Cancun has long been known for its white sand beaches, fabulous resorts, turquoise waters and exciting nightlife. Although Cancun is still a great vacation destination for those that don’t mind it’s over commercialization, it has lost some of its allure for this particular reason. Often, when we think about taking a vacation we want the beautiful beaches, turquoise waters and the nightlife, but also want to visit a place that hasn’t yet been totally discovered.

Playa del Carmen, referred to as “Playa” is located about 45 minutes away from Cancun in the Mayan Riviera, which has become one of the most developed and impressive resort destinations in the Mexican Caribbean. Its grand hotels with perfectly manicured grounds, elaborate swimming pools, beautiful beaches lined with palm trees and palapas, spectacular marine life, exceptional scuba diving, sparkling turquoise waters and well-rounded nightlife all combine to make this a favorite spot for Germans, Argentineans, Italians, Swedes and most recently, Americans.

Playa, located in the Yucatan peninsula was originally, completely submerged under the ocean. This region’s foundation consists of limestone and fossilized coral beds with no above-ground rivers. Because of the porous limestone, the water seeps through and creates underground river systems. Over the years, parts of the limestone foundation weakened and collapsed, leaving sinkholes filled with water. Locally, around Playa these pools are called Cenotes. The eastern half of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, is home to thousands of caves and these natural springs called Cenotes. The ancient Mayans considered them sacred entrances to the spiritual world and performed many rituals and sacrifices in the Cenotes. Many of the locals (Mayans) consider the water within these pools to have healing properties. Swimming in them is extremely invigorating and refreshing. For those that are experienced scuba divers, there are many diving excursions through the local dive shops in the area. I recommend Abyss Divers located right next to the famous Blue Parrot on the beach. No visit to this region would be complete without a trip to one of these palm-lined, crystal-clear, freshwater pools.

Many of the resorts in Playacar (5 minutes away from Playa del Carmen) are all-inclusive, meaning that all meals, beverages of all kinds, activities, taxes and surcharges are included in the price of your hotel package. All of the modern day conveniences are available to even the most discerning traveler when staying at one of these all-inclusive 5-star resorts, which include spectacular swimming pools, private beaches with comfortable beach & pool loungers, pool and beachside bar service, tennis courts, water sports, use of resort bicycles, complete fitness centers, etc.

The alternative would be to stay directly in Playa. This is where you’ll find the famous “5th Avenue” -- lined with a multitude of International bars, restaurants, shopping and nightlife to satisfy every type of preference. Playa is sort of an International melting pot, which is exactly what makes it so unique and interesting. It definitely doesn’t offer the calm, serene and tropical setting that resorts at Playacar do, but this is definitely where the action is. In walking along 5th Avenue at night, there is a blend of cultures and individuality reminiscent of the sorts of restaurants and bars you would find in Mykonos, Greece; Barcelona & Ibiza, Spain; New Orleans, Louisiana and, of course, traditional Mexico. The nightlife usually doesn’t get started here until around 11:00 PM so be sure to have an espresso after a day at the beach.. One of the most unique bars along 5th Avenue is the Deseo – Hotel and Lounge, a small exclusive hotel featuring an innovative design and architecture concept that incorporates typical and natural materials from the area, such as mangroves and Mayan marble floors. The terrace and roof-top Jacuzzi / swimming pool deck complete with live DJ and full bar, house the lounge, where visitors and guests are able to enjoy a pleasant outdoor environment over huge beds with canopies and warm, tropical breezes.

The best time of year to visit Playa is between February and April. May marks the beginning of their rainy season and the summer months of June through August can be extremely warm with potential hurricanes. Being from California, airfare to Cancun tends to be a little pricey. Leaving from the East Coast or the South is less costly. The best airfare deals can be found on Yahoo Travel (if your dates are flexible), Expedia or Apple Vacations.

So, brush up on your Spanish, take your sunscreen and have a good time!

V.SANDSTEDE, Cloud 9 Column, Vol. XII

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