Archive for the 'Playa del Carmen' Category
Easter in Playa del Carmen
Yesterday was Easter, the culmination of a week of festivities for Catholic Mexicans. Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is Mexico’s version of Spring Break. All the schools have the week off, government offices close down and many businesses give their employees a vacation. Mexicans flock to the beaches, and Playa del Carmen was no exception.
We headed to the beach yesterday to join the hordes. Here’s the scene we encountered.
Our first view of the beach from Calle 38 near Shangri-La Hotel.
What a wonderful sand replica of Chichen Itza!
Mr. Sand Turtle has Corona bottle caps for eyes.
Looking back at Shangri-La.
The empty spot of sand between Shangri La and Kool Beach Club was very popular with beachgoers.
Kool and Mamita’s Beach clubs were packed!
Just south of the beach clubs.
In contrast, there were plenty of chairs available at the all-inclusive Gran Porto Real resort.
Looking back at the mayhem from the Gran Porto.
We had a wonderful time at the beach despite the crowds. The sand was soft, the sun was shining, the sky a brilliant blue, and the water a refreshing aquamarine. Aaaah!
3 commentsMexican Market in Playa del Carmen
Over the weekend, Marissa and I went off in search of a Sunday market in the Colosio. I had heard there was a traditional Mexican market somewhere in the Colosio near a church. We managed to find it on or around Calle 54 from 30th Avenue to about 15th Avenue.
Traditional Mexican markets sell just about everything including fruits and veggies, spices, tacos, clothing, electronics, household goods, and more. I generally don’t buy much, but always find something interesting.
Entrance to the market from 30th Avenue.
Lots of girly, pink stuff here.
No matter where you are in Mexico, you’ll always be able to buy a knock-off backpack. Tommy Halfager anyone?
I love the problem solving skills of the Mexican people. This lady has found a cheap and creative way of getting shade and storing for her handbag.
Piggy banks
Am I the only one who finds some baby dolls creepy?
Marissa and I were absolutely fascinated by this building along the way.
Traditional embroidery.
And modern rocker T-shirts.
I don’t why this guy brought his laundry to an internet cafe.
I had myself some shrimp on a stick. Very tasty, but I had issues with the shell that was left on. Mexicans eat the whole thing including tail! I’m so high maintenance.
Marissa was eyeing these cute skirts.
And these cute bras. 
There was even entertainment.
We had a nice time, but I would have liked to have seen some fresh (organic even?) fruits and vegetables and spices. Luckily, we have DAC for that.
1 commentChristmas in Playa del Carmen
Christmas decor around Playa del Carmen.
Christmas decorations for sale at Super Telas fabric store.
At the Parque 21 de Julio across from the Palacio Municipal.
Kids caroling during the Posadas.
Christmas decor at night.
Along 5th Avenue.
At the Parque 21 de Julio.
Palacio Municipal (City Hall)
¡Feliz Navidad!
No commentsAvenida 45 – Part Two
Moto row
Chiny’s got a nice variety of paving stones available.
Don’t cry for me Mexico.
Packrat, Mexican style
Another unique house.
Roasted chicken. Yum! Check out that roaster on the left!
Or maybe you want to roast your own chicken. Who doesn’t love to eat a happy cartoon chicken!
La Plumita also offers fresh turkeys, dead or alive, for your holiday needs. Cut off date to reserve a turkey was December 15th though.
Drive through bill payment at CFE, the electric company.
Or you can pay your electric bill at any one of these convenient locations. 
Whatever you do, do NOT attempt to pay inside the CFE office. Unless you want to kill an hour standing in line!
Paletas are the best! I love the way “Gerry” decorated his paleteria.
Playing soccer at the Gonzalo Guerrero Park.
This sign states that $3,355,398 pesos has been invested in actions to save public spaces in the municipality of Solidaridad (including Playa del Carmen south to North Akumal). “Learn, enjoy, reclaim your space, and strenghten your community.”
Groovy in green.
Have a nice day!
