Are you thinking about the next destination to enjoy your vacations and you have already chosen Mexico; but, you don't know which places to visit? Don't worry! here you will find one of the best alternatives for when you go to Mexico. Obviously, the city that is most popular internationally and the one that most attracts tourists from all over the world is Cancun, which you have surely heard of or visited before. But , what if we mention another paradisiacal place that even some other tourists and Mexicans who have visited prefer it over Cancun?
The place being mentioned is Playa del Carmen, Mexico. This place is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya in the State of Quintana Roo, approximately 70 kilometers south of Cancun ; in fact, you can easily access this place; Since the international airport of Cancun is approximately 45 minutes away. By the way, unlike Cancun, which is the largest city in the State of Quintana Roo with almost one million inhabitants, Playa del Carmen is a smaller and more modern city with approximately 300,000 inhabitants, being the second most populous city in Quintana Roo. . It is a city that is bathed by the Caribbean Sea and its economy revolves around tourism; This is why, lately, it has been transforming in search of providing better services and leisure activities for visitors, beginning with large hotel chains that have arrived in this city.
Playa del Carmen is a growing city and due to its hot and humid tropical climate, with occasional rains, the average temperature in the year being about 28° to 30° degrees, which is ideal for visiting its beaches at any time of the year. year; the foregoing has attracted a lot of attention from both national and foreign investors; Because they see it as an opportunity to purchase cabins, vacation homes, bars, restaurants, or purchase it for their own residence. Obviously, this is a very good bet; Above all, because travelers would not only like to enjoy a paradisiacal vacation, but also have the opportunity to be one of the first to discover an excellent place and recommend it to other people so that they also get to know it. So currently, Playa del Carmen is a booming destination.
Having said the above, you may wonder what can be done in Playa del Carmen?
Go shopping on Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue is like the center of the city, a pedestrian street of approximately 5 kilometers where you can go shopping, go out for a drink, eat and other activities; Since, there are stores and chain stores for clothing, makeup, perfumery, footwear, costume jewellery, handicrafts, souvenir or souvenir shops, bars, restaurants, etc. which makes it quite a busy area. On this avenue you can also find luxury hotels and more economically accessible hotels.
Go to the beach
Obviously, this city is famous for its beaches; So, it would be crazy for you to visit Playa del Carmen and not go for a dip in its beaches; above all, because you can easily get there even on foot or by bicycle. For example, you can go to Playa Mamitas , which is located about three blocks from La Quinta Avenida. This beach is one of the most visited and is public; so, your entry is free; But, if you want sun loungers or lounge chairs with umbrellas to be in the shade, that is a service offered at a place called Mamitas Beach Club and it does have a cost.
Also, you can visit Punta Esmeralda , which is another of the most beautiful beaches and requested by tourists and locals. In addition, it has a small Cenote (the cenotes are deep natural wells of fresh water supplied by an underground river that forms in various places in the Yucatan peninsula. Thanks to them, the Mayas would have lacked water; since there are no rivers and major lakes in that area). So this is a quiet beach; so, it is ideal to visit with the family and with children. You can walk on the beach, sit and work on your tan, take a dip, swim, snorkel, yacht, kayak and play some beach sport in the sand.
Go to Fundadores Park and the beach in front
The Fundadores Park is like the square in other cities, which becomes a meeting point for people, where various social and cultural events, gastronomic and other fairs are held, where music shows, dances are held. Also, in this park there is a sculpture that is a symbol called the Mayan Portal; ideal to go for a walk either with family, friends, colleagues or with your partner and take many pictures.
In addition, right in front of the park there is a beach, which is also popular, one of the most visited and where you can also do various activities to enjoy the place; This beach even has suitable facilities to facilitate access for people with limited capacities. Also, you can go to the beaches: Maroma, Xpu-Há, Xcacel, among others, although these last two places are on the outskirts of Playa del Carmen, they are hidden treasures that you can visit if you have a few extra days and really want to venture out and discover impressive landscapes that nature offers in this area of Mexico.
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Delight the gastronomy of Playa del Carmen
Being a coastal city, the gastronomy of the place is influenced by marine cuisine and one of its typical foods is ceviche, which is a dish made with raw fish with lemon, onion, tomato, cilantro, among other ingredients. Also, you will find in many places the Cochinita Pibil, which is pork marinated with achiote and is cooked between banana leaves. Of course, you will find other seafood dishes such as: shrimp, lobster, octopus, etc. While, in the drinks you will find a very typical one that is a liquor based on honey and anise called Xtabentún and fruit juices.
visit a cenote
Previously, it was announced what a cenote is and in Playa del Carmen you can find some of these wonders of nature that are open to the public and offer various activities; for example, you can use the equipment for snorkeling, diving, you can swim; There are even some people who offer spa services and massages in these places. It is an unmissable experience for those seeking ecotourism and/or connecting with the environment. Thus, once you visit Playa del Carmen in Mexico, you will realize these and other activities that you could do in the city.
On the other hand, it seems that it is ideal to make a comparison in some aspects of Playa del Carmen with Cancun; since, as we mentioned at the beginning, there are many people who prefer Playa del Carmen. Both cities offer paradisiacal beaches with crystal clear waters with the opportunity to do various water activities where you can take rides on a yacht or other types of boats, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, etc. But, let's see some differences between them.
Go to Cozumel Island
Playa del Carmen is located in front of Cozumel Island, which is famous for its endemic fauna and its extraordinary beaches. You can even organize a yacht ride that will take you to that place. This island is surrounded by coral reefs, ideal for you to practice diving, snorkeling; In addition, you will be able to see turtles and numerous species of birds. Likewise, cenotes and Mayan ruins can be found throughout the forest, where you will undoubtedly enjoy a pleasant moment with the eyes.
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Playa del Carmen vs Cancun
Since Playa del Carmen is a smaller city and is barely under development, it is quieter and less crowded than Cancun. The atmosphere in Playa del Carmen is more authentic, you will see colonial-style buildings; while Cancun, being more developed, has a wide range of luxury hotels, large resorts and renowned nightclubs. As far as food is concerned, knowing that the cuisine of Playa del Carmen is more related to seafood, in Cancun you will find more international offers, fast food and typical Mexican food. Regarding religious customs, both cities have a mixture of Mayan and Catholic influences. The latter began to be practiced in the region because it was taught by the Spanish at the time of colonization.
Also, both cities offer beautiful natural landscapes to visit such as cenotes, beaches, water parks, Mayan ruins. However, Playa del Carmen has some attractions such as the Xcaret ecological park and the Yal-ku lagoon nature reserve and in Cancun, there is the Xel-há theme park, known for its aquatic and adventure activities, as well as the Xplor theme park, which offers activities such as cave diving and zip lining.
Regarding prices, Cancun is usually more expensive in terms of food and lodging compared to Playa del Carmen. However, discounts may be found; so, you can compare prices in each city and choose the option that best suits your budget.
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Having said all of the above, you can already have a clearer idea of what you can find and the activities that you could do on your vacation if you visit Playa del Carmen in Mexico. If you have the opportunity to go, you will have unforgettable memories of the entire tour you do in this quiet and beautiful city.