Nature lovers, history aficionados, and partygoers will all enjoy this paradise.

Playa del Carmen, once a small fishing community, is today a stand-alone Riviera Maya resort. Local taquerias and sleek luxury hotels lie alongside busy bars and cool stores, all with a more real Mexican feel than you’ll find up the coast in Cancun. By day, head to the beach or get a ferry to Cozumel, and by night, take a stroll down La Quinta for some people-watching and the ideal margarita. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also fantastic diving and snorkelling right off the coast, and the ancient ruins of Coba loom over the neighbouring inland forests.

Where is Playa Del Carmen?

To begin with, Playa del Carmen is in Mexico.

That country south of the US border where a certain orange-haired, venomous man-child wants to construct a wall. Second, Playa del Carmen is located in the Caribbean region of the world, in the northwest corner of this body of water, which meets the Gulf of Mexico just north of Cancun.

Playa del Carmen is considered part of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, a magnificent length of land that stretches south from Cancun to Tulum.

With almost 300 days of sunlight every year, this Caribbean town is the embodiment of a sun-drenched getaway.

Furthermore, year-round temperatures range from roughly 73° F to 83° F.

What makes Playa Del Carmen Special?

Many seaside areas offer plenty of sunshine and huge, brightly coloured sombreros.

Perhaps not the sombreros, but certainly the sunshine and margaritas. Here are just a few reasons why your next vacation should be at Playa del Carmen that make this place so special.

Eat Stew-Filled Tacos at El Gran Taco

In Mexico, a general saying is “belly full, satisfied heart.”

That’s why, first and foremost, you should go to Playa del Carmen to eat some of the greatest dang tacos this side of, well, anyplace.

Mexico City-style stew-filled tacos, loaded with delicious and well flavoured stews.

Every time I eat there, it makes me believe in a higher power, and that he is most likely Mexican and enjoys spicy food.

Gran Taco is directly across the street from the Centro Maya shopping centre.

They also provide flautas, carnitas, barbacoa, and other Mexican dishes.

Fifth Avenue

The 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen is a true hipster hangout.

Over twenty pedestrian blocks stretch north to south across the city, parallel to that magnificent coastline, dotted with stores, boutiques, stalls, taverns, restaurants, and nightclubs.

The Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) has everything for everyone, from huge multinational businesses like Starbucks, Victoria Secrets, and H&M to rock star clubs like Kitxen and unique art galleries like the Gaston Charó gallery.

The sunbathers of the day dressed to kill at night strut their thing up and down the road as they stroll, shop, drink, and eat their way merry through the several quality restaurants present on this fashionable strip at night, bringing the street to life.

You Can Have the Blues without being depressed

If you’re in the Caribbean, getting the blues is a positive thing.

The sea is a spectacular display of gorgeous blue hues.

It’s fascinating and motivating.

In fact, you might be inspired to go for that cool tropical cocktail that’s calling your name from the tiny wooden table set on a white sand beach.

Swim in a Portal to the Netherworld

Do you know what a cenote is?

They’re essentially portals to the Netherworld.

At least according to the Maya of the past.

Sinkholes, too.

In truth, there are essentially no above-ground rivers on the Yucatan Peninsula.

All of the water in the area flows through a network of underground sinkholes.

There are thousands of these, by the way (and still counting).

The limestone that had been concealing these cenotes had crumbled over time, exposing them.

Some people have more than others.

As a result, several varieties of cenotes exist, such as open, closed, bottleneck, and so on.

You can even swim in these celestial bodies of water, which the Maya thought connected mortals to death’s distant deities.

Visit a New Seven Wonder of the World

The world is divided into 196 countries.

Consider that for a moment.

And the world’s new wonders are limited to only seven.

Playa del Carmen is only a two-hour drive from one of these testaments to our common humanity.

Chichen Itza is a terrific spot for selfies, but it’s even better for learning about Mexico’s rich and storied past and the Mayan people.

There are also a number of sellers, some of whom are incredibly persistent.

It can also get extremely hot.

And, of course, there’s a but to this storey: Chichen Itza is incredible.

Make sure you have a guide with you.

Learn more about this intriguing location and the level of wisdom and understanding it represents.

Sian Kaan – another UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sian Ka’an has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This site, which in Maya means “place where the sky is born,” is as lovely as its name says.

Enter it into Google and be astounded at the results.

This natural reserve is about as close to immaculate as you can get. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.

The only other spot that comes close is Isla Contoy, a protected island (also worth a visit by the way).

This vast biosphere, located south of Tulum, is an excellent spot to learn about the region’s vegetation and animals.

Just remember to treat her with the same generosity with which she treats you.

It is, after all, the birthplace of the sky.

Swim with Whale Sharks

If it weren’t for the fact that it’s a seasonal pastime, I would have put it higher on the list.

Whale sharks migrate to this section of the Caribbean once a year to feast on microorganisms like plankton and krill.

Whale sharks may be swum with from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or pretty much anyplace in the Riviera Maya.

They travel primarily from the Gulf of Mexico’s Cabo Catoche area to the waters immediately east of Isla Contoy.

If you’re lucky (this is nature, after all), you might be able to view the world’s largest whale shark assembly in this area.

Whale sharks can be found in almost all sub-tropical and tropical waters.

Why are they here?

The answer is just to eat, eat and eat.

Every year from June to September, you may watch this feast of ocean giants.

Just make sure you’re generous to them, too.

These lovely creatures are now on the verge of extinction.

Soul-Pampering Spa Treatment

The spas in Playa del Carmen have done an excellent job of bringing together all of the international talent that has chosen Playa del Carmen as their therapeutic home to provide a wide range of great treatments for the mind, body, and soul.

Although you won’t save much money by getting a treatment here rather than at home, the quality and variety of spa treatments in Playa del Carmen is, to put it mildly, calming.

Slowly exhale, allowing the stress to leave your body.

All inclusive wedding packages at Playa Del Carmen

Last but not the least; Playa Del Carmen is very much suitable for all inclusive wedding packages.

To give you an idea, an all-inclusive destination wedding in Playa del Carmen costs between $5000 and $7000 USD.

It’s a lot less than it is back home! Isn’t it self-evident?