It
has been 20 years since I had been to Riviera Maya in Mexico. Wow, have things changed. I was fortunate to visit several resorts and
attractions as a travel agent guest of US Airways Vacations. Our day in Playa del Carman began at the Playacar
Palace Resort just steps from the Cozumel Ferry Pier and famous Playa del
Carman 5th Avenue full of shops, restaurants, bars, and specialty
boutiques.
As we left the resort, it was very evident we were Mexico. Scattered in the foliage along the side walk ruins
of the Mayan people enhance the landscape.
The Mayans built temples in Playa del Carman as a place to prepare and purify
themselves before traveling to Cozumel and worship the Gods.
At
the beach there are two ferry companies that run ferries from Playa del Carman
to Cozumel every hour starting at 4:00 AM.
The ferries usually run through midnight, but it is better to check the
schedules prior to boarding.
Just
up the road from the pier is the bus terminal.
This is where you can arrange transportation on your own to visit
different areas of Riviera Maya.
Transfer rates are posted and are very reasonable. Taxis are also available near the bus
station. Just like taking a taxi in any
large city, make a note of the taxi number in case you accidentally leave a
precious souvenir in the cab. It is easier
to ask for taxi number 867 than a yellow taxi driven by a short man with black
hair.
Diagonally across the street is a neighborhood Catholic
Church. This small pretty chapel can be
used for religious wedding ceremonies.
Get married here and the locals and other tourist will clap and
congratulate you as you leave the church.
Thinking of getting married in Mexico, don’t forget to check out the
marriage laws. 
Fifth
Avenue is lined with tourist shops, restaurants, tequila bars, jewelry stores, boutiques
and pharmacies. The bricked streets are
for pedestrians only. Shops open around 9 am and stay open well into
the night. Keep in mind this is a street
with low buildings in Mexico a couple of blocks from the water. There is little shade and very few shops have
air conditioning. It will be hot! Shops and bars along 5th Avenue
accept pesos as well as American Currency.
American currency can be used for any purchase, however I recommend
using a credit card for large purchases.
(Always call your credit card company before traveling to a foreign
country so that your credit card will be accepted) If you need cash, go to one of the local
banks and use the ATM inside the bank for a better exchange rate. There are plenty of ATMs along the street that
will cost you at least double the exchange rate. 
