Main Cities of the Mexican Caribbean Riviera Maya.

Playa del Carmen.

The Riviera Maya, the stretch of beach line where Playa del Carmen is located, is the second world tourist destination, behind Orlando in Florida. Playa del Carmen is a city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in the north east of the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, located at 20.62° North, 87.07° West.

Photo of Playa del Carmen, bird view.

Tourism to Playa del Carmen began with the passenger ferry service to Cozumel, an island across the Cozumel Channel and world-famous scuba diving destination. While passing through, many people realized that it was a nice place to relax away from the crowds of Cancun but with the same quality beaches and turquoise waters. Playa is in the perfect location and there are many opportunities for day trips from Playa del Carmen to explore Mayan ruins, snorkel, swim in a cenote (underground cave), or explore the charming island of Isla Mujeres.

One of the main advantages of Playa del Carmen is that is easier to get to than most destinations in the Caribbean, with many direct flights from USA and Canada. The area has an average of 325 sunny days in the year assuring that you will enjoy a splendid time in almost every visit.

Restaurants are along Playa del Carmen downton beach.

In front of Playa del Carmen and all along the coast up to Belize, runs the second largest and virgin barrier reef in the planet, and in most places is not very deep and is not necessary to scuba dive to enjoy the wonderful exotic life forms that populate. In Mexico you will enjoy the result of mixing the Spanish European culture with the Aztec, and Mexican Indian nation.

Playa del Carmen Downtown beach

From that, an entire new cuisine, art, and religion syncretism come alive. Other facet of this region of Mexico is the Mayan civilization. It offers several Mayan sites to explore, with pyramids, temples, painting, sculptures, ancient tombs still waiting to be discovered lay in the deep jungle. Also the friendliness of the Maya people that still preserve native tongue and manners. This is one of the main reasons why people visit here, to go native.

 Going for a walk in Old Playa Fifth Avenue ( pedestrians only ) is one of the funniest experiences and hard to describe, every nation is represented there along with is music, food, handcrafts and habilities. The Fifth Ave. is 1 block from the beach and many clubs are on the beach as the Blue Parrot and Capitan Tutix. Walking the beach in the night is exciting. Entrances to the best clubs and lounges have a beach side access.
The beaches of Playa are beautifull and warmth year round, sand is white. There is excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, and fishing.

Playacar, is part of Playa del Carmen but a gated community of assorted developments to the south. This planned, upscale, secure neighborhood has an 18-hole golf course, a dozen large all-inclusive hotels, and private condos, which are available for rent ad sale.

Playacar has two sections:

Phase I is oceanfront.
Phase II is next to the golf course.
There is a nice little shopping center directly across the street from the RUI. It is a 4-minute taxi ride into Playa del Carmen.

Depending on what hotel/resort you are staying at, the beach can be wider or deeper or have a gentle slope to the water or a steeper slope to the water. It varies as you travel along the beach but most of the beach from Playacar to Playa del Carmen is slanted.

Picture of one of the many international retaurants in the pedestrian walkway of Playa del Carmen known as  La Quinta Avenida.

After the Gala, the beach continues for about a mile. Within that mile, you begin to encounter huge rocks that break up the beach, first intermittent rocks, then slowly turning into solid rock as far as you can see. It also becomes more and more isolated the further south you go. There are a few beautiful private beach areas in between the rocks.

Eclectic store in the pedestrian walkway in playa del carmen known as La Quinta Avenida. (The fifth Avenue.)

Playacar entrance is 3 blocks from the "La Quinta Avenida de Playa del Carmen" one of the most entertained 1.5 miles of diversity art, stores, food , shows, performances and music. No cars nor bicycles are alowed.
The main gate for Playacar is located just north of Juarez off Hwy 307. You can also walk into Playacar from Playa del Carmen either by walking along the beach or through the mall Plaza Paseo del Carmen, that is at Just walk north and you hit Playacar. Playa means "beach" in Spanish.

Snorkeling in the beaches of Playa del Carmen is very easy. There ara no big waves at all and no undertow.

There are Mayan ruins located in a park in Playacar. Playacar counts with a golf course, bicycle paths, manicured gardens. White sand beach wich blue turquiose waters all year, excelent fishing, snorkeling scuba diving and water activities. The beach, the Playacar home owners are issued an ID to use the Reef Club Hotel beach club (9) . Bring your deed ( Titulo de propiedad ) to the club house (8) and request your ID. The Golf Club Office Phone #: 52-984-873-4990. Pick up service available. Discount rates for Playacar home owners. No camping or fires are allowed on the beach. Ice coolers, umbrellas towels and toys are ok, The internet (5) has 4 machines good only for email tasks and chat. . At the Plaza Maya Pakal (6) is the OXXO where we can find the basic groceries and liquors, rum, vodka, tequila, brandy, ICE, soda pop, snacks, first aid medicines, american, canadian, italian newspapers, frozen burgers, frozen pizza hot-dogs, microwave nachos, noodles soup, pop-corn, cigarretes, caned goods like beans,veggies, salsa, tuna, sardines, mayo, mustard, jalapeños, cereal, syrup, peanuts, and bread, no fruits or veggies here. SAMS club (3) is the same as in the US, and they carry some fruits, they have broiled chicken to go everyday, in the food court there is pizza slices, french fries, hot-dogs. TIn the Chedraui (4) there is everything that you find in Wal Mart. there is a full bakery with cakes and sweets, food court with several dishes, beans,salsas and tortillas, either to eat here or to go. All fruits , veggies, meats, fish, dairy, outside the cashier area there is a SQUALO beach clothes line for surfers, also ther is a sport shoes store. The taxi fare from Playacar to chedraui is 35 pesos ($3.5).

