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A rental car can be acquired for site seeing that is not in walking distance, but it is sometimes more convenient to take the bus to a variety of destinations. An updated bus schedule can be found here
Downtown/ Nightlife
5th Avenue
You never know what you'll see in downtown Playa Del Carmen. After a short 10 minute walk from the house, you are immersed in a high-energy world where there are parades, night clubs and any type of ethnic food you can dream of!
You never know what you'll see in downtown Playa Del Carmen. After a short 10 minute walk from the house, you are immersed in a high-energy world where there are parades, night clubs and any type of ethnic food you can dream of!
Sightseeing Mayan Ruins
Xaman-Ha
In Pre-Colombian times, Playa Del Carmen was called Xaman Ha, meaning "North Water." This area was the starting point for the Maya in their pilgrimage to the shrine of Ixchel on Cozumel Island. During the 16th century, Spaniards invaded and conquered most Maya sites, but Playa Del Carmen (Xaman Ha) never became a spanish settlement. Since then, the first modern economy in the area was based on coconut and chewing gum exports. Although the surrounding areas have become centered around tourism, the ruins at Xaman Ha remain remarkably preserved.
The ruins of Xaman-Ha are only a 2 minute walk from Villa El Regalo.
In Pre-Colombian times, Playa Del Carmen was called Xaman Ha, meaning "North Water." This area was the starting point for the Maya in their pilgrimage to the shrine of Ixchel on Cozumel Island. During the 16th century, Spaniards invaded and conquered most Maya sites, but Playa Del Carmen (Xaman Ha) never became a spanish settlement. Since then, the first modern economy in the area was based on coconut and chewing gum exports. Although the surrounding areas have become centered around tourism, the ruins at Xaman Ha remain remarkably preserved.
The ruins of Xaman-Ha are only a 2 minute walk from Villa El Regalo.
Tulum
The site for the Pre-Colombian Mayan walled city serving as a major trade center for Cobá. The ruins are located on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea. Tulum was built later in Mayan history, reaching its height between the 13th and 15th centuries. Tulum is one of the best-preserved coastal Mayan sites and is popular today among tourists.
Tulum is a 50 minute drive from Villa El Regalo. If traveling by car, directions can be found here. If you don't have a car you can take the bus from the station in Playa Del Carmen. Find updated bus prices and bus schedule here.
The site for the Pre-Colombian Mayan walled city serving as a major trade center for Cobá. The ruins are located on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea. Tulum was built later in Mayan history, reaching its height between the 13th and 15th centuries. Tulum is one of the best-preserved coastal Mayan sites and is popular today among tourists.
Tulum is a 50 minute drive from Villa El Regalo. If traveling by car, directions can be found here. If you don't have a car you can take the bus from the station in Playa Del Carmen. Find updated bus prices and bus schedule here.
Cobá
Cobá is a large Mayan site associated with the trade port of Tulum. There is still a modern road that follows the old trade route between these two cities. Cobá is one of the longest occupied and oldest sites near in the Yucatán, active between 100 BC - 1000 AD. Cobá was one of the powerful entities in the early Mayan kingdom vying for power between the powers of Tikal, and Calakmul. One of the main attractions is the main pyramid which, unlike Chichen Itza's Kulkukan Pyrami, is still open to the public to climb its 130 steps. From the top of this pyramid one can see the expanse of the Yucatán peninsula over the jungle.
Cobá is slightly less than a 2 hour drive from Villa El Regalo. If traveling by car, directions can be found here. If you don't have a car you can take the bus from the station in Playa Del Carmen. Find updated bus prices and bus schedule here.
Cobá is a large Mayan site associated with the trade port of Tulum. There is still a modern road that follows the old trade route between these two cities. Cobá is one of the longest occupied and oldest sites near in the Yucatán, active between 100 BC - 1000 AD. Cobá was one of the powerful entities in the early Mayan kingdom vying for power between the powers of Tikal, and Calakmul. One of the main attractions is the main pyramid which, unlike Chichen Itza's Kulkukan Pyrami, is still open to the public to climb its 130 steps. From the top of this pyramid one can see the expanse of the Yucatán peninsula over the jungle.
Cobá is slightly less than a 2 hour drive from Villa El Regalo. If traveling by car, directions can be found here. If you don't have a car you can take the bus from the station in Playa Del Carmen. Find updated bus prices and bus schedule here.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is one of the most iconic sites of the mayan world. The remains of a immensely powerful and wealthy culture strike awe into the eye of those who behold it. Chichen Itza is truly a must for those who wish to take a step into the past. Chichen Itza held power over the Yucatán from AD 600 - AD 1200. This is one of the most studied archaeological sites resulting from Mayan ingenuity. Perhaps the most impressive architecture is found here. On the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, in the late afternoon, the northwest corner of the pyramid casts a series of triangular shadows against the balustrade on the north side that creates the appearance of a serpent wriggling down the staircase, which some scholars suggest represent the serpent god Kukulkan.
