The province of Yucatan is one of the most popular areas in Mexico, with its history, its landscapes as incredible as they are varied, its culture, its gastronomy, there is a lot to say about this region. But today we are going to focus on one place in particular. In the most popular cities of Yucatan we find of course the majestic Cancun, the incredible Tulum, and of course the magnificent Playa del Carmen. But in the latter, one place stands out more than the others, standing out from the crowd with its subtle beauty, quiet strength, and discreet magnificence.
Playacar is right in the centre of Playa del carmen. Just a few minutes from the beach and the most famous avenue in the city, “la Quinta”. Avenue where you will find everything you need for your entertainment, such as bars, cafes, nightclubs and more.
Playacar is an exclusive community, which means that only Playacar residents and employees who work there have the opportunity to enter, which greatly reduces (if not totally eradicates) the risk of theft, assault or other inconveniences.
This place, populated by condominios, luxury hotels, villas and luxurious houses, each one more beautiful than the other, is divided into two parts.
Playacar Fase I, which faces the beach with direct access, will allow you to enjoy an absolutely splendid view of the ocean and its waves, turquoise water and fine sand. This is a celebrity favourite and there are even rumours that Brad Pitt may own a house here.
Playacar Fase II, is built around a very large golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge, and therefore has an 18-hole golf course, shops, and just like Fase I, a large number of condos, villas and 5-star hotels. You can also find a bird park, Xaman-Ha bird sanctuary, where you can observe some of the local birds and admire their shimmering colours. This is definitely a place not to be missed in Playa del Carmen.
You can also find restaurants and convenience stores in Playacar. In fact, there are several Oxxo convenience stores, one at the Riu Palace Hotel and 2 more towards the back of Playacar. There are also several restaurants close to the Oxxo’s towards the back of Playacar, and we recommend l’atelier de Fred. This is a French bakery which is simply excellent.
The roads in Playacar are very well maintained by the staff, you’ll most likely get the chance to see the security doing regular patrols, and these roads are great for jogging or cycling.
You should also know that Mayan ruins, called Xaman-Ha, are located close to Playacar, very interesting and rewarding they can perfectly serve as an introduction to Mayan history, discover how they lived, what they ate and what their customs were. They also have the advantage of being completely free of access.
Finally, we must tell you about the beaches of Playacar, which are among the most beautiful in Playa del Carmen. Very wide, they are very appreciated by locals and tourists who do not hesitate to come from the center to settle down on these beaches.
On that note, I hope this article has helped you, and have a good stay in Playacar.
This list of the best excursions in the Riviera Maya will help you complete a trip to one of the most famous jewels in Mexico, which we are sure you will fall in love with upon your arrival.
In this area, located on the coast of the state of Quintana Roo, you can enjoy white sand beaches and turquoise waters, cenotes, coral reefs, ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization, hotels with all the amenities in addition to one of the best cuisine in the world, making it one of the most popular destinations in the world.
Excursion to the Cenotes
The Riviera Maya has its wildest part in the cenotes, some limestone caves that are the result of erosion, where you can take a relaxing bath or even go scuba diving.
Although there are hundreds of cenotes in the Riviera Maya, you have to take into account that the ones located closer to the coast are open sky while the cenotes around Valladolid are cave-like and located in the middle of the jungle, something that in our experience, makes them more spectacular.
Many cenotes can only be accessed if you have a rental car or a taxi such as those in Samulá, X’kekén, Palomitas, Agua Dulce, Xcanahaltun, Hubiku and Suytun, but if you don’t want to drive you can visit some of them by public transport, taking advantage of the fact that they are near archaeological sites such as the fantastic Il Kil or take a tour that passes through several cenotes.
man swimming at Cenotes
Excursion to Chichén Itzá
Visiting Chichen Itza, the most famous Mayan ruin and one of the seven wonders of the modern world, is one of the best excursions in the Mayan Riviera that you can do.
This archaeological complex has several buildings and structures such as the Pyramid of Kukulkan or the impressive Ball Game, which will take you to the era of greatest splendor of the Mayan civilization.
Being the place that receives more tourists in Mexico, it is advisable to arrive early, taking into account that they open at 8 am, to enjoy the site with more tranquility and be able to take pictures without many people.
The duration of the visit is usually between three and five hours, depending on the time you spend at the site, and can be completed with a swim in one of the most spectacular cenotes in the country, Ik Kil, which is very close to the archaeological site.
To get to Chichen Itza, if you don’t have a rental car, you can take a bus from the ADO bus station in Cancun or Playa del Carmen, which will take you directly there.
chichen Itza
Excursion to Coba
The ruins of Coba are one of the largest Mayan sites in the Yucatan Peninsula, with several structures and pyramids scattered throughout the jungle, which can be easily visited on foot or by bicycle.
