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Playa del Carmen: Not a Secret Anymore!

Playa del Carmen, Mexico is quickly becoming the worst kept secret on the Caribbean coast. Located in the middle of the Costa Turquesa (Turquoise Coast), "Playa" as it is referred to by the locals, may be the best spot in the area for a simple, beach loving vacation. Until the early 1990s, Playa del Carmen was a sleepy fishing village that served as a gateway to Cozumel and Cancun. No more. Recently, savvy Europeans discovered the gorgeous white sand beaches, the crystal clear turquoise water, and the laid back atmosphere, and adopted Playa del Carmen as a Caribbean getaway. If your idea of a Caribbean vacation includes scuba diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, parasailing, or lounging with a book on a sugary soft beach, then Playa del Carmen is just the place!

Although tourism is becoming more popular, the citizens of Playa del Carmen have eschewed any temptation to become a glitzed out, loudly decorated city. They have instead adopted a more subtle, native approach to adorning their town. Tropical plants line the city's walkways. Clapboard walls and thatched roofs are an intricate part of new architecture. The town is toned-down, rather than dressed up. The atmosphere is a wonderful blend of Mexican civility and European panache. The pace is busy along 5th Avenue, and the street is filled with little cafes, restaurants, and locally owned shops offering everything from Guatemalan clothing to Cuban cigars.

Playa del Carmen is about relaxing. Why rush? The beaches are plentiful, the Caribbean sun is ever present, and the waves sing a relaxing tune as they gently brush the shore. If you must feel active, the reef that resides offshore makes for a great snorkeling and scuba diving playground. There are numerous dive shops that offer packages to popular sites.

Golfers will love the course at Playacar Golf Club. Designed by Robert Von Hagge, This course is carved through the lush Mayan jungle, and also offers stunning views of the Caribbean. True golfing zealots will want to head north to Cancun and battle the links at Pok Ta Pok, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The course incorporates Mayan ruins as a backdrop and uses the ocean on a number of holes as a hazard.

Playa del Carmen is also a great spot for jumping into the area's more famous destinations of Cozumel and Cancun. Cozumel, located just 12 miles off the coast, gained fame in the 1950s when famed undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau called attention to Cozumel's Palancar Reef, the second largest worldwide. Cozumel is a diving and snorkeling paradise, and is another great place to get away from it all and spend time on a beautiful beach.

For some frenetic picture of paradise, head north 40 miles or so to Cancun. This little town is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean, and offers everything gorgeous beaches, a vibrant night life, and shop-till-you-drop marathons. Cancun isn't subtle. It is in your face fun, but well worth a day-trip.

Playa del Carmen has everything a Caribbean vacation should be. Bask in the sun and do absolutely nothing. Listen to local folk music as you sip a beverage while people-watching in your favorite café. Visit a Mayan ruin. Put on a mask and fins and say hello to the underwater life hidden offshore. Whatever you choose to do, as long as you do it in Playa del Carmen, you won't be disappointed!