The downtown area of Playa Del Carmen is about a ten minute car ride from the RIU or a 30 min walk. There are tons of restaurants and bars as well as shopping. You will find a Walmart as well as shopping mall type stores like H&M. This is also where the ferry terminal is located.
If you wish to visit Cozumel it will be right across the water from us. To get there the easiest way is by ferry. The ferry is located in Playa Del Carmen. It is about a 45 min ferry ride and costs approximately $11 USD.
Playacar is the area where the RIU is located and is a gated community. It is filled with private residents in phase 1. Phase 2 contains all the resorts and the playacar plaza which has several small shops. Most vendors will haggle prices!
When you stay at the RIU Palace Mexico you will have access to the other RIU’s around. You can use their pools, get drinks there, and eat at the buffet. At night each RIU has a different show or party going on that you can attend. There is a shuttle bus provided by the hotel to take you if you don’t want to walk. Use the RIU app to see what events are happening!