Playa del Carmen Mexico Tourism & Travel Information Hotels Tours Airport Transfers

Playa del Carmen					Mexico

Playa del Carmen Travel Information

About Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a cosmopolitan city with over 100,000 inhabitants, whose accelerated progress is owed to tourism. It is located in the central coast of the Maya Riviera, 65 kilometers south of Cancun, in the Mexican Caribbean (see map of Playa del Carmen).

Playa del Carmen centralizes the commercial activities of businesses, banks and foreign exchange bureaus, in the ancient part of the city, where lower priced hotels and inns are located. At the 18 kilometer mark the Playacar Complex is located, reuniting luxurious hotels from well known international hotel chains, most of them being “all inclusive”.

Playa del Carmen is famous for its nighttime activities which develop in restaurants, typical bars and handicraft shops from the central Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue). Like a traditional Mexican town, “Playa”, unlike Cancun, can be strolled through peacefully on foot.

Buses leave regularly from the center of Playa del Carmen to Playacar, Cancun and other Caribbean destinations. Taxis also take passengers to these destinations. Ferries leave from the town’s dock to the island of Cozumel (see tours in Playa del Carmen).

Hotels in Playa del Carmen

The hotels in Playa del Carmen are generally located in the central area and some blocks from the coast. There are also inns. Both are characterized for being small, with a simple infrastructure, but with personalized attention and are oriented towards travelers with limited budgets (see prices).

Playacar is a tourist complex located 20 minutes from Playa del Carmen, with residential areas, large “all inclusive” international hotels, a mall, tourism and car rental agencies, restaurants, golf courses, archeological sites and an exotic aviary.

Excursions in Playa del Carmen

Excursions in Playa del Carmen are oriented towards enjoying the natural beauty of its beaches and ecological parks, practicing water sports, seeing the remains of the Mayan culture, tasting its gastronomy and learning about the region’s customs.

Xcaret is an Archeological and Ecological Park, located 7 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, dedicated to the diffusion of the Mayan culture, as well as the preservation of the environment and ecology. It offers over 25 activities, such as diving and snorkeling in its subterranean rivers, coves and lagoons, and observing the exuberant local flora and fauna.

Cozumel is the largest and most visited Mexican island, a favorite for snorkeling lovers. It is located in front of the coast of Playa del Carmen, just a 40 minute ferry ride. It has an airport which receives national and international flights and a high wharf for cruise ships. There are hotels with excellent services and infrastructures, restaurants with the greatest variety of seafood and several options for nighttime entertainment.

Puerto Aventuras is one of the most recent tourist developments. Located 19 kilometers to the south of Playa del Carmen, this complex of hotels, condominiums and villas contains restaurants, boutiques, a golf course, museum and a wharf with complete services.

Akumal, just 32 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, is a small town preferred by those who love piece and an isolated life. It has a spectacular bay with crystal clear waters and over 200 subterranean caves, perfect for diving and snorkeling. It is still one of the sites chosen by marine turtles for laying their eggs.

Xel Há is the world’s largest ecological park with a natural aquarium, ideal for diving and snorkeling in its caverns and pools. It is located 49 kilometers from Playa del Carmen. Tourists may travel through the area by foot, bicycle or train, and enjoy its beach.

Tulum is located 62 kilometers from Playa del Carmen and has three distinct areas: the hotel area, the town, and the archeological area. In the nearby villages, the traveler can experiment the Mayan culture in its language, handicrafts and traditions, which its inhabitants keep alive.

Puerto Morelos, 32 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, is a small fishing town valued as a calm and bohemian place. It has pretty beaches and nearby reefs for snorkeling.

Cancun is the most important tourist city in the Mexican Caribbean, 65 kilometers north of Playa del Carmen. It has a peninsular zone with beautiful beaches and majestic hotels and another centric zone, in the continent, with restaurants, typical bars and handicraft shops (see map of Cancun).

Car Rentals in Playa del Carmen

Cars may be rented in Playa del Carmen in the agencies located in the central zone or in the lobby of some hotels.

Taxis are the most convenient means of transportation in Playa del Carmen, as they circulate through the streets and stop upon the client’s signal. The service may be requested from a hotel, but the rate increases.

The bus terminal is located in the center of Playa de Carmen’s Quinta Avenida. Buses leave frequently to all destinations of the Maya Riviera, including the Playacar Complex, and they are very economical.

Air travel to Playa del Carmen is realized via the Cancun International Airport and from there, 50 minutes by highway (see map of Cancun). At the air terminal one can rent a car or hire one of the transport companies offering passenger pick-up (see transfers in Playa del Carmen).

Playa del Carmen has a port, located in the central zone, from which ferries leave, linking the continent to Cozumel Island and others.

Playa del Carmen Tourist Information

Storm and hurricane season extends from July until September.

Playa del Carmen and the Maya Riviera are very safe places to visit and the traveler can calmly walk along the commercial plazas, streets, avenues and beaches. However, as with any city in the world, avoid remote areas far from public places and don’t neglect your belongings.

There is a Value Added Tax (IVA) in Playa del Carmen and Cancun, included in all products and services, for national residents and foreigners. 10% is added, plus another 2% in the case of lodging services. It is recommended that the tourist ask if this tax is included in the final cost.

Tips are regulated by world level standards. At the airport and hotels, a tip of 1 to 2 American dollars is recommended for each suitcase carried. In restaurants, a tip of 15 to 20% of the total value of the bill is normally given, if it is not included within the bill.