Playa del Carmen vs. Cancun ~ What's the big difference?

So, there's Cancun and there's Playa del Carmen. They are so close to one another yet so very different.

Nizuc Resort and Spa, Cancun.
Cancun. What can I say about Cancun? Cancun is THE perfect first vacation spot for those of you have not been out of the country and want to venture into Mexico. Cancun has a ton of American brand name stores/ restaurants that will leave you feeling comforted if it's an Applebee's or a Hooters that you crave. That being said, I should not negate the Mexican-ish feeling of Cancun but it should be noted that Cancun is a resort town and it feels like it. You will find run of the mill resorts and then you will find some of the best in the area right within Cancun such as Nizuc, voted one of the best hotels in the WORLD by Conde Naste Traveler.

Cancun is shaped like a 7 and is on a peninsula with one side facing the Caribbean and the other side facing a lagoon. The hotel zone is just that: an area of Cancun that is nothing but one hotel after another. The beaches are gorgeous in Cancun ~ long and wide and go on forever. You could walk forever on them so if you are a beach comber, this is a choice destination.

Cancun has movie theaters, malls, high end shopping centers and amazing 5 star restaurants reaching every end of the gastronomic palate. Whatever you are looking for, you'll probably find it in Cancun.

Of course I need to mention the nightlife in Cancun ~ it's a spring breakers dream come true. Known for it's wild and raucous parties and clubs that stay open until the sun comes up, there is no shortage of bars/clubs to get your groove on in Cancun. Walk along "la zona" and take your pick of discos or check out Coco Bongo. At Coco Bongo, you will entere into an alternate universe of over the top discos filled with sights and sounds you could have never imagined ~ it's a must see while you're in Cancun.

I love Cancun. In my opinion, it's not a great representation of what the "real" Mexico is but it is a fantastic gateway into the world of Mexico travel. It's a beautiful city with beautiful beaches and whole lot of fun and relaxation to be had. It's as simple as that AND it's easy breezy to get to from most major airports in the United States, many of which offer direct flights. Imagine it: in just a couple of hours, you'll be sitting on the beach in Cancun soaking in the sunshine and gushing over the color of the azure Caribbean sea. I should also mention that only a ferry ride away is the wonderful little island of Isla Mujeres. Grab a ferry over there, rent a golf cart and enjoy the island!

 Playa del Carmen is roughly 56 minutes South of Cancun but really does have a totally different vibe than Cancun. Playa del Carmen has that "town" feel.  5th avenue is where it's at when it comes to experiencing Playa del Carmen at it's finest. You will find restaurants, shopping galore and a ton of bars/ discos. As can be expected, there are no shortages of  all-inclusive resorts and boutique hotels which makes "Playa" a great place to vacation.

"Playa" as it's often called, is the port for the ferry that crosses over to the island of Cozumel. If you're staying in Playa, it's nothing to hop on the ferry for the day and experience the little quaint island of Cozumel. Sometimes the ferry ride can be a little wavy, so bring your dramamine or sea bands if you're prone to seasickness.

Playa del Carmen has a "gated" residential /hotel community called Playacar. This area has the feeling of being, well, in a gated community. There are many homes in this area as well as some of the big names in All-inclusive resorts, such as Occidental, Riu and Iberostar. There's a great side walk system within Playacar where you will often see locals/travelers running, biking or strolling along. Depending on where you are staying in Playacar, it's only about a 20 minute walk into the center of Playa del Carmen, making it great location to stay. If you like the "comfort" of being in a gated community while on your vacation, this may be a good option for you.

Playa del Carmen
Playa is bustling. There are gobs of tourists here from all over the world which makes it GREAT for people watching. Grab yourself a cup of fresh cut fruit from a street vendor and hang out on the beach and walk locals and tourists take on a game of soccer on the beach. I enjoy the ability of meandering down cobblestone streets, taking in the sites, sounds and smells of Mexico. You'll find your typical souvenirs around every corner but you'll also find great authentic Mexican art. Don't hesitate to hit up some of the local taqueria's and enjoy some authentic tacos ~ you'll find that you will encounter some of the best food you've ever had.

Here I am thoroughly enjoying a foam party at the Blue Parrot
There is no shortage of nightlife in Playa del Carmen. Just head down to the 5th avenue area and follow the music / lights that call to you. If Salsa dancing is your thing, you'll find it. If you want to show off your impressive hip/hop music dance moves, there's a place for that. If you want to dance on a beach side dance floor overflowing with foam, you can do it. Yes, I said foam. In my opinion, everyone should try this at least once. On my last trip to Playa, I jumped into the foam pit at the Blue Parrot and had a blast. I felt like a kid as I "danced" on a dance floor filled with bubbles up to my ears; throw all of your hesitations aside and try it.  Speaking of the Blue Parrot night club, you may want to go there and check out their beach side fire dancers show. It's quite a sight. Bring a gas mask if you intend to get up close because the fumes from their torches can be pretty brutal.

In a nutshell, Playa del Carmen is a fantastic destination. For the traveler who has graduated from their Cancun vacation and are ready for a bit more of Mexican culture while still being in a very safe and beautiful destination, Playa del Carmen is for them. It's filled with energy of thousands of travelers as well as with the great vibes that Mexico always delivers.

Cancun and Playa del Carmen are fantastic beach vacation options. Venture off the resort properties and explore the area. Remember that this area has some deeply rooted Mayan culture so be sure to explore the richness of it's Mayan history by visiting places such as Chichenitza and Tulum.

Viva la Vida! 

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