Cancun vs Playa del Carmen: Which resort to choose for your vacation?

Mexico is considered a country of contrasts, as it combines several cultures simultaneously: Spanish, Indian and Caribbean. Stunning landscapes, delightful resorts, variety of local cuisine, rich history of the country, unique attractions (monuments, which can tell about the culture of the ancient Indians, architectural buildings from the time of Spanish colonization, and much more), parks and reserves (eg: Pico de Orizaba, Cumbres de Monterrey, Celestum, El Picante, Gran Desierto de Altar), hotels for every taste and budget, many restaurants and bars – all this year round attracts tourists from literally all over the world.

Brief information about the resorts

Cancun:

Cancun is one of the famous resort cities in Mexico, located on the Yucatan Peninsula.

It was founded in April 1970. On one side of the city is the Caribbean Sea, and on the other side is Nichupte Bay.

Cancun is conventionally divided into two parts, one of which is Downtown (here, mostly residential areas, no nightlife, and the coast is accessible by car or public transport), and the other – Zona Hotelera (area exclusively for tourists: beaches, restaurants, clubs, bars, karaoke, casinos, five-star hotels, all-inclusive hotels and shopping centers).

Playa del Carmen:

Playa del Carmen is located on the Yucatan Peninsula in the heart of the Riviera Maya (Quintana Roo) tourist area.

The resort is only 43 miles south of Cancun. It was founded in 1937. Initially, the population was small, with people mostly fishing in the Caribbean Sea. Beginning in the 80s, Playa del Carmen began to develop rapidly and vigorously (the city is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest growing city in the world, as the annual population growth was up to 25%). At the moment the resort is on the list of the most popular holiday destinations in Mexico.

In Playa del Carmen there is a pedestrian street 5th Avenue, which occupies almost the entire coast. It is there where the entertainment industry is concentrated: restaurants, bars, hotels with the «All inclusive» system. Unlike Cancun, where the coast is located only the hotel area, in Playa del Carmen everything is located within walking distance of the sea.

Climate

Cancun:

• The subtropical climate makes it possible to welcome tourists all year round. You can say that it is eternal summer here, because the changes that occur in the weather are small. For example, during the winter months t of air reaches 75 °F – 82 °F, and at night 68 °F – 75 °F. In the summer, the t during the day does not drop below the 82 °F mark. The rainy season in Cancun begins in April and ends in November.

Playa del Carmen:

• The climate in Playa del Carmen is close to tropical. The winter is never cool, t air reaches 82 °F and does not fall below 68 °F, and in summer the average t air from 86 °F to 89 °F. It must be said that thanks to the proximity of the sea, the heat does not seem stifling. The rainy season in Playa del Carmen begins in July and ends in September.

Hotels and Rates

Cancun:

Cancun has many hotels located throughout the city. Most are in the Zona Hotelera (in the southeastern part of the resort). In this area there are five-star hotels, boutique hotels, hotels for adults only, hotels for holidays with children, offers for business travelers, as well as honeymooners. Most of them have their own features and also offer All inclusive accommodations.

The best five-star hotels:

• Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun – All Inclusive.
• Atelier Playa Mujeres-All Inclusive Resort.
• Hyatt Zilara Cancun – All Inclusive – Adults Only.
• Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres – All Inclusive.
• Renaissance Cancun Resort & Marina.

The best hotels for adults only:

• Haven Riviera Cancun Adults Only.
• Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun.
• Temptation Cancun Resort.
• Excellence Playa Mujeres.
• Le Blanc Spa Resort.

The best hotels for holidays with children:

• Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
• Nizuc Resort & Spa.
• Krystal Altitude Cancun.
• Gr Solaris Cancun.
• Oasis Cancun.

Playa del Carmen:

The best of them are located on the north coast of the pier and along 5th Avenue. The advantages of these hotels include not only access to the beaches, but also the location itself. Since this is the center of the city, there are restaurants, bars, stores, nightclubs, and attractions within walking distance.

The best five-star hotels:

• Riu Lupita.
• Grand Riviera Princess.
• Riu Palace Mexico.
• Iberostar Quetzal.
• Riu Palace Riviera Maya.

The best hotels are for adults only:

• Platinum Yucatan Princess All Suites & Spa Resort.
• The Palm at Playa.
• The Reef 28.
• Hotel Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique.
• Paradisus La Perla – Adults Only – All Inclusive.

The best hotels for holidays with children:

• Riu Tequila.
• Occidental Allegro Playacar.
• Sandos Playacar.
• Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo.
• Fairmont Mayakoba.

Beaches

Cancun:

The beaches of the resort town stretch along the coast for almost 15 miles.

For all who want to swim in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, lie in the shade of numerous palm trees, and bask in the white sand, visits are absolutely free (if you use a deck chair and umbrella, then you will need to pay for them). Also on the beaches you can offer some recreational activities: diving, fishing in the open sea (using different techniques for catching fish), snorkeling and more.

