Guaranteed Enjoyment
Story Serafina Piasentin
Photography by Tony Pupatello
Do you consider yourself a weary traveller? Someone who wanders from country to country without a plan and with only a backpack? Then you must be exhausted. It is easy to get caught up in collecting countries, or checking off your itinerary, that you forget to enjoy your trip! The lifestyle you chose is thrilling and invigorating, but there comes a time in every backpacker’s life when all they want to collapse onto a fluffy bed. If this sounds like you, perhaps you need a vacation from travelling.
Transitioning from travelling to vacationing can be difficult; however, by keeping an open mind, knowing pros and cons and prioritizing your current needs, you might book your favourite experience. Seasoned travellers often view resort-goers as wary, lazy or lacking in enjoyment. It is important to understand that different people enjoy different experiences, or even that the same people enjoy various experiences at different times.
If you consider yourself a weary traveller or a wary traveller, consider Playa del Carmen. Located in the Caribbean Sea in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This resort town offers the perfect blend between a relaxing retreat and an energizing adventure for even the most experienced backpacker. It is filled with folk looking to relax rather than the partying spring-breaker crowd. So, slip off your bag, kick off your shoes and learn more about this comfortable alternative to backpacking.
Safety and Relaxation
Though resort travel can ease many of your worries, extensive research is still necessary, especially when choosing a safe destination. One of the reasons Playa del Carmen stands out is its day and night security. When travelling to any country, it is important to understand which areas are prone to danger. Playa del Carmen resides in a safe spot along the Mayan Riviera. The all-inclusive resorts in Playa offer an exclusive, secluded and serene experience. In contrast, Cancun attracts partygoers. If you aren’t looking for a party scene, only use Cancun as your access point to the Riviera, being home to the only nearby airport. Once settled in Playa, you won’t want to leave; but when you must, pre-arrange all transportation through your resort to avoid delays, scams or discomfort. A dreaded part of travelling is the labour of moving from place to place. When it comes to transportation schedules, peace of mind is always worth the investment. Backpacking is a more cost-efficient way of exploring; however, it can be riskier. Once a destination is well-researched, it is up to the traveller to determine the level of safety they are comfortable with.
Mayan Cuisine
Another reason why Playa del Carmen stands out as a dream destination is the high standard of food. When visiting Mexico, a common fear is food-poisoning, but if you research restaurant stats and listen to locals, you will unearth Mexico’s culinary delights. Playa is a food-forward place, and many resorts feature Mayan cuisine that you wouldn’t get at a Western hotel. Popular activities include making ceviche from fresh seafood, lemon, cilantro, avocado and habanero chili as well as margarita classes. Make sure you try the freshly squeezed papaya and mango juice, and dip into the selection of Tequila Blanco brands from the Jalisco and Tequila regions as well as Mescal from Oaxaca. Everything is hand-made from high quality ingredients by gourmet chefs. Outside your resort, make sure to try Playa’s traditional street food! Marquesitas is a Mexican crepe filled with Edam cheese or Nutella and Cochinita Pibli is a dish of shredded pork marinated in orange and wrapped in banana leaves. Indulging in good meals can really enhance your trip!
Nature Adventures
When you’re not enjoying your resort, there are many natural sites in the area to visit—and most resorts will organize all these excursions for you! Make sure to visit the National Reef Park of Puerto Morelos where you can snorkel the Arrecife de Coral. Also known as the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, this is the second largest coral reef system in the world. You can come face-to-face with the marine life including colourful fish, barracudas, stingrays and green sea turtles. Since this area is a protected site, you can’t wear sunblock or mosquito repellent; this minimizes the ecosystem mixing with foreign substances. Next, visit one of the many cenotes in the nearby jungle. A cenote is a natural sinkhole formed from limestone collapse. Unlike the saltwater reef, the sinkhole is filled with a freshwater pool. Since there are so many excess minerals in the pool, the water is thicker and offers great healing properties. Finally, make sure to plan a trip to see one of the Wonders of the World—Chichen Itza, a Mayan ruin in the shape of a pyramid. Tourists are now barred from walking up the great steps, but simply gazing upon a preserved relic from the past is enough to relight the spark of travel in both the weary and wary traveller! If you especially enjoy history, there are additional ruins including the ancient cities in Tulum and Coba. Any number of these excursions will certainly satisfy an ex-backpacker!
Mexican Traditions
An alternative to these adventures is to explore the urban areas of Playa del Carmen. It is highly recommended to book your trip for Dia de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead. This is a holiday celebrated on November 1 and 2 to honour and remember deceased loved ones. Locals wear vibrant traditional wear, kids dress up and others just wear fancy clothes. All around the town, you will find ofrendas (altars) with memorabilia and offerings to the dead, and when the fiestas are over, families go to church on November 2. The atmosphere is both electric and inviting; to witness a local tradition is one of most authentic ways to learn and understand another culture. Mexico is known for the kindness of the locals. People are family-oriented and are always willing to help you out. Sharing in their traditions and engaging in conversation, whether you know Spanish or not, may lead you to making lasting connections.
So, are you ready to retire that worn backpack? It can be unnerving to choose a destination that ensures your safety and pleasure. In Playa del Carmen, you won’t have to worry about how to get from point A to B or whether that street food is going to make you regret your choice in a few hours. Instead, you will understand what it means to fully relax—which can be impossible when lugging that heavy backpack around. Plus, you will still be able to partake in adventures without the hassle. Who wouldn’t give up the instability of backpacking for some guaranteed enjoyment?
Published in the Holiday 2025 Edition.
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