Discoverymundo Blog

Category: Playa del Carmen

How to travel with Discovery Mundo?
Discovery Mundo offers transfers to many destinations around the world. The most selling are Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Tulum, Mayan Riviera, Punta Cana, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City and Paris.When you already made your reservation you will receive a confirmation email with your transfer details. Make sure to review your email constantly in case that any agent wants to get in contact with you or so you check your confirmation email, you will also receive your “arrival instructions” depending where you travel.. you will receive your arrival instructions on how to get to your chaffeur. I will give some some neccesary details on how to travel with Discovery Mundo:

Firstly you have to get out of your airplane, the airport will guide you to the exit door. After passing through customs get to the exit door of the terminal.On the way there might be many scammers trying to sell you another services, even they can lie to you and tell you that your transportation will not come. I remember one day a scammer told a client his service was broken (the van broke) and it would come after one hour and a half, that was obviously a lie and he took a taxi!

Discovery Mundo for all destinations promises that will be waiting the client outside the terminal door holding a sign with the logo of Discovery Mundo and the name of the reservation, if you want another name in your sign you can write it on the comment box.When you are outside the terminal, in case you have not find your chauffeur, get in contact with us on any of the following numbers and wait for a response:
- Call from U.S & Canada
- toll-free: 1 (866) 238-1312
- whatsapp: +1 (786) 238-3845
- Call from other countries
- united kingdom: 44 800 011 9894
- cancun: +52 998 980 0345
- mexico: +52 55 4161 4826
- rest of the world: +52 998 980 0345
When you exit the airport terminal, feel free to say hi to the drivers and ask for a picture to be featured on our social network!!
February 15, 2018
Xoximilco in Cancun

Mexicans and most people traveling to Cancun like the party. Xoximilco is the perfect place to live an authentic experience with friends, girlfriend, family or anyone you want to bring.

Xoximilco party consists on the trajineras. This are a king of boat that was used once to transport flowers, fruits and vegetables grown in floating gardens. Nowadays, it has become a tradition for joy and unique moments you can only experience here in Cancun. The trajineras will take you all through the canals, with the colors and the charm of a magical moment. You will taste the mexican cuisine and some tequila shots, listen to mariachis and dance in this mexican party atmosphere of celebration and folklor! What to expect?
– A nighttime cruise on board a picturesque trajinera.
– Try the delights of Mexican cuisine and typical desserts.
– Open bar with free tequila, beer and flavored fresh water.
– Enjoy traditional music such as: mariachi, marimba and bolero.

Inclusions
– Three course tasting dinner with the best of Mexican cuisine.
– Open bar of tequila, beer, flavored fresh waters and soft drinks.
– Night tour in a trajinera through canals.
– Different ensembles playing traditional live music such as mariachi, bolero trio, jarocho quartet and marimba.
– Your Tour includes transportation only if you add it at the time of your purchase.
– Free parking.
– Other services (ATMs and shops).Book now Xoximilco Discovery Tour!

July 22, 2016
How to Get Around in Playa del Carmen Like a Local

Want to step off the plane knowing how to get around Playa like a local? We’ve got the scoop on everything from understanding the layout of the streets to where to find rides to Cancún & Tulum, as well as affordable bike & car rentals.

Originally named “Xaman-Ha,” or “Waters of the North,” by the Mayans, our city began tantalizing ancient travelers as a peaceful rest stop on the way to the sacred island of Cozumel. During the modern era, fishermen have flocked to our Caribbean shore for over 110 years, leading to its founding 1937.

Since then, the countless things there are to love about Playa del Carmen have stirred the wonder of vacationers and expats the world over. The result has been a surge in both residents and visitors every year to the next (so much it’s actually the fastest growing city in Mexico!), while still embodying the relaxed, laid-back air that’s made it such an attractive destination for centuries.

