Planning a trip to Cancun- Playa del Carmen- Cozumel-Isla Mujeres- Tulum or Akumal- Things to know.

Oh the beautiful crystal clear blue water. It is what drives me to peacefulness, what soothes my body, mind and Soul. The beauty of the Ocean.

Have you been to the Yucatan-also known as Riviera Maya? There are so many beautiful places to visit in the area of Quintana Roo. Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Akumal, Tulum and the list goes on. If you have a few days and you are looking into mixing adventure, romance and fun then here are a few tips.

Let me tell you about my recent trip to this area. It has been 20 years since we have been to this area and boy has it changed. So many beautiful fancy resorts, but there are still some quant boutique hotels, hostels and airbnbs in this gorgeous area. A little something for every Wanderlust.

My Itinerary-

• Arrive in Cancun- shuttle to Car Rental (check out car rental blog post)
• Stay in Playa Mujeres for the night. All inclusive resort.
• Head to Play del Carmen & stay at airbnb– eat, nightlife & shopping
• Spend an amazing night at Mahekal Beach Resort– (Our anniversary night)
• Next stop Akumal near Tulum at an airbnb
• Last night- in Cancun near airport at airbnb

For our lodging I wanted to make it exciting and affordable. We mixed all -inclusive ($$) with airbnb($) and upscale beach resort ($$$). Some may say that staying at more then one place is too complicated, sometimes I prefer it this way especially if you want to see different areas.

Travel tip– if you are on a budget but still want to enjoy luxury. Book a night or two at a nicer resort. Enjoy each moment there and make use of the amenities. Save the days that you are staying somewhere else to do your sightseeing.

Here are a few photos of where we stayed-

So, what area do you recommend?

You probably are wondering, what area do I recommend? Each area is unique- It is all about what type of trip that you are looking for.

Cancun-

Cancun is a great place to stay if you are looking to party or just chill at the resort! Great nightlife, lots of clubs and also chain restaurants. Cancun is like Vegas on a Beach! The resorts in Cancun are nice and most are all- inclusive. The beaches are beautiful but very busy.

Cancun is a great option if you want to arrive at the airport and have a shuttle bring you directly to your hotel and you plan to stay at the resort and enjoy the many all-inclusive perks that the resort offers. You can still do a little sight seeing but it will be set up through a tour company. This is a good option though for some because the resort knows where you are and the companies are normally licensed and reputable businesses.

Tip- Great option for tourists that are looking for a “American-ized” Vacation, yet Mexican enough to feel that great Mexican hospitality.

Playa Del Carmen

Known as “the heart of the Riviera Maya”

If you are looking into a more laid back area then Cancun, Playa (nickname for Playa de Carmen) is a good option. Its hip, fun ,chill yet exciting! Beaches are nice, food is great and there are many things to do in town. Playa del Carmen is half way between Cancun and Tulum.

5th ave is what Playa is known for- Art, boutiques, cafes, crafters and vendors all along the avenue. Great to stroll through during the day, but the Avenue comes alive at night. I highly suggest to check it out at daytime and night.(two different experiences) You will be amazed!

Beach, nightlife, sightseeing, relaxing, shopping,eating and resort life. You will find it all here in Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen has a lot of expats-retirees there. You can buy a beautiful condo for less then $200k. Great place to retire. When I visited Playa 20 years ago, there was a huge younger crowd from all over the World that lived there. We met some really cool people and I even have remained friends with one friend that now lives in Denmark.

A lot has changed in 20 years but walking down the avenue and reminiscing about our HoneyMoon and adventures there was pretty cool. I was just bummed that they didn’t have the “Internet cafe” there anymore! ha ha- that was a big thing back in 1999! That was the only way many had to communicate with their families, via email. Probably AOL!!!

Besides the Avenue, there are some pretty nice resorts in Playa as well as Boutique hotels. There are a few small museums, bike rentals and the beaches are nice and less crowded, oh’ and the food scene is awesome. Check out a few of my favorites below….

