Playa del Carmen is having its moment in the sun – this trendy resort town on the Mayan Riviera has only grown in popularity in recent years, and it’s now one of the largest and most bustling cities in Quintana Roo state. People watch along its always-buzzing beaches and take to the water to snorkel the second largest coral reef in the world, brimming with lavender sea fans and tropical fish. On dry land, Playa del Carmen’s central location makes it a great jumping off point to explore Mayan ruins nearby like Chichen Itza.

From Cancun International Airport (CUN), hop on a shuttle, hail a taxi, or hire a private driver to get to Playa del Carmen. A thriftier option is to take the bus from the airport to downtown Playa del Carmen, though you’ll probably have to call a taxi from there to your accommodations. Once there, you can easily rent a car, though it’s not entirely necessary, especially if you’ll be sticking around the main beaches. Most people just get around on foot, and even the main thoroughfare La Quinta Avenida is pedestrian-only. There are no ride share apps or buses here, but taxis are cheap and easy to come by, and taking one is recommended if you’re looking to venture outside the resort strip.

With a whopping 340 days of sunshine on average per year, there is never a bad time to stay at a vacation rental in Playa del Carmen. Dry season — December through March — is also typically the busiest season. The summer months tend to be hotter and wetter, with rainfall averages peaking in September, and hurricane season popping up from June through November. For those looking to join in on the round-the-clock festivities, head here during typical school holidays (over the holidays, March break, and July through August). If you want to catch the Riviera at a quieter moment, spring and autumn are generally less busy. Regardless of when you go, you’ll be greeted by mild weather, warm waters, and lots of sun (even during the rainy season).

Cool off in a cenote

Cenotes – mystical-seeming pockets of still water formed from collapsed caves – are a natural phenomenon unique to the Yucatan Peninsula. The waters range from sapphire blue to emerald green, and they can be located amongst Edenic gardens or cavernous, stalactite-studded tunnels. Thought by the Mayans to hold magical properties in their waters, swimming in a cenote can be an otherworldly experience.

Admire Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza needs no introduction — this UNESCO World Heritage Site is really anything but new. The wondrously preserved Mayan temple was built sometime around 750 AD, and served as the area’s most important urban center until 1200. If you make it here in time for the spring or autumn equinox, watch in awe as the sun creates a show of a serpent — a revered Mayan symbol — slithering down the pyramids.

Dance the night away

Playa del Carmen is known equally for its nightlife as it is for its beautiful scenery, so spending a night or two on the dancefloor is practically mandatory. You can make your way from club to club along the resort strip, or opt for a slightly more laid-back but no less lively evening of live music under the stars at one of many bar terraces. Regardless of where you go, you’re pretty much guaranteed a good time.