The most popular beaches:

Chuck Mool Beach:

• The beach is popular with locals and tourists alike. It is open from 8 am to 6 pm.

On weekdays it is not crowded, but on weekends a lot of people gather on Chuck Mool. The main advantages of the beach – the crystal clear water, gentle and comfortable enough entrance (very convenient for bathing children), water activities (eg, vindsurfing). The only inconvenience is the lack of showers and toilets for vacationers.

Marina Las Perlas Beach:

• Marina Las Perlas beach is very pleasant for those who come on vacation with children.

Gentle shore, calm waves, a gradual increase in depth – this is all you need for safe bathing a child. It should be noted that the beach has quite well developed infrastructure. In addition to the fact that there is free access to sun loungers and umbrellas, there is also free parking, tents, showers and toilets. Vacationers have the opportunity to visit restaurants, cafes and bars located nearby, to rent accommodation, to do water sports.

Playa Delfines Beach:

• Playa Delfines Beach beach is one of the most popular beaches in Cancun.

It is always crowded, due to the fact that there are all the conditions for a comfortable holiday. The beach is suitable for swimming for adults as well as children. From morning until lunch, lifeguards and medical staff are on duty at Playa Delfines. For the safety of vacationers, they put up daily flags of different colors. On the beach you can do water sports, relax in the azure waters, and take memorable selfies with the colorful letters «Cancun». The only downside of the beach is the seaweed, which sometimes gets washed onto the land by the waves (it usually happens during high tide).

Playa del Carmen:

Playa del Carmen has picturesque nature, clear water in the ocean, a rich underwater world and numerous coral reefs. The beaches of the resort town attract people who prefer a quiet and measured beach vacation. In addition, the location of the beaches (not far from national parks) attracts ecotourists, hiking and biking.

The most popular beaches:

Playa Mamitas Beach:

Playa Mamitas is located opposite Mamita’s Beach Club. During the day, the beach is always crowded, music plays loudly, there are those who dance directly on the sand, some bathe and sunbathe, and the youth teams play volleyball. Also, everyone can rent a catamaran or take a «banana» ride.

• Unfortunately, the Playa Mamitas does not offer diving. In the evening, animators show up on the beach and hold noisy parties.

Beach at Fundadores Park:

• This beach is probably the most popular among tourists in Playa del Carmen. It is all about the bronze sculpture (about 16 m high), against which many memorable pictures are taken.

The beach itself is quite wide, so even if a lot of holidaymakers gather on weekends, there is a place for absolutely everyone. The beach in the park of Fundadores is more family-oriented, as there are no noisy bars and clubs nearby, and the entrance to the water is convenient for swimming with children (the shore is flat, shallow). From entertainment on the beach only volleyball. There are several restaurants on the coast, so if you get hungry, you can try Mexican cuisine.

Playacar Beach:

• Playacar beach is located between Tulum and Cancun, opposite the island of Cozumel.

Due to this location and the proximity of coral reefs, the sea is calm and there are almost no waves on the beach. Entrance to Playacar Beach is free, the only thing you have to spend money on is renting sun loungers and umbrellas (if you need them). Around the beach there are several bars and restaurants, hotels, golf courses and tennis courts, and if you like active recreation, you can easily rent a boat, equipment for diving, snorkeling. Note that this beach in Playa del Carmen serves as a starting point to many attractions in Mexico (for example, to the ancient ruins of Coba, the city of Chichen Itza).

Restaurants

Cancun:

There are many restaurants in Cancun, which serve not only national dishes, but also dishes from different cuisines of the world. The most popular, of course, are the Mexican restaurants. It should be said that the dishes of the national cuisine are quite different from those that are commonly served throughout Mexico. This is primarily due to the entrenched food habits of the Mayans, as well as the influence of certain cultures (European and Caribbean).

• Most interestingly, in almost every restaurant in Cancun you will find four basic items on the menu: tacos, burritos, fajas and quesadillas.

Best Restaurants:

1. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Cancun.
2. Rosa Negra Cancun.
3. Lorenzillo’s.
4. Crab House Cancun.

Playa del Carmen:

Most of the bars, restaurants, and cafes are located on 5th Avenue. In local restaurants you can indulge in both traditional Mexican dishes and international cuisine. All the restaurants are different: some are famous for their cozy atmosphere and live music, others for their entertainment (swings, darts, etc.), and some for their unusual interiors.

• Playa del Carmen also has award-winning establishments by famous Mexican and even international chefs.

Best Restaurants:

1. Harry’s.
2. Zitla.
3. Tropical.
4. Aldea Corazon.
5. Chez Celine.

Entertainment

Cancun:

Cancun is a resort where everyone can find something to do. A lot of options for entertainment for all tastes. You should pay special attention to popular excursions from Cancun.