Just Call it “Playa” for Short

Spanish for “beach,” a seemingly endless number of playas may line Riviera Maya, but there’s only one true “Playa.” If leave it at that, the locals will know exactly what you’re talking about. As for “del Carmen,” that stems from the name of the patron saint of Cancún, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.A Quick Guide to Getting Around

The first thing to know is that Downtown is laid out on a grid. The two main east-west streets are Avenida Juárez and Avenida Constituyentes, while a handful of numerical Avenidas run north-south parallel to the beach in multiples of five (including the hip, pedestrian-friendly Quinta Avenida, or “La Quinta”). As far as other throughways, Calles also run east-west, with even numbers north of Juárez and odd numbers to the south.Bike, Drive, Hitch a Taxi or Bus Ride

While you can walk pretty much anywhere in Playa proper, you may want to change your mode of travel or venture outside the city. That’s where bike rentals at the north end of La Quinta can come in handy. You’ll find numerous car rental companies here as well, and taxis are plentiful throughout the city. For further travels, both the bus station and “colectivo” vans are options. The latter run between Tulum and Cancún, and can often be hailed from bus stops along Highway 307.

July 8, 2016
The Best Shopping in Playa del Carmen for Local Treasures

The Best Shopping in Playa del Carmen for Local Treasures

The hardest part will be packing all the treasures you find exploring the many incredible shopping options in Playa del Carmen. Intricate filigree jewelry, unique Mayan fashion, handmade art, & regional spirits are just a few gems that await.

We all want to find that one perfect treasure that takes us back to the vacation of our dreams. Lucky for you, you’re traveling to one of Mexico’s top destinations for authentic Mayan crafts, as well as an ever-growing number of luxury global retailers. When it comes to choosing the best Playa del Carmen shopping options for your tastes, consider the following hot spots and popular finds:

The Stylish Heartbeat of “La Quinta”

Easily the hottest throughway in Playa is 5th Avenue. Locally known as “La Quinta,” the pedestrian-friendly runs roughly 3 miles across town. The older, more crowded, colorful and lively section is south of Constituyentes, where you’ll find the new shopping mall, Quinta Alegria. Along the way, shops vary from open-air flea markets to name brands like Lacoste and Victoria’s Secret. Many consider Hacienda Tequila (between 14th & 16th Streets) the best place in town to buy its namesake spirit, handmade crafts, and the uniquely regional Mayan liquor, Xtabentun. And don’t forget to grab some Cuban cigars!

Intricate Yucatecan Jewelry in Silver & Gold

One of the most sought after things to bring home from Riviera Maya is handcrafted filigree jewelry. This gorgeous yet painstaking style involves twisting and weaving tiny threads of silver or gold into immaculate pieces of wearable art. Catch the ferry to Cozumel and head to Los Cinco Soles for the most impressive selection in the area.Paseo del Carmen Shopping Mall

A Mediterranean-style open-air mall where La Quinta meets the ferry to Cozumel, this is the place to find luxury retailers in Playa. For fashion head to Pull and Bear, Bershka, or Mayan-inspired Kin Mayab. Unique furnishings await at Zara Home, with tons of local souvenirs at Plaza La Fiesta.

Slow Down in Puerto Aventuras
The even more laid-back alternative to shopping in Playa is our southern neighbor, Puerto Aventuras. Head to the area around the marina for the best options, including one-of-a-kind art at Yollotl Artesanias. There’s also a lovely Farmer’s Market rich in local crafts and tropical fruit, Wednesdays and Saturdays all year.

July 1, 2016
Disappear in Art at the 3D Museum in Playa del Carmen

Disappear in Art at the 3D Museum in Playa del Carmen

Redefining how we interact with artwork, Kurt Wenner’s world-famous 3D Museum of Wonders in downtown Playa del Carmen welcomes visitors to an immersive wonderland where touching & photographing exhibits lies at the very heart of the experience.The largest “illusion museum” in the world and first-ever in the Americas opened in February of this year, right here in Riviera Maya. Housed on the top floor of Plaza Pelícanos in the heart of downtown, the Playa del Carmen 3D Museum of Wonders redefines the very concept of an art gallery, inviting guests to interact, photograph, and actually become part of over 60 pieces of jaw-dropping artwork.What Makes it 3D?