Tip- if you are interested in getting the “fish pedicure” save it for the Cenotes. Its cleaner and FREE!

Places to check out in Playa…

Ah Cacao! Chocolate Cafe– Coffee, hot chocolate ice cream and desserts. It’s all tasty! Also grab a few chocolate bars to bring home as souvenirs. Your friends and family with be happy!

El Zoro Plateado- This was a great choice for our meal. The food was yummy, the presentation was stunning and the quality was exceptional! Fresh, good, healthy and delicious. Make sure that you order a craft cocktail to sip on while people watching from the open air dining experience. —Located on the North end of the the bustling 5th avenue.

Que Huevos- we stopped because my husband loved the name. Took a look at the menu and I am glad that we stayed. One of the best breakfast that we had on our trip. -Besides the one I made at our Airbnb! (that’s what the hubby said! Bonus points for him!!! ha ha). Grab a meal here when in town.

La Cueva del Chango– AMAZING meal!!! Enjoyable Anniversary dinner at this fine restaurant. Wonderful menu, great ambience, perfect service and delicious food and cocktails. Vegan and healthy options available. Put this on your Playa bucket list!

Akumal

Akumal Bay and Puerto Adventurous

These are two areas that most tourist frequent. Lots of food options, shopping and snorkeling. Akumal Bay is known for the Sea Turtles. Puerto Adventurous is good for dining and shopping. Then you have the “pueblo” and a few other little areas along the road. Many of the larger exclusive resorts as well as the numerous “adventure” parks are located on this beautiful stretch of Mayan Coastline.

The Pueblo-Town

The tiny town of Akumal is a small Pueblo with many friendly people. There are a few restaurants, laundermat,pharmacy, DR. Office, and businesses. The town was very clean and the locals were friendly and hardworking.

Tip-If you are staying at a condo or Airnbnb do your grocery shopping in Puerto Aventurous. 10 miles away from Akumal. Affordable and everything you need is at that grocery store. There are very few “markets” in that area.

Things to do near Akumal-

• Cenotes– My favorites are; Garden of Eden– you can cliff jump and snorkel in an open air Cenote. Cenote Cristalino– quiet, calmer and we had a great experience there. Cliff jump, chill in the water, snorkel and even have little fishies eat the dead skin off of your feet! Yup- free pedicure! There is even a secret cave at this cenote. Shh!! Its a secret!

• Xel-Ha, Xcaret, Xplore, Xenses these are great family activities that will keep you busy all day. Nature theme park and water park collide, making this a unique experience. Really cool if you are looking for that type of Vacation experience. If you are going to splurge, choose one of these parks.

• Coba ruins– This is a must do half day trip, it is approx 1 hour from Akumal. Combine riding a bike through the jungle and hiking the Ruins and you get COBA!!! Cool place and I recommend you checking it out. Bring a water bottle, sun gear and sunblock. It’s not as crowded as the other ruins so you can enjoy your time.
• There is a beautiful lake outside of the Ruins and enjoyable Cenotes down the road (CENOTES EJIDO COBA.Choo-ha,Tamcach-ha,Multun-ha).
• TIP- bring CASH. On your drive you will pass through a town that has lots of artisan goods for sale. The Villages rely on tourism and have great handmade gifts to offer.

• Xpu-Ha is a great half day trip. You could spend all day or a few hours there, its up to you. You have to pay approx 40 pesos each to enter, but here’s the trick: Save your wrist band (VIP), spend approx 120 pesos at the restaurant and show BOTH your wristband and receipt when you exit and they will refund some of your entrance fee. This place is beautiful, its not all built up with huge resorts and the beach is nice.
• TIP- I personally was a little disappointed this trip because it was more “commercial” than I expected. In order to sit in certain areas on the beach, the beach clubs will charge you a “reserved” price. You are free to lay in the sand, but if you sit at their tables or lounge chairs then there is a fee.