Its most outstanding place is the pyramid Nohuch Mul, the highest in the Yucatan with 42 meters high, where you can climb to the top using support ropes because of its steep slope and from where you will have magnificent views of the area.
ruins of Coba
Excursión a Tulum
In Tulum, you will find the typical Caribbean postcard where you can see the castle of an ancient Mayan city, located at the edge of a cliff, on a white sand beach and turquoise waters.
Visiting the Mayan ruins of Tulum will take you about 2 hours and in addition to protection for the hottest days, it is advisable to take your swimsuit with you to finish with a refreshing swim on the beach below the ruins, one of the most famous in the world.
If you have extra time you can walk to one of our favorite beaches in the Riviera Maya, the spectacular Playa Paraiso and eat or drink at one of the seafront restaurants.
coast of Tulum
Excursion to Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres, a beautiful island located 13 kilometers from the Yucatan Peninsula, in front of Cancun, is another of the best excursions in the Riviera Maya. Its calm waters and the incredible coral reefs on the west side are perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving. You can also rent a golf cart or a motorcycle to tour the island in search of some of its turquoise water beaches and visit the famous marine park El Garrafón.
To get to Isla Mujeres you can take a ferry from the hotel zone in Cancun or from Puerto Juarez, which will take you to the island in about 20 minutes.
Islas mujeres
Excursion to Holbox
Holbox Island is a small paradise and another of the must-see places in the Riviera Maya. Its white sand beaches, transparent waters of an intense turquoise green and sunsets are for the memory.
If you add to all this a delicious gastronomy, based on local and international food, and that it is a relatively uncrowded island, Holbox automatically becomes one of the best excursions in the Riviera Maya.
In addition, all the points of interest on the island can be reached on foot or by renting a golf cart, since in Holbox motor vehicles are not allowed, making it a very pleasant destination for relaxation.
The only way to get to Holbox is by ferry from Chiquilá.
Holbox
Excursion to Xel-Há
Xel-Ha Park, a true paradise for nature lovers, is another essential excursion in the Riviera Maya.
In this great natural aquarium with transparent turquoise waters from the Xel-Ha River and the Caribbean Sea, you can do several water activities, one of the most requested being a walk on a floating tire, where the current of the river will take you to different points of interest in the park.
In this park you can also practice snorkeling in different coves, discover cenotes, jump from natural trampolines, go on a zip line or on a vine, go hiking or cycling in the jungle, among many other activities.
To get to Xel-Ha Park, located 13 kilometers from Tulum and 110 kilometers from Cancun, you can choose either the car or the ADO buses.
Xel-ha
Excursion to Xcaret or Xplor
One of the best excursions in the Riviera Maya for all ages is the visit to Xcaret natural park and Xplor recreational park. These two parks, located in a beautiful environment of jungle and Caribbean Sea, offer a lot of fun activities outdoors and in hidden caves, where besides releasing adrenaline with its many attractions, you can see several shows that reproduce Mexican dances and traditions.
If you don’t have a car, the cheapest option to get to the park is to take a bus in Cancun or Playa del Carmen that will drop you off at the entrance.
Xcaret visiting hours: every day from 8:30h to 22:30h.
Xplor visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 9h to 17h and from 17:30h to 22:30h.
Xcaret
Excursion to las Coloradas
In the north of the Yucatan Peninsula, near the coastal town of Río Lagartos, you can find Las Coloradas, which has become very fashionable lately thanks to the power of social networks.
This area of singular beauty, where several artificial lakes are dyed with colors, a product of the concentration of salt and microorganisms, is another essential place to visit in Mexico.
To get to Las Coloradas, if you do not have a car, you can take a collective taxi in Rio Largatos.
coast of las coloradas
Excursion to Rio Secreto
Rio Secreto, an underground nature reserve with transparent waters and rocky formations of stalactites and stalagmites, is another of the best excursions in the Riviera Maya.
Located very close to Playa del Carmen and Xcaret park, this reserve with more than 30 kilometers of shallow tunnels and galleries, offers you the possibility to swim and walk through an underground cave for about 600 meters accompanied by a specialized guide.
To get to Rio Secreto, if you don’t have a car, you can take a bus in Cancun, Tulum or Playa del Carmen and get off at Akumal.
In the Riviera Maya we find the ideal city where you will have freedom, tranquility, fun, culture and you will forget your day to day.
It is that after a long year or time of work in the city, the stress of the day to day, the minimum you deserve are a few days of relaxation and what better way to spend them than in Playa del Carmen, the city of Dream.
Why choose Playa del Carmen?
In the Mexican Caribbean we find this beautiful city Playa del Carmen, located in the heart of the Riviera Maya.
Currently Playa del Carmen is considered one of the cities with the highest economic growth in the region thanks to the boost given by the tourism sector, and is that annually receives approximately two million Mexican and foreign tourists, who come for the wonderful natural landscapes, rich culture and infrastructure offered by the city.