Chichen Itza is slightly less than a 4 hour drive from Villa El Regalo. If traveling by car, directions can be found here. If you don't have a car you can take the bus from the station in Playa Del Carmen. Find updated bus prices and bus schedule here.
Chichen Itza is one of the most iconic sites of the mayan world. The remains of a immensely powerful and wealthy culture strike awe into the eye of those who behold it. Chichen Itza is truly a must for those who wish to take a step into the past. Chichen Itza held power over the Yucatán from AD 600 - AD 1200. This is one of the most studied archaeological sites resulting from Mayan ingenuity. Perhaps the most impressive architecture is found here. On the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, in the late afternoon, the northwest corner of the pyramid casts a series of triangular shadows against the balustrade on the north side that creates the appearance of a serpent wriggling down the staircase, which some scholars suggest represent the serpent god Kukulkan.
Chichen Itza is slightly less than a 4 hour drive from Villa El Regalo. If traveling by car, directions can be found here. If you don't have a car you can take the bus from the station in Playa Del Carmen. Find updated bus prices and bus schedule here.
Uxmal
Uxmal is an ancient Mayan city that was in its zenith around 850 AD - 925 AD. It was once the most powerful site in western Yucatán, and was once in alliance with Chichen Itza. Uxmal was abandoned for some time after Spanish conquest, but remained better preserved than most Mayan sites. Uxmal architecture is rivaled only by that of Palenque in elegance and beauty, and has unique architecture with the main building being the only Mayan architecture with curved edges.
Uxmal is slightly less than a 5 hour drive from Villa El Regalo. If traveling by car, directions can be found here. If you don't have a car you can take the bus from the station in Playa Del Carmen. Find updated busprices and bus schedule here.
Uxmal is an ancient Mayan city that was in its zenith around 850 AD - 925 AD. It was once the most powerful site in western Yucatán, and was once in alliance with Chichen Itza. Uxmal was abandoned for some time after Spanish conquest, but remained better preserved than most Mayan sites. Uxmal architecture is rivaled only by that of Palenque in elegance and beauty, and has unique architecture with the main building being the only Mayan architecture with curved edges.
Uxmal is slightly less than a 5 hour drive from Villa El Regalo. If traveling by car, directions can be found here. If you don't have a car you can take the bus from the station in Playa Del Carmen. Find updated busprices and bus schedule here.
Recreation
Cozumel Island
Cozumel can be seen from the rooftop of Villa El Regalo. Cozumel is a tourist destination known for its wonderful scuba diving and snorkeling. Cozumel was derived from Mayan "Ah Cuzamil Peten" meaning "Island of Swallows." The Maya are believed to have first settled Cozumel by the early part of the 1st millenium AD. Cozumel has a long history as being a place of pilgrimage with a number of temples and runs on the island.
Attractions include various adventure tours, ATV tours, beach clubs and resorts, boat tours, dolphin swims, ecotours, fishing trips, golfing, horseback riding, massages, Mayan ruins site seeing, private tours, scuba, snorkeling, sunset cruises, and theme parks.
You can plan you trip to Cozumel Island by ferry or you can book a private charter plane. Also you can plan activities for your trip to Cozumel ahead of time.
Cozumel can be seen from the rooftop of Villa El Regalo. Cozumel is a tourist destination known for its wonderful scuba diving and snorkeling. Cozumel was derived from Mayan "Ah Cuzamil Peten" meaning "Island of Swallows." The Maya are believed to have first settled Cozumel by the early part of the 1st millenium AD. Cozumel has a long history as being a place of pilgrimage with a number of temples and runs on the island.
Attractions include various adventure tours, ATV tours, beach clubs and resorts, boat tours, dolphin swims, ecotours, fishing trips, golfing, horseback riding, massages, Mayan ruins site seeing, private tours, scuba, snorkeling, sunset cruises, and theme parks.
You can plan you trip to Cozumel Island by ferry or you can book a private charter plane. Also you can plan activities for your trip to Cozumel ahead of time.
Xcaret
Xel- Ha
Xel-Ha is the premier tropical theme park, with enough activities to keep you busy all day. From floating amongst the mangroves to cliff jumping, Xel-Ha has enough for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you're an adrenaline junky, or just a relaxation machine, Xel-Ha has enough to accomodate all
Xel-Ha is the premier tropical theme park, with enough activities to keep you busy all day. From floating amongst the mangroves to cliff jumping, Xel-Ha has enough for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you're an adrenaline junky, or just a relaxation machine, Xel-Ha has enough to accomodate all
Xel- Ha
Crococoon
Tres Ríos