Every exhibit at the museum is the work of world-renowned American street artist Kurt Wenner. Inspired by his time as an illustrator for NASA and love for renaissance paintings, he singlehandedly revolutionized the art form known as “three-dimensional pavement art,” or “trick art” in the 1980s. The concept is rather simple: employ shading, colors and perspective to create an optical illusion of depth and immersion. Couple the style with camera phones and social media, and you have a recipe for the next big thing in art – especially considering the fact that it upends every stale notion you might have of museums in general (look but don’t touch, no photographs, etc).Take the Best Pictures of Your Vacation

It’s hard to believe that here in paradise some the best pictures you’ll take are in a museum – but it’s true! Where else can you capture pics of friends and family trapped inside a bubble, surfing a monster wave, high atop a towering wedding cake, or seated at The Last Supper?

June 10, 2016
The Best Bars in Playa del Carmen for Every Taste & Occasion
For many of us, vacations are an excuse to drink a little more than normal, sampling the unique flavors of our destination. It’s for travelers like these that we offer this convenient guide to the best bars in Playa del Carmen for every occasion.

Your Guide to the Best Bars in Playa del Carmen

It’s no secret: vacations and drinks go together like tequila and lime. That’s why we’ve mixed up this helpful guide of what to expect as your carouse the best Playa del Carmen bars for every occasion.

Riviera Maya Drinking, By the Numbers

First of all, we recommend venturing out for a taste of Playa’s most creative cocktails. Try as many places listed below as possible. As you do so, bear in mind a few rules of thumb:
- Though super popular and “hip,” 5th Avenue bars are often overpriced.
- Well-made cocktails range from 80-120 pesos, beer 30-40 pesos.
- Tipping is not as paramount as in the U.S., especially for beer.
- Every bar in Playa uses purified water (ice included).
- Bars close by 2am, when the party moves to the clubs.
A Taste of Mexico
- La Mezcalinna (12th St, btwn 1st Ave & the beach) – Mezcal is the featured spirit at this quaint bar. Be sure to try both the Peanut and Passion Fruit Mezcal Shots.
- Club de Cerveza (5th Ave, btwn 34th & 38th St) – You won’t find a better selection of Mexican craft beers in all of Playa (along with 60+ from around the world).
Hit the Beach
- Fusion Bar & Restaurant (6th St & the beach) – Sipping cocktails in the sea breeze, feet stretched out in the sand. Does it get any better?
- Wah Wah Beach Bar (2nd St & the beach) – Live music Tuesday-Saturday and an all-you-can-eat pig roast every Sunday make this place a local hit.
Where to Catch the Game
- End Zone Sports Bar (5th Ave, btwn 12th & 14th St) – Easily the best place to watch your team in Playa del Carmen.
The Best of the Best
- Almirante Pech (5th Ave & 30th St) – World-class food and drinks as stunning as they are delicious and inventive have vaulted this hotspot to the top of Playa’s craft cocktail scene.
May 6, 2016
From Riviera Maya Golf, to Extreme Sports in Playa del Carmen

From Riviera Maya Golf, to Extreme Sports in Playa del Carmen

Skydiving, kiteboarding, & flyboarding are just a few extreme sports in Playa del Carmen, with plenty of Riviera Maya golf to relax afterward.

Whether you crave a quiet day on the golf course in lush Mayan jungle, or the undeniable thrills of skydiving, kitesurfing, and the wildly new world of flyboarding – it’s all right at your doorstep. In Playa del Carmen, extreme sports are everywhere you turn, along with serene stretches of challenging holes at world-renowned courses like our neighbor; Riviera Maya Golf Club. For the perfect mix of relaxation and high-octane recreation, consider planning adventures like these:

Riviera Maya Golf Club

Carretera Federal Chetumal-Benito Juarez

km 250, Akumal

This is the place to relax after skydiving from 10,000 feet or “hovering” over the Caribbean on an aquatic flyboard. The 27 holes are also perfect for those of tamer heart to wile away the day in paradise while friends and family indulge their wild whims.Skydive Playa

Plaza Marina

Local 32, Colonia Centro

When it comes to sightseeing, nothing compares to a 40-second freefall from 10,000 feet. The pros at this local outfit tucked away behind Señor Frogs at the ferry dock work with first-timers everyday, so training before you’re tandem jump only takes 20 minutes.Playa del Carmen Kiteboarding & SUP Adventures

Sandos Playacar Resort

Playacar Hotel Zone

The only active kitesurfing school in Playa offers extensive lessons for all skill levels to ride the wind and water, as well as rentals for those who’ve already gotten their feet wet.Flyboard Riviera Maya

Calle 5 Sur

Plaza Tuu-Kul

Playa’s newest extreme sport involves strapping a high-flying aquatic “hoverboard” to your feet and taking to the air up to 50 feet over the Caribbean coast. After a little training, you’ll be doing back flips in no time!

