Playa del Carmen
The Beach & warm Caribbean Sea
Playa del Carmen is only 30 minutes by road south of Cancun and is a world away in terms of relaxation. Playa is smaller scale and low rise. A fishing village popular with hippies in the past, it has grown into a pleasant place to spend a few days unwinding. The sea is warm and much calmer than in Cancun. See GettingThere for my comments on this recommended hotel, just north of the town, that I have stayed in - these photos was taken by me on the beach right by the Hotel - direct link to the hotel website - Las Palapas .
Even though it is peaceful, you can walk 10 minutes into town to experience the buzz of nightlife and clubs and the main shopping street. Tulum is only 45 minutes south of here by road so it makes a good base from which to explore the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsular, including Cancun.