Picture of the Fifth avenue pedestrian way.

Mexico has one of the widest ranges of outdoor fun and culture, making it a tourist haven and great investment in tourism. The crime rate in this area is almost zero. Playa del Carmen gives you 3 vacations in one. First you are in the Caribbean, this means beach, sun, fishing, snorkeling, water sports, night life, relax. Second you are in Mexico, and you have the colonial cities, colorful towns, Mexican people's food, arts, and crafts.

Third you are in the Mayan civilization, ancient cities buried in the jungle waiting to be discovered, pyramids to explore temples to witness ancient ceremonies, in a word; adventure. Having into consideration that variety is the second human need, we must acknowledge that variety is the most important feature of any vacation destination, Playa del Carmen offer unparallel variety, visitors never get bored here your investment here will not worn out. Mexico is now rated one the best countries and one of the safest for real estate investments.

Picture of a downtown playa street.

Cozumel

The island of Cozumel is surrounded by countless attractions. Their vacations in Cozumel will be unforgettable, the small town of San Miguel offers, in addition to its friendly and warm people, an avenue in front of the full sea of coffees and restaurants, duty free stores, the Museum of the Island, and the Second greater Reef of the world to dive, to snorkel and to practice other aquatic activities . Cozumel is the greatest island of the Mexican Caribbean with approximately 16 kilometers wide by 48 of length. The only town of Cozumel, San Miguel, is in the western part of the island and lodges to the great majority of the hotels. Who visits Cozumel,  can choose to stay in hotels, tourist centers with all inclusive plans , peasants villas in front of the sea or bungalows next to the beach. The variety of attractives in this island will make your vacations in Cozumel  really the best ones in a lifetime, since this matchless island is a paradise for the lovers of the nature, for those who please to dive and to snorkeling, and for the romantic ones. This island was considered by old the Mayans like the home of Ixchel, the goddess of the love and the fertility. Cozumel also seduces the Mexican tourists who wish to save, because Cozumel have the best thing of Mexico (friendly people, accessible prices, huge stores and restaurants and interesting cultural strolls), with the enchantment of vacationing  in a Caribbean island. The waters lukewarm, clear and color turquoise of Cozumel protect the second reef greater network of the world, plenty of limestone stone caverns, tunnels and the unusual black coral. Its unique marine life attracts the divers of all parts of the world. The National Park Reefs of Cozumel is a protected area of 30.000 acres to the south of Cozumel, including the 85 percent of the places to dive in the island. Snorqueling is the second deports more popular in the island. For the novices, there is no necessity to swim great distances or to take boats to admire reefs. There are two very different kinds of beaches on Cozumel. One type, found on the west coast of the island facing the Mexican mainland, offers stretches of golden sand, often with all the amenities of a beach club. On the east side facing out in the Caribbean Sea, quiet beaches alternate with rocky shores along the vast expanses of the solitary coast. The waters on the more populous west side are generally calm, while the roaring surf on the east creates treacherous breakers and undertows. Other aquatic sports that the tourists can hire are the fishing, windsurfing and sailing. The coast the west of Cozumel has long golden sand beaches  with calm waters. Within the most popular sites is Beach San Francisco, the lagoon of Chankanaab and the Beach of San Juan. For those who prefer the activities in earth, there is strolls to horse, tennis and hiking. San Miguel de Cozumel, the capital of the island, is a calm town yet the enchantment of the Mexican Caribbean. The quality of its gastronomy, cradle in its excellent seafood is well-known by all the region. Its provincial air does not make it less comfortable or modern. Their nights are ideal for those who please of the discothèques and bars. Account with a great variety of lodging options, from the great hotels of luxury, to economic hostelries. In the free zone, Cozumel is well assorted of jewelry shop done with genuine silver and gold with precious stones and semiprecious. The stores of the center and boutiques of the hotels have clothes, perfumery, Mexican crafts, tequila and memories. Nightlife is always available, including a number of funky island bars and folkloric dancing entertainment. A rental car, bike, scooter trip or taxi tour around rural Cozumel will produce visions of an entirely different island, one that is mostly wilderness beaches, scrub jungle and rolling surf. There are several small Mayan sites on Cozumel, including San Gervasio and El Cedral, all easy to find and explore in half a day. 

