What To Do

Downtown Playa del Carmen

The town of Playa del Carmen is right on the Caribbean Sea, and has a really great vibe. It’s very walkable, and the Quinta Avenida pedestrian street stretches from Calle 1 to Calle 40, just a couple blocks off the beautiful beach. Fifth Avenue is filled with restaurants, shops, and nightlife, and there is so much to do. There are upscale shopping centres, hundreds of places to eat and drink, and many spots to go out in the evening. Off the main pedestrian strip there is more of a laid back vibe with a mix of locals, expats, and travellers. Overall the town has a great energy and we absolutely loved it. Be sure to spend plenty of time exploring downtown Playa del Carmen, and you won’t be disappointed.

Playa del Carmen Beaches

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are all public, and all stunningly gorgeous. There are stretches of coast where you can relax that are very tranquil and quiet, other spots with beach clubs and DJs if you want a social and energetic vibe, and beaches with a mix of locals and travellers if you’re looking for more of a community feel. There is truly something for everyone! If you’re looking for white sand beaches lined with palm trees and sparkling turquoise water, you will find it in Playa del Carmen. Some of the most popular and well known spots include Playacar Beach, Mamitas Beach, and Parque Fundadores. Enjoy!

Day Trip to Cozumel

The best day trip to take from Playa del Carmen, is definitely to the island of Cozumel. It’s only a short ferry ride away, and is a beautifully, mostly undeveloped island in the Caribbean Sea. Mostly popular due to it’s cruise ship port, Cozumel is an ideal spot for snorkelling and scuba diving, and has an incredible national park and coral reef. In the city centre of San Miguel, there is plenty of great shopping and restaurants, and the rest of the island has a lot of fun activities including eco parks, submarine tours, catamaran sailing, private boat cruises, paddle boarding, and more. If you’re looking to do an easy snorkel, there are several spots close to the city where you can snorkel off the beach. We went to Sunset, which is a short drive or a bit of a walk from San Miguel, and you can rent snorkel gear and explore the reef. It was an amazing experience and definitely a highlight of our trip! There are two ferry companies with service to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen, and the crossing takes between 30-45 minutes depending on conditions. You can easily fill up a day on Cozumel, or spend several days exploring the island and taking in it’s many sights and activities. Either way, it’s a must do.

Riviera Maya

Playa del Carmen is located on a stretch of Mexico’s coast that has a lot of towns worth visiting. There are many beautiful beaches, and plenty of small villages if you’re looking to experience some authentic Mexican culture. You can do guided tours of this region, or rent a car and drive it yourself. There is plenty to see and makes for a unique day trip from Playa del Carmen.

Where to Stay

Playa del Carmen has tons of great options for places to stay depending on what you’re looking for. Everything from all inclusive resorts, to boutique hotels, to apartment rentals, and all of them are great choices. If you’re looking for a more upscale hotel experience, most of the big resorts in Playa del Carmen are located along the beach near the city centre and stretching into Playacar. If you want to be near the action of downtown, there are many boutique hotels near Fifth Avenue, the main pedestrian street that runs through town, with lots of shopping, restaurants, and lively nightlife. If you’re looking to enjoy more of local’s experience, you may want to look at an apartment rental. There are plenty of amazing Airbnb accommodations and vacation rental properties that are located all over the city. You can find some great apartments in the centre of downtown, as well as near the beach, and in the quieter residential area of Playacar. We stayed in both a wonderful boutique hotel on the beach in downtown Playa del Carmen, as well as an Airbnb apartment on the North end of Fifth Avenue, and both were great experiences. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to save on your first stay! If you’re looking to book hotel accommodations, our favourite tool is Hotels.com. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free.

Where to Eat & Drink

We didn’t expect Playa del Carmen to be such an incredible spot for vegan food, but it surprised us by being a plant based powerhouse! Our favourite spot for breakfast is The Pitted Date, and great lunch spots include La Senda, BIO – Natural Organic Restaurant, and Nectar Peace & Love Food. 100% Natural was an easy spot for dinner, and our absolute favourite find was a fully vegan 1950s diner called COMET 984. While you’ll have no problem finding casual cafes and restaurants in Playa del Carmen, there are also plenty of upscale dining options, especially around the Fifth Avenue pedestrian street. There is plenty of seafood, Mexican fusion, and other cuisines that will be sure to please everyone. You will not be disappointed with the food scene here!

