How long is the Mayan Riviera strip from Playa del Carmen all the way down to Tulum? Is Tulum where the string of resorts ends? Is it continuous beach? If not, where is the longest stretch of beach in the area? I like walking the beach and checking out all the resorts.

Kellie

The "string" of resorts ends in the Playacar section of Playa Del Carmen, this is a fairly long strip where you can walk in both directions quite a bit, you can basically walk from Playacar into Playa Del Carmen on the beach (about a 20 - 40 minute walk, depending on which AI you are staying at) Playacar has about 10 resorts in a row. You can also walk the beach north from Playa Del Carmen where the smaller, non AI hotels are located. I have stayed both North of town at Shangri La Caribe and in the Playacar section, south of town, at Royal Hideaway.

There are also resorts and smaller hotels south of playacar, closer to Akumal and Tulum but those I would think are more spread out. That area is less developed. Years ago I stayed at what is now the Gala which was at the southern end of the playacar strip. (don't know if that's still the case). You could keep walking south along the beach. I'm not sure how far it goes. We walked a bit and found a cenote to swim in. Walking north, was resort after resort until you hit the main town.

Thanks, but I am still confused. I don't know what the 'playcar section of playa del carmen' is. What I really want to know is what is the longest stretch of uninterrupted beach. You can tell me by hotel names if you want because I have a hotel map. I think the hotels towards akumal and tulum may have interruptions like Xcaret etc right? I don't want to stay in a part of the strip where I can only walk 10 or 15 minutes in either direction.

Kellie

Along with the continuous beach requirement, whats a good resort with minimal kids, not too many couples and great drinks. Money is no object (right now).

Boy this is getting more and more complicated. I just wanted to be able to walk along the beach for miles and not be have to stop and turn around because I can't walk anymore due to running out of beach, too many rocks to pass through, a pier you can't walk around, etc.

The Playacar area is directly south of the town of PDC where all the AI's are located -- about 10 in a row along the beach. Can't comment on Tulum area, but in PDC Playacar is your best bet for a long walk -- don't know if it is miles but it is pretty lengthy. I stayed at Royal Hideaway and could walk at least 30 minutes in each direction. Other AI's here are the Gala, Riu Palace. The Gala is the last one along the beach and I believe it is open beach after that. Hope this helps. By the way, RH is very upscale, no children, gourmet food, we loved it.

At the Barcelo (a little south of PDC), the beach in both the north and south of resort seems to go for quite a way before you hit anything else. It would be a very long walk in either direction to reach another resort or town.