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About Playa del Carmen
The capital of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, evolved from a small village of Mayan pilgrims to a lively, cosmopolitan city with the highest urban growth in the country. Its natural features, beauty and long beaches, its enviable geographical location and its blend of sea and jungle make this destination on the Mexican Caribbean a magnet for both Mexicans and visitors from other parts of the world.
In this city, activities and imagination go hand in hand: the coast lends itself to all kinds of water sports. There are diving facilities both inland and in the sea, the deep waters separating it from Cozumel are idea for sport fishing, the jungle invites you to explore its lush, magical world while trips to nearby archaeological sites are extremely gratifying. The evening offers a number of options such as places to dance and shake off the insomnia caused by Caribbean nights, popular fiestas on the beaches and lively bars.
Playa del Carmen is also an ideal spot for visiting one of the most beautiful parks in Mexico: Xcaret, which is also the place where ferries set off to the Island of Cozumel. It is also near the natural well area of Puerto Aventuras while the largest natural aquarium in the world, Xel-Ha, is just forty-five minutes away.
The pace of life in Playa del Carmen varies considerably. At times it reflects the gentle waves that bathe its shores with their warm, white sands, and at others, it mirrors the rhythm of Quinta Avenida, with its improvised artists, and dozens of languages blended into a single murmur. Everything about Playa is surprising. Grand hotels and resorts rub shoulders with small, traditional hostels, while dozens of snack-bars and cafes jockey for space with elegant, first-class restaurants. Life in Playa del Carmen is characterized by variety and diversity.
Until recently, Xaman-Ha, a meeting point for the Mayans to attend their ceremonial appointment with the goddess Ixchel on the neighboring island of Cozumel, was a small fishing village. It is now the second most important tourist destination in the Mexican Caribbean.
Playa del Carmen lies halfway between Cancun and Tulum on a coastal strip that combines jungle, mangrove swamps and white sandy beaches. It is characterized by its diversity; the porous soil of the Peninsula creates a variety of features such as natural wells surrounded by jungle, bays where underground rivers blend with the sea and extensive mangrove swamps.
Mexico's History
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