Playa del Carmen is named for Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who is the patron saint of Cancún. The first recorded visitors to the beaches of what is now Playa del Carmen came during the Early Classic Period (a.d. 300-600) of the Mayan civilization. Then called Xaman-Ha, or "waters of the north," Playa del Carmen was a rest stop of sorts for travelers making their way from the great cities of the Mayan world to the island of Cozumel.
Playa del Carmen is perfectly located on the Mayan coast of Mexico. It is located 45 minutes south of Cancun, about an hour north of Talum, and a 20 minute ferry ride to Cozumel. Due to it's location it makes day trips much more convenient with less travel time between locations. Playa del Carmen has many of the amenities that a larger tourist city might have but with a small town feel.
There are so many things to do when you stay in Playa del Carmen. Among them are:
Life's a beach... or at least it is in Playa del Carmen! The turquoise waters, the warmth of the Caribbean sun and the fine sand and private coves make the beaches of Playa del Carmen on par with the highly vaunted beaches in Cancun- but minus the hustle and bustle of the crowd!
The city exudes a distinctly bohemian aura which you will easily see as you walk along the beach or stroll down the avenues. You are made to feel welcome almost from the moment you step into the city. This is, after all, a delightful melting pot of many cultures and people.
And repeat as often as necessary. This is always the best way to begin a vacation to Playa del Carmen.
Learn more about Playa del Carmen | Travel to Playa del Carmen | Maps of Playa del Carmen
For a personal tour e-mail Teresa Hartman
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