Originally, Playa del Carmen (then Xaman-Ha) was important for the Maya, who pilgrimaged from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel to worship the goddess Ixchel. But before that all pilgrims were cleaned in Playa del Carmen. After the Spanish conquest, this place, like most of the Mayan cities on the coast, lost its meaning and lived as an insignificant fishing village. But as tourism grew, it changed rapidly in the 1970s.

In the last 30 years Playa del Carmen has grown from a small fishing village (about 300 people) to the third largest city in Quintana Roo and the second most important holiday destination on the Riviera Maya (of course behind Cancún). Nevertheless, Playa del Carmen has preserved some of its charm. In Playa del Carmen, unlike Cancun, everything doesn't have to be bigger, more conspicuous and more crazy. The clientele in the tourist industry in Playa del Carmen is mainly European, but Cancun is mainly American.

By plane

Most tourists land with a charter flight in Cancún. From Cancun you can take a bus, a car hire or a taxi to Playa del Carmen. The journey takes about 1 hour and costs around 400 pesos by taxi. Collectivos (collective taxis, see bus) are cheaper.

But Playa also has a small airport. However, most of the time, only private aircraft or 2nd class aircraft land here. regional airlines flying to Cozumel or Chichen Itza. The airport is also used by Aero tour companies.

By bus

Playa del Carmen has two official bus stations:

• The newer bus station, which is particularly important for long-haul routes, is located at Avenida 20 / Calle 12.
• At the older bus station Avenida 5 / Avenue Juarez, buses mainly serve shorter routes such as Cancun or Tulum.

Here you can find bus schedules for Mexico.

For shorter distances Collectivos (common taxis) are also regularly available. The driver waits until enough travelers are together, and then you can get to the surrounding area relatively inexpensively.

On the street

To the south, you should always take the highway Cancun - Tulum. The city is also accessible by car or bus from Chichén Itzá, Mérida and Chetumal.

By ship

Ferry to Cozumel in Playa del Carmen

From 20.6207-87.07461Playa del Carmen type is group name from ferries to Cozumel in about every hour. The journey takes about 45 minutes. The crossing costs about 110 pesos per path. The first ferry leaves at 6.00 a.m. and then a ferry leaves at 8.00 a.m., 9.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. In the afternoon it continues at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. every two hours, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. every hour. The last ferry leaves at 9 p.m.

In Playa del Carmen, cruise ships also regularly board. Then there is only a crowd of tourists around the dock.

The main destinations within Playa center are within walking distance. Otherwise, bicycles, cars and taxis are the main means of transport in the city.

Bicycles can be hired or bought at different locations.

Taxi is relatively cheap within Playa, as the most expensive fee is around $100 pesos (stand: Aug 2015).

In Playa del Carmen there are various car rental agencies. The local landlords are more expensive, but you can get pulled over the table. The internationally renowned landlords (Avis, etc.) are a little more expensive but also much more flexible The easiest way to find these agencies is at the ferry port. For Germans, SIXT is available in the 10th. Avenida.

A city named Playa should have a certain claim to the local beach and the pleasure of swimming. And the beach is up to its standards. Few places in Mexico or elsewhere can compete and, unlike other beaches, the hotels on the beach are limited in size and sometimes very beautiful, so that the appearance of the beach attracts you. You won't be alone here as a swimmer, but you can enjoy all the advantages of a beach chair or a mattress with parasols/sailing and the attendant service on the spot. However, some of the restaurants charge a daily fee of around £5, or some of the restaurants offer this all for free, with a minimum turnover of around £10.

streets and squares

5. Ave in Playa del Carmen

One attraction in itself is the Quinta (Avenida 5). It is the heart of Playa del Carmen. If you want to eat, have a good time, or shop, you'll find the right place. Unfortunately, prices are very high. If you go two blocks further, you get almost all things at half the price. The standards here are much higher. Most of the waiters speak English, you get international cuisine and meet many tourists. But for those who want to experience Mexico, this is not the right place.

miscellaneous

Part of Xaman-Ha in Playa Del Carmen

• Xaman-Ha. The ruins of Xaman-Ha are not so much left that the city is worth a visit. However, if you are short-lived, you will find it a good reason to take a look at it. The smaller part is located on the fifth avenue. If you follow the passage covered with Mayareliefs on the seated Mayasculpture, you will find yourself in a small park with picnic possibilities. Here you will find a small fence building. This is real, unlike the relief in the passage. last amendment: no Type is group

If you want to see more, you have to walk a little further. If you walk about 20 minutes from the fifth avenue towards the airport, you will reach the 20.619-87.0784 1C, E and F group type is group name. This is a bit more extensive.

