No matter where you're headed, San Francisco (or a bank) awaits

If you want any groceries South of Cancun, you can stock up at Chedraui, a big, well priced store in Playa del Carmen. You will see it along the highway just after Av. Juarez (the main street in Playa del Carmen).

Another option is Super San Francisco, a big well priced store. To get there heading south on the highway, turn left on the main road into Playa del Carmen, Avenida Juarez. Turn left at the 30th Avenue. The San Francisco is on the right
about 10 blocks down. It is huge and can't be missed. They also have a discount pharmacy if you need any prescriptions filled.

On your left on the way to San Franciso is a Bital bank with a good ATM and easy parking. Several other banks, including Bancomer and Banamex, are located on Juarez. The post office is on Juarez between 20th and 15th.

If you are trying to get to town, Caribbean Coast Travel will take you from the Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen anytime or day of the week and set you up with tours and transportation to all the popular Mayan Riviera destinations.

Need a good haircut? Everyone who is anyone in town goes to Roberto on Constituyentes and 10th. 984 873 3193

There is a new three screen movie theater in Playa del Carmen. It is much better than the leaky roofed old single screen movie house everyone used to have to go to. Plaza Pelicano Cines Hollywood 98031416. Good sound, comfortable chairs, the works. 10th Avenue between 6th and 8th. Movies are 25-40 pesos and are shown in the original language with Spanish subtitles.

Plaza Pelicano is one of many malls in Playa del Carmen, and is centrally located. There are shops downstairs (Blockbuster, bank with ATM, clothing, perfume, photo shop, Papa Johns Pizza, etc.) . Upstairs you have the movie theater and Recorcholis, a video game paradise for kids, and some restaurants. There is a coffee shop, 100% Natural (great juices, soups, sandwiches), Indian food and others.

Destination Weddings

Destination weddings are a great way to combine a wedding and a honeymoon. Weddings in Playa can help you plan your whole wedding. Want a Mayan Shaman to perform a ceremony for you and your guests? Want to get married on the beach at dawn? How about dinner for 300? They can make it happen for you.

There is a strong gay community here in Playa del Carmen, and the city is becoming a popular destination for same-sex weddings. The weddings are spiritual unions (not legal) (yet.... ).

Transportation

Playa del Carmen also has two very busy bus stations. Most of the buses that leave from Cancun also stop to pick up people in Playa del Carmen. You can get to all the regions major cities, so there is generally no need to go up to Cancun to get a bus from there. The older station is at 5th and Juarez and the other is at 25th and 12th.

There are 4 PEMEX gas stations in Playa del Carmen - 3 on the highway and one at 30th Avenue and 28th Street All run by the same enterprising people.

Stay a while longer

A lot of tourists to Mexico fall in love with Playa del Carmen and want to buy land here. Be sure to use a reputable Realtor like:

If you need legal assistance with real estate purchases, immigration or retiring in Mexico, you can contact the law firm of Alanis, Serrano and Doblado Law Firm in Cancun.

More Playa del Carmen online

Kuartos.com - online reservations for some Playa del Carmen hotels.

Yucatan Web - another guide to the area, with sections on Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Playa del Carmen.

Playa Maya News - English community news magazine for the Riviera Maya.

See the Playa del Carmen Directory and health pages also.

In the Yucatan A novel of social justice set in Central Yucatan

Can-Do Riviera Maya, Mexico Guide/Map The most accurate map guide to the Riviera Maya