Lesbian Friendly

This area of Mexico is very laid back, open minded, welcoming of travellers, and ultimately LGBTQ+ friendly. We had zero issues travelling to Playa del Carmen as a lesbian couple, as it’s a popular gay destination and we felt very comfortable. Both locals, expats, and other travellers seemed very welcoming, and we didn’t receive any unwanted attention during our visit. We walked around holding hands, showing affection, and in no way felt the need to hide our relationship. We referred to one another as our wife, and were out and open at all times.
Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Mexico for nearly 150 years, and they’ve had discrimination protection nationwide since 2003. Playa del Carmen is located in the state of Quintana Roo, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2012, and it’s a very popular destination for LGBTQ+ travellers. Click here for more on how lesbian friendly Mexico is.
While there isn’t a prominent lesbian “scene” in Playa del Carmen, we found that the area in general is very inclusive, and there is some gay and gay friendly nightlife. If you’re looking for a spot to have a drink in an LGBTQ+ space, the official gay bar of downtown Playa del Carmen, is Club 69. There are also plenty of spots that are more mixed but gay friendly, including Coco Bongo, and La Cueva del Maya T. Similar to other cities, the bar scene caters primarily to men, so lesbian travellers may choose to go out to more mainstream bars and clubs as they are likely to be inclusive and welcoming. If you’re looking for other LGTBTQ+ friendly spots near Playa del Carmen, there are some other great spots in this area! Follow these links for our lesbian guides to Cancun and Tulum.

How to Get Around

Walk

Playa del Carmen is very walkable. Quinta Avenida pedestrian street, stretches for forty blocks parallel to the beach, and is completely shut down to car traffic. The rest of the downtown area is very easy to explore on foot, and we found it easy to enjoy the central area without needing a vehicle.

Taxi

For shorter trips around the area, taxis are a great option. There is no Uber in Playa del Carmen, but you can easily flag a taxi if you need one. We found drivers to be friendly and taking taxis in the area felt very safe. Know where you’re going, know how much it should cost, and you should have no issues.

Rent a Car

Depending on what you want to do in Playa del Carmen, renting a car could be a great option for taking day trips and exploring outside the city. Renting a car definitely gives you more freedom, but of course you need to determine your own comfort level and only do what you feel is safe and comfortable for you. We recommend doing your own research and deciding what is the best option! If you do rent a car, be sure to find out how much liability coverage is included in the rental. Unlike renting a car in Canada or the US, the minimum liability coverage required by law in Mexico is quite low, so often the coverage that’s included in the rental rate is only for a few thousand dollars. We opted to pay for supplemental liability insurance, because the base coverage would definitely not be enough to cover us in the event of a serious accident. You can purchase supplemental liability insurance through the car rental company itself, often for around $20 a day, or you can get coverage through a third party insurance company in advance. If you are using collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) insurance through a credit card or other third party, confirm that it covers you internationally and in Mexico specifically. We brought a letter from our credit card insurance provider that stated we were covered in Mexico to avoid issues when picking up the vehicle. The roads around Playa del Carmen are well maintained and easy to drive on. Do some reading about driving in Mexico and be sure you feel confident with the local rules, but we found things to be orderly and easy to manage. We went through several police checkpoints, which were stress free, and we were always waved through with a smile. When we filled up with gas, we were sure to be attentive and assertive, and didn’t have any problems there either. All gas stations are full serve in Mexico, so we ensured the pump was set to zero before the attendant started pumping. We also made sure that the amount we were asked to pay matched the amount on the pump, and we thoroughly counted our change. Please note that it is customary to give a small tip to attendants in Mexico, especially when they provide an extra service such as washing the windshield. 

Ferry

To get to the island of Cozumel, you can take either the Ultramar Ferry or the Winjet Ferry. The services are very similar, and both leave from the ferry pier on the South end of downtown. Tickets are reasonably priced and you can buy them either online or in person before boarding. On your way to the island you can enjoy stunning views of the water, and the crossing takes between 30-45 minutes depending on the conditions.

