25 kilometers north
If you don’t have a car, you can take a taxi or a walk out to the highway and take a colectivo (shuttle mini-bus) or the ADO bus. The colectivo and the ADO bus both take you right downtown in Playa Del Carmen. Keep in mind, that the last colectivo back to Puerto is at 10 pm but you can always take a taxi home.
Parking can be difficult at times in downtown Playa Del Carmen but there are street parking, paid parking lots and parkades.
5th Avenue is a great pedestrian street with shops, flea market type stalls, restaurants, bars and cafes. You can find almost anything on this street including an inside mall.
5th Avenue is one block away from the fantastic, beautiful beach so you can easily go shopping, swimming and dining all in the same trip or have a message and get a manicure and pedicure. On the beach side you can relax on a lounge chair, have dinner and/or drinks and do all sorts of aqua activities.
The ferry dock to Cozumel is steps away from 5th Avenue.
25 kilometer north to Playa Del Carmen and 45 minute ferry ride to Cozumel
One of the best diving and snorkeling destinations in the world.
Many Caribbean cruise ships stop at Cozumel so there are good jewellery shopping opportunities, restaurants and bars to keep you entertained.
90 kilometer north
Is the largest city in the area. Here you can find everything from big shopping malls, party zone area for night life entertainment and a broad variety of dining. Most resorts and hotels are located in the Hotel Zone, as this long strip of Island is known. It is the area where it all comes together for most visitors. Kukulcan Boulevard is the main and only thoroughfare. On the west side of the Island is Laguna Nichupte, a vast lagoon home to several marinas, water front restaurants, shopping malls, a couple of golf courses, a few Islands and inlets, and the fantastic sunsets you will see during your Cancun visit.
The Islands energized atmosphere emanates from the middle, its heartbeat, an area known as the Party Zone featuring the best night clubs, bars, restaurants, and shopping malls.
Cancun Centro (downtown) offers an alternative to all the glitz and hype of the Hotel Zone with some great restaurants, bars, shopping malls and markets. The atmosphere becomes more family-friendly. The ambience is more Latin and you get the feel of the wonderful Mexican culture and their everyday life. Here you can also see a baseball game, soccer game or a ball fight. Your choice.
From Cancun, you can take the ferry or a catamaran to Isla Mujeres. The water around Isla Mujeres are outstandingly clear.
78 kilometers north
18 kilometers south
Akumal means ”Place of the Turtle” in the Mayan language and if you snorkel at the beach in Akumal, you are almost guaranteed to see a turtle along with many tropical fish and sting rays.
It is a small town with a terrific beach and you can enjoy delicious Mexican food and drinks right on the beach. The bakery is also worth a stop.
You can take the Akumal Trail. It is a 4.5 kilometer walking path along the beach. You will need good shoes (not sandels), sunscreen, swimsuit, mask, water, towel, a snack and money.
44 kilometers south
You can take a colectivo into Tulum.
Tulum has a relaxing bohemian feel to it, with fantastic beaches and boutique hotels along the ocean. A great place to chill-out with your family and friends.
All beaches are public in Mexico and in Tulum they are very easy to come to. You can walk for kilometers on the beautiful, white, sandy beaches. You can find many options on the beach where you can dine or enjoy a drink with the sand between your toes.
Almost everything is accessible on foot in the main area and bicycles are available to rent.
The Tulum beach strip is a small road that runs the length of the beach and leads you to the arch, which is the access to the Sian Ka’an biosphere.
Tulum has a popular Mayan Ruin site situated right on the ocean. It is found on the main highway. There is a minimal fee to enter the ruins on your own, or you can hire a certified guide. Later you can head down to the beach below to cool off so bring your bathsuit.