Playa has two bus stations. Buses from Cancún and places along the coast, such as Tulum, arrive at the Riviera bus station at the corner of Juárez and Quinta Avenida, by the town square. Buses from interior destinations arrive at the ADO station on Avenida 20 between calles 12 and 14.

Taxi fares around central Playa run between $3 to $10, depending on the destination and time (taxis are usually more expensive after midnight). You can easily walk to the beaches, shops, and restaurants from central hotels.

Driving in Playa is a hassle. Several streets are one-way, though signs are hard to come by; others simply end without warning, and traffic is usually heavy and disorganized.

A word of caution: Most "information" stands along Quinta Avenida are associated with timeshare and vacation ownership properties. The salespeople are usually generous with information, hoping you'll agree to a sales tour. Some tourists are wise to this and willingly give up a morning in exchange for free car rental, tours, or other perks. If your time is tight, however, steer clear.

City Layout

The main street, Avenida Juárez, leads to the town square from Hwy. 307. On the way, it crosses several numbered avenues running parallel to the beach, all of which are multiples of 5. The east-west streets parallel to Juárez are in multiples of two. A wonderful bike path along Avenida 10 provides fairly safe passage for tricilcos (bike taxis) and cyclists.

Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), often simply "La Quinta," runs 1 to 2 blocks inland from the beach and is the most popular street in the Riviera Maya. It's closed to traffic from Avenida Juárez to Calle 12 (and some blocks beyond, in the evening). However, taxis and drivers are allowed to access hotels on side streets. Hotels, restaurants, shops, clubs, and chains like Starbucks and Dairy Queen line La Quinta and its side streets. Avenida Constituyentes delineates the newest part of rapidly growing Playa. Several excellent international restaurants and pricey condo developments are located here.

Playacar, a golf-course development with private residences and several resort hotels, is located just south of Avenida Juárez.

Organized Tours



Alltournative,
Hwy. 307 Km 287 (www.alltournative.com; tel. 877/437-4990 in the U.S., or 984/803-9999) is the largest culture and nature tour operator in the area. Their most popular full-day excursion begins with a visit to a village and adventure area for rappelling, swimming, canoeing, and a lunch of traditional Yucatecan food, followed by a tour of the archaeological site of Cobá. Prices start at $139 for adults and $109 for children. Other tours include Tulum, several Maya villages, and various adventures.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.