Playa del Carmen Hotels

From the carnival atmosphere of the shopping district to the sublime beauty of the offshore reefs, you’re sure to find excitement and wonder at every turn. Diving and snorkelling during the day are a great way to keep cool, but if you aren’t into getting wet, jump out of a plane and see it all from up high as you parachute back to paradise. If you can’t take the excitement, check out the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. For a great Mexican odyssey, Playa Del Carmen is first class.

Playa Del Carmen’s Top 10

Playa del Carmen History

• Tulum – The last of the Mayan outposts and location of many small ruins.
• Coba – The name of these ruins means “water stirred by wind,” the city once covered 27 square miles with an estimated population of 55,000.
• Muyil Chanyazche – This small area was once a Mayan trading post and dates back to 1100 to 1200 AD.
• Xel Ha – Sacred place where the Mayans worshipped many of their gods.
• Chichen Itza – Considered the most impressive Mayan site, with its famous pyramid and a breathtaking view of the surrounding jungle.

Playa del Carmen Art & Culture

• Museo Mexicano – Offers a great understanding and appreciation of the traditions, customs, lifestyle and culture of the country and its people.
• Cedam Maritime Museum – Home to a wonderful exhibit of artefacts and wreckage from shipwrecks along the coast.
• Epicurean Chef Services – Offers excellent meals to enjoy while you watch their wonderful performances.
• Playa del Carmen Museum – One of the newest additions to the city’s museums.
• La Casa del Arte Popular Mexicano – This enthralling folk art museum offers insight into the Mexican culture and handicrafts.

Playa del Carmen Shopping

• Centro Maya – Large shopping malls with shops, restaurants, cafes and entertainment.
• Plaza Las Americas – Great place with many well-known shops, eateries, entertainment and more.
• Chedraui – Local supermarket and place to find not only great things to eat, but also gifts.
• 5th Avenue – A 3km-long stretch of shops and big clothing stores in Playa del Carmen.
• Wooden Lights – Lovely store and great place to find local handicrafts.

Gay & Lesbian Playa del Carmen

• Playa 69 – This local bar is tucked away just off of 5th Avenue and gets going after midnight.
• Playa Shangri-La – Clothing-optional and gay-friendly beach in Playa del Carmen.
• Bloo – Beach club and great place to party!
• Hotel Playa del Karma – Gay-friendly, adults-only resort.
• Wana Bana Bar – A safari-theme setting and features a casino night, karaoke night and ’70s and ’80s night.

Playa del Carmen Outdoor

• Quinta Avenida – This main thoroughfare for pedestrians has plenty to do.
• Mesoamerican Barrier Reef – The second-largest coral reef system worldwide.
• Playa del Carmen – Its beaches are some of the more beautiful and crystal clear in the area.
• Xcaret Eco Park – Eco-archaeological park with nature-based attractions, including a subterranean sluice and a river that goes through a Mayan village.
• Puerto Morelos – One of the best places in the area for excellent snorkelling.

Playa del Carmen Sport

• The Playa del Carmen beaches provide many opportunities for charter fishing.
• The Yucatan peninsula has many cavernous freshwater sinkholes for swimming, diving and exploration.
• The Inter Playa del Carmen soccer team plays in the U. Deportiva Mario Villanueva Madrid.
• Ｃheck out the Playacar golf course.
• The local beach of Cozumel offers great open-water scuba diving.

Playa Del Carmen Events

January in Playa Del Carmen gets started with a groovy beat at the annual BPM Festival, a weeklong celebration of electronic dance music with DJs from all over the world. Dance to the beat on the white sands of this idyllic paradise.

In Playa Del Carmen, 6 January is Three Kings Day, an ancient annual celebration of the three wise men. Join in the festivities and traditions, and be sure the kids don’t miss out on a present.

In February enjoy some world-class golfing at Playa Del Carmen’s annual Mayakoba Golf Classic at El Camaleón Golf Club.

Check out the Centro Ecologico Akumal’s Save The Sea Festival to support the waters and wildlife off Playa Del Carmen’s coast.

Hold your hand up to bid at the annual Playa Del Carmen Festival Silent Auction & Cocktail. All proceeds go to a good cause.

In March you can head over to the island of Cozumel near Playa Del Carmen for the Cozumel Carnival with parades, floats, concerts and the annual crowning of the carnival King and Queen.

The Travesia Sagrada Maya/Sacred Mayan Journey happens in May with a re-enactment of the ritual crossing to Cozumel, which is near to Playa Del Carmen, by the ancient Mayan mariners.

In August, it’s time for the annual Jats'a Ja Festival at Majahual just south of Playa Del Carmen, with celebrations and offerings to the gods, and of course lots of events and activities to join in.

September starts with the Latin Food Festival at Playa Del Carmen, so come and get a taste of Mexico before heading over to Chichen Itza for the Autumn Equinox.

Get into the groove in November at the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival at the Mamitas Beach Club in Playa Del Carmen, then get your blood pumping at the annual Ironman Race on the nearby island of Cozumel.

When To Go

Playa Del Carmen has a balmy tropical climate all year round, with highs of around 80°F (27°c) ranging to lows of around 68°F (20°c). Though the temperature remains fairly constant, the skies roll with storms around September and October, and the humidity increases with the rainy season.

Rainfall is relatively low year round, ranging from 0.3 inches (10mm) in the dry season to around 2.6 inches (65mm) in the wetter months of August and September.

There’s a lull in tourism during these months, so the crowds thin out, but if you don’t mind sharing, the period between February and May is perfect for a beach getaway at Playa Del Carmen.

Getting There

The nearest airports to laya Del Carmen are Cozumel International Airport, around 18 kilometres from the city centre, and Cancun International Airport, which lies some 51 kilometres to the north. Both airports host international and domestic flights.

For getting around Playa Del Carmen, you can’t do better than to hail a local Colectivo minivan. They’re cheap and they run past all major hotels and to Cancun. Taxicabs are also available to take you wherever you need to go, but the best way to see this lovely city is by foot, as it’s relatively small.

General Information

Attractions & Activities

Restaurant & Nightlife

Climate

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