We all have different reasons for learning a foreign language. Some people want a better job, some want to meet new friends, and many want to travel to interesting places and experience the local cultures beyond the typical tourist experience.
Today, we’ll take a quick look at a beautiful place where practicing Spanish is certainly a motivation. We’re talking about the tropical paradise known as Playa del Carmen. Let’s take a quick look at five interesting things to do in the area…
1- Walk around the beach
There are many fun things to do and see in Playa del Carmen, but walking around its beautiful beaches has got to be at the top of the list of most visitors.
If you feel like getting away from it all, just walk along the beach and say hi to the iguanas you may see here and there. If you walk far enough, you will find lonely oceanfront sand spots where you can sit down and read or meditate for hours.
This is what walking around the beach at Playa del Carmen looks like…
and this is what an early morning walk looks like…
A few useful questions for a walk on the beach may be:
- Excuse me, you know where can I buy water?
- Disculpe, ¿sabe dónde puedo comprar agua?
- Is there an inexpensive restaurant near here?
- ¿Hay algún restaurante económico cerca?
- Which way is the Playacar hotel?
- ¿Hacia dónde está el Hotel Playacar?
Learn more phrases here: More
2- Walk around the Fifth Avenue
The Fifth Avenue, known as Quinta Avenida in Spanish, is a pedestrian’s strip that runs parallel to the beach for about 1 and a half miles. It is a great way to walk back to your hotel after a good walk on the beach.
Eat something Spectacular at Quinta Avenida.
The Quinta Avenida offers many restaurants from all over the world. Make sure you look around and find one that suits your palate and your budget. Also, take the time to try food from the Yucatán region as well.
This is what the Quinta Avenida looks like (you can´t go through it, because it is a pedestrian area and Google´s car could not drive by the street, sorry)
A few questions that may help you find regional food are:
- Excuse me, do you have any regional dishes?
- Disculpe, ¿tiene platillos regionales?
- Do you offer food from the Yucatán Peninsula?
- ¿Tiene comida de la Península de Yucatán
- What is your personal favorite dish?
- ¿Cuál es el platillo favorito de usted?
- What dish do people who live in Playa del Carmen frequently order?
- ¿Qué platillo piden las personas que viven en Playa del Carmen?
Learn more Spanish phrases here: Click for additional phrases
Go shopping for Souvenirs
Besides offering the best food in town, La Quinta Avenida has some of the most interesting little shops in the area where you can find all the souvenirs you will ever need. It’s not just practical, it is a cultural experience worth embracing. All you have to do is walk around and let go.
This short video will give you an idea of what walking around la Quinta Avenida looks like…
3- Go Snorkeling
There are many great places for snorkeling known all around the world near Playa del Carmen, if you are curious about this interesting sport you should definitely give it a try while you visit this beautiful place.
This is what snorkeling near Playa del Carmen looks like…
4- Visit Cozumel
Another interesting place to visit is Cozumel, a 30 mile (47 kilometers) long and 10 mile wide (16 kilometers) island located about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the mainland and about 55 miles (90 kilometers) south of Cancun. It is a small town with some of the best reefs in the world. If you like snorkeling, it is the place to visit.
This is what snorkeling in Cozumel looks like…
5- Visit a Cenote
Cenotes are natural sinkholes that result from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes the water networks underneath. The region between Playa del Carmen and Tulum offers some of the best cave diving in the world and is something definitely worth experiencing. Among the many “Cenotes” available in the area 2 amazing alternatives are Cenote “Dos Ojos” and Cenote “Aktun Chen”.
This is what a visit to the “Cenote Dos Ojos” looks like…
Do you know of any other great places to visit near Playa del Carmen or have any questions about Spanish? Please share your thoughts in the comments section at the end of this page.
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