Constructed in the late 1980s, this expanding, purpose-built development has grown up around a marina, backed by a meandering golf course. The main marina area comprises hotels, condominiums and residential buildings, many of which are the holiday homes of wealthy Mexicans and Americans. It is also a popular watering hole for the upper rungs of the yachting community, with the yachts in the moorings tending to be large and very expensive. However, the overall feel of the development is low-key and far removed from the sophisticated and exclusive world often associated with yachting. A limited water-side commercial centre offers basic amenities to visiting "yachties", residents and tourists alike, but the focal point of the marina is the holding pens for captive dolphins and sea lions, who are available for swimming encounters. Along the coast for several miles in either direction are several large, all-inclusive, mass-tourism hotels. 5 mls S is Kantenah, a good beach with only a single hotel, a couple of ranches and some craft outlets. Paamul, 2½ mls N, is a caravan-park development.

The large hotels dotted along the coast are firmly mass-market and cater for all visitors, but mainly American and Canadian couples with Europeans coming in a close third.

One family-orientated tourist hotel and 1 small upmarket hotel in the marina development, along with a couple of B&Bs; some apartments are available as holiday lets. Along the coast the hotels are large, international-standard establishments and nearby with limited nearby amenities.

The marina has 2 good-sized beaches of fine, white sand, with one retained by sea defences. Just to the N is a section of rocky shoreline where some hotels have quarried artificial lagoons and created beaches. To the S and farther N are long, fine, white sandy beaches, but entry to the clear blue waters is sometimes restricted and rocky owing to the proximity of local reefs.

Limited to the essentials: a couple of small convenience stores, post office and a handful of tourist boutiques and souvenir shops. Playa del Carmen, 20 mls N, offers a full range of shops and services.

Daytime: beach activities and water sports, principally diving and snorkelling but also windsurfing, kayaking and parasailing; swimming encounters with the local captive dolphins; horse riding on the beach; sport fishing; yacht or boat charters; microlight flights; fitness centre, tennis courts and golf course; small shipwreck museum. Nightlife: the marina is very low-key, with a couple of restaurant/bars offering live music into the early hours a few nights a week; a disco, mainly during peak season. The larger hotels often organise their own entertainment programmes.

A modest selection of mid-range eateries, with a couple of establishments setting themselves up as the local quality options, but nothing really exclusive or gastronomic. Fresh local fish, however, is literally delivered to the doorstep daily.

Taxis are really the only viable option, although local minibuses can be flagged down on the main road. Daily ferry to the island of Cozumel.

Nearby islands of Cozumel or Isla Mujeres. Trips to local "eco-centres", from the theme-park-style Xcaret to less commercial options like Tres Rios or Xel-ha; all with beaches, snorkelling, cycling, kayaking, horse riding, nature trails, dolphin swim encounters, bird parks etc. The Mayan ruins at Tulum and Coba; the more distant ruins at Chichen Itza (long day). Deep-sea fishing trips. Organised dives.

On the Caribbean (E) coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. 20 mls S of Playa del Carmen. 60 mls S of Cancun, which has the nearest international airport.

Long stretches of white sand, backed by relatively flat terrain covered with dry scrub and dense native forest that reaches the sea in places.

Telephone Area Code: 984
Website: www.puertoaventuras.com

Airport : Cancun
Airport Code: CUN
Flight time from ther U.K.: 11 hrs