What is the difference between Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya?

Playa del Carmen is a town, which is in the Riviera Maya. The Riviera Maya is also called the Mayan Riviera and is an area, which runs from just south of Cancun, until Tulum, and the entrance of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere.

What is better Cancun or Riviera Maya?

Basically, Cancun is always going to be Cancun. It's a party-mad, R&R resort that's packed with hotels and bars and spring break clubs. Love it or hate it, that's what you get. Riviera Maya, on the other hand, offers multiple resorts, some sleepy, some lively, some characterful, some luxurious.

Is Riviera Maya the same as Mayan Riviera?

The Riviera Maya, which is also sometimes referred to as the Mayan Riviera, stretches over nearly 100 miles of coastline with beautiful white sand beaches and brilliant turquoise colored water just south of Cancun.

Is Playa del Carmen nicer than Cancun?

Even though both destinations are family-friendly, Cancun stands out in terms of younger tourism, spring breakers, and those looking for a vibrant nightlife scene. Its nightlife is fantastic and surpasses what Playa del Carmen has to offer in this regard.

Is Cancun and Riviera Maya the same thing?

What is Cancun and What is the Riviera Maya? Cancun is a large city located at the northeast tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. It was the very first tourism specific destination built in the early 70's. The Riviera Maya is a region to the south of Cancun that starts at Puerto Morelos and ends at the Sian Ka'an Biosphere.

Which City Is Better To Visit Between Cancun Tulum Or Playa Del Carmen Playa Del Carmen Mexico

What is Riviera Maya known for?

The Riviera Maya is famous for its large scale all-inclusive resorts and a historical tourism base of smaller boutique hotels as well as the many fine-dining restaurants available along the Fed 307 and on or near the beaches.

Does Riviera Maya have nice beaches?

The Riviera Maya is one of the top destinations in the world for beaches. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, you can find beaches with restaurants, music, and cocktails where you can kick back sunbathe, and enjoy life. There are even pristine beaches where you can still swim alongside sea turtles.

What is the best month to go to Playa del Carmen?

The best time to visit Playa del Carmen is between April and May, when there are fewer people along the shore. Day temperatures hover between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, dropping slightly in the evenings. From October to March, the climate is generally dry and slightly warm.

Who has better beaches Playa del Carmen or Cancun?

Playa del Carmen, on the other hand, has some lovely beaches too. It's less busy, more relaxed, and has an authentic feel compared to the more 'Americanized' Cancun. So if you're looking for sun, sea and sand in a smaller more laid-back destination, then Playa del Carmen will be the better choice than Cancun.

How many days do you need in Playa del Carmen?

Backpackers and other independent travelers can see most of Playa Del Carmen in three days. It will depend on what type of experience you want though. Playa Del Carmen does not offer really any museums or major cultural experiences.

What do I need to know before going to Riviera Maya?

When should I go to Riviera Maya?

The best months to go to Riviera Maya are March and April for a combination of warm temperatures and low rainfall. May and July are the second-best options. Temperatures will be warmer but rainfall will be somewhat higher. The worst times to go clearly are September and October followed by August and November.

What airport do you fly into to go to Riviera Maya?

A The Cancun International Airport is the closest to Riviera Maya, which is located 20-60 minutes away, depending on where you go.

Is Punta Cana or Riviera Maya better?

If you like excursions, I would say Riviera Maya as well. Good snorkeling, Xel-Ha, Tulum, and Chichen Itza come to mind. If you value a relaxing vacation on one of the best beaches in the world, it's Punta Cana hands down.

Is the water clear in Riviera Maya?

One of the attractions of the Caribbean side of Mexico is the beautiful sand and clear water of the beaches. Our last trip there, left much to be desired with the condition of the beach. The town was busy and in normal party mode.

How far is Playa del Carmen from airport?

The Cancun International Airport is 55 km ( 34 miles) from the center of Playa Del Carmen. In a car this takes about 50 minutes to drive. It is a very easy to drive route with only one turn out of the airport and onto a four lane highway to Playa Del Carmen. By bus the drive takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Is the water blue in Playa del Carmen?

As for why Playa del Carmen's sea is so much “bluer” and so much clearer than other parts of the world can put down to two major factors. Firstly, white sand combined with relatively shallow waters cause much more of the sunlight to be reflected, adding to the vibrancy of the oceans color.

Is Playa del Carmen touristy?

Smaller and less touristy than Cancun, it's becoming a popular travel destination for people looking for travel experiences that are more substantial than your typical all-inclusive resort. I spent over a year living and working in Playa del Carmen as a digital nomad.

Is it better to stay in Cozumel or Playa del Carmen?

While Cozumel may be the prime destination for scuba divers, because of its limited infrastructure and access to other attractions outside of the island, it is recommended to stay in Playa del Carmen and make day diving trips to Cozumel's waters.

What is the coldest month in Playa del Carmen?

The cool season lasts for 2.5 months, from November 28 to February 13, with an average daily high temperature below 83°F. The coldest month of the year in Playa del Carmen is January, with an average low of 65°F and high of 82°F.

Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Tulum?

Cost. In choosing Playa del Carmen or Tulum for your vacation, cost will be a big factor. While both destinations offer a range of cost options, Tulum's price point is roughly 20-30% higher than Playa del Carmen when you factor in accommodation, restaurants, and travel.

What is the rainy season in Playa del Carmen?

Generally, the year is divided up into two seasons. Rainy season (October to April), and dry season (May to October). However, the highest temperatures often occur anywhere between March or April until October.

Can you swim in the ocean at Riviera Maya?

You can definitely swim in the ocean from the beach, plenty of gaps through the coral to navigate through and see all the marine life! Enjoy because the Resort is amazing!!!!! over a year ago.

Is the water clear in Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen is known for white sand beaches, beautiful clear turquoise waters, but in 2015 it is also becoming known for record-breaking amounts of seaweed.

Are the beaches swimmable in Playa del Carmen?

The beach is wider and offers calm waters to swim in because there are outlying reefs. When there is a lot of seaweed in the center of Playa Del Carmen, some hotels will send people to this beach club to enjoy the day at the beach.