With a practically perfect climate - average year-round temperatures are about 27 degrees Celsius - and a wonderful location on the Riviera Maya in the northeast of the state of Quintana Roo, travellers stepping off their cheap flights to Playa del Carmen may never want to leave.
The town first appeared on the tourist radar with the passenger ferry service to Cozumel, the world-famous scuba-diving island across the Cozumel Channel. With its high-quality beaches, shimmering blue waters and good diving, travellers en route to Cozumel discovered that Playa del Carmen is more than a match for its more famous neighbour.
The town is also a popular cruise-ship stopping-off point. Its compact fishing-town feel makes it ideal for there-and-back visitors as well as those on a longer vacation.
Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) stretches between Calle 1 Norte until Calle 34, taking in most of the town, parallel to the beautiful beach while nearby Mayan ruins including Tulum, Coba and Chichen Itza shine a light on the region's ancient civilisation.
Search and compare: cheap flights to Playa del Carmen
Back to top
In a word, perfect. Playa del Carmen has a sub-tropical climate with temperatures approaching 30 degrees Celsius (80s Fahrenheit) year-round. Travellers arriving on cheap flights to Playa del Carmen between November and January will experience slightly cooler temperatures - in the mid 20s. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.
Back to top
Peak Season:
Along the Riviera Maya, November through February is high season. This is when travellers flee colder winters elsewhere and take cheap flights to Playa del Carmen.
Off Season:
The rainy season runs May to October and hurricane season is August through October. However, if you are planning to take cheap flights to Playa del Carmen for deep sea fishing, billfish (sailfish and marlin) in particular, high season runs March through September.
Back to top
There is no local airport at which cheap flights to Playa del Carmen can land. The nearest airport is in Cancun. From there, the options to get around include rental cars or public transportation. Colectivo vans that run between Cancun and Tulum are a cheap option but not the quickest. The vans generally don't move until full. Flying to Cozumel airport is also an option. From Cozumel, getting to Playa del Carmen involves taking a taxi to the docks, then a ferry.
Back to top
Playa del Carmen is not as compact as it once was. Getting about on foot is the cheapest option if not quite as scenic as it used to be. Rental car is the best option for independent travel. Taxis are cheap, but keep an eye on the meter. Public bus is cheap too. Triciclos, large tricycles, are a fun way of getting around Playa del Carmen. You'll find them around the ferry dock at the south end of town and on Juarez and 5th Avenue.
Back to top
- Local Mayan cuisine features meals rich in cereals, meat (chicken, pork or rabbit), herbs and rice. Popular fillings include beans, corn, Serrano and Havana chilli peppers. Due to its location, seafood is a specialty. Must-eat dishes include Tikin Xic, a white fish that is marinated with adobo de Achiote and sour oranges, wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked in an earth oven under a wood fire. Pan de Cazón are tortillas with shredded fish and black beans.
- Akumal, 30 minutes south of Playa Del Carmen, is home to a sea turtle sanctuary. Its shallow waters are protected by a barrier reef. Logger Head Sea Turtles enter daily to feed on sea grass and are friendly and peaceful beasts.
- Younger visitors arriving on cheap flights to Playa del Carmen will be thrilled with a visit to Xcaret, an archaeological site, ecological park and resort that is often described as a Mayan Eco Disney World. There are numerous attractions including underground rivers, butterfly pavilion, beach, inlets and the "Xcaret Mexico Espectacular". Swimming with dolphins, snuba, sea trekking and snorkelling are all on offer.
Back to top
Airports close to Playa del Carmen include Cancun International Airport and Cozumel International Airport.
Cancun International Airport (CUN) (website: www.cancun-airport.com) The airport is situated 17km southwest of the hotel and resort area in Cancun.
Cozumel International Airport (CZM) is on the island of Cozumel.
Back to top
