A concise travel guide to Playa del Carmen
Playa Del Carmen is a city along the coast of the enchanting Caribbean Sea. It is also the municipal seat of the Municipality of Solidaridad. In 2005 alone, its population has reached 100,383, making it the third largest city in Quintana Roo. This follows Chetumal and Cancun.
Playa del Carmen was initially a small fishing village, beginning its tourism industry with only ferry services to Cozumel, a small island adjacent to the Cozumel Channel and a world-renowned diving destination.
It has greatly improved over the years, and Playa del Carmen is today considered the central location of the Riviera Maya, acting as the port of call for many cruise ships. Xcaret, a Mexican-themed “eco-archaeological” park is one of its most beloved tourist destinations.
A brief travel guide to Playa del Carmen will make your stay here more worthwhile.
You should never stop watching the Xcaret Show. This is one of Playa del Carmen’s most beloved attractions. It represents the history of the Mayans. You will also find a ball game here where players simply use their hips to hit the ball. They also have fire hockey. It might be quite a long show, but you will enjoy watching almost a hundred people dancing along with live music.
Tipping in Playa del Carmen is customary. Since most hotels and resorts here are all-inclusive, make sure you have loose change or $1 bills to tip, especially to waiters and maids. Even if this is included in your package, for better services, consider this as something you can do to avoid ruining your vacation. However, don’t spend too much on tips. About $30 to $40 in $1 bills is enough for a week’s stay here.
History says that Playa del Carmen was once a “sleepy” fishing village. Today, it is a rapidly growing tourist destination. It is quieter and smaller compared to Cancun. If you prefer a smaller area and more privacy, Tulum is the best destination for you. It’s just south.
While you are in Playa del Carmen, you can tour the entire Yucatan Peninsula. You can also travel by ferry and reach beautiful Cozumel. Activities you can do include snorkeling and diving.
In Tulum, you will witness fascinating ruins overlooking the vast sea. You can also visit the Mayan ruins. They also have many Cenotes or underwater wells. It is best to go with tour organizers to avoid missing out on the most important and popular attractions. The theme parks that you can visit are Xel-Ha and Xcaret.
One activity that you can do in Playa del Carmen, especially if you are already bored, is to play in the sand. The locals love to make sand sculptures. There are even contests for the best sand sculptures. Maybe it’s time to unleash your creativity and join the contest.
As for money, in the Yucatan Peninsula, US dollars are widely accepted. However, it is better to use the peso, your local currency. It is also a better option to go to Scotia Bank located at the corner of Juarez and 5th Avenue if you need to withdraw money from an ATM. Apart from this, if you are using a credit card, make sure to specify the currency and check this before signing your credit card slip.
Always book your tours in advance. In addition to not worrying about availabilities, you can also determine the weather conditions. This way you will know if the date you reserved is a hurricane zone in Playa del Carmen. This is usually between the last part of July and the first week of August.
Playa del Carmen really has a lot to offer its visitors. During the summer season, it gets very crowded here and the hotels and resorts fill up. So you don’t miss out on the best lodging accommodations, be sure to plan ahead and make the necessary reservations early.