Three Reasons to Book a Timeshare Vacation in Playa del Carmen

Cancun is cool. Acapulco is amazing. Mazatlan is marvelous. But Playa del Carmen is pretty darn perfect in terms of Mexico beach destinations. Here’s why:
The Location
Most visitors fly into Cancun International Airport, just a 45-minute drive away. But Playa is worlds away from bustling Cancun. While it’s not really the quaint fishing village it was two decades ago, Playa doesn’t have the overwhelming development and high-rise resorts of its neighbor to the north.

Playa does have bus service to Cancun, if you’d like to spend an evening in its hopping nightclubs, and ferry service directly to the island of Cozumel, for a fun day trip. It’s also ideally situated for excursions to the south: Mayan ruins of Tulum, snorkeling in Akumal, touring the biosphere Sian Ka’an. Or hop in a rental jeep to explore the attractions to its north: spend some time in the authentic little village of Puerto Morelos (which has seen very little development) or bring the kids to the Crococun zoo.

Playa del Carmen’s downtown area is adjacent to the beach. The main drag is 5th Avenue (La Quinta), and this giant esplanade lined with shops and restaurants is just steps away from the ocean.

The Food

Since Playa del Carmen has wonderfully warm weather all year round, most restaurants have open-air seating. Restaurants in downtown Playa include many Americanized eateries and popular chains, such as Carlos n’ Charlie’s and Senor Frogs (both of which transform into rollicking nightclubs in the evening). There’s even a prominent McDonald’s on 5th Avenue.

But when you’re in Playa, seek out some of the authentic Mexican restaurants, perhaps off the main drag a bit. You’ll have plenty of taco spots to choose from! You’ll also find Italian, Asian, Cuban and many other world flavors. A favorite all-natural-foods eatery that is revered among vegetarian visitors is 100% Natural, where you can eat on a cool rainforest-garden patio.

The Beaches

Playa’s white-sand beaches are all open to the public, and they are maintained by the city or oceanfront resort staff. That means you can generally count on beautifully clean beaches (very little seaweed!) for digging your feet into the sand, stretching out on a towel with a good book, or building sand castles.

Turquoise water beckons for body surfing and jumping in the waves (the strength and height of which vary depending on which stretch of water you’re playing in, as well as the weather). And when it’s time for refreshments, beach bars and restaurants are within easy walking distance.

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