Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya, just 45 minutes south of the Cancun International Airport and 45 minutes north of the Tuluum ruins. The location of Playa del Carmen and its nearby attractions makes this the perfect holiday destination for a Caribbean Vacation. The crystal blue sea is the perfect temperature for swimming, snorkeling and SCUBA diving and you can’t beat Playa’s beaches for sunbathing. In addition to Playa’s world class beaches Quinta Avenida, Playa del Carmen’s internationally famous pedestrian walkway, offers a variety of shops, cafés, restaurants, and bars,
Nearest airport: Cancun International Airport (40 Miles)
Suggested Restaurants:
Babes (Thai-style noodle bar) - a “hip” place to be
10th Street between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue
5th Avenue between 28th Street and 30th Street
Hours: 12:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M (closed on Sunday)
Blue Lobster (seafood) - very popular!
12th Street between 1st Avenue and 5th Avenue
Hours: 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 A.M.
Byblos (French) - a bit pricey but worth it
14th Street between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue
Hours: 6:00 P.M. - 1:00 A.M. (closed on Sundays)
Casa Mediterranea (Italian)
5th Avenue between 8th Street and 6th Street - tucked away within a courtyard across from Hotel Lunata.
Hours: 12:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M. (closed on Sundays)
Chicago Joe’s (International) - a personal, all-time favorite!
6th Street between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue
(closed on Monday’s)
Glass Bar (Italian) - Awesome wine selection!
Corner of 5th Avenue and 12th Street
Hot Baking Company (Cinnamon rolls, muffins, bagels, cookies) - Yummy!
Calle Corazon, 14th Street between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue
Hours: 6:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. (daily)
Java Joe’s (coffees, teas, bagels, baguettes) - very convenient
10th Street between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue
Hours: 6:30 A.M. - 11:00 P.M. (daily)
Johnny Gray’s (International/gourmet) - quiet, romantic setting
Calle Corazon on 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue
Hours 6:00 P.M. (closed on Sunday’s)
La Bodeguito del Medio (Cuban) - try the mojitos!
Plaza Paseo del Carmen (1 block directly behind the ferry dock)
La Parrilla (Mexican) - undoubtedly, the most popular restaurant in town!
Corner of 5th Avenue and 8th Street
Hours: 12:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. (daily)
Media Luna (Vegetarian) - a personal breakfast favorite!
5th Avenue between 12th Street and 14th Street
Hours: 8:00 A.M. - 11:30 P.M.
Sasta Cafe (gourmet coffees, tas, pastries) - excellent!
5th Avenue between 8th Street and 10th Street
Yaxache (Yucatecan) - a must!
8th Street between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue
Hours: 12:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M. (daily)
Suggested Beaches:
El Faro Beach
Marnitas
Paya Tucan
Xpu-Ha (our personal favorite) - 13 miles south of Playa del Carmen
Tulum area - about 45 minutes south of Playa del Carmen
Suggested Night Life:
Blue Parrot (bar/dancing)
12th Street and beach
Carlos and Charly’s (restaurant/bar/dancing)
Plaza Paseo del Carmen (Upstairs between UltraFemme and Fly Restaurant)
Kartabar (restaurant/bar/lounge)
Corner of 1st Avenue and 12th Street
Mambo Cafe (bar/salsa/dancing)
6th Street between 5th Avenue and 12th Avenue
Om (bar/lounge)
Corner of 12th Street and beach (near entrance of Blue Parrot)
Santanera (bar/lounge/dancing)
12th Streetn between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue
Senior Frogs (restaurant/bar/dancing)
On the beach at the entrance of the ferry dock
Tequila Barrel (restaurant/bar)
5th Avenue between 10th Street and 12th Street
Internet Cafes:
Internet cafes can be found everywhere in Playa del Carmen. There are a number of them in the surrounding area of CondoPlaya.
Cinema:
Plaza Pelicano
10th Avenue between 8th Street and 10th Street
literally 1/2 block west (away from the beach)
Plaza Soriana - MM Cinemas
Federal Highway 307 - South (just past Sam’s Club)
Gyms:
The Gym
1st Avenue between Constituyentes and 16th Street
Money Exchange (Casa de Cambio):
There are money exchange hours ALL OVER Playa del Carmen. For the best rates go directly to the bank preferably in teh moning. The exchange rates fluctuate frequently but tend to be better between Monday-Friday mornings: therefor, avoid changing money on the weekends.
Nearby Banks:
Scotiabank/Inverlat (bank/ATM/money exchange and other bank servcies)
Corner of Constituyentes and 10th Aveue OR
Corner of 5th Avenue and Juarez Avenue (Avenida Juarez)
Banorte (bank/ATM/money exchange and other bank servcies)
Plaze Pelicanos, 10th Avenue between 8th Street and 10th Street
Banamex
Corner of 10th Avenue and 12th Street
Grocery Stores:
Walmart - Calle 8 entre Avenida 30 y Avenida 25
MEGA - Avenida 30 esquina Constituyentes
Chedraui - Carretera Federal (west side)
Sam’s Club - Carretera Federal (east side)
Nearby Car Rental Agencies:
Executive Car Rental
5th Avenue between 10th Steet and 12th Street
Hours: 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. (Monday - Saturday)
Nearby Attractions include ecological theme parks such as Xcaret (10 min) & Xel Ha (45 min), Cozumel (30 min. by Ferry), Pamul (20 min), spectacular Xpu Ha Beach (30 min.), Puerto Aventuras (25 min.), Akumal (35 min.), and the famous Tulum Mayan Ruins (50 min.), Chichen-Itza ruins (3 hrs.).
Other Nearby Activities: Beaches and beach combing, reefs, Sian Kaan Ecological Biosphere, jet skiing, golf, tennis, horseback riding, snorkeling, scuba diving, cenote exploring/diving, Harley Davidson motorcycle tours, ATV jungle tours, yachting, deep sea fishing, catamaran sailing, wind surfing, fly fishing, swimming, boating, parasailing, swim with the dolphins, casual or fine dining, dancing, people watching, shopping, and much, much more.
