Playa Del Carmen Beaches

Playa del Carmen’s beaches stretch northward and southward from the ferry docks that are south of the city. North of the docks, the city itself is paralleled by white, translucent beach, and various vendors, dive shops, beach bars, hotels and restaurants dot the beach. To the south of the docks, the beaches are wider, quieter and less crowded. All Playa del Carmen beaches are open to the public, as all Mexico beaches are federally owned, but some are inaccessible because they are bordered by private property. Still, Playa del Carmen has plenty of beautiful beaches to accommodate everyone’s beach-going needs.

Playa del Carmen beaches are maintained by the city so they are clean and well-kept. The sand is not as fine as in Cancun, but it stretches as far as the eye can see. Lifeguards are on duty up and down the beaches, and local police routinely patrol them. As a result, crime is practically non-existent. Swimming is most delightful from September through December when the water is at its warmest. January through March is hurricane season, and waters during this time can be quite choppy.

There are rumors of nude beaches in Playa del Carmen, and although some women go topless and some men wear very skimpy swimsuits, there are, in fact, no official nude beaches in Playa del Carmen. Generally, Playa del Carmen is a family-oriented vacation destination and attracts families and couples. Because the waters are calm and the surf is gentle, nearly any of Playa del Carmen beaches are suitable for children.

No Playa del Carmen vacation is complete without a taste of the city’s vibrant nightlife. The “strip,” along 5th Avenue, is full of bars and dance clubs, and dress codes vary from beach clothing to more formal attire. Delicious restaurants are also plentiful, and in this tourist section, nearly any cuisine can be sampled. Menus are in English, and filtered bottled water is used in creating the delicious dishes. For a taste of authentic Mexican food, however, a trip outside of the tourist zone is needed.

Europeans discovered Playa del Carmen in the early 1980s, and many of Playa del Carmen’s visitors are still European, giving the city a cosmopolitan feeling. Tuesdays and Thurdays are the days that the cruise ships dock at Calica, a few miles down the road and really just a pier jutting out from the rocks, bringing a bevy of temporary international beach goers to this tranquil destination by the sea.

Playa del Carmen does not have the glitz or glamour of Cancun. The beaches are not as soft, and the all-inclusive hotels are perhaps not as plush or plentiful. Instead, Playa del Carmen offers a laid-back vibe and an artsy sensibility. It is growing but still maintains its welcoming, authentic Mexican style and is a delightful spot for a fabulous Mexican vacation.