A very quick trip over Labor Day weekend. This was my fourth time in the Yucatan and second in PDC.

I started at Playa Del Karma hotel, where I stayed exactly two years earlier, in the same room. Only this time, the a/c didn't work, the safe didn't work, the lobby computer didn't work and the pool was murky. So I moved to the Illusion Boutique Hotel for $75 per night. Much nicer, bright room, good A/C, refrigerator, rooftop pool, friendly service and mostly quiet, as long as the mariachi bands weren't playing down the block.

It's a bit tough to appreciated PDC beaches, since the best spots are all taken up by hotel chairs and umbrellas. I had free entry to Mamitas Beach Club, but it looked like a fraternity party, so I kept walking north past the hotels and found a peaceful spot on a narrow stretch of beach where it is mostly locals.

The following day, I took a collectivo to Akumal (35 pesos) and rented a chair at the Akumal Beach Resort for $11 which includes $11 worth of food and drinks at their bar. For some reason, many people opt to take a tour on which they all get to wear matching life jackets, so it is so easy to do it on your own. It is a nice stretch of beach with crystal clear water and snorkeling right off the beach. The coral and fish are decent, but the real treat are the huge turtles. They crawl around on the sea floor and every once in a while swim up to the surface. Highly recommended.

And, for those who are so inclined, there are at least three Haagen Dasz shops in PDC.

Thanks for posting!

Yep, the draw of PDC is definetly not their beach area. The farther you get from/away PDC, the better the beaches. The area around the Mahekal Beach Resort on one end and Sr. Frogs on the other end the beach area is much better.

Akumel and the Yal-Ku lagoon have some good snorkeling. The best we have ever seen though was at the Ka'a Sian Biosphere about 1 and 1/2 hours outside of Tulum.

We go to PDC in november also, and would also like to go snorkeling with turtles.But where is the busstop in PDC as we want by bus to Akumal?And is it expensive to go by taxi?
Thanks

this is why I like cancun better, because a great beach is why we go to this area...

There are many great beaches in the Playa area. What the OP said was a lot of them are part of a hotel/resort complex. ALL beaches are public though so they can't keep you off. You just can't use their chairs and umbrellas. Cancun is the same...most beaches are part of resorts.

Brabander, it's a little expensive to go by Taxi and you'll get gouged if you try and get one from anywhere near 5th! Collectivos are the cheapest way and very easy and convenient.

The public van system runs up and down 307 taking locals and many tourists. To catch from Playa, the staging site is 2nd ave between 10th and 15th. There will be a line up of white vans. Simply walk up and tell one of the many employees you are going to Akumal and they will direct you to one of the vans. Once it's full, off you go.
At Akumal, you will be dropped off across the hiway but there is a pedestrian bridge across 307 and it's an easy walk to the beach. I think the last time I did this the cost was 35 Pesos.... a cab is @ 500 Pesos.

I don't understand how anyone can say that the beaches in Playa Del Carmen are not the draw to that area. Some of the beach areas are more narrow than others and those are sometimes taken up by beach club chairs. But there are many large, open, wide beach areas right in the center of town that are phenomenally beautiful where you can drop your towel down and walk, swim, whatever. Examples in front of El Faro (the lighthouse at 10th and the beach) in front of Indigo Blue (14th and the beach), at Coco Beach, on and on.

Take a look at this short you tube video of the beaches arund 10th and 12th, and you will see why I scratch my head at the idea that there are not good beaches in Playa Del Carmen proper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrmMU9d-Dqg

emd3, if your are referring to my comment, I didn't say there are not good beaches in Playa del Carmen. I said "the draw of PDC is not for their beaches" and I stand behind that comment. There are several sections of the area that you describe in which fishing boats are tied up. Not a good place to be swimming. The beach area around the Mahekal Beach resort is very good and the the area around Sr. Frogs is good. Maroma beach outside of Playa del Carmen is great. The draw to PDC is 5th Avenue and all the things to see and do in that area. There are much better destinations if someone is looking for strictly a beach draw.