Tag Archives: Playa del Carmen

Hear What Other People Say about Fifth Avenue, Playa del Carmen

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I’ve written about Fifth Avenue and how much I love it before. (See the Fifth Avenue tag on this blog.)  I’m not alone.  A friend recently shared this with me:

I love 5th avenue, known as Quinta to the locals. It’s a great place to soak up the atmosphere that is Playa del Carmen.

I went today for coffee with a friend of mine. We try to have a coffee catch up every week. We always try to visit different places around Playa, but generally we always end up around Quinta. That’s where all the action happens, or doesn’t happen should I say.

Yes, it’s a popular tourist attraction, but that’s not all. It’s the center of the city, where everyone comes together. And its super friendly, there is always someone you know who walks by.

So, today we went to one of our favorite hidden spots La Cueva del Chango. Its just off 5th, in Shangri-La. It’s on calle 38 between 5th Avenue and the beach. It’s a restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They specialize in natural juices, salads, and fresh foods. There food is always delicious and is reasonably priced. They have a great selection of soups, salads, and Mexican dishes also.

So, not only did we have a great meal and a refreshing juice, we got to enjoy the surrounding of lush trees and small ponds.

As you enter the restaurant a calm feeling takes over. There are small ponds all over and little water falls flowing all around you. You cant help but feel at peace. Today, there was a little turtle that kept escaping from the pond and wandering around. Even the animals feel at home.

I really recommend La Cueva del Chango. It’s one of the oldest restaurants in Playa. The food is great, the atmosphere is great and the service is top quality, too! What more could you want?

I couldn’t have said it better myself!

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See a Whole New World; Diving in The Coral Reef

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Living in MexicoThere are many places to go diving all over the world. But I don’t have to go very far. Living in Mexico gives me a great chance to keep my diving skills sharp, and my mind clear.

 

Off the coast of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel is the second largest reef in the world. It’s full of all kinds of colorful animals. Fish, squid, octopus, eels, stingrays and all the extras like coral formations and structures. Its like an underwater museum that never closes, it just changes and becomes more amazing.

 

Take night diving for example. I few weeks ago we went for a night dive. I must admit I was pretty scared to jump into the ocean at 7pm at night, but I was also so excited to see a different kind of coral reef. The animals that you see during the day are amazing; don’t get me wrong, but at night the atmosphere changes completely.

 

You can see different fish and some animals that I have never seen before. The water seems so much calmer and quiet with the hustle and bustle of the day gone. The animals seem to relax back into their natural routine, like they are not on display anymore. Its almost like they are off the clock.

 

And don’t freak out about not being able to see, you are armed with a flashlight that helps you eyes focus on what is in front of you. During a day dive, you eyes tend to wander around, but on a night dive you are focus and everything is a new surprise.

 

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Try a New Way of Seeing the Beach – Parasailing in Playa del Carmen

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Is there anything better than wandering down the white sandy beaches, along the crystal blue green water? Well, yes! Flying over it, soring above looking down over the entire Playa del Carmen. No, I’m not talking about skydiving. I’m talking about parasailing.

Parasailing is a popular activity all along the coast of the Riviera Maya. You can book your trip right on the beach. The jet skis take you out to the boat and they help you out with everything you need. It’s an amazing feeling, gliding through the air, looking down.

A lot of people think that its scary, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You are 100% supported in a harness and its like you are sitting on a chair watching the world pass by.

I remember thinking the last time we went, how everything seemed so small from up so high. It really helped me get away from it all and get a little prospective on life. Best therapy ever!
We went off Mamitas beach in Playa del Carmen. There are several boats that do parasailing. You can always find someone selling tickets. If you have trouble, look for the guys hanging around the jet skis, windsurfers and kayaks. They will happily point you in the right direction.

After they took us up to fly like a bird, we decided to take the jet skis out for a run. That was heaps of fun! Riding the waves, feeling the power. There are so many water activities available in places like Playa, that’s its hard to choose one. Well, my advice… don’t choose, try them all and have fun doing so.

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The Mysterious Underground World – Dos Ojos Cenote, Playa del Carmen

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Living in Mexico can be hot sometimes! But is there anything better to do on a hot day than relax in a fresh, crystal clear naturally made pool of water? Well, around here we call them cenotes. There are so many of them, but my favorite is Dos Ojos (2 eyes), named for its 2 large swimming holes. These cenotes are linked to caverns that run up and down the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

 

Dos Ojos is about 10-15 minutes north of Tulum, almost opposite Xel-ha, another great place to relax on asunny day.

 
It’s entrance is located right on the highway. From there you need to travel inland about 2km. If you are driving yourself, you just pay the entrance fee and continue on to the cenote. If you don’t have transport, there are tours available. After arriving at the entrance you can talk with the happy staff and they can offer you guides, snorkeling tours or diving tours. You can also rent equipment from them if you don’t have any of your own.

 

On the drive inland towards the Cenote, you can catch a glimpse of nature at its best. There are some animals about, and you can always see birds flying around.