• Bathing & Relaxing - This is the main reason why you should choose Playa Del Carmen as your destination. It is worth noting that you won't get a deep insight into the culture or the seaside. However, the beach is a real alternative to a resort or an all-inclusive hotel bunker.

• Shopping - Just the 5th. Avenue offers everything you could wish for. Here you will find shoe shops, souvenir shops, art galleries and.. If you don't have enough, you can find something in the large shopping center in the south of the city or take a bus to Cancún

• Nightlife - Playa del Carmen is also a great place to enjoy the 500 m² of gardens. avenue (see nightlife).

• Discover - Although the place has some Mayan ruins, they are more like a digestive walk. If you want to visit something, you should go at least to Tulum or, better still, to Cobá or Chichén Itzá.

• Snorkeling - Playa Del Carmen is not suitable for this. But don't do anything when there are such good snorkeling paradies as Cozumel, Puerto Morelos or Akumal at your doorstep.

• Diving - Playa is well suited for this. There are about 12 dive sites nearby. Many diving shops and schools, both large (e.g. Scuba Planet Mexico) and small (e.g. Playa Scuba), offer their services.

Souvenirs in Playa Del Carmen

• 20.618835-87.0967411 Centro Maya. The large shopping center in Playa del Carmen. There are a lot of clothing shops, a supermarket and a cinema. The shopping center is located about 20 minutes walk from the city center towards Tulum, directly on Mex 307. last amendment: no

• Las Américas. A second shopping center. Almost like the Centro Maya, with cinema included but not in the center of Playa. last amendment: no

• 5. avenue. Even those who are already bored are now from the X-th reference to this street: there are large souvenir supermarkets, art galleries, boutiques, perfumeries, shoe stores, beauty shops and much more. But the side streets are also worth it, although the choice is decreasing, the price is also decreasing. last amendment: no

• Cancún. Shopping half a day in Cancun? No problem. A bus service to Cancun every 10 minutes from the ADO central bus station. There is a counter for the tickets and the journey costs 2 euros and takes about 30 minutes. If you want to make it cheaper, take a collectivo. last amendment: no

• For everyday use there are several small shops as well as large supermarkets such as Wal-Mart, Mega Comercial Mexicana (short called Mega) or Chedraui. There are also several small retail stores (or aunt Emma stores) that are called tiendita or miscelánea (they are found all over Mexico).

favorable

means

• Ah Cacao Chocolate Café, corner 5. Avenue and 30. Calle and corner 5. Avenue and Constituyentes/ Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Tel: +52 984 879 4179, +52 984 803 5748. Good coffee with chocolate and coffee from Mexico. There is a cake. The coffee is good, the chocolate is better. In the small shop, chocolate, coffee and vanilla as well as cups and T-shirts are sold in the appropriate souvenir size. Opened: daily from 7.15 am to 10.30 pm. last amendment: Jan. 2017 (information may be out of date)

• Karen's - Seafood, Steak House & Pizza, 5. Avenue (between 2nd and 4th Calle / Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Tel: +52 879 4064. Mexican specialties and everything from the grill are the best. The pizza is fine, but there are better restaurants nearby. In the evening, live music. Some dishes or cocktails are prepared at the table. last amendment: Jan. 2017 (information may be out of date)

• Yaxche Maya Cuisine, corner 5th Avenue and 22nd Calle / Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Tel: +52 984 873 3011. The building is inspired by a Mayan temple, but it serves traditional international cuisine with mayakh art. Each dish is named Maya and is refined with interesting marinades and inserts. Of course, the juice of the Jamaica blossom as a beverage should not be missed here too. A bit more expensive but worth it. On weekends there are also long queues here. You'd better book a table there. last amendment: Jan. 2017 (information may be out of date)

walking

5. avenue at night

Here, too, the central starting point is certainly the 5th. avenue. There are many restaurants, bars and pubs.

