Description
The city of Playa del Carmen is part of the Mayan Riviera tourist corridor that runs along the beaches of the Caribbean and some of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico.
State: Quintana Roo
Coordinates:
20º37'39"N 87°04'52"W
Altitude: 10 meters above sea level
Area:
Time Zone: Central Standard Time UTC-6
Population: 149,923 inhabitants (INEGI, 2010)
Area Code: 984
Playa del Carmen is one of the favorite destinations for travelers from the United States and Europe.
The beauty of the turquoise Caribbean Sea along with the lush, green jungles give a place for tourists to enjoy the ecotourism activities in the parks of Xcaret and Xel-Ha, as well as a chance to visit the archaeological site of Tulum and several cenotes, the natural crystalline water sinkholes used by the ancient Mayan for their rituals and where today you can go scuba diving and snorkeling.
Playa del Carmen is also home to the second largest coral reef in the world and with water activities like diving and snorkeling, you can truly appreciate the majesty of this aquatic treasure.
Fifth Avenue or La Quinta Avenida of Playa del Carmen is the main commercial hub of the city, where the shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes and local craft markets are found.
Playa del Carmen is a typical village in the Mexican Caribbean but is equipped with a first class infrastructure in terms of hospitality, eco-tourism, and catering services.
Leaving the Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal you can take a 45 minute ferry ride to Cozumel Island.
Among the destinations near Playa del Carmen is the city of Cancun which takes 50 minutes by car.
How to get there?
Playa del Carmen is located in southeast Mexico in the state of Quintana Roo.
The nearest airport is the Cancun International Airport.
Located 60 kilometers north of Playa del Carmen, it receives daily flights from Europe, USA, Canada, and the interior of Mexico.
To arrive by car or bus take Highway 150 and Highway 180.
Distances from Playa del Carmen to other destinations in Mexico
- Cozumel, Quintana Roo: 29 km.
- Tulum: 64 km.
- Cancún, Quintana Roo: 69 km.
- Chichén – Itzá, Yucatán: 253 km.
- Mérida, Yucatán: 359 km.
- Campeche, Campeche: 528 km.
- Villahermosa, Tabasco: 847 km.
- Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas: 1028 km.
- Veracruz, Veracruz: 1319 km.
- Oaxaca, Oaxaca: 1449 km.
- Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla: 1485 km.
- Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal: 1608 km.
- Guadalajara, Jalisco: 2144 km.
- Monterrey, Nuevo León: 2310 km.
Climate
Playa del Carmen has a warm sub-tropical climate with humidity.
Recorded temperatures average 30 ° C during the day and 18 ° C at night.
The rainy season occurs in the months of July and August.
What to pack?
Swimsuit, sandals, shorts, sunscreen, sneakers, light sweater, insect repellent, hat, sleeveless shirts.
Activities and tourist attractions in Playa del Carmen
Xcaret Ecopark, Xel-Ha Natural Park , Rio Secreto (caves, caverns and cenotes) .
Swim with Dolphins, Whale Shark Watching from Cozumel Island . Water Sports: Scuba diving, jet skiing, snorkeling, parasailing, Kitesurfing.
Observing the flora and fauna, Coral reef in the Caribbean Sea, Cozumel Island . Visit the Sacred Cenotes, Tulum archaeological site (60 km.) , Coba archaeological site (40 km.), Archaeological site of Chichen Itza (2 ½ hour drive).
The Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka'an. Town of Bacalar and its lagoon of seven colors . Stroll down La Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), Shopping ,
Fairs and Festivals in Playa del Carmen
January: Carnival Playa del Carmen
July: Feast of the Virgin del Carmen
September 15 and 16: Independence Day, Commemorating the Independence of Mexico
October 31 to November 2: Day of the Dead
December: Tequila Expo
December 12: Feast in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe