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Cozumel

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatán Peninsula in southeastern Mexico. It has great diving, nice people, safe streets, and prices comparable to other Mexican tourist destinations. The diving is the main draw to Cozumel; if you prefer white sandy beaches then other nearby destinations would be a better bet It was badly battered in 2005 by Hurricane Wilma, but, with few exceptions, has been completely repaired.

28km

20.42-86.92

Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is a town in Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula, about 20 km south of Cancún. It is a fishing village, and a resort and diving destination. It is roughly halfway between Cancún and Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. The pier in the center of town hosts snorkel and sport fishing boats while yachts dock in a man-made harbour just south of town. The village used to be the embarkation point for the car ferry to Cozumel, but that now leaves from Calica, a major port south of Playa del Carmen.

30km

20.8398-86.8878

Tulum

Mayan coastal city with spectacular Caribbean vistas. Dates from late Mayan period.

33km

20.41667-87.3

Valladolid (Mexico)

Valladolid is a small city in the state of Yucatán. Located about a 45 minute drive from the (lesser-used) east entrance of Chichén Itzá, it offers an alternative base for the ruins, while having its own charms as well -- although further from the ruins than the town of Piste, Valladolid is less tourist-oriented and has more historic charm.

124km

20.689444-88.201667

Merida (Mexico)

A short distance — yet seemingly a world away — from the rowdy, touristy beach resorts of Cancún and Cozumel that make up the Yucatán of cliché, Mérida is the cultural center of southern Mexico, boasting a panoply of excellent museums and attractions, a vibrant street life, and a wealth of historic colonial-era architecture that's second only to Mexico City on the national scene.

284km

20.97-89.62
Sights (3)

Xcaret

Maya civilization archaeological site on Yucatán Peninsula

7.1km

20.57805556-87.11916667

Muyil

82km

20.07777778-87.61527778

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

biosphere reserve

139km

19.5-87.75
Nature

we will see

Playa del Carmen

Mexico
Someday we will visit Playa del Carmen or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, or just "Playa" as it is also commonly referred to by locals, is a coastal resort town in Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Approximately 70 km south of Cancún and 20 km west of Cozumel island, it is at the center of the Mayan Riviera and offers a more relaxed atmosphere and smaller boutique lodgings.

The telenovela Peregrina takes place in Playa del Carmen. The Real Housewives of Vancouver featured Playa del Carmen in two episodes. The Amazing Race was shot on location in Playa del Carmen. The Celebrity Mole was set in the Playa del Carmen area. UK reality series Geordie Shore featured Playa del Carmen.

Originally a small fishing town, tourism to Playa del Carmen began with the passenger ferry service to Cozumel, an island across the Cozumel Channel and a world-famous scuba diving destination.

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Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

27.8°C17.9
Precipitation: 61.2 mm

Feb

28.5°C18.3
Precipitation: 50.5 mm

Mar

29.6°C19
Precipitation: 28.1 mm

Apr

30.8°C21.3
Precipitation: 51.2 mm

May

31.7°C22.9
Precipitation: 78.1 mm

Jun

32°C23.7
Precipitation: 153 mm

Jul

32.5°C23.5
Precipitation: 126.3 mm

Aug

32.9°C23.2
Precipitation: 126.3 mm

Sep

32.6°C23.1
Precipitation: 168.8 mm

Oct

30.8°C21.7
Precipitation: 284.3 mm

Nov

29.3°C19.4
Precipitation: 130.3 mm

Dec

28.6°C18.2
Precipitation: 73.1 mm
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