Playa del Carmen is a living vibrant part of the Maya World located on the beautiful Mexican Caribbean coast. Playa, as it is now affectionately known, is the perfect base from which to explore the fascinating sites along the Cancun-Tulum Corridor now called Riviera Maya. Playa del Carmen is blessed with miles of unspoiled white sandy beaches and crystal-clear Caribbean waters. Experience a wonderful time in your Playa del Carmen vacations and the endless adventures Mundo Maya has to offer.

Playa del Carmen Description

The capital of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, evolved from a small village of Mayan pilgrims to a lively, cosmopolitan city with the highest urban growth in the country. Its natural features, beauty and long beaches, its enviable geographical location and its blend of sea and jungle make this destination on the Mexican Caribbean a magnet for both Mexicans and visitors from other parts of the world.

Playa is a fantastic place to spend your vacation, hang out, or live. The town has grown along the beach, so wherever you go, you will feel the closeness to the ocean. The main street is called Quinta Avenida, or 5th Avenue. It is a pedestrian walkway and a common point of reference. Here is where you will find most hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. Life in Playa del Carmen is characterized by variety and diversity.

South of the dock there is an area called Playacar. This planned development is where all the big, all-inclusive resorts are located. You'll also find the golf course, some private homes and condos, the aviary, and some interesting Mayan ruins.

There are diving facilities both inland and in the sea, the deep waters separating it from Cozumel are ideal for sport fishing, the jungle invites you to explore its lush, magical world while trips to nearby archaeological sites are extremely gratifying.

Beaches and Attractions

Experience a Playa del Carmen vacation, you will find an enormous variety of water activities, ranging from swimming on the beach, or more strenuous sports such as windsurfing, sailing or diving in the nearby reefs to going on boat trips or using other types of watercraft.

Extreme sports enthusiasts will enjoy scuba diving in the open seas in the crystal-clear waters of Playa del Carmen. You can go snorkeling and scuba diving on the Great Mayan Reef, located less than 100 meters out from the beach. Alternatively, you can go diving in the caves, which is a great experience.

Playa del Carmen is also an ideal spot for visiting one of the most beautiful parks in Mexico: Xcaret, which is also the place where ferries set off to the Island of Cozumel. It is also near the natural well area of Puerto Aventuras while the largest natural aquarium in the world, Xel-Ha, is just forty-five minutes away.

The evening offers a number of options such as places to dance and shake off the insomnia caused by Caribbean nights, popular fiestas on the beaches and lively bars.

Anything from a horse-ride to a complete tour through the jungle and the archeological sites are interesting Playa del Carmen sightseeings, as well as all sorts of watersports can also take place in this most amazing place. What once was the heart of one of the most ancient civilizations, today has become the beautiful Riviera Maya, a place that provides adventure, culture, relaxation and fun...a never ending experience.

Coba

This archeological site was constructed in between two lakes. More than 80 squared kilometers of buildings and remains. Its main pyramid is the tallest of the whole Peninsula with 42 meters high (130 feet tall) overlooking the rainforest area.

Xel-Ha

This place is considered the largest natural aquarium in the world. Conformed by a huge inlet, is a nice setting for hundreds of tropical fishes; known also for its site ruins, many cenotes and caves. Restaurants, showers and lockers available.

Cenotes (Freshwater Blueholes)

There are hundreds all over the Yucatan Peninsula. In this nature blessed terrain, cenotes (in Maya language for wells) are undoubtedly some of the attractions in Playa del Carmen area, since such ponds are suitable for swimming and scuba-diving, for their crystal-clear water. Some examples are: Dos Ojos, Ponderosa, Taj Majal, Gran Cenote as well as many others throughout the area.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

Heading south, travelers can get to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Natural Reserve, also known as "the place where the sky begins". It is an area of 530,000 hectare formed by rain forest, lakes, swamps, coast ponds, bays and reefs; all of which also come to be the natural habitat of thousands of animal species, such as jaguars and pumas, white-tail deer, crocodiles, howler and spider monkeys and an astonishing 345 species of birds. About 1,000 inhabitants in the reserve live off fishing. All day treks, which include a three hour boat-trip, are available.

Scuba Diving

Playa del Carmen's underwater world keeps the magic of being a young scuba diving destination in an almost virginal environment. The almost continous presence of sea water streams, due to the tunnel-like effect between Playa del Carmen and the Cozumel island, together with the large reef extension, make it a suitable Playa del Carmen sightseeing, yet another option highly appraised by scuba divers because of comfort and safety as well as the enormous sea-bottom extension that can be explored.
This spectacular growth of the Scuba-Diving facilities has caused for instance, the opening of a Hyperbaric Medical Assistance Center in the city.