10 Reasons To Visit Playa del Carmen

Thinking about vacationing in the Yucatan?

Go south along the east Yucatan coast and get out of the resorts of Cancun. Playa del Carmen has plenty of Mexican ambiance, food and friendly service.

Discover the beach in this bustling city about 40 minutes south of the International airport. Van transportation to your hotel is readily available at the airport. Best advise is ignore the gauntlet of offers and head straight to hotel transportation.

Colorful and out of the ordinary sites and venues make this area of Mexico a place to see and explore.

1. Ferry trip for snorkeling and skin diving on Isla de Cozumel is convenient and a short walk from the resorts.
2. Water parks are in the area offering dolphins swims, cenotes, coral reefs, zip lines and food.
3. See the ancient pyramid cities of Coba, Muyil or Xelha.
4. Experience Mexico's premier department store, Sanborns, on 5th Avenue, just a few blocks from your resort and hotel.
5. Book your stay at an all inclusive resort on the beach.
6. Enjoy warm green and blues ocean waters and cool white sand.
7. Visit aromatic cigar stores and get a Cuban cigar or a choice of stogies.
8. Try tequila tasting: it is as varied as craft beers.
9. Witness the Boladores ceremony by indigenous natives on 5th Avenue's main square.
10. Golf at three popular nearby picturesque courses.

The first pleasantry to take note of in Playa del Carmen is the white sand. It is white due to the porous material of soft coral and shell, making the sand cool and easy to walk on even in the height of the day.

Look towards the green and blue hued water. Walk in because the water is warm and must be in the mid 80's. Surfing is not big here but enjoy the soft rolls of the green sea.

Pelicans, sand pipers in luscious black and browns, frigate birds, and terns share your beach. Or rent a paddle board for a leisure look of the ocean farther out in the blue.

Fisherman are present near the resorts. Floats mark the boundaries between vacationer and worker. The space in front of the Gran Porto Real is adequate for the wader, casual snorkeler and light swimmer. Warm streams of water float around you.

This is your experience at the Gran Porto Real on the beach in front of the hotel. You will never be without a cool drink because polite servers take excellent care of you. Unlike a cruise, all drinks are included with your stay.

We met visitors from all over the world. We asked our friendly servers and found out that Americans are the biggest tippers. Canadians second and Europeans seem to feel tips are not necessary. We met vacationers from Holland, Toronto, Britain, Spain, Wales, Ireland, Brazil, Italy, Scotland and the U.S. Many were repeat visitors.

If you stay at the Gran Porto Real kids are going to have fun too. There is a kid's play room for those times when parents need some time to catch up with each other.

Plenty of room in the pool area for kids and adults.

Billiards table, ping pong, giant chess set, and nightly stage shows poolside in the breezy outdoors.

And of course, the easy to play in white porous sand next to a quiet surf and plenty of blue lounge chairs. Beach side lunch hut with a different menu everyday. You do not even have to leave the beach. Take your lunch to your lounge and continue basking and playing.

A word of advice is do not wear your favorite clinging jeans or capris. Wear skirts or shorts when in humid Yucatan. Skirts are my favorite and shorts are on every young lady.

In the evening you do not have to dine in the buffet dining room. There is also Mexican and Italian restaurants as part of the all inclusive price. One night a week with an extra charge, experience outdoor dining with full complement of Mexican buffet dishes and desserts. Included for entertainment is the Mexican States Stage Show. Also, Mexican arts bizarre with local artists.

Going out on the town is an alternative dining option two blocks away on the very busy 5th Avenue.

The hotel resort is very picturesque with a town house villa effect. It is the most inviting hotel on the whole playa.

Each day you can time your excursion and come back when you want. Go two blocks and stroll 5th Avenue for scores of shops, restaurants and people watching. Do a day trip to Cozumel and snorkel in the best waters in the area.

Maya ruins abound and natural water parks are about 40 minutes away. Reputable travel options offered in the hotel.

Take strolls north along the beach from the resort hotel. Graffiti is visible, but walk farther and see small picturesque resorts and interesting side streets. One craft store offered seed beads in every color imaginable. A Kmart is a walk away from 5th Avenue. Strolling the resort areas and neighborhoods next to the beach is relaxing.

Walking south takes you to the pier.