Though there are thousands of visitors to the Yucatan Peninsula every year, the region offers several distinct experiences. There is the hustle and bustle of Cancun and Cozumel (the main port for the many cruise ships into the area) and then there is the leisurely and pedestrian pace of Playa del Carmen.
Less than twenty years ago this was a sleepy fishing village that was reached via a two lane, pot hole filled, dirt road from Cancun. Today it is one of the most popular destinations in the Mayan Riviera, quickly reached by a four-lane highway that makes the trip from Cancun only an hour or less. It has, however, checked its own growth in order to maintain the quaint and comfortable village feel.
Visitors will find no high-rise complexes full of popular shops or chain restaurants, instead one of the most popular things to do in Playa del Carmen is to take a casual stroll down Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) which is the main visitors thorough fare in the town. Here guests can enjoy the many restaurants and shops, partake of the merchandise made by local artesanias, and even pick up some Cuban cigars.
In order to get a real taste of the unique cuisine and culture of the Yucatan Peninsula and the Mayan Riviera, a visitor should sample some of the best Playa del Carmen restaurants. Currently there are more than seventy places to eat in the small town, but every visitor should sample at least one truly native cacao or chocolate caf, a local fish restaurant, and a true Mexican grill establishment.
In Playa del Carmen most of the stores and restaurants will close their doors by 10 p.m. each evening, but there are some popular clubs that stay open until dawn. Playa, as the locals call it, is not the same kind of party town as Cancun, only an hour north, but there are still a few very popular locations for this sort of fun.
There are many other things to do in Playa del Carmen, including snorkeling and scuba diving, visiting the many eco-parks, ancient Mayan ruins or enjoying a quick ferry ride over to the island of Cozumel. The thing to remember is that Playa is a place preferred by those hoping to relax and unwind from the hectic pace of life. Playa del Carmen has attractions and activities, but it also has the distinctive air of a place meant for rest and for enjoying the beautiful scenery that is everywhere.
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