• Yal KU Lagoon– Wonderful snorkeling for the whole family. Best to get there early around 8-9am before the crowds. Once it gets busy then the water gets murky. Entrance fee is approx $20 US DLS p.p.

• Half Moon bay- The bay is rocky for swimming but good to snorkel. There are a few tourist shops and a Hekab Be Bibliotheca (library) that works with local children, offering them classes and activities. When you purchase a book there, the proceeds go to help the children.

• La Buena Vida– enjoy a meal with your feet in the sand then grab a beer and chill in the hammock overlooking the bay. Perfect place to sit and relax and its located on Half Moon Bay. Food is good and the prices are reasonable. If you’re not tempted by the inviting warm water of the Caribbean Sea, you have the option of taking a dip in their private pool.

• Akumal Bay- The “Famous” place to swim with the Turtles. Public beach but BEWARE! Sales People- aka “Guides” will tell you that you MUST pay to enter. They can be very pushy. Pay to park but entering the bay is free. You do have the option of hiring a guide to help navigate you through this beautiful bay, most of the registered guides have government credentials and have a lanyard with I.D. Bring a lunch and enjoy the day with family. There are many places to eat nearby as well. (La Buena Vida is around the corner). If you plan to visit in Sept & Oct you may be lucky enough to see the baby Sea Turtles hatch. TIP- Never touch the Sea Turtles or stand on the Reef. Also PLEASE wear biodegradable sunscreen, as the chemicals can be harmful to the turtles and other sea life.

Adventure of a lifetime-

• My favorite—– Punta Laguna– If you are adventurous and looking for that “experience of a lifetime”, I would highly recommend you check out this HIDDEN GEM. This place is off the beaten path and you MUST be adventurous to try this! What do I mean by adventurous? Well, some people would not dare to step out of their comfort zone and push themselves, so if that is you; Don’t add this to your list!.

Punta Laguna is raw, natural true fun. The cost is about 400 pesos p.p for 3 hours with your own personal tour guide (bring cash).

I don’t want to share EVERY detail with you because I want YOU to enjoy it! But, I will tell you that it was amazing. Not like the other “theme parks” in the area (the experience and the price). You truly get to experience the Culture and natural land. The people that run Punta Laguna are all family and this has been passed on generation to generation and they have been commissioned to maintain and protect their Ancient land.

Interesting fact: The Villagers have been commissioned by the Mexican government to protect and preserve their ancestral land. They take pride in their heritage and it was an honor to have our tour guide share it with us.

You are greeted by your very own tour guide that explains to you about the land and what you will experience. He talks to you about his family and their traditions. Before you enter the “scared” land you MUST attend the “Mayan Ceremony’. ( I want to tell you all about it, but I don’t want to ruin the experience!!! I will share though that it is private and memorable).

After the ceremony you then get to do a circuit of adventures. LOTS of walking through the jungle to your destinations. Mayan Ceremony, jungle hike looking for spider and howler monkeys, canoeing on the lake, ziplining through the jungle and across the Lake, and then taking a downward Journey into a black hole that has fresh chilly Cave water and then climbing out of the Cenote on a wooden suspension ladder is your thing. Then this is it!!!

Tulum

The Ancient City of Zama. The first time I visited the area many years ago, Tulum was a small dusty beach town with gorgeous beaches. Very few properties on the beaches- just Virgin beach. This time, well…it was very different! Tulum turned into a mini LA (los Angeles)! Lots of boutique shops, hip restaurants and posh resorts. It is still a beautiful area but very developed. This was a little bitter sweet for me. I am excited to see the tourism grow there and help out the locals but at the same time, this was ONCE a place that was a “hidden gem” and now is one of the hottest and trendiest travel destinations in Mexico.

