Destination Spotlight - Playa del Carmen

There are several  destination areas can reach from the Cancun airport. Today we will focus a bit on Playa del Carmen. 

Playa del Carmen is a resort town 55 miles and 45 minutes (in good traffic) away from the Cancun airport. It’s located in the Yucatán Peninsula of Riviera Maya, and my fave street Quinta Avenida (5th Ave), runs parallel to the beach which is a block from this lively strip.  

To sum it up in true Prissi fashion, Playa del Carmen reminds me of a Mexican Beale Street. Everything is literally at your fingertips, live music, shopping, excursions, dining, bars & nightlife. I love it because it’s walk friendly and every day on 5th ave is different. It feels like a city in the middle of a resort destination, it’s truly a city lovers dream. ​

Shopping 

You have tons of shopping from international brands such as Forever 21, Lacoste, Zara, and Converse to Mexican brands including  Ay Guey, Rosalia, and Sol Jaguar. I love walking into a tiny shop and falling in love with the craftsmanship, the textures, and the unique options available for your wardrobe or your home. I get my best accessories and art pieces in these type of shoppes. I love unique, hand made items, which are in abundance on Fifth Ave. You can also find your typical T-shirt and key chain sourviners here as well. Be sure to convert your currency to pesos. Yes you can use dollars, but the conversion given in the shoppes isn’t  always traveler friendly, so convert those dollars to get the most bang for your buck. 

Gastronomy

Eating with the locals is big on my To Do list when traveling. Some destinations require a lot of thought and planning to find a worthy spot to dine. No need to worry about this when in Playa del Carmen, just saunter off of your resort and bam all the deliciousness of Mexico (and beyond) is right in your face. There are also some world renowned chefs, Cuban cuisine, Italian cuisine, street food, Mexican food and more. It's a foodies paradise.  

My Picks!!!

Rockas Jamaican Kitchen - Venture here for an amazing and authentic Jamaican dining experience. The staff is welcoming, the music jams, and the food is beyond delicious. A bit of Jamaica in one of my favorite Mexican cities.

Catch (located at the Rooftop of the Thompson Hotel) - The perfect spot for people watching and enjoying craft cocktails, chef curated culinary delights, and sensory pleasing desert experiences. You may stop by for a cocktail, but the food will make you stay. 

I'll leave the third spot open for a new spot when I venture to Playa del Carmen this winter.

Activities

Rooftop bar and pool, day clubs, a ferry ride to Isla Mujeres, all of this and more can be stumbled into from Playa del Carmen. I once did a bar crawl with my clients, we didn’t want to watch the Mayweather fight at the resort so we made our own experience. We went from bar to bar each round drinking, laughing and enjoying the fight. Clubs are in abundance, as are rum bars, Cigar lounges, massage parlors and more. 

Have you been to Playa del Carmen? Share your experience with us!

If you haven't heard, I'm hosting an Oscar themed group trip in Playa del Carmen - Click here for details. We'd love to have you join us!