Puerto Aventuras

Puerto Aventuras is a world class residential community resort located in the heart of the Riviera Maya on the Mexican Caribbean. Here you will find a magical blend of lush tropical beauty with an easygoing yet sophisticated life style.The best of PA dates from millions of years ago. The development includes three major protected bays and an inlet all covered by powder white sand. The main beach area is in the central part of the resort on Fatima Bay with over 1.5 miles of Beach front beginning at condomino Chac Hal al and ending at Grand Peninsula.

The Parrot performance team in Puerto Aventuras.

Chan Yu Yum, a smaller bay to the north of the resort serves separately for Oasis hotel; an extension of beach was built inland to host several smaller bed&breakfast operations.


Chac Hal Al inlet and beach front on the south side of the resort will remain as the most exclusive natural reserve for a few fortunate owners.

Because of the low density and the distribution of areas on the master plan our beaches will never be crowded and owners will always enjoy their privacy in spite of high season hotel occupancy.
Few destinations in the world have as many direct flights as Cancun's international airport, and from there a 45 minute drive to one of the most spectacular reefs, only comparable to Australia. Also, in this case, the reef is only a hundred yards from the beach; no two hour boat ride to a dive site.

Divers may plan and decide their own adventure. The reef's first platform is only 60' deep and will offer all you'll want to see. Second platform will go 120' for the more demanding and from there a cliff where the most daring diver will not reach bottom.

The Dive Center has a highly-trained and experienced staff of multi-lingual instructors, divemasters and guides as well as state-of-the-art equipment and custom dive boats that ensure you a safe and action-filled vacation experience

Point of interest nearby Puerto Aventuras.

TULUM;
Only 20 minutes away.

ECO-PARKS:
XCARET......" Nature's Sacred Paradise "
Only 15 minutes away.

Puerto Aventuras.

Is the only Gated Community resort on the Mexican Caribbean coast. It's Master Plan was conceived in such manner that each and everyone of its lots would enjoy an immediate added value whether on the beach, the Marina or Golf course. Low density residential areas are clearly separated by expansive green belts from those of higher density strategically located in the heart of the resort where all commercial activities take place.

Akumal.

If the Disneyland atmosphere of Xel-Ha and Xcaret turn you off, there is a better, cheaper way of snorkeling and exploring the wildlife of the Yucatan coast. Tiny beach spots south of Playa, like Akumal and Paamul, offer the wildlife and activities without the glitz, the cost and the crowds. Secluded, quiet and lovely, Akumal is a great bet for snorkeling, diving and fishing. This area seems to attract Americans, but saw some  local Mexicans bringing their kids here to swim and play. Another nice feature is that the beaches are covered with short palm trees, providing just enough shade. There is no charge to get in, you can stay all day, eat shop and play here. No bargains in the gift shops but high quality crafts that you won’t find in Playa. You can stay here, too. There is a row of tidy looking cabins along a stone sea wall that overlook the lagoon. There's a little ice cream stand on the beach; the scoops of coconut and chocolate ice cream are maybe the most delicious. Look for Restaurants  'La Buena Vida,' well worth making the trip down to Akumal for Buena Vida alone. When you come through the gate for Akumal, turn left and carry on up the road for about a half mile until you come to a restaurant with a strange prehistoric fantasy creature skeleton on the sign.

Paamul beach settlement RV Park.

About a 20 minute drive down Highway 307 brings you to Paamul, which I can only describe as a tidy, quaint trailer park.

The inhabitants live in RVs parked under large palapas, but there’s nothing cheesy about the place. Some of these palapas have lofts and gardens. There’s a small, tight community here, (mostly Americans it seems) who buy these palapas for around $8000 and pay an annual maintenance fee, if you will, of about $3400.

The feature is snorkeling and diving. We were told by one father and son scuba team that the diving was the best in the area, maybe better than Cozumel.

There are cabins for rent here, too, a spartan row of cinderblock that looked a little grim for my tastes. The reef here is big and sprawls onto the beach. Great snorkeling.

Spend the rest of the afternoon sitting under a palapa, then had dinner in the open air restaurant on site. One of the best meal of the whole area here. Israel, a young waiter here with a ready smile and Valentino eyes, gave  salsa lesson while a few other dinners ambled in and watched. They have some evening events, like dances, once in a while, and the folks who live here come out for the bar at night.

Puerto Morelos beach and town

Puerto Morelos is really a small Mayan fishing village where people actually send their kids to school, go to church, shop, and celebrate everything. It is very safe, and you feel like part of the community almost immediately. There are also lots of great, reasonably priced restaurants, arts and craft shops, a "super' market, Internet cafes, a bakery, etc. Having the down-to-earth feeling of a true Mayan village in this sweet town, yet being able to return to a gorgeous luxury villa with a pampering staff is truly the way to have a great vacation. If you can get an opening, do it.