Pronunciation Guide
As you begin your research prior to your visit to Playa del Carmen, you may run across many words which you might not know how to say. Here are some words and names many people often ask the pronunciation of:
Tip: Generally, always pronounce the the vowels like:
- A=all
- E=grey
- I=see
- O=no
- U=moon
Akumal
ah-koo-MAHL| means "place of the turtle".
Town South Of Playa del Carmen
Alux
Ah-LOOSH | means "elf".
Alux Cave is a restaurant located off of Highway 307.
Ajua
Ah-WHO-ah | means "yahoo!" or "yippee!"
Popular Mayan restaurant in Playa del Carmen.
Caipirinha
kuy-pee-REEN-yah | means "little peasant girl"
Cocktail made with rum, sugar, mint, soda.
Cenote
say-NO-tay | means "natural well".
underground cave.
Chichen Itza
CHEE-chen EAT-sah | means "mouth of the well of Itza".
Mayan Ruin site.
Colectivo
COE-lek TEA-voe | means "small public bus".
Often seen spelled as collectivo.
Playa
PLAH-yah | means "beach".
Playa del Carmen is a popular Mayan Riviera destination.
Tulum
too-LOOM | means "wall" or "fence".
Town and Mayan Ruin Site South of Playa del Carmen.
Uxmal
OOSH-mahl | means "built three times".
Mayan Ruin site.
Xcaret
SHCA-ret (proper)
EESH-cah-ret (commonly used) | means "inlet".
Eco-park South of Playa del Carmen
Xel Ha
SHELL-hah | means "where the water is born".
Eco-park South of Playa del Carmen
Xaman Ha
SHAH-man-hah | means "waters of the north".
Original Mayan name of Playa del Carmen. Aviary and Condos in Playacar.
Yaxche
YAH-chee | means "green tree".
Popular Mayan restaurant in Playa del Carmen.
