Playa del Carmen's beaches are fantastic too - long, white, sandy beaches with very calm, crystalline waters. As one of the Riviera Maya's larger resorts, there's plenty of activities on offer too - sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, bike riding etc. Playa del Carmen also proves a good base for visiting some of Mexico's nearby ruins such as those at Chitzen Itza and Tulum. There is also a range of excellent sophisicated restaurants, as well as many bars and a buzzing nightlife, especially so during spring break, when hordes of young North Americans descend on this coastal region of Mexico - the Yucatan Peninsula.

Playa del Carmen rivals Cancun as the Maya Riviera's top vacation destination. If you seek a buzzy, vibrant destination with fine beaches, it's a great option. While Cancun is rather blighted by large franchise and chain hotels, Playa del Carmen retains a more individualistic feel to the place. It's also less expensive, and there are more budget hotels to choose from.