Getting Around
To get to Playa, 68 km
(42 miles) south of Cancun, take a bus from the station downtown
(about 1 1/2 hours). If you're in the hotel zone, you could negotiate
a fare with a Cancun taxi driver to scoot you down.
The main road into town,
Av. Juarez or Av. Principal, depending on whom you ask, leads you
right to the ferry dock and the pedestrian-only 5th Avenue, running
perpendicular to the beach. It boasts many hotels, stores and
restaurants. The bus station is right there at Av. 5 and Juarez and is
a hub for further journeys down to Tulum, Chetumal and Belize. Many
hotels are within easy walking distance from the bus and the street in
front of the station is full of men on large yellow tricycles (triciclos),
who will ride you and/or your luggage cheaply to your hotel in a
Mexican version of a rickshaw. If your hotel isn't close or you have
to go on the back streets of Playa, get a cab right there. In 1994, in
response to the growing popularity of the town, the streets were torn
up for sewer and water lines. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough money
left to repave them. Consequently, many of the new streets look as if
the American Air Force has been using them as target practice with 500
lb smart bombs. The water-filled potholes in the unpaved roads outside
of the oldest part of town make traffic crawl and require zig-zagging
to the max.
A stroll on the beach
leads to Playa's attractive lighthouse (faro), where you can climb its
exterior circular cement staircase to the top. The view is excellent
and provides a great photo op.
Travel Information
Practicalities
The post office is three blocks back from the beach on
Av. Principal, with the police station (9/87-3-02-91) right next door
and the Centro de Salud Medical Center across the street. You'll find
Tourism information on Av. 5 near the central plaza. Several hotels
rent bicycles, but get a mountain bike to dodge the water-filled
cenote-like potholes and sandy streets.
The majority of the
banks are located on Av. Juarez, most have an ATM. (ATMs disperse
mexican pesos). Recently Banamex opened another branch on the corner
of Ave. 10 and Calle 12, also boasting an ATM. Check or ask around as
new banks and cash machines are popping up daily. There are several
Money Exchanges (Casa de Cambios) located in Playa, so exchanging
money should not be a problem. Exchange rate can vary daily and from
place to place. Most shops and restaurants will accept american
dollars.
There are plenty of 'minisupers'
(corner grocery stores) and fruit shops located in Playa, as well as a
few 'large' supermarkets (Super San Francisco being the most popular
due to its location on 30th). Some supermarkets also accept
credit/debit cards.
The ferry to Cozumel has
a schedule that changes constantly. If you're going over, just ask
about times at any of the ticket booths scattered around the plaza.
Try to get a ticket on the WJ Mexico, a fast waterjet (25 minutes).
The Xel-H or Cozumelero takes 45 minutes.
For shopping, the stores
of Playa's Av. 5 and surrounding sidestreets offer an eclectic
assortment of hand-made pottery, arts and crafts both local and from
all over Mexico, gifts and New Age paraphernalia.
Adventures
Most of Playa's
activities involve the water - the beaches are fabulous for swimming,
snorkeling, or diving. There are numerous dive shops around. Try the
Tank Ha (Ha means water in Mayan) dive shop at the Maya Bric Hotel.
The Abyss Dive Shop at the Blue Parrot Inn - Calle 12
North on the Beach offers a variety of dives geared to meet each
divers needs: from beginners to experts.
Golf is available in
Playacar on an 18-hole course designed by Robert Von Hagge.
Beachcombers could hike north and make a whole day of it, relaxing in
one or two beachside restaurants along the way. Wear a hat and much
sunscreen.
Playa del Carmen is the perfect location with its close proximity to
everything the Riviera Maya has to offer
