Playa del Carmen’s best kept secret has got to be Punta Esmeralda.
A huge tourist spot, Playa del Carmen offers all the amenities travelers are looking for while being perfectly situated between Cancun and Tulum.
We were however disappointed by the beaches straddling the Caribbean coastline of Riviera Maya due to the abundance of seaweed. We spoke to many locals and were told that it has been an issue since late summer of 2014.
Yes we loved the cenotes very much but we thought SURELY, SOMEWHERE, there has to be a good beach relatively free of seaweed that we could take the kids to. What better way than to chat with the security guard of our Airbnb’s apartment complex to ask for recommendations.
Lo and behold, Playa del Carmen’s best kept secret – PUNTA ESMERALDA.
A scenic, white-sand beach featuring a shallow, limestone sinkhole popular for swimming – where there were ONLY LOCALS! They have kept this place a secret all for themselves! (I would too if I were them!)
The lagoon was perfectly shallow with crystal clear FRESH water and the softest sand on your feet.
The kids had so much fun playing in the sand and building sandcastles.
There is also a natural jacuzzi corner for the adults!
There is a noticeable change in water temperature when you head out to the sea.
The water there was murky but it was nice to swim in the salt water of the Caribbean Sea nevertheless.
There were also people walking around selling food should the picnic you’ve brought with you not suffice.
Look out for people selling prawns on sticks as you are heading to the beach. They were freshly cooked and so incredibly delicious. I love Mexican seasoning!
Have you been to Playa del Carmen? Any other best kept secret you can share?
You might want to read about the cenotes we visited near Playa del Carmen here.
Check out the video of our trip to Mexico below!