Catalogued as one of the best tourist destinations worldwide, Playa del Carmen has it all, from wonderful beaches with crystal clear waters, white sand, cenotes (underground caves), the famous Fifth Avenue with respected shops, galleries, restaurants and nightclubs to incredible real estate developments, as it has one of the best returns on investment in the area. It also offers an endless number of cultural activities to enrich your soul.
Playa del Carmen has an optimal climate, being in a tropical zone its temperature normally oscillates between 25 and 30 ° C and the frequency of rain is low, so the stay in this city to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery is ideal and unmatched.
So what are you waiting for to visit Playa del Carmen?
The Mexican Riviera Maya is one of the most visited places in the Caribbean
An enviable tropical climate, one of the best (if not the best) gastronomies in the world, white sandy beaches, nightlife, luxury hotels, first class water parks, cenotes, Mayan ruins, underground rivers.
The Mexican Riviera Maya has it all for a dream vacation. With this post you can get an idea of what this Mexican paradise has to offer.
Cancun – Hotel Zone
Cancun is without a doubt the most famous place in the Riviera Maya. However, not so much for its people, but for the Hotel Zone, which is undoubtedly one of the best places to enjoy the white sand and turquoise water of this region.
From luxury hotels with services that include all beverages and meals included, to small apartments that you can easily rent in Airbnb. If you stay here there are several advantages to venturing into the region.
Isla Mujeres
No one can come to Cancun without visiting Isla Mujeres. And no one can come to the island without taking one of the ferries that depart from various points in the hotel zone.
If you ask one of the locals about what you should see in Cancun, the first thing they will tell you is “Isla Mujeres”.
The ferry departs from three points in the hotel zone: Caracol Beach, Tortuga Beach and El Embarcadero. Recommendation in Isla Mujeres, a tour that includes snorkeling and renting a trolley to move around the island.
Xcaret
Xcaret Park is located in Playa del Carmen, an hour’s drive from Cancun and is one of the best in the Riviera Maya. It is just one of many theme parks of the same company, but undoubtedly the most visited and what should be the first experience of every visitor to the region.
One day is not enough to test all the attractions of the park. Some experiences are extra pay, but worth it, like the snorkel tour to see the reef, where many times you can see manta rays and turtles.
Of the activities that you should not miss in the park is the tour in the river, visit the aquarium, the beach and undoubtedly the night show “Mexico Spectacular”, which is worth by itself admission to this place.
Tulum
The ruins of Tulum, located at two hours in the south of Cancun, are a unique experience.
The pre-Columbian structures are anchored on the hill of a beach overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It is a place that should be visited without a doubt.
Tulum used to be a small fishing village about 15 years ago. Now it is a new popular tourist destination with beautiful beaches full of bungalows (not giant all-inclusive hotels like in Cancun).
Playa del Carmen y Cenotes
Playa del Carmen is one of the tourist places with more nightlife in the Riviera Maya. In addition to the beaches you can not miss Fifth Avenue, a vibrant street with restaurants, cafes, boutiques, bars and shops, among others.
Cenotes are underground rivers or natural wells that abound in the Yucatan peninsula. The ancient Mayas used cenotes to make sacrificial offerings.
This is just a little of all the wonders you can find in the Riviera Maya, and all year round you can find cultural attractions in the different places we recommend. Imagine waking up and seeing the sunrise on the seashore, come to the Riviera Maya and discover why it is one of the best places to vacation and live.
We know that it is a charming town of the Riviera Maya that makes you feel wonderful just visiting it, has incredible natural landscapes, archeological and modern sites that move you to another dimension.
Also, in turn feel at home thanks to the attention of its citizens, typical meals and its rich culture.
For you to enjoy it to its fullest potential, Tulum paradise on earth offers you the following wonders:
Mayan Ruins:
Archaeological zone of the Riviera Maya, considered one of the 7 wonders of the world, is located on a cliff with an incredible view of the Caribbean Sea, without much to add we invite you to enjoy them.
Labnaha Ecological Park:
Natural park that offers you the fullness of nature, perform various activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, among others, houses the incredible Cenote Labnaha, undoubtedly a place to visit.
Sian Ka’an:
And what to say about this place, wonder and magic is little, has a vast marine and jungle ecosystem, so it lives up to its name “Gateway to Heaven”, visit Tulum means go to Sian Ka’an.
Bacalar:
If you haven’t heard of Bacalar, a paradise city of dreams, it must be the law to visit the Lagoon of Seven Colors, and other Bacalar wonders.
Cenotes:
Located throughout the Riviera Maya, the cenotes are underwater caves full of charm, where you can perform different activities and be in contact with beautiful nature and know the mysteries that hide these landscapes.
Without a doubt, Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico, a place to visit. Learn more about Mexico with us.
