Cancun Mayan Coast, Mexico

This “catch-all” term describes smaller developments long the Yucatan Peninsula such as Playa del Carmen, Xcaret, Calica, Puerto Aventuras, and Tulum. This area begins approximately one hour south of Cancun airport, and the ruins of Chichen Itza are approximately two hour's drive from Playa Del Carmen. Large expanses of undeveloped land stretch down this corridor of wide, powder-white sand beach, and resorts continue to develop along this coast. The majority of these resorts were built in the 1990s on dense palm treed parcels of land. Resorts are low rise and sprawling, often outdoing one an other with massive free form swimming pools. The distance from your hotel room to the beach can be quite a walk in these massive resorts, but the relaxed holiday pace and attractive setting make it all worthwhile. Almost all of these resorts are all-inclusive, and as such, “hotel hopping” as one might do in Cancun is not really possible. Nightlife and restaurants are restricted to your resort, with the exception of Playa Del Carmen, a small town in the centre of the Mayan coast. This has become a busy cruise ship port of call, and you will often see ships anchored off shore during the week. The influx of cruise passengers bring visitors mostly to the Mayan ruins and nature park at Xcaret, but many wander the streets of Playa del Carmen shopping for local crafts and souvenirs. A trip into town is a bit disappointing, as paying for a drink at Senor Frog’s when they are included at your resort seems a bit odd. Even in the large resorts, nightlife can be low key, except for the discos in the busiest of resorts.

The Mayan ruins give visitors a unique historical and archealogical reason for visiting this destination, over and above sun and fun. Chichen Itza is the most famous complex of Mayan pyramids, and Tulum is the only site overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. There is enough to see in the Mayan coast to actually take a full week’s tour, but most visitors narrow it down to one or two day trips, which can be easily arranged at your hotel. Renting a car is possible, but it is tough to beat the value of taxis and organized excursions. Most visitors head into Cancun, about one hour away, for some higher paced nightlife. The island of Cozumel is a short ferry ride from Playa Del Carmen, where the major attraction is among the world’s best scuba diving and snorkelling.

The newness of the resorts, the beautiful beach, interesting day trips, and nearby Cancun, make the Mayan Coast our favourite overall best value holiday! If you haven’t been, you gotta go.