In my last post, we looked at a few things that make Playa a special place to live… now I want to look at why Playa has become so trendy. Why is Playa the hotspot out of all the tourist destinations in Mexico?
What makes this such a special place to vacation?
In no particular order….
Playa – the coolest vacation spot in Mexico
Caribbean beaches
It’s kind of obvious I know, but the Caribbean Sea in general is absolutely spectacular and the beaches that line the Riviera Maya are second to none. The ocean stays bathwater warm in addition to being amazing hues of blue and turquoise and the beaches are some of the finest white sand you will ever find.
Whale sharks… (wait – did you just say SHARK??)
Yes, I said whale sharks. Just a short distance from Playa, near Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox, you can get the most amazing snorkeling and diving adventure of your entire life… Whale sharks, in case you don’t know, are the biggest sharks in the world. Relax though, they’re also no danger to humans – you can swim right next to these school bus sized creatures so make sure to bring your underwater camera set up.
They arrive in June to spawn and there are literally hundreds of these gentle giants in the water… anytime from June to September, you are guaranteed to see whale sharks en masse, with July and August being the peak months.
Mayan Ruins
The entire Yucatan Peninsula is dotted with the remains of ancient Mayan civilizations, including Chichen Itza – one of the modern 8 Wonders of the World. 45 minutes south of Playa del Carmen are the ruins at Tulum… these spectacular ruins are situated directly on the coast overlooking the Caribbean. It’s simply breathtaking and one of the most photographed spots on the planet.
Nearby, you can also find the ruins at Coba. The main pyramid at Coba is the tallest Mayan pyramid in existence and what’s even more unique about Coba is that unlike all the other ancient pyramids, you can actually climb to the top and the views high above the jungle canopy are simply amazing.
Cenotes
The Yucatan Peninsula was created 65 million years ago when an asteroid hit nearby in the Gulf of Mexico and pushed the limestone ocean floor up above sea level. There are no rivers on the Yucatan Peninsula, although there is an extensive underground river system. There are holes and caves in the limestone which give access to these underground rivers and it’s like entering an alien world – stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years give the interior of these cenotes an alien feel… and you won’t find these unique geographical formations anywhere but the Yucatan.
There are many different cenotes that dot the entire Riviera Maya – take your time to check out a few of them. they all have unique features and each provide a different feel and experience.
Theme parks
There are many incredible parks within an easy drive from Playa del Carmen that will keep you entertained for days… from the jungle ziplining at Xplor to the marine spectacle of Xel-ha and the cultural entertainment of Xcaret, there is something for everyone.
Easy to access
One of the main attractions of the area is the ease in which you can get in and out. The Cancun International Airport is one of the busiest in all of Mexico and is only an hour flight from Florida and only a couple hours to just about anywhere in the United States or Canada.
Located only a 45 minute drive from Playa del Carmen, it makes travel an absolute breeze.
There are many things about Playa del Carmen that make it special – these are just a few of the main points and each traveler will have their own idea of why Playa is so special, but the fact remains that it is the coolest spot in Mexico, hands down.
