When to go
Located on the Riviera Maya’s Caribbean coast, Playa del Carmen offers warm temperatures all year round, with an annual average of 25 to 30 degrees and high humidity. From June to November is the rainiest season and with more chances of tropical storms and hurricanes, while between December and May is the dry season, with better weather. The high season is distributed between Christmas, Easter, and April, July, and August. The best time to go is during the first days of December, January and May.
Where to stay
If you want to be in the heart of downtown, meters from the beach and close to the nightlife, find accommodation in the area of Fifth Avenue; this pedestrian street runs parallel to the coast and concentrates the movement of leisure in the city. If you are looking for tranquility, it is best to go to Playacar, the hotel zone located south of downtown. It is a semi-private development with five-star hotels, exclusive villas, and all-inclusive resorts facing some of the most beautiful beaches in Playa del Carmen.
What to eat
There are flavors from all over the world in the city, but for some typical dishes, try cochinita pibil and tikin xic fish (cooked on embers with firewood and coconut shells). You can’t miss tacos, especially fish and seafood tacos and enchiladas. To drink, try the micheladas (beer with lemon juice, salt, and spicy sauces), tequila, and mezcal.
Getting around
You can take different options to get to Playa del Carmen; the safest is Transportation from Cancun to Playa del Carmen in a private van. Once you are in the city of Playa del Carmen, the most used means of transportation are cabs (tip: always agree the price with the driver before getting in), rented cars (there are a variety of rental companies), and buses (cheap but uncomfortable). If the idea is to stay in one area and spend a lot of time at the hotel, it is advisable to travel when necessary by cab and excursions. For explorers, on the other hand, the ideal is to rent a vehicle to explore the area freely.
Where to shop
On Fifth Avenue, there are street stalls with handicrafts, art galleries, and international brands. Silverware, embroidered textiles, painted skulls, tequila, and hot sauces are some of the souvenirs you can take back home. A good plan is to visit the Quinta Alegria and Calle Corazon shopping malls in addition to this avenue.
What are the must-sees?
In Playa del Carmen, spend the day sunbathing on its sandy beaches and refreshing yourself in the turquoise Caribbean Sea; and at sunset, go shopping or eating at Quinta Avenida. Due to its strategic position in the Riviera Maya, it is ideal for exploring the surrounding areas such as the Xel-Ha and Xcaret water parks, discover cenotes, and take a trip to Cozumel Isla Mujeres or Holbox. But undoubtedly, one of the most important places you have to visit are the ruins of Tulum, unique in the world for being the only archaeological site on the seashore. To get there is very simple with a Shuttle from Cancun to Tulum.