Entertainment:

• Diving and snorkeling (shore at Westin Regina is excellent).
• Golf (excellent course at Hilton Canciin Golg & Spa Resort).
• Fishing.
• Swimming with dolphins (Nisuk Water Park).
• Swimming with whale sharks.
• Ziplining.
• Sailing.
• Flyboard.
• Shopping (Luxury Avenue Canucun, Las Plaza Outlet Cancun, Marina Town Centr, La Isla Mall, Fashion Harbour, Kukulcan Plaza).

Popular tours:

• World Cultural Heritage Site – City of Chichen Itza (Temple of Kukulcana, «Caracol», «7 stadiums» for playing ball, «Group of a Thousand Columns», Sacred cenote, monuments to the Gods).
• Underwater Sculpture Museum (at a depth of 8-12 m about 400 different sculptures covered with coral).
• Lakes and Caves of the Yucatan Peninsula.
• Mayan Village (Temascal ceremony).
• Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
• Tulum settlement and Shel-ha Ecopark (Temple of the Wind, Temple of El Castillo).
• El Rey Ruins.
• Ek Balam.
• Tequila Museum.

Playa del Carmen:

Playa del Carmen is a resort full of activities for every budget. Tourists can do anything from diving into the rich history of the area to diving into the depths of the Caribbean Sea.

Entertainment:

• Diving (popular dive bureau Dive Mike).
• Golf (the best course – Playacar Club de Golf).
• Fishing.
• Swimming with dolphins (Nisuk Water Park).
• Shopping (Plaza Playacar, Paseo del Carmen, Blue Planet, La Calaca, Etoncha Amber Gallery, Crunch).

Excursions:

• Cozumel (Punta Sur eco-beach park, San Gervasio ruins).
• Rio Secreto.
• Tulum on the shores of the Caribbean Sea.
• The Ancient Mayan City of Chichen Itza (the Temple of Kukulcan, the ball field and the Temple of a Thousand Columns).
• Xcaret Park.
• Sian Kaan (swamps, mango thickets, tropical forests, groves, many birds, sea dwellers).
• Senotes: Dos Ojos, Asul, Chaak Tun.
• Museum of Wonders (3D).
• Xplor Park (cenotes, waterfalls, underground rivers).
• Laguna Kaan Luum.
• Xaman Ha Aviary Park (birds, butterflies, exotic animals).
• Frida Kahlo Museum.

Nightlife

Cancun:

Almost all of Cancun’s nightlife takes place in the Zona Hotelera.

Tourists can visit a large number of clubs and bars with different interiors and music (modern, rock music, music from the 80s, etc.). During the nightlife in Cancun vacationers not only have a great time, but also make new friends.

The best nightclubs and bars:

1. Coco Bongo is a nightclub that combines acrobatic performances and a celebrity parody show (with music from the 70s and 80s). The club is always packed with crowds, with partygoers on weekends. Tickets are $66 to $195 (free bar included).
2. Senor Frog’s is another popular club among young people, unlike any other place in Cancun. Its special feature is the water slide. When you roll down it, you find yourself right on the shore of Nichupte Bay. In this place you can have a lot of fun: dance to incendiary rhythms, sing, take part in an unusual competition – drinking tequila at speed with applause.
3. Dagy’O Night Club. The club is known for holding various theme parties, laser shows and a great music repertoire. Every week (on Thursdays) there is a “Bikini Contest” and parties in the style of «Retro» (on Fridays). Admission starts at $10 (depending on the program).

Playa del Carmen:

The resort town has more than three dozen nightclubs: with huge dance floors, karaoke, etc.

All nightclubs in Playa del Carmen do not have a dress code for tourists (the only thing you can’t wear is a tracksuit, shorts and a T-shirt, and slippers). In most nightclubs you can buy an admission ticket only on the «All inclusive» system, so pay attention to this. Visiting establishments in the resort is allowed only from the age of 18 years.

The best nightclubs and bars:

1. Coco Maya is a modern club for young people who prefer only music, dancing, drinks and no shows, artists, etc. In the club there are DJs every day, some of them even rap. The dance floor of the place is not very big and can only accommodate about 3 thousand people, so on weekends and holidays it can be crowded. Coco Maya is open from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. Admission (with drinks) from $67.
2. Mandala Club is perfect for those who don’t like to dance the night away, but like to party in a noisy company. The club is located in the center of the club zone, has a small area, but a very interesting interior – everything is decorated in Indian style. Open from 10 p.m. till 3 a.m. Entry fee (with drinks) from $77.

Conclusion:

Cancun and Playa del Carmen are very different, even though both are located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. Each city is beautiful in its own way, and has advantages and disadvantages.

We looked at the main aspects of vacationing in these two popular Mexican cities, examined the climate, and gave the average cost of lodging, food, travel, and entertainment.

• Which city to choose for a vacation, Cancun or Playa del Carmen, is up to you. If you prefer a small resort, with a distinctly Mexican flavor, beaches and places within walking distance, you should prefer Playa del Carmen. If you want to spend your vacation in luxury hotels, go all out, then welcome to Cancun!