• kitchens. Live music is played here every evening. The weekly program is published in advance on a credit table. The bar is really good, however, only thanks to the music lovers, who, from a laptop, will be delighted with every Indian classic between Arcade Fire and Tacuba and who, after the evening show, will catch some night owls at the bar. If a rich football match with Mexican participation is played in the evening, you should be able to tolerate a lot of tequila. last amendment: no

If you go to Calle 12 towards the beach, you'll find some open-air clubs that offer a lot of disco music and eager doormen. You can actually see the club from the outside, and even without a doorman, you can see whether the club is worth it or not. The Blue Parrot is recommended in numerous travel guides and is quite right to do so.

• Blue Parrot, on the beach between Calle 12 and 14. This disco is where tourists and locals meet. Great atmosphere, beach chairs and open air dance floor. Great fire show. The hotel is not open every day from 7 p.m. and before 10 p.m. It's expensive, but it's highly recommended. last amendment: no

• Capitan Tutix. z.T. Live music. last amendment: no

favorable

means

• 20.633401-87.0687 1 Riviera Caribe Maya, Avenida 10, Calle 30, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Tel: +529848731193, e-mail: [email protected]. Clean good hotel in the second series price: DZ from 60 USD. last amendment: no

• 20.6295-87.083601 2 Angelos Hotel, Av.55 esq Calle 6 Norte Mz.Lt. 1 201 Col Ejidal, Playa Del Carmen. Tel: +52984206-1778, e-mail: [email protected]. Hotel near ADO Station Price: DZ from 60 USD. last amendment: no

• 20.623564-87.0736113 Mimi del Mar, 1a. Norte Zona Federal Maritima, Lote 1-A, Mz. 2,Centro, ZP 77710, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Tel: +52 984 873 3776, e-mail: [email protected]. Hotel directly on the beach Price: DZ from 80 USD. last amendment: no

walking

• Solexico. Spanish language school in Playa del Carmen. It's highly recommended. The school offers various courses, such as basic courses, conversation, business classes, etc. Solexico offers different excursions. There are also various afternoon and evening activities (Mexican cooking classes, salsa lessons, conversation meetings in a bar, etc.). last amendment: no

Since 2012, a new law on foreigners has been in place in Mexico. That is why it has become a little more difficult than before to find a job as a foreigner. There was more flexibility before the new law on foreigners. For example, as a tourist, you could enter the country and get a work visa if you found a job. Today, the application for a work visa must be processed in the applicant's home country.

Playa Del Carmen is a touristic town from the resorts. Almost all locals live directly or indirectly from tourism. Also, and especially investors, have a great interest in the safety of visitors. Therefore, everything is done to ensure that you feel protected and comfortable. A special "Tourist Police" is ubiquitous. This place, as well as Cancun, is one of the safest places in Mexico.

The post office in Playa del Carmen

There are some mailboxes in the city and stamps are also sold in some souvenir shops. However, the indigenous people's statements about the real life lifecycles of the post boxes are a little far apart, so the safest way to send mail is to visit the post office. The reputation of the Mexican Post is not very good at all. The 20.6234-87.0771 post office is located at the corner of the 15th century. Avenue and Avenue Juarez.

There are some places to go for excursions like sand on the seashore. For a short trip, there are certainly destinations such as Cozumel, Puerto Morelos or Cancún. Cobá or Chichén Itzá are also within easy reach of day trips. It is highly recommended to visit a cenote (karst lakes) for diving and snorkeling, such as Yal-Ku in Akumal. The 5th Avenue there are countless travel agencies that are not tired of offering such trips. The prices are worth comparing here. The cheapest way is to plan and organize your own business. Due to the limited number of excursion destinations this is simple. The saving is 70% or more.