April 29, 2016
Best Cenotes in the Mayan Riviera

Cenote, is a term that comes from “Dzonot” which in Maya means “abyss” are wells of fresh water created by the erosion of limestone. Diving in the cenotes of Riviera Maya is one of the most extraordinary experiences a diver can have.. and Mexico is paradise to enjoy these geological whims. It is estimated that only in the Yucatan Peninsula there are over 3000 cenotes.. and many still undiscovered throughout Mexico.

I´ll show you the best cenotes in the Mayan Riviera:

Grand Cenote

Grand Cenote is one of the best Cenotes, you must visit it. It is located outside of Tulum on the 307 highway. Plenty of stalactites are in this cenote with crystal water. You´ll see around fishes and turtles! Don’t forget to bring your camera and get ready to jump into this big hole.

Cenote Dos Ojos

Located close to XEL-HA water park. This cenote is for scuba diving, amazing landscape and impressive experience that you will never forget. If you want to snorkel, you can access to the second cenote on the right taking the stairs!

Chaak Tun

This cenote is hidden behind the jungle of Playa del Carmen, you will find a natural paradise in here. One of the favorite cenotes of the tourists. The best time to visit this cenote is after 1pm when larger group tours already finished their excursions.

Rio Secreto

Come and experience this stunning underground river with thousands of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. Rio Secreto, located 5 km south Playa del Carmen. Starting off with a walk through the jungle followed by a descendence of 15 meters through mother Earth’s maze to access and wade through the underground river during 1 hour and a half.

September 29, 2015
What it feels to swim in a big hole of water: Grand Cenote in Riviera Maya

You wanna know what it feels to jump into a big hole of water? Here I wrote a little story that describes the day I decided to jump into Grand Cenote at Riviera Maya, Mexico.

The Riviera Maya is very recognize by the tourists who came for holidays to the beach, they have a lot of fun doing snorkel, shopping and parties, but there is a lot of things to do here.

For example, I live in Cancun, and once you be here you will see you got a lot of options to do; and this time it was for me to do something fun and adventurous, it was on Sunday, very close to cancun is Playa del Carmen, by car you will get there in 40 minutes, and is very popular go to the Routes of the Cenotes, here in the route there are almost 10 differents cenotes that you can met to have a lot of fun, the name is because directly on the avenue from Paya del Carmen to Tulum you will see the entrance for a lot of Cenotes, the one that i was looking for to learn calls Gran Cenote, this cenote is perfect to those ones who loves diving.

I was with my friends that day having a lot of fun after a good party last night at Palazzo that is on the 12 street in Playa del Carmen, we woke up early to start our day at 100% of energy and attitude! So I took my car and drived with my friends looking for the Gran Cenote, but no one of us go there before jaja wrond! I ask for the location and first of all the cenote is located in Tulum, its only at 2 km from the archaeological park, from Playa del Carmen to Tulum its on the right side of the road directly to Cobá.

When we finally arrived there we see a lot of tourist, for the entrance you have to pay 200 pesos; this Price is because the entrance includes the food, by the time you get into you see a natural place, its very quiet and calm, before we can go to swim we needed to use the showers to be more clean, that one is a rule of the place. After the shower we took the way downstairs to finally swim in the cenote. For our surprise the place was amazing, honestly i can’t describe it better, is beautiful. You can see all the nature and creation that God did for us for our entertainment. To enjoy more we rented a snorkel equipment for the Price of 30 pesos and for our stuffs a locker with the same Price, finally we were ready to jump for our enjoy!!

If you see the water is very clear, you can see everything almost without an snorkel, we tought it wasn’t to much deep, we tought that maybe it was like 5 meters, so then, we decide to jump from the stairs and start swimming, the first touch on the water was insane!! is supercold!!! Jajaja Omg! You almost get like an ice cube!! But we didn’t payed attention cause the feeling disappeared by the time we stayed on the water. We were swimming with the others tourists and local people in there having fun.

