This Stunning Mexican Resort Town Between Cancún & Tulum Offers A Relaxing Weekend Escape

Mexico's Caribbean coast is a world-beating vacation destination. Stretching from the bright lights of Cancun in the north to the budget-friendly hidden gem of Bacalar in the south, the Riviera Maya is an astonishingly beautiful, vibrant, and indulgent place to visit. Boasting some of the all-time best beaches in Cancun, amazing Mexican cuisine, verdant jungles, and mysterious Mayan ruins, it's a special region. Travelers tend to congregate in the main party city of Cancun or the bohemian chic paradise of Tulum, but it's worth exploring other destinations along the coast as well.

Situated about halfway between Cancun and Tulum, the city of Playa del Carmen is a fantastic resort town that combines the best of both of these icons of the Riviera Maya. It's a lively, buzzing spot filled with bars, clubs, and some of the best restaurants in the region, as well as some of the most luxurious hotels and resorts around. The beaches in town and nearby are the equal of those in Cancun, and it's perfectly located to explore the Yucatan's famous cenotes, and the mysterious archaeological sites of Coba and Chichen Itza.

Playa del Carmen, commonly known as Playa, is 35 miles from Cancun International Airport along the main highway that runs down the Caribbean coast. It's an easy 45-minute drive, and there are plenty of buses, taxis, and shuttles that run the route regularly. It's also accessible from Tulum Airport, about an hour-and-a-half away by car, or from Cozumel Airport, just a ferry ride away. Playa is also a stop on the Tren Maya, the tourist train serving 20 stations across the Yucatan peninsula, including Palenque, Cancun, Bacalar, and Tulum.

Playa's biggest draw is its fabulous beaches. The most popular spots are right in the city center, a stone's throw from the buzzing Quinta Avenida, and the larger, more eye-catching sands that fringe the neighborhood of Playacar. However, those in the know head to the north of the city, to the beaches that run parallel to the Colossio district and up towards the Mayakoba resort. Playa Coco, Playa 72, and Punta Esmeralda are peaceful, pristine stretches of sand loved by locals, and less crowded than better-known beaches near the center. Sunset over Punta Esmeralda is a treat, but for something really special, time your visit when the full moon rises just after, and the night sky is filled with a vast, glowing orange orb that sets the horizon on fire.

The cenotes of the Riviera Maya are one of its greatest and most unusual attractions. The entire peninsula sits atop of one of the largest limestone aquifers in the world, and it's a maze of underground rivers, caves, and sinkholes, many of which are accessible for an out-of-this-world swimming or snorkeling experience. While the most famous cenotes are clustered around Tulum, Playa is a great base for visiting the less heralded spots, like the underground wonderland of Chaak Tun, the sparkling turquoise gem of Sol y Luna, and the expansive site of Jardin del Eden.

Playa is also an exceptional spot for scuba diving, with gorgeous drift dives just off the coast for beginners, the magnificent coral walls of Cozumel a short boat ride away, and the unique experience of diving in the underground caverns and cenotes deep in the surrounding jungle. Good Vibes Diving is a fantastic all-round operation, while Cenote Xperience specializes in cave, cavern, and cenote dives.

Playa is one of the jewels in Quintana Roo's culinary crown. It's packed with fantastic places to eat, from casual breakfast cafes and simple Mexican fondas to fine-dining restaurants and haute cuisine eateries. Chez Celine on the Quinta Avenida bakes almond croissants that have to be tasted to be believed, while the size of the pancakes at Capitan Sandwich is frankly ridiculous. El Curandero serves up incredible molcajetes filled with ceviche and aguachile, while the shrimp tacos and tostadas at Mariskinky are only bettered by the lively atmosphere. For a more sophisticated experience, Amate 38 offers a sublime exploration of classic Yucatecan cooking in a gloriously tropical al fresco setting.

While not quite as notorious as the mega-clubs of Cancun or the influencer-approved techno-house bars of Tulum, Playa holds its own when it comes to nightlife. The town is filled with vibrant, buzzy bars, from Zenzi, Lido, and INTI right on the beach, to the rooftop delights of Roof 28 and Clandestino. There's even a branch of the Cancun institution, Coco Bongo!

Playa's hotels and resorts are where the city really comes into its own, offering incredible luxury and unbeatable relaxation, ideal for a weekend escape or couples getaway. The Rosewood Mayakoba is the pick of the bunch for a romantic break, an astonishingly indulgent spot between the lagoon and the sea, with five-star amenities including six pools, heated jacuzzis, and beachfront firepits. The Grand Hyatt isn't far behind, situated right in the center of town, but with a calm tranquility that belies its location. It's a great option for those who want to be right in the mix but avoid the noise.