Playa del Carmen in Pictures - A Walking Tour

North End Beach & Condos

July 21st, 2008

Tropical Storm Dolly has brought us some rain and gloom the last couple of days. I haven’t gone out for a walk, but as luck would have it, I have some photos from Saturday just before the clouds came in.

In my last entry, I walked 5th Avenue from Calle 38 north to Ave CTM. In this walk, I took Calle 38 towards the beach to explore the area just east of there. This area is full of condos, some a few years old and many currently under construction.

The first place I encountered was La Cueva del Chango. This is a great breakfast spot in a pretty and unique setting.

John poses near one of the area’s cenotes for me. Instead of being used as swimming holes, the cenotes in this area have really just been a bane to real estate developers and unwitting condo buyers.

Who can tell me the name of the tree that produces these beautiful bright orange flowers?

Kundalini yoga at the northwest corner of Calle 38 & Calle Flamingo. I’ve heard it’s very good and affordable.

Pueblito Escondito Resort & Residences

Yes, we have lifeguards in Mexico. Once at Kool Beach Club, I overheard several female tourists complaining about everything under the sun while waiting for the bathroom. When they started saying that there probably weren’t even any lifeguards, it was all I could do to contain myself. Oh wait, I didn’t contain myself. Oops.

Looking south from the beach at Calle 38.

And looking north.

One of the cabañas(hotel rooms) at Shangri-la Caribe.

Ah … la playa.

I don’t think that’s a regulation net.

Zubul Reef was all closed off. Not sure what’s going on here.

Striking colors

Getting that antiqued, leathery appearance is easy in the Playa sun.

Progress is being made on The Elements condo development at Coco Beach.

Hanging out at The Elements (I think) construction project.

The Casa Mar project just south of the Elements is also moving along.

Apparently, Rachel Ray loves Playasia on 5th.

Still mostly unpaved roads around here, but give it time. They will probably pave them after most of the construction is done (after the construction trucks are gone).

The Sol Maya condo development fell through, quite literally, when it was learned that the building had been constructed on top of a caving cenote.

Now, the building is under the protection of the government. A security guard and a couple of dogs keep watch.

Unfortunately, they haven’t prevented the place from becoming a garbage dump. Sad.

La Pummarola is the only restaurant in this area.

Just behind Pummarola.

OMG, this totally made my day! I saw a GREEN lizard in Playa del Carmen! Usually, I only get to see the olive/brown ones. I haven’t even been able to spot these gorgeous guys in the Sian Ka’an biosphere.