 
The Cenote itself is quite large even though it might not look that way. It’s a very popular site for diving and snorkeling. There are some hammocks around that you can relax in. I would suggest taking a picnic lunch, but just remember not to lave any garbage lying around. There are some stores to buy cold drinks and snacks or a special souvenir. All in all it’s a great day to be had buy the whole family.

 

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Love Is in the Air in Playa del Carmen – The MOST Romantic Thing to Do

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When people say that Playa del Carmen is one of the most romantic places on earth, I’m sure that the beautiful villas, boutique hotels, the luxury resorts and the charming restaurants all add something to the romance that overtakes people in this town.

 

Yet, there is something unquestionably romantic about the place itself – something that transcends simply have a nice hotel to stay in, and perhaps even those unique romantic dinners, boat tours or spiritual cleansing experiences that you may not find anywhere else in the world.

 

There is something about it that any couple – old, young, long-time or new – can enjoy any day of the year. Budget also doesn’t matter – a couple can emerge themselves in the deep romantic of Playa del Carmen whether they have a million dollars that they could spend tomorrow, or don’t even have a cent in their pocket.

 

For that reason, our #1 most romantic way to spend time in Playa del Carmen should come as a surprise to no one:

 

Walking on the beach in the moonlight

 

Imagine, you and your lover walking hand-in-hand with the soft sand in your toes, the moonlight reflecting off the sea, the warm water lapping up over your feet.  Somewhere in the distance you hear mariachis singing and happy people laughing.  But quickly, that all fades away, and the whole world ceases to exist for a few moments that seem like eternity, and it’s only the two of you alone in a mystical paradise of nature.

 

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Happy Valentines Day!

Love Is in the Air in Playa del Carmen – 10 Most Romantic Things to Do (#3)

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On Monday and yesterday Bea and I started sharing what we believe are the 10 most romantic things to do in the Playa del Carmen area.  Today, I will share 3 more items – #4, 3 & 2 on our list, preparing you for the “grand finale” tomorrow on Valentine’s Day – in our opinion, the most romantic thing to do in Playa del Carmen!

 

4. Candle-Light Dinner on a Private Boat

 

The canals of Mayakoba, a resort complex just north of town, capture the spirit of the ancient Mayan mysteries which permeate the area’s jungle; a private dinner on a boat to yourselves, candle light, the sound of the water, and the beauty of the surrounding nature make this one of the most romantic settings to be found – anywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Dinner in Alux Cavern Restaurant
Reaching only a little deeper into the heart of the mysterious Mayan nature, you and your Valentine can enjoy a delicious Mayan dinner deep in a beautifully lit cavern at the entrance to one of the area’s “cenotes” – underground pools, waterways and caverns.

 

Alux Restaurant, located just out of downtown, is a dining experience you will not find anywhere else – and, most importantly, offers a very romantic atmosphere.

 

2. Temazcal Steam Room & Ritual

Steam fills the air with the fragrance of mystical herbs; you hear chanting around you.  Along with the heat of the steam, the essence of the ancient mystery of life penetrates into the deepest part of your being and awakens your senses to beauty as never before.

 

The temazcal is Mexico’s ancient steam room, similar to the traditional saunas where water is sprinkled on hot rocks to fill the room with steam.

 

The difference is that the ancient Aztec and Mayan rituals are intricately intertwined into the steam process, including herbs in the water, chanting and blessings, making the relaxing experience as spiritual as it is physical – the essence of true romance.

 

Tomorrow, Bea will tell you about our #1 romantic activity in Playa del Carmen; the nice thing about it is that it can be combined with any of the other 9 we mentioned, and it captures romance in a very special and unique way that everyone – young or old, new lovers, or a well-seasoned couple – can experience alike to find that new spark of passion …

 

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Love Is in the Air in Playa del Carmen – 10 Most Romantic Things to Do (#2)

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In yesterday’s post, Tom revealed 3 of our top 10 romantic things to do in (and near) Playa del Carmen (#10, 9 & 8.) Today, I will continue with 3 more ways spark up a new romance, or re-kindle one that started decades back!

 

7. Boutique Hotel Downtown Playa
The charm of a beautiful, small luxury hotel with views of the beautiful beach and Caribbean combined with excellent restaurants and the unique ambiance of Fifth Avenue a very short walk away make boutique hotels like Mosquito or Acanto very, very romantic places to spend time with your Valentine.

6. Camping in the Jungle

The sound of the waves, birds singing, wind in the palm trees, hammock swaying, and a beautiful, beautiful beach all to yourself – camping on Sian Ka’an‘s beaches (a very large natural reserve) or on the shores of Bacalar’s lagoon offer something romantic that goes well beyond any hotel or restaurant!

5. Eco-Hotels in Tulum

Imagine waking up in a beachfront cabin, surrounded by jungle, no electricity, no buzzing of cars, but still with the comfort of a Mayan-style cabin and a nice pool, only steps away from the Tulum’s gorgeous beaches.

Cabins such as “Zebra” or Luna Maya are excellent choices; there are also some in the Sian Ka’an.

