Playa del Carmen, known to locals as "Playa", is home to some of the Riviera Maya's most amazing beaches. It is a great choice for vacationers who love watersports as scuba diving and snorkeling are only a short boat ride away. For the more adventurous traveler, Playa is home to amazing freshwater rivers and caves called cenotes.
The Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) boasts an array of shops where one can find all kinds of souvenirs, candy, clothing, Mexican handicrafts, and jewelry. The shopping area is located one block from the beach and is closed off to cars, giving vacationers the freedom to stroll along and shop.
As far as lodging goes, your best bet is one of Playa's small boutique hotels. Here are a few hotels that you might check out:
Playa del Carmen is the perfect spot for those looking for a relaxing beach vacation without all the craziness of Cancun. Playa draws a more international, laid-back, bohemian tourist as opposed to its neighbor to the north, Cancun, whose tends to draw in Spring Breakers and young families.
