Cancun or Riviera Maya/Playa Del Carmen Area? Which is better for...?

Question

Markets, mexican culture, mexican experience? Which is the better one for being able to experience the people, as well as beaches? I'd like to be able to get some great photos and capture what mexico is really like. I know these are both really touristy areas. We are flying into Cancun not Mexico city.. Where is the best place to go in these areas? Mexico seems to be very colourful which I LOVE! and would like to capture that too. THANKS! : )

Answer 1

i cannot say for the rest but i can definately tell you that cancun is not the place to go if you want to experience culture. There is an excellent beach but it is very americanized.

Answer 2

Hello there...I would say neither Playa or Cancun really represent the true mexican culture since they are both fairly tourist run and are pretty new as cities.Alot of the mexican population cant even go there unless  its as a worker since its so expensive for them.

But in my opinion Playa del carmen offers more of a laidback experience and offers more or less what youre looking for.If youre traveling independently its fairly easy to do both as they are only 1.5 hours away from eachother...BOth have amazingly beautiful beaches..Cancun is modern with big hotels,nice restaurants,lots of tourist from all over.Playa del carmen is more laid back..has fewer hotels and its smaller.Each has its own magic.

Hope it helps

happy travels

Answer 3

You'll probably want to stay in Cancun.  The beach is nicer there.   You can easily reach the Chichen Itza ruin by taxi.  You're not going to experience local culture in the resort area.  If you really want to see the local people, take a bus away from the resort and go into the downtown of Cancun.  Watch your valuables.