Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is situated on the Yucatan Peninsula and is truly considered the most beautiful city of
"Riviera Maya". 10 years ago, it was still a small village known principally for fishing, but
now, it has developed into one of the most important tourist destinations in Caribbean. Despite its fast
growth, Playa has kept intact a charming and typical Mexican atmosphere. Many small family-run hotels,
international restaurants, and countless beaches attract several visitors throughout the year. Another
very important reason why the area is so popular is because the second largest coral reef in the world is
nearby, offering avid divers the perfect conditions!
Charming restaurants and small family run businesses conform Playa del Carmen, as well as its vibrant nightlife
found mainly on famouns Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue), considered as the centre of Playa del Carmen. Only one minute
from the centre, you will find the beautiful gigantic Caribbean beach, where you can swim, relax in the sun, play
beach volleyball, and go snorkelling or scuba diving. Temperatures are comfortable and mild year round with an
estimated 260 days of sun per year. Playa del Carmen is certainly the perfect place to combine a language course
with a vacation!
But Playa del Carmen has a lot more to offer than just sun and endless beaches. You can also track the interesting
history of the Mayas through a visit to the well preserved pyramids of Tulum, Coba or Chitchen-Itza, and learn about
the fascinating history of Mexico.
Today, Playa is a mixture of interesting, small native owned shops, restaurants, and modern boutiques, as well as
luxury condominiums and hotels. This unique mixture creates variety and satisfies various kinds of tastes and
interests.
Wondering how to dress appropriately for Playa del Carmen?
Forget your long underwear and woolen socks! Clothing in Playa is casual and simple:
- Swimming attire for the beach
- Leisurely dressy clothes for going out at night
- A sweater or jacket for those chilly nights at the beach (Dec-Feb)
- Travelling or hiking clothes, in case you plan to go exploring
- Long-sleeved, light coloured clothes in case you are afraid of mosquitoes
- Some good shoes for partying
- Some good walking shoes in case you decide to climb a Mayan pyramid or tramp through the jungle
- Flip-Flops for nearly everything else.