| Although Playa del Carmen is small in comparison | | | | way to visit nearby attractions. There are two |
| to Cancun, it nevertheless manages to impress us | | | | bus terminals in Playa. One of the bus terminals is |
| with an array of shopping destinations. Without | | | | located about a block away from the ferry, which |
| question, a must-go place for shopping is Paseo | | | | is on the corner of 5th Avenue and Juarez. Just |
| Del Carmen, which borrows part of its name | | | | to make sure, you'll see it directly accross from |
| from the town. Paseo Del Carmen is located at | | | | MacDonald's (yup, even Playa del Carmen has a |
| the south end of 5th avenue, within a few steps | | | | MacDonald's). This particular bus terminal is called |
| from the ferry dock. It opens daily from ten in | | | | Terminal Turistica, meaning Tourist Terminal. It is |
| the morning to ten at night. Don't be fooled by its | | | | called so because it tends to offer short-distance |
| unassuming appearance as an outdoor shopping | | | | rides to the tourist attractions that are near playa. |
| center with white-washed walls, stone streets, | | | | The buses' routes basically are divide in two, north |
| and large shady trees. As a matter of fact, Paseo | | | | to Cancun and south to Tulum. The buses that |
| Del Carmen contains many high-end boutiques, | | | | head in the direction of Tumul usually make stops |
| which specialize in modern, in-style clothing. Most | | | | in Xcaret, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Ha, |
| of these boutiques carry prestigious brands. You | | | | Akumal, Xel-Ha, and Hidden Worlds and Dos Ojos. |
| can also find luxurious jewelry stores along with | | | | On the other hand, the buses headed north to |
| sports shops, and souvenir shops. What's even | | | | Cancun stop at Puerto Morelos. Keep in mind, |
| more you can simply indulge in the exotic art | | | | however, that not all of these buses take you to |
| galleries. Many of these galleries feature art | | | | the airport or Cancun's hotel zone. Very |
| created by local artists. | | | | conveniently, buses to Cancun depart every 10 |
| For your convenience, and just in case you need | | | | minutes and cost less than five dollars! To Tulum |
| to take a brake from all the "window shopping," | | | | buses depart every half hour and cost only two |
| there are restaurants located right in the shopping | | | | dollars, talk about economic! |
| center. In fact, many people enjoy going to the | | | | Notice that because the terminal is located right |
| restaurants at Paseo Del Carmen after a long and | | | | on 5th Avenue, a number of hotels are situated |
| relaxing day at the beach. La Bodeguita del Medio | | | | within walking distance. What does this mean? |
| is a Cuban restaurant located in this shopping | | | | Well, you can practically walk to the bus terminal, |
| center. Yet, one of my favorite restaurants at | | | | spend the day in Tumul and come back to your |
| Paseo Del Carmen is inarguably Carlos n' Charlie. | | | | hotel in Playa ready for the following's day |
| This particular Mexican food restaurant is mostly | | | | adventure! Of course, if you're too tired to walk, |
| well-known due to its yard long drinks and at night | | | | simply cross the street where very serviceable |
| it turns into a full-blown party destination. Don't be | | | | taxis will be waiting. Even more convenient are |
| shocked to see people dancing on the tables! | | | | the trycicle driver who await you right outside the |
| Bus Terminal | | | | bus station's doors. |
| Riding the bus at Playa del Carmen is an easy | | | | |