Playa del Carmen Area Guide

From Cancun Airport (CUN): ADO bus (~$15 USD, 1 hour) or private shuttle (~$60 USD). Avoid airport taxi touts.

Around town: most of Centro is walkable. For longer hops, the easiest and cheapest ride is the inDrive app — you name your price and local drivers accept or counter. (Uber is not available in Playa del Carmen.) If you don't have data or an app, just ask the friendly security guards at the Quadra Alea gate — they'll happily call you a trusted cab.

Street taxis are unmetered — always agree on the fare before getting in.

To Cozumel: Ultramar ferry from the Playa pier, within walking distance of the condo. Roughly hourly, ~$30 USD round trip.

To Tulum / Cancun / Merida: ADO bus from the terminal, also within walking distance.

Avalon del Sol sits in the Quadra Alea condominiums on Calle 26, in the Centro district of Playa del Carmen — the most walkable part of town. Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue), the pedestrian-only strip that runs the length of the city, is just 1.5 blocks from the door, with the Caribbean another block beyond it (2.5 blocks total).

Streets here are flat and lined with cafes, taquerias, boutique shops and ice cream stands. Most guests do not rent a car — everything is walkable, and the ADO bus terminal and Cozumel ferry are within walking distance.

Playa Mamitas is the closest public beach, roughly 2.5 blocks from the condo. White sand, turquoise water and beach clubs with chair rentals.

Playa Punta Esmeralda (north end of town) has a freshwater cenote that empties into the sea — a local favorite for families.

For quieter sand, take the ferry to Cozumel (45-minute ride) or drive 45 minutes south to Tulum.

Just 1.5 blocks from the door on Calle 26. Pedestrian-only for roughly 40 blocks, lined with restaurants, rooftop bars, artisan markets, pharmacies and souvenir shops. It is busiest between Calle 10 and Calle 16 in the evenings.

• El Fogon — tacos al pastor, a Playa institution (walking distance).
• La Cueva del Chango — Mexican breakfast in a jungle setting.
• Chez Celine — French bakery and coffee on 5th Avenue.
• Catch Rooftop — sunset cocktails over the Caribbean.
• Aldea Corazon — upscale Mexican in a cenote courtyard.
• Mercado 28 — open-air food hall, an easy walk inland.

See our full restaurant guide → for more picks.

Chedraui Selecto (full supermarket) is about a 7-minute walk. Mega Soriana and Walmart are also within walking distance. For organic and specialty items, try The Pantryon 5th Avenue. Pharmacies (Farmacias del Ahorro,Similares) are on every other block.

About a 5-minute walk from the door — and visible right from the bedroom patios. Pull up a chair and watch soccer games, tennis, basketball and other community events from the condo, or stroll over to use the free public facilities yourself.

• Centro Playa is safe and well-lit — typical big-city precautions apply.
• Tap water is not potable; use the filtered water dispenser in the condo.
• Tipping is 10-15% at restaurants, 20 pesos per bag for porters.
• ATMs inside banks (Banorte, BBVA) give better rates than street ATMs.
• The currency is the Mexican peso; USD is accepted but at a poor rate.
• Never accept the ATM or card-terminal exchange rate — always choose to be charged in Mexican pesos and let your own bank do the conversion for a much better rate.