Tag Archives: Playa del Carmen Beaches

Xcalacoco Beach in Playa del Carmen: A Local Paradise

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Playa Xcalacoco is a beautiful beach on the northern tip of Playa del Carmen. This is where many locals and tourists enjoy hanging out. The beach is far away from the hustle and bustle of the town, yet close enough to access quickly. As a retiree in Playa del Carmen, emerging in the culture and mingling with the locals is a great way to really enjoy the city. Xcalacoco beach offers that and much more.

The beach is long and beautiful, with nice warm water for swimming and snorkeling. Although some hotels are lined along this beach, there is more than enough room for those who want to pack their coolers, bring their towel and just enjoy the sun. If you’re not so keen on being out under the soon for too long, there are certain places where for a modest 50 or 100-peso fee you can rent some shade, a chair or a beach bed.

Xcalacoco Beach

Since the beach is not completely touristy, you should definitely pack a lunch and some beverages with you for the day. There are no restaurants or stores on the beach, and the closest Oxxo or convenience store is on the highway on the entrance towards the beach. You may want to stop there before you keep driving in to get anything you may want to enjoy at the beach.

For those who love swimming and snorkeling, there is a reef just a few meters in. The crystal-clear water allows for great visibility. So, make sure to look out for the many bright and colorful fish and crabs swimming around the corals.

How to Get to Playa Xcalacoco

This beach is located between two hotels (Azul Fives and La Reve). They’re both all-inclusive boutique resorts, which means tourists from those hotels rarely leave their designated areas, leaving plenty of space for everyone else.

To reach the beach from Playa del Carmen downtown, you will need to drive north on the Highway 307. Continue driving past the entrance to Grand Coral. At the traffic light where the Coca Cola factory is, turn right on the road. There is a sign that reads Lol-Tun. This is the road where you will find the last Oxxo before getting to the beach. So, make sure to factor it in as your last stop if you want to buy anything else.

Xcalacoco Beach

You will drive on this road for a few minutes, reaching the Azul Fives resort. Just ahead is a small entrance, which is the public access to the beach. Keep your eyes open as there is no clear sign for this path. Try to get there as early as possible. After 10am, you will see many cars lined up parked outside and you will need to park far from the entrance. The street only allows for about 20 cars to be parked. If you reach the Le Reve Hotel, you have gone too far.

However, just ahead past Le Reve, there is a place where you can park for $50 pesos. You may also rent shade, bathroom, palapas, beach beds and chairs for another modest fee. You can even rent their BBQ grill for $100 pesos if you want to have some food there.

What to Do in Xcalacoco

There really isn’t much to do except enjoy the sun, the ocean and the calmness of being on a beautiful beach away from the tourist areas. We highly recommend sticking around for the sunset. It is extremely beautiful with its pastel colors making for stunning photographs.

All we can say is that you will not regret spending the day at Xcalacoco beach. It’s a great place to escape from the vibrant city energy and relax in a tranquil setting. This is essential for your health and well-being. And if you love it so much you want to spend every day there, we recommend investing in a property in El Cielo Residencial, which gives residents direct access to this gorgeous beach.

Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya: A Day at Shangri-la Beach

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Beach #3 on the Countdown to the Best Beach in the Riviera Maya: Shangri-la Beach

Playa del Carmen is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, and one of the fastest growing cities in the world according to the 2006 Guinness World Records. Once a sleepy fishing village, Playa del Carmen has become an exciting tourist destination for people from all over the world.

Playa, as it is known among its residents is characterized for its varied neighborhoods, each of them with unique characteristics and beaches where people go and chill after a long day at work.

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Shangri-la Beach: General Information

Shangri-la is one of our favorite areas in Playa del Carmen, once a private property is one of the few places where you can still find the original trees on the sides of the road. There is a huge ceiba, maybe one of the oldest in Playa del Carmen in a private property between 5th Avenue and the beach.

Little by little the area has developed with condos and hotels residing by the jungle but the natural beauty and quietness remain. There is also a natural cenote on the road where the Piola Restaurant is located.

Shangri-la Beach: Getting There

Getting to Shangri-la from 5th avenue is quite easy, look for 38th Street and turn to the east. It is easy to know you are on 38th street, because there is a colorful mosaic fountain/sculpture in the middle of the road.

From the highway look for the exit for 34th street and take the road eastbound, once you get to 10th avenue turn left until 38th street. There are no parking lots, so park on one of the side streets and walk to the beach.

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Shangri-la Beach: Things To Do

Shangri-la is the ideal beach to enjoy the scenery and relax, it is not as crowded as other areas in Playa del Carmen so it is also ideal to practice yoga, meditate or enjoy a massage on the beach.

The beach has white sand and turquoise blue water, and as with most of the beaches in Playa del Carmen the water is calm without big waves. Making it an ideal place for children or to practice snorkeling, paddle boarding or kayaking.