When I decide to use the snorkel and try to touch with my hand the rocks down to us, in fact i try to do it with my feet cause i thougt it was like one meter from me, but i just put the snorkel and I discovered that the rock was at almost 12 meters from me!! O.o (that was my face after seeing that) i was scared!!

After that i knew that the most deepest part in that cenote was 20 meters!! You felt like if you were flying, and in the same moment I saw a light deep with my eyes behind me, there were some people diving down there! they were biologists looking for another connection between more cenotes, and another more were tourists.

After a lot of time swimming and having fun we went out and went for some food. I can tell the water was delicious, nothing bad for a new experience. Believe me if you are looking for more fun apart the parties here, if you want to disconnect yourself from all the noise and get relax for one day and if you want a new experience you have to try this! It’s a beautiful memory that you will never forget, and like i said is not the only one, you have a lot!! This was my experience in this cenote, so…imagine how are you gonna feel when you try this? You have a lot of options here and experiences to meet, try!!!.

Manuel Hernández

August 15, 2015
Another Side of Playa del Carmen

Once a small fishing village, Playa del Carmen has grown exponentially in recent years. Today, it’s one of the hippest spots in the Yucatán Peninsula and the third-largest city in Quintana Roo. It’s also conveniently situated for vacationers near enough for Cancun airport transfers to and from the hotel and an easy day trip away from other popular tourist destinations like Tulum, Cozumel, and Cobá. While visitors likely want to experience the attractions geared toward tourists, such as various guided tours, they may also enjoy seeing a more relaxed side of the Playa del Carmen area.

This is where bike rentals come into play. With rentals averaging around $10 a day and widely available throughout the city, cycling is not just a means to stay fit while vacationing. It’s an economical way to tour Playa del Carmen that gives you the freedom to explore venues that lie off the well-worn tourist path. Feel free to just wing your route, and you’re sure to find some cool spots and maybe a lesser-known establishment to sample local fare. There are a few tried-and-true routes, however, you may want to follow.

If you want a shorter ride that reveals how the locals really live, just head west past Highway 307. This takes you into a residential area with colorful homes and landscaping. There are also several ice cream shops to satisfy your sweet tooth and help cool you off if the heat becomes too much. Once you build up a more substantial appetite, you may even want to check out La Floresta on the corner of Highway 307 and Calle 14 Norte, which offers lunchtime seafood tacos the locals recommend highly.

Another easy, approximately 2 km ride east of Highway 307 Punta Venado turnoff takes you to Punta Venado Caribbean Eco-Park, which lies at nearly a halfway mark between Playa del Carmen and Cristalino. The park is full of jungle wildlife, and scores of fun activities are available. There, you can lock up your bike and go snorkeling, take a guided horseback ride, or take a dip in a cenote. If you arrive early enough, you’ll likely beat the tourist crowds and have plenty of time for a leisurely pedal back to your hotel in Playa del Carmen.

For those really wanting a secluded spot and a more vigorous ride, go about 25 km south along Highway 307. This takes you to the cenotes in El Jardin del Eden, Cenote Azul and Cristalino. As with other places, the early bird gets the worm, and it’s not unlikely to be the only ones swimming before the heat sets in. Make sure to take a little cash with you for the ride because the cenotes generally charge a modest admission fee, and you’ll surely want to stop for refreshments on the ride back to Playa del Carmen. When touring the Playa del Carmen region by bicycle, however, you should always consider your safety. Many of the roads, including Highway 307, are fairly narrow with a high volume of traffic. So, be aware of your surroundings as you pedal and pull off to the side where necessary. Of course, always wear your helmet when cycling; one should be included with your bike rental. If it isn’t, request one or go to another shop that offers such protection. Your rental establishment should also provide you with a bike lock for when you want to stop and explore.

Most of the bike rental shops in Playa del Carmen are located just north of Constituyentes Avenue on 30^th Avenue. Depending on the type of cycling you prefer and chosen route, you can opt for beach cruisers, mountain bikes or road bikes. Be warned, however, that most of the bike shops are closed on Sundays, and you should check that your tires are properly inflated and make any adjustments to the seat or handlebars before you take off.

July 6, 2015