Jump on the local bus to Cancun, this bustling city is thriving with life, both day and night. Great for shopping, the streets are full of designer boutiques and market stalls, great for grabbing a bargain. The nightlife here is the liveliest in Mexico and is popular with hen and stag parties.
Holidays to Playa Del Carmen are great if you like a compact resort with everything to hand. 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. The atmosphere here is electric and there are lots to see and do. Many shops selling designer clothes and market stalls are scattered on either side of the street, in amongst the vast array of bars and restaurants. The most popular gifts to take home are the locally produced cigars and rum.
There are various accommodation options here too. From simple style Bed and Breakfasts to Luxury 5* Hotels on the beachfront, there really is something for everyone. The cuisine caters for all tastes, though Italian and Mexican restaurants are the most popular. The restaurants in 5th avenue can tend to be a little pricey but if you head to the end, there are smaller restaurants down the Side streets which are a lot cheaper.
After dark, the nightclubs open and will have you dancing till dawn. These are located away from the main Hotels just down along the beach. Sounds of reggae and salsa stir the night air and the locals will teach you the dance moves. Holidays in playa Del Carmen are bookable through Holiday Hypermarket.
Did you know? Mexicans love their chocolate and in Aztec times the cacao bean was used as a form of currency!