There are plenty of restaurants and bars on Calle 38th in case you get hungry or thirsty, but you can also bring your own food and beverages. As with most of the beaches in the area there are no public restrooms, parking lots or convenience shops so plan accordingly.

Shangri-la Beach: Recommendations

  • If you decide to bring your own food and beverages, be sure to bring some plastic bags to carry your trash with you when you leave.
  • Make sure to use biodegradable suntan lotion and insect repellent and reapply frequently, this way you can protect the reef from chemicals and yourself from sunburns and mosquito.
  • Look for a cenote, as there are many of these beauties all over downtown Playa.

We hope you enjoy your visit to the beautiful Shangri-la beach. Keep up to date with the best beaches in paradise by following our Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya countdown every Friday! If you are in search for the perfect beach to spend the day at, make sure you check out our options. We aim to provide you with the best information about living in the Riviera Maya!

If you loved the Shangri-la neighborhood and are interested in purchasing a vacation home or retirement home Shangri-la has several real estate options from beachfront luxury condos to beautiful homes, please feel free to contact any of our Top Mexico Buyers’ Representatives! Browse our beautiful properties; we are sure you will find your dream home.

And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…

We make it happen!

Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya: A Day at Xaman-Ha Beach

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Beach #4 on the Countdown to the Best Beach in the Riviera Maya: Xaman-Ha Beach

Playa del Carmen has plenty of beautiful beaches, some of them offer a urban vibe, some others are a little bit more rustic; but for sure there is something for everyone’s taste. Xaman-Ha is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Riviera Maya.

Xaman-Ha beach located in the exclusive Playacar I community, just south from the famous 5th Avenue and the pier where the ferries leave to Cozumel. Even though Playacar is a private gated community, anyone can access this beautiful beach and enjoy a day at the beach in this quiet area.

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Xaman-Ha Beach: General Information

Xaman-Ha is the perfect beach for a beer ad! With clear turquoise waters, incredibly fine white sand and small waves. You can enjoy the view of the sea, the ferries going back and forth to Cozumel and even the Island itself.

Spending a day at this beach is a good option, as you can bring food and drinks with you or you can relax on the beach for a while and when you get hungry you can walk to any of the nearby bars or restaurants. The access is free! Do not be discouraged by the security guards at the entrance of Playacar I as they will permit you to enter the community and walk to the beach or you can take a taxi.

Xaman-Ha Beach: Getting There

The easiest way to get there is to take a taxi, as the driver will deal with the security guards and drop you off by the water, another option is to walk to the beach, and pass under the dock.

Driving: If you have a car it is easy to get there. From the Federal Highway look for the entrance to Playacar, follow the signs for the beach. Keep in mind that parking spaces are limited, if you are going to the public beach in your car you might have to pay for parking.

Xaman-Ha Beach: Things To Do

  • The lack of waves makes it ideal to practice water sports like kayaking, snorkeling or paddle board
  • Relax, meditate or take a siesta… this a place to unwind.
  • Hop to Señor Frogs for a Margarita or two…
  • Enjoy the beautiful view of the ferries and Cozumel Island in the distance.

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Xaman-Ha Beach: Recommendations

  • Bring everything you need: towel, umbrella, chairs, food and drink. There are no shops in Playacar I but 5th Avenue is just a couple of blocks away.
  • There are no public restrooms in the area, the closest place is Señor Frog’s just by the pier; but the use of the restrooms are for customers only.
  • Make sure to bring some plastic bags to put all your trash in.

Xaman-Ha is one of our favorite beaches in the Riviera Maya, close to downtown Playa del Carmen and 5th Avenue; but quiet and not so crowded.

Learn about the different beaches throughout the Riviera Maya, and count down with us to the Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya every Friday.

If you are looking for the perfect beach, you can follow our blog and learn about other local popular spots. We aim to provide you with the best information about living in the Riviera Maya!

There are many luxury real estate properties located in Playacar phase I and II. If you are interested in Playa del Carmen real estate please contact one of the Top Mexico Buyers’ Representatives. We have the credentials and expertise and we are here to help you find your dream home in Mexico.

And remember, here at Top Mexico Real Estate…

We Make It Happen!

Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya: A Day at Colosio Beach

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Beach #12 on the Countdown to the Best Beach in the Riviera Maya: Colosio Beach

Playa del Carmen is the most popular destination in the Riviera Maya and its famous for its vibrant international community, white sand beaches and upscale hotels. Once a sleepy fishing village, Playa del Carmen has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the world; according to the 2006 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.

Playa del Carmen is located about 40 minutes south of Cancun, and it offers its visitor miles of pristine beaches. Each local neighborhood has a favored beach, with its own attractions and crowd.