If you’re not into the big posh resorts or fancy nightclubs and restaurants there are still some great smaller boutique accommodations. I also suggest to head into town and eat where the locals do! Traditional Mexican food, Vegan and healthy cafes that are CHEAP!

Tulum is a cool, hip place and I do recommend to check it out. AND…I will tell you that this place makes for some AMAZING instagram photo opportunities!!!

Tip- Looking for something to really excite your dining experience, check out the Posh- Kin Toh restaurant in Tulum. The view is worth it all! Menu doesn’t fit the budget? Sneak in for happy hour and enjoy the view!

Local things to check out…

• Tulum Ruins-Defiantly worth the trip! El Castillo is built on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean.
• Aktun Ha– located on the road between Coba & Tulum. Caves, caverns and snorkeling
• Sian Ka’an– an ecotourism and education center. Plan to spend the day here. Tours, fishing, hiking and lots of outdoor activities.
• The main drag– Tulum Pueblo. Lots of cool shops & restaurants, a little something for everyone.

Isla Mujeres

Small island that you must take a ferry to get too. The beaches are beautiful, snorkeling is amazing and the sea shells are to die for! I remember on my last trip there 20 years ago, while walking along the shore there were so many beautiful shells and conches just laying there glistening in the sun.

There are large resorts and smaller inns on the island. Ride a bike around the island, enjoy a day at the beach or sightsee. There is a Dolphin Discovery , Museum MUSA and check out Hacienda Mundaca, El Faro Reef, La Cruz la Bahia, Goddess Ixchel, Garrison Park and Playa Norte beach. Whether you are there for the day or staying on the island for the week, you have many things to see and do.

Cozumel

The most important cruise designation in the World and a Paradise for Divers.

Another beautiful island that you must take a water ferry or air taxi to get to. It is the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean and is famous for its coral reefs and is the second largest barrier reef in the World. The snorkeling there is exceptional. I have been to this island numerous times and the water there never disappoints.

Must see places on the Island are :

• El Cielo- in Punta Sur Park. Lagoon with bird watching, mangroves and snorkling.
• San Gervasi-The islands most important archaeological site.
• Parque Chankanaab- one of my favorite places. Protected refuge for marine life along the western coast. Beautiful National park and great for snorkeling.
• Atlantis Submarine-explore the coral reefs
• Isla de la Passion-Enjoy a relaxing day with friends, beautiful beaches, bar and water activities
• Punta Molas- located on the Northern side of the island. Old lighthouse with some of the most beautiful beaches of Cozumel and keep your eye out for the salt water crocodiles.

Activities

This area has more than 6,000 cenotes or water holes, it is the longest reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the World. With Golfing, snorkeling, fishing, sunbathing, cenotes, exploring ruins, adventure parks, theme parks and more, you are sure to have lots to do!

TIP–Go on airbnb and check out the local activities. This is a great way to experience the true culture. Lots of locals that offer tours- food, activities and more such as: Artisan events, Food tours, Art walks, local history, yoga, manifesting, meditation and cenote tours.

DRINKS drinks Drinks..

You can’t go to Mexico and not have Tequila! Well this region is known for a few drinks that include everyones best friend… TEQUILA!

Charro Negro-Tequila with cola, a pinch of salt, half of lemon and ice

Cucaracha- Tequila and coffee liquor make this possible. The challenge is to drink it with a straw while the flames strengthen the properties of the alcohol.

Tequilazo- Tequila, lemon chopped into quarters & salt. The classic is then followed by a Sangria to minimize the flavor.

Tequila Sunset- Orange combined with lemon juice and gold tequila, the combo gives it the dramatic tone.

Tip- You can find deals on Groupon for travel and activities.

Make sure to check out my other blog articles on specific resorts and activities in this region.

Wherever you decide to stay, whichever area best suits you, I hope that you have a safe and fun trip. May it be relaxing, enjoyable and memorable!

Safe travels,

xo Christy

https://www.chasingthesunshineblog.com

Please follow and like us: