If you are looking for a place to vacation that offers tropical beauty, relaxation, plenty of tourist sites, and non-stop adventure, Playa del Carmen is the place for you. It is a beautiful city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea, in the northeast of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

There are nine municipalities which make up Quintana Roo. Playa del Carmen sits in the seat of the Solidaridad municipality.

The city is rapidly growing, due to its beauty, and economical growth. In 2005, the population had swelled to about 100,383 people, and it continues to grow.

It is the third largest city in Quintana Roo, falling right after Cancun, and Chetumal. The bustling city is named for “Our Lady of Mount Carmel,” who is the patron saint of Cancun.

The beaches saw their first visitors in the Early Classic Period (about 300-600 a.d.) of the Mayan Civilization. This city was settled and called Xaman-Ha, which means “waters of the north.”

It quickly became a rest stop for the world’s travelers, making their way around the great Mayan cities to the famous Island of Cozumel. Because of its easy, coastal location, it grew in popularity and percentage of residence.

The lowlands of the peninsula which make up the coast were still heavily populated at the time, with descendents of the fallen civilization Levitra when the Spaniards arrived. There was a famous Mayan outpost called Tulum, which was frequently used for trade.

It is less than an hour south of Playa, and there are still many small ruins to explore there. They provide a firsthand look at the history of this majestic city.

Originally a fishing town, heavy tourism began when a passenger ferry service started to take people to Cozumel, which is famous for its scuba diving and snorkeling. As people passed through on their way to other places, they realized what a treasure this small town had become.

It was gorgeous, relaxing, quiet, and surrounded by breathtaking beaches which boasted rich turquoise-colored waters. It was a heaven away from the crowds of Cancun, and more popular hot spots at the time.

While it did not offer the level of scuba diving that the other islands did, it had one unique attraction: cenotes. Cenotes are natural sinkholes with exposed rocky edges, which contain warm freshwater.

They can become very large and very deep, and are incredibly fun to explore. They have beautiful stalagmites, and colorful earth formations which are unlike anything else.

People began to find more and more of these cenotes, and they soon became a tourist attraction. Today, you can scuba dive in their warm waters, and even go on guided tours.

They are just one of Playa’s adventurous attractions. The city has now become a popular stop for cruise ships which dock nearby at the Calica quarry docks, and allows tourists to stay at their luxurious resorts and hotels.

One of the reasons this city has thrived is because of the government’s dedication to maintaining its small town fishing village charm. It will forever be an artist’s community, and a place of relaxation.

Along with its cenotes, there are several different equally intriguing attractions in the heart of the city which deserve the tourist attention they receive. The first is the Xcaret Eco Park, a Mexican-themed eco-archaeological park.

It offers rivers where tourists can swim and snorkel, explore the reefs, and even swim with dolphins. They can also explore butterfly pavilions, bat caves, greenhouses, and other animal sanctuaries.

Another thing that must not be neglected while there, are the Mayan Ruins. You may have seen them in pictures or on TV, but nothing compares to taking in their impressive majesty in person.

Their grand scale is stunning, and their impressive preservation will get you right into the thick Tadacip of living history. They can be reached easily from the city and beach.

Another place you do not want to miss is Akumal, or the “place of turtles.” During the summer, the massive turtles make their way up the beach to lay their eggs.

They can be observed and photographed from a respectful distance. The beach is lovely, and the brave turtles are unforgettable.

Playa del Carmen is undeniably a tropical haven. It is sure to meet all your vacation, relaxation, and adventure needs!

Author Bio: Ronald Pedactor has worked in the tourism industry for 12 years and has written hundreds of articles relating to recreation and vacation spots, especially Playa del Carmen activities.

Contact Info:
Ronald Pedactor
RonaldPedactor09@gmail.com
http://www.hiddenworlds.com

Category: Recreation and Leisure/Travel/Destinations
Keywords: Playa del Carmen activities