Playa del Carmen, Mexico: attractions, beaches and tourist reviews

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

This beautiful, but, unfortunately, distant country like Mexico is gaining more and more popularity among domestic tourists. One of its most interesting regions is Playa del Carmen. It is about this tourist place, as well as about its attractions, that we propose to learn from our article.

Description

Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular tourist centers of the Riviera Maya, located between the cities of Cancum and Tulum. Until recently, it was only a small fishing village. Today, a real city has grown here, the population of which has exceeded 150 thousand people. Such a rapid pace of development is due to the construction of a large resort area near Playa with a complex of hotels and restaurants, huge golf courses and other entertainment.

Beaches

Since tourists come to Mexico not only to visit various interesting sights, but also to swim in the purest water and sunbathe onsand, this item is very important. It is safe to say that the beaches of Playa del Carmen are one of the main advantages of the Mexican Caribbean coast. Transparent turquoise water in combination with white sand will not leave anyone indifferent. In addition, local beaches are not as crowded as, for example, on the coast of Kankum. Playa del Carmen also attracts diving enthusiasts thanks to its clear water, beautiful reefs and a variety of colorful fish. In addition, sport fishing and parasailing are popular activities here.

One of the most popular beaches for families is Chunzubul. This is the perfect snorkeling spot for both adults and kids. Playa del Carmen also has the best and most famous beaches in Mexico: El Faro, Shangri-la and Aleiari. The virgin picturesque nature makes them a magnificent romantic place, which annually attracts newlyweds and couples in love.

All the beaches in Playa del Carmen are well equipped, along the coast you will find many bars and cafes where you can enjoy refreshing drinks and snacks.

Attractions

Thanks to its convenient location in the heart of the Mexican Riviera, a wide variety of interesting excursions are offered from Playa del Carmen. We invite you to learn more about them.

Tulum

If you want to explore the sights of Playa del Carmen, then locals, experienced tourists and guides unanimously recommend startingfrom Tulum. This place is the only ancient Mayan city located on the coast. A unique combination of the beauty of the Caribbean Sea and the secrets of an ancient and mysterious civilization gives Tulum a special flavor. In total, 13 architectural structures have been preserved here, which include temples that have preserved bas-reliefs and frescoes, as well as a fortress wall.

Cenotes

This is the name of the freshwater reservoirs that can be found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Most of the cenotes are available for swimming and diving. Some of them come to the surface, while others are located underground and surrounded by caves. They also differ in size: from very small ones, the diameter of which does not exceed half a meter, to very large ones, having the dimensions of a small lake. Of particular note is the transparency of the water in the cenotes, which often reaches 70 meters. As for Playa del Carmen, there are several similar unique reservoirs in its vicinity within a 30-50 minute drive. Cenote diving requires a PADI certification and a minimum of five dives. If you do not have such a document, then you will be offered to swim with a snorkel and a mask.

Shcaret

This is the name of one of the most popular eco-parks of the Riviera Maya. It is located just 10 kilometers from Playa del Carmen. Xcaret is a unique complex that allows visitors to plunge into the virgin nature of Mexico and feel the ancient Maya civilization. An interesting feature of the park is the presence of an underground river passing through the caves andunderground channels. Tourists are invited to take a swim along it, during which they can enjoy stunning views of petrified corals. Shkaret also offers a rich show program. The most popular spectacle can certainly be called the evening performance, which opens the history and culture of Mexico for the guests of the country. About 300 artists take part in the grand show.

In addition, Xcaret Park includes cultural and historical sites such as various Mayan archaeological sites, the Mexican Cemetery, the Whisper House, Stained Glass Plaza, St. Francis Church and the Blue Agave Plantation.

Chichen Itza

The place under this name is the largest archaeological area of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is under the protection of this organization. Visiting Chichen Itza, you will see the ancient city, the pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of the Warriors, sacrificial platforms, the largest found fields for the ball game, the Women's Monastery, the Sacred Cenote, the Caracol observatory, the Thousand Columns group and other monuments of culture and history of the ancient Mayan civilization, preserved to this day.

Hidden Worlds Park

The name of this entertainment complex can be translated as "Hidden Worlds". The park, located 25 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, offers tourists several options for jungle tours, including swimming in cenotes with a mask and snorkel, rock climbing, zip-lining (descents on ropes), skycycling, diving, communication withdolphins and more. The nature of "Hidden Worlds" is very diverse and picturesque. It is no coincidence that a large number of filmings of popular science programs of the BBC and National Geographic channels were carried out here.

5th Avenue

This is the name given to the central pedestrian street, where, as a rule, most evenings are spent by tourists vacationing in Playa del Carmen. Reviews of 5th Avenue tend to be about nightlife or shopping. After all, all this is available in abundance on this famous street. If you want to dance and have a drink in the evening, then head to 5th Avenue. There are many clubs and bars on both sides of the street. Moreover, the music in most of them plays so loudly that you can dance without even entering the room. The most famous 5th Avenue clubs are Mandala and Shots Factory. Be sure to pay attention to establishments that have a sign that says "meskaleria". Here you will be offered to try the traditional drink of the inhabitants of Mexico called mezcal. It is obtained from fermented blue agave juice.

In the daytime, 5th Avenue becomes a shopping area where you can buy almost everything: from the most necessary (clothes, shoes, etc.) to various souvenirs. For example, handmade hammocks and various dishes are very popular.

Playa del Carmen Hotels

Mexico, like most countries whose budget is heavily dependent on tourism, offersguests hotel complexes for every taste and budget. Therefore, every tourist can easily choose the right hotel for himself: from cheap small establishments that do not even provide breakfast, to large five-star all-inclusive hotels.