Has anyone ever been to Playa Del Carmen Mexico? Is it fun? Safe? what nightclubs do u suggest?

Answer 1

I just got back from there this last Friday after a week's vacation. I've also vacationed in Cancun, Cozumel, and, Puerta Vallarta, Mexico before and every one of these places is unique/different. We stayed at the Occidental-Allegro resort there and had an "unique" experience; many of the "beachfront" resorts have lost their beaches in the last month or so due to odd weather causing the tides/weather patterns to go in the opposite direction and erode the beaches (ours was totally gone as was one next to our resort and the other had lost much of theirs)- the beach erosion also caused damage/leaking to the resort pool which had been put right near the beach. The heart of the resort area is set up so that most are about a mile or so South of the city and the downtown (shopping/dining/bars) area- very walkable which we did quite often or a $5 cab ride each way. The main drag (5th Avenue) extends for a couple miles itself (no cars are allowed on 5th Avenue) and they are extending it as we speak; there are endless shops, bars, restaurants, etc on 5th Avenue. The area is totally safe as long as you don't mind dealing with the numerous shop owners all "enticing" you to visit their stores. Although we went "all-inclusive" at our resort (and the resort actually had excellent food which was its best feature), we did go out to eat for lunch and dinner often. La Parilla in the heart of 5th Avenue was probably the busiest restaurant and the food there was really good. Slightly "off the beaten path" on 10th Street between 10th and 15th Avenues is the Tango Taco- if you like steak, you need to visit here for dinner (I don't believe they open until like 4 or 5 pm); Tango Taco is a little "hole in the wall" and off the main drag as mentioned- it is an Argentinian steak/Mexican-based restaurant and, believe me, noone knows steak like the Argentinians based on this and other experiences. We also had a pretty decent meal at the Tequila Barrel bar/restaurant on 5th Avenue- stay away from the Tacolota (forget exactly where it is) which was just mediocre. All these places mentioned also serve beer (I think I sampled each Mexican beer and enjoyed the Modello Especial as a bit heavier and the Pacifico as my choice for a lighter cervaza) and the Tequila Barrel is also a pretty large and impressive bar; La Parilla also offers a variety of drinks- I enjoyed the "dirty monkey." Don't know what your bar "type" is but there is a huge variety. My two favorite places were actually fairly small places- the Yellow Submarine and the Siesta Fiesta Hotel; both these places are among the numerous places on 5th Avenue. The Siesta Fiesta had live music each night (ranging from various 70's to 90's rock cover bands to a bunch of young Mexican kids performing African percussion music- actually quite impressive) and a good spot for people watching right in the heart of 5th Avenue; although we never ate there, it also looked like the Siesta Fiesta Hotel/bar/restaurant had some pretty impressive looking food. The Yellow Sub was an even smaller place on the second level situated over a shop in the heart of 5th Avenue; the theme of the Yellow Sub is Beatles (obviously)/classic rock but they were playing alot of more current music like Evanescance(?) (and some Pink Floyd) while we were there. We also had an expensive drink at the Blue Parrot (my beer and my brother's rum and coke were $10) right on the beach after briefly watching their fire dancing on their (largely eroded) beach and a couple other "fancier" places; generally any bar/club with a known name (Carlos Y Charlies) or situated on the water you are paying more money. Besides the shopping North of the resorts, there is also a very small shopping area in the middle/South of where most of the resorts are; selection is limited there, prices are probably slightly more there, but you don't get "solicited" like on 5th Avenue. If you go and stay there and are looking for "the beach," it seemed like most places in town or North of town actually didn't suffer the beach erosion like most places South of town. If you think I can be of any more help, if you want advice on the side-trips, or are also interested in nearby Cozumel (which you can also get to very easily from Playa Del Carmen and which I probably know better than any of the other Mexican locale), feel free to shoot me a message. As everyone else has said, if you like "clubbing" and are the party animal-type Cancun would probably be the better bet; Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel are both more mellow/sedate/quiter. I'd also suggest checking out tripadvisor.com; most recent reviews I saw for our resort and the area seemed pretty accurate.

Answer 2

Playa Del Carmen is lots of fun!!!

It's very safe, especially on the resorts!!!

I suggest hoping on a tour bus over to Cancun for your partying. Nothing like clubbing in Cancun.

Daddios
Carlos and Charlies

Answer 3

I've been. It's very nice and relaxing and most definitely safe (unless you go during hurricane season, then anything is possible).

Clubs in Playa aren't as wild as it's neighbor to the north, Cancun, but there are still a few clubs that might be fun: The Blue Parrot and Santanera.

Hope you have a great vacation if you go!

Answer 4

Beach is wonderful there. Clubs not as good as Cancun. Check out fifth avenue. It is safe. Not as fun as Cancun. Check with your resort for clubs.....they ususally take people out at night at discount rates.

Answer 5

Playa if fine, but it is pretty sedate. Blue Parrot is probably your best bet. I like Cozumel better myself...