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Playa del Carmen is undoubtedly the jewel in the Riviera Maya which stretches from the world famous resort of Cancun to Tulum and the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve. Originally a humble fishing resort, tourism in Playa del Carmen began as a passenger service to the nearby island of Cozumel which is a hotpsot for scuba diving in the Yucatan Peninsula. It wasn't long though before tourists began staying in Playa del Carmen and restaurants and hotels followed suit. The city is a relaxing alternative to the boisterous Spring Break atmopshere of Cancun which lies 30 km north and, unlike its famous neighbor, the local government was quick to prevent the endless line of high-rise hotels that mark the Cancun coastal line. An ordinance was issued that prevented buildings being constructed no higher than three stories. This has maintained the city's charm and idyllic feel and is a major reason why tourists return frequently. Master Plan Developments - Playacar & Grand CoralPlaya - as the city is affectionately known - today has a population of over a hundred thousand people and is rapidly becoming a world-class tourist destination but at the same time adherring to a rigorous environmental program. 
The city is enveloped by lush vegetation and natural lagoons and this is exemplified by the Xaman-Ha bird aviary in the master plan development of Playacar which lies south of the city. Master plan developments by definition take into account the surrounding environment ensuring what is built does not intrusively clash with the existing landscape. They also make sure that all the developments built within their domain can co-exist and feed off one another i.e. a private residence complex will have access to a golf course, restaurants, spas, a shopping center, sporting facilties, 24-hour security etc. All of these services are independent of one another but together create the perfect holiday environment. Nestled on either side of Playa del Carmen are two such master developments: the above mentioned Playacar and directly to the north Grand Coral. Grand Coral covers more than 232 hectares of land and will offer an unparalleled living experience with super luxurious boutique hotels, an 18-hole golf course, private residences, a beach club and a 3,000 square foot gourmet store. All of these features will be interspersed between caverns, jungles, rivers and beaches. The strict environmental guidelines means more than 75 percent of the green areas and lakes will be preserved in their current state. MareazulThe master plan lays its first foundations with the Mareazul development, the sale of which has started and which will have 300 apartments on a site of 13 hectares and 280 metres of beach frontage, with an investment of 80 million dollars. One of the super-luxurious boutique hotels will have 170 rooms and the smallest one 40. The development's golf course has been designed by Zimbabwe's Nick Price - his first in Mexico. Price has been one of the world leading golfers in the past thirty years notching up three majors as a pro. He was also ranked as the world's number one golfer for 41 consecutive weeks during the peak of his career in the mid-nineties. Though still playing, Price dedicates most of his time to designing first-class golf courses around the world. While most of Grand Coral is still in the mid-development stage, it's opposite number - Playacar - is already up and running with a slew of all-inclusive hotels. Its Xaman-Ha Bird Aviary has exotic Toucans, Scarlet Macaws, Green Parrots and Pink Flamingos; all in a natural setting. Sporting attractions include an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and water sports. Both master plan developments have without doubt risen the stock value of real estate prices in Playa del Carmen and, apart from being an attractive place to stay for your vacation, are seen as an excellent investment opportunity. |