Has anyone else fallen in love with Playa del Carmen, Mexico? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Playa del Carmen, Mexico appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Cancun El Centro

Downtown Cancun is a lot of fun to explore. There are tons of great cafes and restaurants to check out (keep reading for great spots to eat and drink!), and overall we found it to be very safe and laid back. Locals are friendly, it’s easy to get around, and there’s a lot to see. Be sure to check out the big street market, Mercado 28, and enjoy the many outdoor restaurant patios. The city is very walkable, and it’s also very easy to get around by taxi. See below for more information on transportation in and around Cancun.

Day Trip to Chichén Itzá

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is very well known for it’s ancient Mayan Ruins. Chichén Itzá is the most notable archaeological site in the Yucatan, and is a wonderful day trip from Cancun. The ancient city, which thrived from 600-1200AD, includes the pyramid El Castillo, which was named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2006. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which hosts millions of visitors each year and is truly remarkable to see. You can visit Chichén Itzá with an organized tour from Cancun, or you can drive yourself to the site (which is what we did). The drive is about 2.5 hours from Cancun el Centro if you take the toll highway, which is well maintained and safe. At the site, you can hire a local guide to take you around the structures, or you can explore the park on your own. We spent a wonderful afternoon at the ruins and thought it was well worth the drive from Cancun. It’s definitely a must do in this part of Mexico!

Cirque du Soleil

If you enjoy live theatre the best show in the Cancun area, in our opinion, is Joya by Cirque du Soleil. We are huge Cirque fans and have seen nearly all of their resident and travelling shows. They are a Canadian theatre company (another reason why we love them!), and they’ve become the largest theatrical producer in the world. Their stage creations are incredible, and absolutely worth seeing if you have the opportunity. Their resident show in Riviera Maya at the Vidanta resort, is just 45 minutes from Downtown Cancun, and it’s styled as a dinner theatre experience. You have the options of attending the show only, or adding in partial or full dinner service. The show is amazing, and the stage is beautifully designed. The theatre and the grounds are exquisite, and it all makes for a truly wonderful experience. We highly recommend checking it out!

Day trip to Isla Mujeres

When you’re in the city of Cancun, taking a day trip to Isla Mujeres is a great option! You can take a fast ferry from Cancun El Centro, which drops you on the island in just 15 minutes. Isla Mujeres is beautiful, with a rugged coastline on the east side, and beautiful white sand beaches on the north and west sides. There are tons of great cafes and restaurants, as well as a lively little downtown area. You can rent golf carts if you’d like to explore the rest of the island, and you can easily see it all in one day. It takes about 1 hour to drive around the entire island, and there are many beautiful view points. You can also snorkel and scuba dive on the coral reefs surrounding the island. There are hotels and accommodations on Isla Mujeres as well if you choose to stay for longer, but it’s worth doing as a day trip from Cancun at the very least!

Hotel Strip

Zona Hotelera, the famous resort area, is just a short distance from Downtown Cancun. You can easily get there by car, taxi, or public transportation, and it is worth a visit for it’s beautiful beaches! This area is very commercialized, so you definitely won’t experience much authentic Mexican culture, but the coastline is gorgeous. Marlin Beach and Playa Delfines are both popular public beaches with stunning views. There are also plenty of places to eat and shop in the hotel zone, so you could easily fill an afternoon here.

Where to Stay

If you want a more authentic experience in Cancun, we recommend staying in Cancun el Centro. It’s a great place to base yourself for day trips in the area, and you’re still close to the best beaches! We chose an Airbnb which was on the outskirts of downtown, and also close to Puerto Juarez and the ferry to Isla Mujeres, and we loved it. It was a quiet family neighbourhood full of locals and no other tourists, and we felt safe and comfortable during our entire stay. Our Airbnb host was a young Mexican architect who designed the building we stayed in. Her hope is to revitalize the neighbourhood with new sustainable infrastructure and encourage more tourism to the area. We loved being able to support the local businesses, and also explore the heart of Cancun in a more authentic way. We love choosing Airbnb for this reason, as it gives you such a different experience! If you’ve never used Airbnb, click here to save on your first stay.

