Sharokeena & Joseph
Things To Do
Xcaret
Hailed by travelers from across the globe, Xcaret is an eco-archeological park where visitors can explore Mexico’s culture diversity and heritage. There are plenty of attractions such as the Underground River, Lagoons and Pools, Beach, Rainforest Trail, etc. All rivers and lagoons are open for the public to swim in. There are also cultural attractions for those wanting to learn more about the Mexican heritage.
Río Secreto Nautral Reserve
Río Secreto is an underground river and crystal cave system. Visitors can wade and swim through the vast underground river cave system and learn about the geological formations. You can either book direct or use a third party tour site, like Viator or TripAdvisor.
Chichén-Itzá
A UNESCO world heritage sacred site that was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatán peninsula. This is about 2.5 hours from Playa Del Carmen but is a must-see! There are plenty of tours with hotel pick-up options available via Viator, Trip Advisor, etc. You can also book directly through the hotel as well. Many tours offer the option to stop at Ik Kil Cenote.
Cenotes
The Yucatán Peninsula is littered with Cenotes. A cenote is a natural sinkhole created where a cave ceiling has collapsed, a window to this spectacular world. Cenotes were the only source of water in the jungle for the Mayan civilization and are considered sacred by the Mayan people. Some of the most popular cenotes in the area are: Cenote Ik Kil, Cenote X'Canche, Cenote Dos Ojos, Grand Cenote, and Cenote Jardin del Eden. You may book tours to these cenotes through your preferred tour booking site or direct through the hotel.
Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) - Downtown Playa del Carmen
Valentin Imperial offers a round-trip shuttle service to and from Quinta Avenida for $18 USD per person. The shuttle runs 2 different times during the day - you can get the schedule from the concierge. Quinta Avenida is about a 20 minute drive from the hotel. It is a block full of shopping, street vendors, restaurants, bars, etc. Be sure to have cash handy for any street vendor shopping you intend on doing. Hungry for some tacos al pastor and thirsty for some cool bunny drinks? Check out Taqueria Y Cerveceria Celia!
Archeological Zone of Tulum - Mayan Port City Ruins
Tulum is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Coba. The ruins are situated on 39 foot tall cliffs along the coast. Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have resulted in very high fatalities, disrupting the society and eventually causing the city to be abandoned. One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, Tulum is today a popular site for tourists. You may book your tours either through the hotel or through any online tour provider. I have listed the details for TripAdvisor.com so you can read reviews and view pictures, and book your tour through them if that’s preferable.