Avenida 45
This is another restuarant we hope to try out soon. I love saying the name over and over again. Cheester … Cheester …. Cheester
Colorin Colorado day care center
When the dog says ‘Wow’, Telmex has got to be offering a great deal. Yeah, you almost had me convinced.
Guess someone got tired of painting. Or maybe the wife changed her mind about the paint color. 
DIF is a federal agency that provides social assistance to families.
Part of a newer condo complex, Torres del Carmen.
Although many of the new condos and houses in Playa are being painted white, there’s still plenty of color to be found.
I just like this picture.
I NEED to have these flowers in front of my house!!!!
This is apparently the office of the Municipal Directive Committee of the Frente Juvenil Revolucionario (Revolutionary Youth Out Front). They are associated with the PRI political party, which controlled Mexican politcs for something like 70 years until fairly recently. Not sure how revolucionary they are. Reading their website, it seems to me that they are against corruption in politics, which is a pretty revolutionary idea in Mexico (and in Illinois).
This dog was so sweet!
Cool looking house. Definitely not the normal style around here.
This is much more typical — for a fairly well-to-do family. I’ll take one!
This cantina was rocking out the music! When I walked by, a guy was coming out, and the place was packed with cerveza drinking men! I think this is one of those traditional cantinas that doesn’t take kindly to female visitors.
Stay tuned for part 2 …
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No commentsPlaza 28 de Julio
I wrote recently about Playa del Carmen’s original zocalo or main square. Today I visited our more modern zocalo located in the center of the city bordered by Calles 8 & 10 and Avenues 15 & 20.
Carnival in Playa
We had a carnival in Playa del Carmen recently. Our carnivals are probably much like the carnivals in your hometown. There’s rides, games and prizes, uncouth carnies, and junk food galore!
Shoot ‘em up game.
Fifth Avenue Stroll – Part Cinco
In my series of 5th Avenue walks, I’ve strolled from Calle 4 up to CTM (aka Calle 46). Today, I head back south to cover Calle 4 south to the ferry dock area. This part of 5th Avenue is loaded with shopping — from the cheap and mass-manufactured to the unique and luxurious.
Ambar carries unique and beautiful amber jewelry pieces. Get a 15% discount with the V.I.P. smart card.
Zocalo de la Playa
The Mexican zócalo is the central town plaza, often the heart of a city. You may find gardens, ornate iron wrought benches, water fountains, sculptures, gazebos. Elderly gentlemen and ladies meet to discuss world news or the latest gossip, or to feed the pigeons. Concerts and special events are held here. On Sundays, locals may gather for music and dancing. Vendors sell balloons and churros and marquesitas. Children play to their heart’s content.
In larger cities, the zócalo is often flanked by the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace or City Hall), a cathedral, cafes and restaurants frequented by businesspeople and tourists, and perhaps a museum — all housed in colonial Spanish architecture.
Here in Playa del Carmen, we often refer to the Plaza 28 de Julio (July 28th Plaza) as our zócalo. It’s located in the block between 10th & 15th Avenue and Calle 8 & 10. The Palacio Municipal is just across the street, and many special events are held here.
But the original Playa zócalo is from a time when Playa was just a simple fishing village, and tourists came only to take the ferry across to Cozumel. You’ll find it at the beach just a block from the ferry pier.
[singlepic=376,640,480,,center] 2 commentsFirst Taste of Playa
For many new visitors to the Riviera Maya, the first glimpse of Playa del Carmen is at the ferry dock and adjacent shopping mall. There are the Cozumel vacationers, mostly staying in all-inclusive resorts, who come over on the ferry for a day trip. There are the cruise ship passengers — many coming from Cozumel for the day, and others arriving in the Calica port, south of Playa, and taking an “excursion” to town. Finally, there are the those staying at all-inclusive resorts up and down the Riviera Maya coast. They are dutifully transported to town and dropped off in the “safe for gringos” area by the shopping mall.
Here is what they see.
Arriving at the ferry terminal from Cozumel. Walk straight up this small hill to the modern Paseo del Carmen mall.
[singlepic=364,640,480,,center] 2 comments