Where to Eat & Drink

Cancun is full of great spots to eat and drink, and also has plenty of fresh, healthy options. We eat a plant based diet so we were happy to see so many vegan options at cafes and restaurants in the city, and it seemed that many businesses are health conscious and environmentally conscious. One of our favourite spots in the city was Sirena Morena, which is an adorable restaurant with a backyard patio and a health food shop in the front. Another was La Fonda del Zancudo, which is a perfect spot for dinner with the most beautiful outdoor space! If you head to Isla Mujeres there are also some great healthy food spots, our favourites being Aroma Isla, Chaya & Cacao, and Lola Valentina, and if you spend some time on the hotel strip Restaurante Natura is a great option.

Lesbian Friendly

This area of Mexico is very laid back, open minded, welcoming of travellers, and ultimately LGBTQ+ friendly. We had zero issues travelling to Cancun as a lesbian couple, and we didn’t just stick to the busy tourist areas. Locals in the city were very welcoming but at the same time kept to themselves, and we didn’t receive any unwanted attention. We felt extremely comfortable and safe in Cancun, as well as everywhere that we visited in the area. We walked around holding hands, showing affection, and in no way felt the need to hide our relationship. We referred to one another as our wife, and were out and open at all times.

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Mexico for nearly 150 years, and they’ve had discrimination protection nationwide since 2003. Cancun is located in the state of Quintana Roo, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2012, and it’s a very popular destination for LGBTQ+ travellers. Click here for more on how lesbian friendly Mexico is.

While there isn’t a prominent lesbian “scene” in Cancun, we found that the area in general is very inclusive, and there is some gay nightlife. Similar to other cities, the bar scene caters primarily to men, but if you’re looking for a drag show, somewhere to go dancing, or a spot to have a drink in an LGBTQ+ space, there are some options! In downtown Cancun, there is Laser Hot Bar, Sexy’s Club, or 11:11 Club Cancun, which are all gay bars. And on the hotel strip there is Coco Bongo, and Palazzo Club which are both more mixed but gay friendly. Isla Mujeres is also a very LGBTQ+ friendly spot, and attracts a lot of gay travellers. Nearby on Riviera Maya are Playa del Carmen and Tulum, which are also wonderful LGBTQ+ friendly options! Click here for our lesbian guides to Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

How to Get Around

Rent a Car

We rented a car in Cancun and we’re so glad we did! After many warnings from people who told us it would be unsafe, we trusted our research and had absolutely no issues. We rented from Cancun Airport, which saved us airport transfers, and allowed us to drive ourselves to Chichén Itzá, and explore spots along the Riviera Maya without having to do organized tours. Renting a car gives you more freedom, but of course you need to determine your own comfort level and only do what you feel is safe and comfortable for you. We recommend doing your own research and deciding what is the best option! If you do rent a car, be sure to find out how much liability coverage is included in the rental. Unlike renting a car in Canada or the US, the minimum liability coverage required by law in Mexico is quite low, so often the coverage that’s included in the rental rate is only for a few thousand dollars. We opted to pay for supplemental liability insurance, because the base coverage would definitely not be enough to cover us in the event of a serious accident. You can purchase supplemental liability insurance through the car rental company itself, often for around $20 a day, or you can get coverage through a third party insurance company in advance. If you are using collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) insurance through a credit card or other third party, confirm that it covers you internationally and in Mexico specifically. We brought a letter from our credit card insurance provider that stated we were covered in Mexico to avoid issues when picking up the vehicle. The roads around Cancun are well maintained and easy to drive on. Do some reading about driving in Mexico and be sure you feel confident with the local rules, but we found things to be orderly and easy to manage. We took toll roads when possible, which were fast and felt even safer than the main highways, and we had no issues with being pulled over or having to deal with local authorities. We went through several police checkpoints, which were stress free, and we were always waved through with a smile. When we filled up with gas, we were sure to be attentive and assertive, and didn’t have any problems there either. All gas stations are full serve in Mexico, so we ensured the pump was set to zero before the attendant started pumping. We also made sure that the amount we were asked to pay matched the amount on the pump, and we thoroughly counted our change. Please note that it is customary to give a small tip to attendants in Mexico, especially when they provide an extra service such as washing the windshield. Overall, we were very happy with our decision to rent a car in Cancun!

Taxi

For shorter trips around the area, taxis are a great option. There is no Uber in Cancun anymore, but you can use a taxi app called Easy – a Cabify App, which allows you to book cars. We found drivers to be friendly, and taking taxis felt very safe. Know where you’re going, know how much it should cost, and you should have no issues.

