Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

#1 Playa del Carmen Beach Playa del Carmen is just remote enough that the beach – really the only one there is – doesn't have a proper name. Still, it's the highlight of most vacationers ... Read more » Pola Diamonte / Getty Images

#2 La Quinta Avenida Playa del Carmen's main street, La Quinta Avenida, runs parallel to the shore and serves as a pedestrian walkway for travelers and locals. The avenue is lined with an ... Read more » Leonora (Ellie) Enking / Flickr

#3 Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Playa del Carmen offers access to some of the best diving spots in the Western Hemisphere, especially just offshore near Isla Cozumel. Travelers say you can't come to Playa ... Read more » Luis Javier Sandoval / Getty Images

#4 Rio Secreto Often lauded as one of the best-kept secrets on the Yucatan Peninsula, Rio Secreto (or Secret River) is an underground river and collection of caves. The bright turquoise water contrasts ... Read more » Alija / Getty Images

#5 Golf The area's golf courses are picturesque and challenging – in addition to drawing Playa del Carmen travelers, many Cancún vacationers venture south to play a round on the links. The ... Read more » Grand Velas Riviera Maya / Flickr

#6 Xcaret Both experts and travelers say that Xcaret is a sort of Yucatán-style Disneyland, a large outdoor "eco-park" filled with an aviary, a dolphin aquarium, a turtle sanctuary and a beach ... Read more » Medioimages / Getty Images

#7 Coralina Daylight Club Drawing on inspiration from Las Vegas pool parties and Ibiza beach ragers, Coralina Daylight Club offers party-hungry travelers a chance to dance, listen to music and day drink in the ... Read more » Seth Dewey / www.EverythingPlayaDelCarmen.com

#8 Xel-Ha Xel-Ha is is a natural aquarium centered on a natural inlet and lagoon that visitors can swim and snorkel through, accompanied by schools of tropical fish, dolphins and turtles. Opinions ... Read more » Ricardo Espinosa / Mexico Tourism Board