ABOUT PLAYA DEL CARMEN

It's hard to pick up a travel magazine without seeing an article featuring Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya.

Once a sleepy fishing town, Playa has developed into an international beach destination while still retaining its laid-back charm.

Located just 45 minutes south of Cancun, this Caribbean jewel, with its soft white-sand beaches, trendy euro-bars, fusion-cuisine restaurants, good shopping and great people-watching is an enticing tropical get away.

Popular outdoor activities include snorkeling, scuba and cavern diving, parasailing, and windsurfing. Mayan archeological sites are an easy day trip. There are world-class golf courses, a tropical bird aviary, and rental bikes available for exploring.

The pedestrian promenade, Fifth Avenue, or “Quinta Avenida,” runs parallel to the ocean and is Playa's center for an array of shops - from hand-crafted silver jewelry to folk art to sleek fashion boutiques.

After enjoying dinner on Fifth under a canopy of moon and stars, you can listen to traditional Mexican Mariachi music, live blues, acoustic guitar, or Salsa dance music, then dance the night away at beach discos such as the infamous Blue Parrot.

View a slide show of Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya

Playa is also becoming a center for spirituality. In addition to yoga, new first-class spas offering massages, sea-weed wraps, and facials abound. Temescals (Mayan Indian sweat-lodges), natural juice/smoothie bars, and holistic therapists offer healthy choices to create a centering, wellness experience.

Only an hour’s plane ride from Miami and less than three hours from the Midwest, Playa del Carmen is a safe, convenient vacation destination.

ATTRACTIONS AND DESTINATIONS

Fifth Avenue - Quinta Avenida Riviera Maya / Cancun Golf Courses Cozumel Popular Reefs Xaman Ha Aviary Chichen Itza Tulum Coba Paamul Xcaret

 

RECOMMENDED SERVICES IN PLAYA

For more information about Playa; www.playa.info and www.playamayanews.com

For lodging; www.alhambra-hotel.net, www.lunata.com,
www.blueparrot.com or www.tropicalcasablanca.com

For Spanish classes; Kathryn Jones - katjon49@hotmail.com and  www.playalingua.com

For spa massages and roof-top sauna; itzaspa@yahoo.com

For real estate investment in Cozumel or the beautiful Costa Maya; don@transcaribbeantrust.com

 

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS

Java Joe's 10th Calle (street) between 5 th Ave. and 10th Ave for coffee, sandwiches, fresh juice.

Cafe Sasta 5th Ave. between 8 th and 10 th Calle for coffee, muffins, bagels, and dessert.

Babe's 10th between 5th Ave. and 10th Ave. Indonesian food, salads, soups, seafood, vegetarian.

100% Natural 5th Ave. between 10th and 12th Calles for breakfast, smoothies, vegetarian salads.

Cueva del Chango 38th Calle between 5th Ave. and the beach for breakfast, salads, veggie options.

Di Vino 5th Ave. at corner of 12th Calle for upscale Italian, pasta, seafood, good wine selection.

Byblos 14th Calle for upscale French, duck, seafood, salads, appetizers, dessert.

Oasis 12th Calle between 5th Ave. and 10th Ave. for shrimp and fish tacos, fish, seafood soup