The beach city of Playa del Carmen lies one hour south of Cancun by car on the Yucatan Peninsula. The third-largest city in the state of Quintana Roo, this once sleepy fishing village at the heart of the Riviera Maya now attracts two million tourists a year. As it has become one of the most popular destinations along the Mexican Caribbean, the city's population has doubled over the past five years, due in large part to a rapidly growing expatriate community. "Playa," as the locals population and popularity have grown, so have the level of services. 'Playa', as the locals call it, offers not only breathtaking beaches and a subtropical climate (average temperature of 77°F), but Playa del Carmen meeting venues comprise luxurious hotels, world-class restaurants and a European chic ambience.
Playa del Carmen accessible via Cancun International Airport, Mexico's 2nd-busiest airport with direct flights from 24 American cities, as well as various international destinations, including Paris, Munich, Vancouver, Sao Paolo and Mexico City. Direct buses and private transfers from Cancun International Airport are easy to organize via the airport website, transporting groups quickly and conveniently to the pedestrian-friendly downtown Playa.
The largest of Playa del Carmen meeting venues, the luxurious, all-inclusive resort, Aventura Spa Palace, offers 592,015 square feet of flexible meeting space divided into three distinctive areas: the largest venue holds 2,400 conference attendees. With 777 guest rooms and suites, this Playa del Carmen event venue overlooks the serene turquoise sea with access various beach coves, outdoor pools and Jacuzzis. The Iberostar Paraiso Lindo is another resort hotel perfect for all kinds of events. With 448 guest rooms and suites, the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo has a total of 15,000 square feet of event space divided into 8 indoor and outdoor areas. Less than an hour south of Cancun International Airport and 10 minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen is the Occidental Grande Xcaret, located within an ecological and historical reserve situated among ancient Mayan ruins. The all-inclusive hotel offers 769 guest rooms and 78 suites, and 118,284 square feet of meeting spaces.
The heart of Playa is La Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), which spans 20 blocks as a pedestrian walkway. Fifth Avenue is lined by bars, sophisticated nightclubs, a diverse selection of eateries and a shopping mall with exclusive clothing and jewelry boutiques. All public parks and shopping areas are fully equipped with free Internet, as are most restaurants, creating lots of alternative meeting spaces outside of the larger venues for small group discussions. Visitors will find 186 hotels 75 international quality restaurants, a number of traditional spa resorts, yoga retreats and countless bars and clubs in an around this beach paradise. As might be expected, meeting venues in Playa del Carmen are far from the ordinary.
The area in and around Playa del Carmen offers a nearly endless selection of pre and post-event activities. In Playa, one can swim with dolphins, play a game of golf at the Playacar Golf Course, observe tropical birds and jaguars in their natural habitat, as well as explore the underwater gardens of the Great Mayan Reef (the second largest coral reef system in the world after the Great Barrier reef). Playa del Carmen's cenotes (say-no-tays) or freshwater sinkholes offer thrilling jungle refreshment, and one can visit two world-renowned ecological parks, Xcaret and Xel-Ha. All of this, combined with the turquoise waters and powdery sand beaches make Playa del Carmen one of the best destinations in the world for snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, sunbathing and overall relaxation.