 

 

 

Tomorrow, we will see three more very romantic ways to spend Valentine’s Day – #4, 3 & 2.

 

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In yesterday’s post, I revealed 3 of our top 10 romantic things to do in (and near) Playa del Carmen (#10, 9 & 8.)  Today, I will continue with 3 more ways spark up a new romance, or re-kindle one that started decades back!

7. Boutique Hotel Downtown Playa
The charm of a beautiful, small luxury hotel with views of the beautiful beach and Caribbean combined with excellent restaurants and the unique ambiance of Fifth Avenue a very short walk away make boutique hotels like Mosquito or Acanto very, very romantic places to spend time with your Valentine.

6. Camping in the Jungle

 

The sound of the waves, birds singing, wind in the palm trees, hammock swaying, and a beautiful, beautiful beach all to yourself – camping on Sian Ka’an‘s beaches (a very large natural reserve) or on the shores of Bacalar’s lagoon offer something romantic that goes well beyond any hotel or restaurant!

5. Eco-Hotels in Tulum

 

Imagine waking up in a beachfront cabin, surrounded by jungle, no electricity, no buzzing of cars, but still with the comfort of a Mayan-style cabin and a nice pool, only steps away from the Tulum’s gorgeous beaches.

Cabins such as “Zebra” or Luna Maya are excellent choices; there are also some in the Sian Ka’an.

Tomorrow, we will see three more very romantic ways to spend Valentine’s Day – #4, 3 & 2.

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Love Is in the Air in Playa del Carmen – 10 Most Romantic Things to Do (#1)

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Playa del Carmen has been named one of the top 10 romantic places in the world.  Besides the splendid beaches, turquoise water, and bright sun, Playa del Carmen has a certain charm about it’s atmosphere not found in most tourist towns.

 

The low-rise buildings, the beauty of Fifth Avenue with its shops and restaurants, the Mexican culture and a taste of Europe offered by the strong Italian presence all combine to make this town truly romantic at any time of year.

 

Now, with Valentine’s Day coming up, this romance is especially noteworthy.  The spark of passion that Playa del Carmen offers couples isn’t just for the young adventurous lovers enthralled in the passion of finding a new romance, or just for newly weds on their honeymoon (although it certainly can be for both of these!)

 

Playa del Carmen’s charm can also be the spark that re-kindles a romance that began decades ago.

 

The following are our top 10 romantic things to do in Playa del Carmen.  I’m sure many people would put this in a different order, and have their own romantic experiences that we’ve left out or didn’t even know about: but this is part of the charm – there’s always more romance to discover!

 

Today, I will share the first three (#10-8) and then three more each day until Valentine’s Day, when I’ll reveal what – f0r me – is the most romantic part of living in Playa del Carmen.

#10. Dinner at Italian Trattoria on Fifth

Sitting with the person you love the most (whether it be just for the first time that evening, or for your lifetime) looking out over Fifth Avenue, enjoying delicious Italian food and excellent wine, with mariachis serenading – chances are, you’ll be so in love that you won’t even notice the beautiful atmosphere.

 

#9. Romantic Dinner on the Beach

D
inner in the warm breeze from the ocean by the light of candles and lanterns, the sound of the waves lapping up against the beach – who needs say more?  Restaurants like Zenzi downtown offer excellent Valentine’s Day dinners and drinks.

 

#8. A Day (and Night) at a Beachfront Resort

The comfort of complete luxury, a lounge area with a pool overlooking the beach and complete service for anything you might need will allow you to forget about everything – except love!

Upscale luxury resorts like Viceroy just north of Playa del Carmen are an excellent choice for visitors and expats who live here.

 

Tomorrow we will see #7, 6 and 5.

 

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Celebrate Carnival in Playa del Carmen! The Parade in Pictures

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Earlier today, we went to Playa’s Carnival Parade! The parade is a 2-day event, with lots of other activities happening all around the city.  The parade itself follows constituyentes from 3th down towards the beach to the famous Fifth Avenue. Then travels all the way along Fifth Avenue. This is the best place to catch the action.

 

Check out some pictures

 

Tomorrow, I’ll share some pictures of the Cozumel Carnival.

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Celebrate Carnival in Playa del Carmen! Food, Festivities, Concerts and Crafts – Pictures

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Yesterday, I shared some pictures of Carnival throughout Mexico.

 

Now, it’s time for Carnival in Playa! I love carnival. Everyone enjoying a parade of people dressed in amazing, sometimes outrageous outfits. It’s a chance to let go and really enjoy life.

 

Here in Playa del Carmen, the festivities last all week, starting with a fair and concerts on Friday. There’s a small fair in front of city hall with all kinds of spectacular foods to taste. The kids even get time off from school. Classes are canceled for Monday and Tuesday after the parade weekend, so the party can keep going.

 

Here’s a “taste” of what you get:

 

This couple is ready to enjoy some very tasty (and very unhealthy) Mexican snacks:
Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

Rides and concerts:
Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

Finally, one of the booths selling handicrafts:
Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

Retiring in Playa del Carmen

 

Later today, I’ll put some pictures of the parade.

 

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