Playacar

Playacar's resorts have gourmet restaurants, gorgeous pools, and offer a wide range of amenities for a relaxing and luxurious stay. Some of the big names that you’ll find here include Riu, Palace, and Occidental. Carved into the jungle, Playacar’s challenging 18-hole golf course is one of the top courses on the Riviera Maya. The neighborhood is also home to a bird aviary, an open-air shopping plaza, and a small group of Maya ruins.

• English is widely spoken in almost all of the Playacar tourist areas.

• Bring sun protection and a hat or sunglasses, as the streets, golf course, and beaches offer little shade.

• Set aside some time to walk or take a taxi into the downtown area to shop and experience Fifth Avenue.

Most visitors to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula arrive at Cancun International Airport, which is 45 to 60 minutes north of Playacar by car depending on traffic. If you’re vacationing in Playacar, chances are your resort will offer transportation options, or you can book a shuttle from the airport or rent a car there. Taxis are readily available to take visitors to and from Playa del Carmen’s bus station and downtown.

Playacar can be visited year-round. Winter sees large numbers of tourists, and the weeks before and after Easter are some of the busiest. Other times of the year are less crowded. From May to October, expect higher-than-average humidity and a chance of wet weather.

If you love to shop and want a mall experience that differs from what you’ll find back home, you don’t have to go any farther than Plaza Playacar. This small open-air Spanish colonial–style mall is full of shops that guarantee authenticity and quality. In addition to artisan crafts and Maya clothing and embroidery, you’ll also find T-shirts, key chains, and other souvenirs.