According to Blackbookmag.com- Suppose you want to hit a Mexican beach for a few days of chillaxing, and you want to keep it easy. Well, there’s always Cancun, which is pretty simple to reach, with cheap fares from most east coast cities. But if it’s your goal to steer clear of frat-rock idiots and tramp-stamped bimbos vomiting Jell-O Shots outside Señor Frog’s for the duration of your trip, you’ll need to push just a little bit further, to a balneario resort city just a few clicks south called Playa Del Carmet. It’s the beach town your wandering heart longs for.
IT´s not like we don´t like sipping tequila while watching the waves roll in. We dance when the mood strikes. We remember what a hangover feels like. But we’ve also moved just slightly beyond the days where bad techno music and watered down margaritas at some smelly dive are our idea of an awesome night out. And that’s why Playa del Carmen is so perfect. The former fishing village has all the elements essential to a proper beach blast – great hotels, fantastic food, plenty of attractions, and hot nightspots – but it’s just a little bit more relaxed and refined that wild and wooly Spring Break mecca up the coast.
Sweet Sleeps
For those looking for fancy place to kip down for a few nights, there are many tantalizing options. There’s the Fairmont Mayakoba, a luxe resort sprawled across 47 acres of indigenous jungle. There’s Esencia Estate, the former hideaway of an Italian duchess that now welcomes non-royals. There’s the Banyan Tree Mayakoba, a zen-filled paradise where every villa has its own pool. And there’s the Hotel Basico, which boasts industrial chic by the beach.
But the recent trend of condo-style hotels has made its way to Playa, and they make a lot of sense for families or groups of friends looking for both value and luxury. Condo Hotels Playa del Carmen boasts four upscale destinations that offer great weekly rates along with multiple-bedroom suites and kitchens – perfect for those private parties beaches tend to inspire. Villas Sacbe, for example, offers 12 beautifully decorated one- and two-bedroom condos, many with jacuzzis – along with a full-service gym and beach club. Maya Villa is a marble-filled wonderland with regional Mayan art and stunning views of the Caribbean sea. Porto Playa, meanwhile, is a jungle-like resort with tropical plants and waterfall views. And El Taj (pictured above) is the newest and most luxurious of them all, with 57 condos and every conceivable amenity.
Daytime Action
The beach isn’t going anywhere, so tear yourself away from the chaise longue and check out some of the sites in the interior. Explore the jungle on an ATV, get all archeological among ancient Mayan ruins (Tulum is just an hour away, and there are various ruins in town), or check out the animals at Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, where a kayak tour can put you up-close and personal with some of the most colorful birds in the world. (I’ve got you in my sights, tri-colored heron.) Art buffs can find works from some of Mexico’s most talented artists at the galleries along 5th Avenue, while jazz fans get their groove on at the annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival.
www.american-development.com
