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Mexico: Playa del Carmen

The Indigo Beach Club, Playa del Carmen
The Indigo Beach Club, Playa del Carmen

As a gentle introduction to a long trip, Playa del Carmen fits the bill nicely, though you could argue that we haven't actually started travelling yet. For the centre of Playa, much like its northern neighbour Cancún, is pretty un-Mexican, despite the unmistakable lilt of mariachi bands that floats through the thick, humid air.

Boats on the beach in Playa del Carmen
Boats on the beach in Playa del Carmen
A pelican in Playa del Carmen
A pelican in Playa
Buildings on the nearby island of Cozumel
From Playa del Carmen, the nearby island of Cozumel appears to float in the ocean

Down on the Beach

Avenue Quinta, Playa del Carmen
Avenue Quinta, Playa del Carmen

Talking of jet lag, Playa's beach is a perfect spot to unwind through the time zones. As with Avenue 5, the beach changes as you move north, morphing from a wide and more public beach down near the ferry terminal, into a more beach-club-based affair further north. You can tell how far north you are by the quality of the sun-loungers, which become less tatty as the prices rise and the bars become more sophisticated.