Public Transportation

We didn’t take any public transportation while in Cancun, but it’s very common for travellers and locals to take public buses. They can take you all over the city, as well as around the hotel zone, and they seem to be very safe and convenient. Fares are very inexpensive, and it’s a great option to get around!

Ferry

To get to Isla Mujeres, you can take the Ultramar Ferry, which leaves from both Puerto Juarez in Cancun el Centro as well as Zona Hotelera. Tickets are reasonably priced and you can buy them either online or in person before boarding. Sit up top on your way to the island to enjoy stunning views of the water as well as live music!

Has anyone else fallen in love with Cancun, Mexico? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Cancun, Mexico appeared first on Lez See the World.

When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.
Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Mexico is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in Mexico are far more liberal than some people may think, and they are continuing to change in keeping up with the progress around the world. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal for nearly 150 years, and historically, there has been extensive documentation of homosexuality being accepted among the indigenous groups of Mexico. Today, there is discrimination protection nationwide, as well as a hate speech law prohibiting two anti-gay slurs. Mexico is currently on track to legalizing same-sex marriage federally, but at this time, the legislation is changing state by state. Mexico is made up of 31 states as well as a federal district (Mexico City), and currently same-sex marriage is legal in 12 states, as well as in Mexico City. Same-sex marriages are currently recognized in all Mexican states, as well as equal rights for same-sex spouses. After the Inter American Court Ruling in 2018, the Mexican government is being urged to fully legalize same-sex marriage across the nation, and hopefully we will see that happen very soon!

Social Climate

Mexico is a large country, and the attitude toward LGBTQ+ people varies in different areas, but recent polls show positive feelings toward the community and an overall belief in acceptance. A Pew Research Center poll from 2013 showed 61% of Mexican people believing in acceptance of homosexuality, and we can assume that this percentage has increased since then. Mexico ranked 32 on the Gay Happiness Index in 2015, and a recent survey on marriage equality showed 69% of the population in favour. The country’s first Pride march was held in Mexico City in 1979, and this past year’s Pride celebration reached a quarter of a million attendees. Mexico City is also host to a Lesbian Pride March, which began in 2003. Additionally, there are annual celebrations in Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, Puebla, Veracruz, Merida, Acapulco, and others. Like most places around the world, there is still work to be done in Mexico. There continues to be violence against LGBTQ+ people, and homophobic hate crimes happening around the country, despite anti-discrimination laws being in place. Hopefully with continued advocacy and changes in legislation, we will continue to see things push forward.

Gaybourhoods

Mexico has many gay friendly cities and regions. Mexico City, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Merida, Acapulco, Veracruz, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mazatlan, and others are all very popular spots for LGBTQ+ people. The most favoured region for gay and lesbian travellers is likely Cancun, and the surrounding areas along Riviera Maya. Both Cancun and Playa del Carmen have lively gay nightlife, and many gay owned and operated businesses and accommodations. Mexico City also has a thriving gay scene if you’re looking for LGBTQ+ culture, with a “pink zone” known for it’s gay bars and clubs. If you’re looking for safe spaces while travelling in Mexico, stick to the bigger cities and more popular tourist regions, as these will have the most gay friendly spots.

Our Experience

We visited Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula together and had a really wonderful experience. Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Tulum are all very welcoming spots to explore, and we really enjoyed adventuring around this region in Mexico. Rather than opting for a resort style vacation, we stayed in Airbnb accommodations in local neighbourhoods, and rented a car to explore on our own. We felt safe and comfortable during all of our Mexico travels, and we had no issues with safety travelling as a lesbian couple. We like to be out and open when it is safe to do so, and we found that we never felt inclined to hide our relationship in Mexico. We walked around holding hands, showed affection to one another in public, took couples photos in front of locals and tourists, and were honest with everyone we met about being married. We loved travelling in Mexico and will definitely be returning. Playa del Carmen is somewhere that we could see ourselves spending a longer period of time, and we would love to go back and explore other regions. If you’re interested in travelling to Mexico, follow these links for our lesbian guides to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. With ancient Mayan ruins, natural swimming holes, beautiful beaches, and lively coastal towns, this region is very special and unique. We highly recommend Mexico, and especially the Yucatan Peninsula as a travel destination for lesbians and lesbian couples. Enjoy!

Have you been to Mexico? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

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