What attracts most visitors to area is many mega-resort properties that line Highway 307 from Cancun to Tulum, also referred to as Riviera Maya. People are lured by miles of beaches, clear turquoise sea, and ability to leave their wallets in hotel safe for a week for an all-inclusive Caribbean holiday. Unfortunately, if you never leave resort, you miss out on experiencing culture and beauty of Mexican Coast.

Playa del Carmen, once touted as a tiny fishing village where backpackers and hippies pitched their tents on beach, has now grown into a thriving, developed town. Playa, as locals call it, still retains a charm that can't be found in Cancun's high-rise hotel zone.

About 40 miles south of Cancun, Playa del Carmen's location makes it a prime spot to set up base while exploring rest of Mayan Riviera. Local bus service runs from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen. Busses are modern, with televisions, reclining seats, luggage racks, bathrooms, seatbelts and air-conditioning.

The bus station in Playa is on edge of 5th Avenue, downtown's main pedestrian walkway. Lined with outdoor cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, and hotels-this is where both locals and tourists gather to enjoy a meal while traditional Mexican strolling mariachi bands stop to play along street.