We invite you to discover one of the most representative places of the Riviera Maya, the city of Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya and is one of the youngest and fastest growing cities in Mexico.
Next time you visit the Riviera Maya and choose Catalonia Hotels & Resorts as your lodging option, it is important that you know that all our Resorts are very close to Playa del Carmen and that you will have no problem to transport yourself and enjoy everything that this particular city offers.
No, Playa del Carmen is not Cancun
It is very normal to confuse Playa del Carmen with Cancun or even the Riviera Maya with Cancun, but they are different zones. Cancun is the largest city in the state of Quintana Roo, located in the north of the Yucatan peninsula and has almost one million inhabitants. It is the most recognized city for tourism worldwide and from where the confusion starts.
The Riviera Maya begins in the city of Puerto Morelos and reaches as far as Punta Allen to the south, passing through cities with a lot of tourism like Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Akumal, Tulum, among others. It runs along 140 km of length.
On the other hand, Playa del Carmen is a much younger and smaller city than Cancun, with approximately 300,000 inhabitants and, as we said, is on the Riviera Maya, just 50 minutes from the Cancun International Airport and offers to all its multiple visitors options for fun and entertainment for all ages. Besides, its beaches are characterized by being the most beautiful in the area so once you know it, you’ll want to return always.
Let us share with you some reasons why you must add a visit to Playa del Carmen on your next trip to the Riviera Maya.
5th Avenue
One of the most emblematic streets of Playa del Carmen is the 5th Avenue. It is a pedestrian street about 4 kilometers long and it houses shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, nightclubs, hotels, shopping malls and many other attractions that make La Quinta, the most famous street in the city.
A large number of tourists meet on this avenue during all year long, enjoying the unique magic offered to all who visit it.
Shopping
If you are a shopping lover, 5th Avenue has everything you need. You’ll find brands like H & M, Sephora, Forever 21, Zara, Lacoste, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Tommy Hilfiger, among many others.
There are shops for all tastes and always with very good sales, so you won’t have any problems doing a great shopping. Whether it’s clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry, perfumes, sunglasses or beautiful Mexican crafts, Playa del Carmen stores have it all.
Party
Playa del Carmen also offers great options for those who like to party at night. Calle 12 (12th Street) concentrates the great majority of bars and discos where you can spend fun times with all your friends.
Coco Bongo, Mandala, and Abolengo are just some of the many options to choose from. You can enjoy your favorite cocktails and dance until the wee hours of the morning. This area of the city is also famous for its great New Year party, where thousands of people gather to receive the arrival of the new year at the DJ rhythm.
Gastronomy
Another great attraction of Playa del Carmen is its great gastronomic offer. With hundreds of Restaurants spread throughout the downtown area and mostly along 5th Avenue, Playa has options for all tastes, from Italian, Argentine, Asian, French and of course Mexican cuisine. You will also find bakeries, cafes and even a place to drink a delicious tea.
Archeology
Believe it or not, in Playa del Carmen there is an archaeological zone that you can visit with a special permit and that is inside the Playacar complex.
It is worth visiting this enigmatic site that is almost unknown by the tourists who come to this area.
Cozumel
Finally, since you are here, if you want to visit the beautiful Island of Cozumel, you can take the Ferry at the Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal, the journey lasts approximately 40 minutes and the different companies that offer the service have departure and return times throughout the day.
We recommend you visit “El Cielo”, an area located to the south of the Island and where you can see starfish in the background.
We’ll be waiting for you in your favorite Catalonia Hotels & Resorts in the Riviera Maya and, in addition to enjoying all the activities that we offer you in the resort, you can visit Playa del Carmen, we are sure you will love it.
