Playa del Carmen
People fall in love with Playa del Carmen equally for what it has (gorgeous beaches and rustic charm) and for what it doesn’t (the crowds and overbuilt beachfronts of some of the Yucatan peninsula’s big tourist traps). It boasts unique little hotels and restaurants and an authentic village feel that appeals to fashionistas and hippies alike. Playa del Carmen is a city that is perfect for exploring on foot. The vibrant shopping district known as 5th Avenue is a long, cobblestone-lined street with a huge array of delicious restaurants, bars and shopping, all steps away from the white-sand beach.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: Spanish
Currency: The Mexican peso is the official currency, though US dollars are accepted at many places.
Flight Time: 3.5 hours from NYC, 4.5 hours from LA
Getting Around: On foot, car, taxi
Playa del Carmen At Its Best
Best Weather: The driest (and most popular) months are December to April, when 80 degrees Fahrenheit is the average temp. The summer months are even hotter (highs close to 90) and September to October are often rainy (and hurricane-prone).
Best Prices: Prices begin to come down at the end of Spring Break season, around May, and you can find bargains from then until around Thanksgiving when the peak season begins again.
What to do
Soak Up The Sun
The white sands and clear Caribbean waters of the local beaches are Playa’s main attraction. If you get bored sunbathing you can snorkel, scuba or partake in the other standard water sports, but the vibe here is more about lying around languidly reading a book or entwined with your honey on a towel.
See Awe-Inspiring Ruins
Don’t let the sun and tequila lull you into such a stupor that you forget that some of the Western hemisphere’s most fascinating archeological sites are a quick trip away. The ruins of the ancient Mayan empire, at nearby Tulum and Coba, will give you a heavy and memorable dose of history. In addition to the famous ruins, you can check out colonial cities (Merida and Campeche are two) and traditional haciendas to the north.
Stay Up Late
A diverse array of energetic nightlife options is one of Playa del Carmen’s big selling points. But don’t worry, you won’t be engulfed by a raucous college crowd — the after-dark atmosphere is more sophisticated than that. You can hit a salsa venue one night, a rock club another, and spend the rest sipping your tequila of choice at one of the myriad laid-back sidewalk cafes or restaurants.
