Location & getting there:
90 min away from Cancun airport. Like 90 minutes away from Cancun airport. There is a highway all the way, so, transportation will be excellent. Remember, the airport is in Cancun and it's the best airport in all Latin America!
PLAYA'S SECTIONS:
Downtown area is the hottest and cutest one, specially "La Quinta Avenida" that is 5th. av.
Another very nice area is Playacar, that is a big part of the city where you can find luxurious villas, condos, townhouses, hotels, commercial centers, beaches, a golf course and so on. There is even an archaeological site!
There are many hotels which are not located on neither of these areas, they have beaches but please, forget about walking towards the city. These hotels are hideaways, and you should consider taking a taxi to get to the city.
Ambience:
Relaxed, hippie, casual, beachpeople, sometimes yuppie, it is veru difficult to find someone who does not like Playa :)
Ideal for:
Families, adults, singles, ecologist, philophers, etc. Again. Playa has an atmosphere that will please every taste.
Not ideal for:
I have no idea...
Things to do:
Here the beach people find their best place, because beaches are in the city, so, locals go to the beach (unlike Cancun) and help to make an ambiance.
Mamitas beach is one of the most famous, it can be very fancy, but it is trendy.
Culture is very hippie and sometimes yuppie. There are some cultural activities sponzorized by the City Hall, but they are kind of humble and take place by Plaza 28 de Julio, which is the square in front of the City Hall.
The best ambiance is, without any reasonable doubt, at the Quinta Avenida, which is like a catwalk of fashion, pretty faces and gorgeous bodies.
Playenses (that is the name for Playa inhabitants) are trying hard to have their own identity and as a result, they organize many activities. Please check out my CALENDAR OF EVENTS. You might find world famous D.J's, Jazz Festival, Beach Soccer, etc.
Shopping:
The best areas are around Fifth Av. (La Quinta Avenida), there you can find everything, just remember, fiexd prices are fixed and if you know how to bargain, go to those stores where prices are not marked and have fun on your own risk. Actually, Playa can be expensier than Cancun, but the choice you can find in "La Quinta". Nowadays you can find luxury items in Playa at a very good price which competes with Cancun (diamonds, make up, perfums, luxury brands).
Food:
Here you will find the best choice of the Riviera Maya, good choice of restaurants. Many foreigners arrive to Playa and the first thing is to open a restaurant, so you will find many, many choices, sorry for your diet!
Diving:
Transportation:
Buses are really bad and taxis are the best option. If you stay in a city hotel you do not need to take any transportation and being a pedestrian in Playa is the best option.
Beach conditions:
Beaches close to downtown are not as good as before. Some beaches at Playacar are much better and also starting Shangri La are very good. Beach erosion has many causes, specially storms, but this December 2009, government will repair beaches so, you should be relaxed, they will be as wonderful as usual!
