I've heard some mixed comments on Playa del Carmen. I had some friends who went there last summer and they were disappointed by the scarcity of the corals and marine life that they saw. But, I heard from some divers that you could find a lot of great places for snorkeling in Playa del Carmen if you know where to look. What are the best spots for snorkeling in Playa del Carmen? When is the best time to visit this area? And, if I bring my family along, are there other family activities that I can do with my kids in this area? 

You’re right! Snorkeling in Playa del Carmen is fantastic if you know where to go. In order to find a good spot, you should head to the areas that are far from the coast. This will take you to the boating lanes. Since you will be in a spot that is unfamiliar to you, joining a group or asking a guide to accompany you would be a good idea.

You can have a trip with the Sealife Divers. Their divers will take you snorkeling in spots where the water is so clear you'd be able to view what scuba divers can see. The dive shop has daily snorkeling tours that start at one o'clock in the afternoon. The tour usually goes through Punta Maroma, Inha, Mokche and Chuzunbul, depending on the number of people as well as weather conditions. These areas have a maximum depth of 15 feet or 5 meters.

If you don’t want to go to open waters, you can just stay inland. Sealife Divers can take you to the Cenotes where you can go snorkeling in cave entrances where you could have a good view of stalagmites and stalactites. At a very low price, their tour packages include a certified snorkeling guide, a boat that will take you to the diving sites and back to your resort, a certified snorkel guide, snorkeling equipment, refreshments and tropical fruits.

Of course, family time is very important. Aside from snorkeling in Playa del Carmen, you can also take your children to some of the ecoparks in the area. Xcaret, the oldest and largest eco park near Playa del Carmen, has a hatchery for sea turtles and an area for breeding birds. Here, you will also find a mushroom and orchid farm and a butterfly garden. Even though the price is a bit steep, the awed looks on your children’s faces can make it worthwhile.

You can also give them a lesson on history by visiting some Mayan ruins with them. You can go to Cancun where there are a lot of Mayan ruin sites. There is also a restored ruin in Chichen Itza. In order to reach this area, you'll need to go by air. If you are a bit pressed for time, you can also visit the sites in Tulum. At the end of your trip, you can go to a restaurant that resembles the Tulum ruins and enjoy some Malayan foods.

As you can see, Playa del Carmen is not only a place for snorkeling, it is also a wonderful area for family fun and adventure.