Colosio Beach: General Information

Colosio Beach has been a local favorite for many years, it is only a few steps north from other popular spots; but it feels like a world away because of its quiet and serene nature. It is located at the bottom of the Luis Donaldo Colosio Avenue (calle 72), a mile long area of undeveloped beach; an ideal spot for those looking for a more private and quiet setting.

Lately, there has been more and more condos and hotels being built in the Colosio Area, so do not miss the opportunity to visit this little corner of paradise.

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Colosio Beach: Getting There

If you are in Playa del Carmen you can get to this pristine beach walking along the coast line, Colosio beach would be located north of popular sites like Playa Mamitas.

If you are driving or take a cab, take Federal 307 highway and head north, once you get to Luis Donaldo Colosio avenue (the one with home depot in the corner) turn right and drive to the end of the road.

There is a small entrance at the end of the road, and two more on the sides of the Meliá Paradisus La Esmeralda Hotel.

Colosio Beach: Things To Do

The charm of Colosio beach is its quietude, so feel free to walk, meditate or even practice your favorite yoga pose. You can also get a beautiful tan and enjoy some quality time with friends and family.

Remember this is a beach favored by the locals, so it is going to be busy on the weekends and holidays. Entire families take advantage of the beautiful warm weather; it is amusing to see several generations of a family spending time together and playing in the waves.

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Colosio Beach: Recommendations

If you are planning to spend the day at Colosio beach here is some recommendations:

  • Bring your own drinks and food, there is nothing close by and you will have to walk half a mile to get to the closest hotel or restaurant.
  • There are no toilets in the area, if you need to go plan to leave with plenty of time.
  • Do not bring valuables, the area is secluded and there is no security in the area.
  • Some parts of this beach are rocky, so bring your water shoes to protect your feet.

We hope you enjoy this beautiful beach, one of the spots for locals in Playa del Carmen. Keep up to date with the best beaches in paradise by following our Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya countdown every Friday and watch the best beaches in the Riviera Maya Videos! If you are in search for the perfect beach to spend the day at, make sure you check out all the options. We aim to provide you with the best information about living in the Riviera Maya!

Top Mexico Real Estate is a local American-Owned company, which specializes in helping foreigners become homeowners in Mexico. If you are looking for a second home or to retire in paradise, feel free to contact a Top Buyers’ Representative! Browse our beautiful properties; we are sure you will find your Mexico dream home.

We make it happen!

Playa del Carmen, a Foodie’s Dream

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If you are considering moving or retiring to Playa del Carmen, you will be delighted to discover the wide variety of restaurant options available, with something new to try every day.

Living near 5th avenue or downtown neighborhoods will allow you to step out and experience the lively restaurant scene in Playa del Carmen.

For ex-pats everywhere, being away from our favorite foods is hard. One day you’ll wake up craving a juicy hamburger, BBQ ribs or chili con carne and lucky for you there is places that offer American and Canadian Style food.

Walk on the beach to get to Wah Wah’s, enjoy the view and their cold drinks while trying their BBQ Chicken or BBQ ribs with all the trimmings, They also offer Tex-Mex and traditional Mexican food as well as brick oven pizza and live music in the evening. Maybe you are looking for the kind of bar where everybody knows your name, with comfort food and an American ambiance, then maybe you should try Mom’s with their weekly changing menus and English speaking staff, you’ll forget you are in Mexico.

If you want to experience the “Real” Mexican food, maybe you can take a stroll on 10th or 30th avenues, with their tacos, tortas and tamales stands as well as a variety of local delicacies: sea food, Yucatecan food and many others.

There is also plenty of options for the Vegan or Vegetarian, most restaurants offer vegetarian options and you will find chefs willing to accommodate your requests. For Vegans one of the most popular spots its “La Senda” on 10th avenue, with its traditional mushroom pozole and many others soups, sandwiches and smoothies completely free of animal products. Fruit juices and Fruit cocktails are a Mexican staple, you will find street vendors selling diced fruit with optional lime and chili powder almost in every local park, so fresh fruit is always a good option.

If you are an Italian food lover like myself, you’ll find that the ever growing Italian community in Playa is always opening new restaurants. Local favorites and both located  on 34th street, Al Volo with their homemade pastas and Ciao Pizzeria with their brick oven and delicious pizzas. These restaurants use the freshest ingredients and will charge a fraction of the cost of the restaurants located on 5th avenue.

Playa del Carmen has a growing community of expats from all over the world, this means there is a great variety of restaurants with cuisines from many regions including: Asian, European, Latin American and Mediterranean.

-By Bea Lozano

If you are considering moving or retiring to Mexico, a big part of your new life will be exploring places and finding your own favorites. There is so many choices there is always going to be something new and exciting but little by little you’ll find the spots you can’t live without.