Travel 9 years ago Playa del Carmen in June
Outside of the annual scuba diving trip that I take with my family to Cozumel, I rarely have the opportunity to make it to Mexico. So, you can imagine how excited I was when Soludos invited me to visit Playa del Carmen a few weeks ago. I’ve heard my parents rant and rave about Playa for the past 10 years. While they always take the family to Cozumel for the incredible scuba diving and laid back vibe, they’ve always had the best things to say about Playa, which is a short 30-minute ferry ride across the ocean. I’ve heard story after story about 5th Avenue and it’s humming nightlife, the variety of boutiques and spas and Playa’s incredible history of ruins and cenotes. Here are a few of my favorites from the trip.
Stay
Hotel Cacao // There is a proverb that reads “First impressions are the most lasting.” While I truly believe in the power of a first impression, that isn’t what led me fall in love with Hotel Cacao and the adorable town of Playa del Carmen. Just as we stepped off the quick {non-stop} journey from Los Angeles to Cancun, we were greeted with a smile, two bottles of water and a cool SUV cruise to our hotel. We crossed over the infamous 5th Avenue, bustling with live music, restaurants and adorable boutiques and pulled into the hotel, which was perfectly tucked away. My nerves hit at the thought that the noise were keep me up. However, the marble walls of the five-story hotel create a peaceful haven that you can tuck yourself away in.
Hotel Cacao checks all of the boxes on my list of hotel must haves: Friendly service, a variety of food options, modern/clean décor and charming elements such as a turtle pond and quality hair product. One side of the hotel faces the beach, which is a short 1 block walk away, and the other faces 5th Avenue. It’s perfectly located and the staff is more than happy to help assist in planning fun adventures for the day such as a trip to the Cenotes or Tulum’s Mayan Ruins.
Eat
Almirante Pech // When you walk out of Hotel Cacao, the first restaurant on your left is by far the most hip on all of 5th Avenue. I know this because I walked up and down searching for the perfect spot. My taste buds are still craving the fresh ceviche that had a hint of spice in the sauce {yum!}. I also couldn’t get over the adorable décor. I felt like I was at a hip spot in Brooklyn, yet we were positioned perfectly amongst the mix and mingle on 5th Ave.
Bella Italia // When you think of Mexico, I bet Italian food isn’t the first thing that pops in your head. Me neither! Think again! I absolutely loved this adorable Italian eatery that was a 2 block walk from the hotel. The open-air breeze allowed you to feel part of the scene while sipping on wine and picking out your favorite pizza or pasta. The menu was really fun, giving you a three-step option of choosing pasta, sauce and toppings to build your own savory dish.
Do
Tulum Ruins // There’s nothing more breathtaking than being in the presence of a civilization that dates back to 1200 AD. I heard that this particular ruin was formerly known as “Zama,” meaning City of Dawn, because it faces the sunrise. While I didn’t visit it during sunrise, in fact I was there at high noon {insert: heat wave}, the spectacular view of the ruins on the cliff was breathtaking. Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water.
Cenotes // One of the more popular fascinations in the Riviera Maya and Playa del Carment are the cenotes, pronounced: Seh-no-tays. This underground river system runs for hundreds of miles in this area and some parts are completely underground. Wrapping and weaving around the forest, you will find openings into the cave systems. Some are almost lake-like and have impressive stalactites and stalagmites. There are so many different Cenotes in the area. The one we visited was called Cenote Azul.
Sparkle & Fade Mesh Block Bodysuit {$39} // Heidi Merrick Palomar Dress {$422} // Soludos Tall Leather Wedge Espadrille {$110}
Photos by Felicia Lasala
Special thanks to Hotel Cacao Playa for partnering on this post
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