Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular beach vacation destinations in Mexico. Found along the Mayan Riviera coast, this Yucatan Peninsula hot spot boasts amazing white-sand beaches. Where the sand ends on these beaches, the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea begin, creating a most splendid atmosphere. There is plenty more to do than lounge around on world-class strips of sand in Playa del Carmen, too.

Formerly a small fishing village, Playa del Carmen is now a major vacation destination. People from all around the world visit this Mexican beach town throughout the year, and they come mostly to indulge in beaches such as Mamitas Beach and Shangri La Beach. At Mamitas Beach, the atmosphere is usually very lively, thanks largely to the renowned Mamitas Beach Club. As is true of the adjacent Kool Beach Club, this club offers food and beverage service, as well as watersports equipment rentals and plenty of nightlife once the sun goes down. You can find Mamitas Beach right in the heart of town. As for Shangri La Beach, it is on the quieter north side of town and thus offers a more tranquil environment. The Mahekal Beach Resort provides excellent accommodations on Shangri La Beach.

No discussion about the Playa del Carmen beaches would be complete without mentioning Playacar. It is in Playacar where you will find the majority of the Playa del Carmen all inclusive resorts. These resorts allow guests to enjoy a variety of non-motorized watersports at no extra charge, which is just one of the reasons to keep them in mind.

Cancun, Cozumel, and Tulum are among the destinations near Playa del Carmen. As such, Playa visitors won't have any shortage of fun side trip options.