Paradise Island

Located in the southwest end of the Mexican state of Campeche, is the city of Ciudad del Carmen, or just Carmen. It sits on Carmen Island in the Laguna de Terminos on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Once, and to a fair extant, still today, the city has a fishing-driven industry. If you’re one who enjoys relaxing days fishing yourself, this a great time to grab a pole and head over to the gulf or lagoon. It’s also an ideal opportunity to sample various seafood dishes, prepared Mexican-style. Walk along the pier checking out little restaurants and food-stalls for a broader sampling. The city has a population of roughly 155,000 and has been called ‘the pearl of the Gulf’. If you’re an admirer of architecture, check out the Zacatal Bridge, built in 1994, one of the longest in Latin America.

Gaming

After having your fill of various seafood dishes and touring around the city, take a load off by heading into the Paradise Island casino. They offer a selection of classic and video slot machines in assorted denominations, as well as electronic bingo for fans of the game. When you want to place wagers on, and root for, your favourite sports teams or horses, there’s a sportsbook on site. A nice win or two, and you might just decide to change your dining options from eating along the pier, to something a bit more high-end.

Hotel/Accommodations

There are no hotels on site. Just under 2 km from the casino, there’s the Hacienda Real del Carmen. The 5 star, colonial-modern décor Hotel offers 106 single and double standard rooms, junior suites and presidential suite. They first opened their doors in 2000 and have since done a recent refurbishment.

Dining

There’s plenty of authentic Mexican cuisine to be found. Be sure though to try some regional dishes as well as seafood plates, seeing as seafood is rather plentiful and popular. Things to try include pescado en escabeche (pickled fish), pan de cazon (fried tortilla with dogfish), jamon claveteado (clove ham), frijol con Puerco (pork and kidney beans) and tamales colados. Restaurants in the area include El Vaquero, with menu items like grilled steaks and sausage and beans (frijoles charros), Picanha’s Grill, serving items like chicken parmesan, chistorra (Spanish sausage) and pork loin, and El Marino, with various seafood plates. If you’re a bit more hungry, opt for the buffet over in Samba Grill. For more seafood options, try along the pier and waterfront.

Attractions/NightLife

There’s some night life to be found in the city. For a more relaxed, laid-back lounge-style bar, try Voga. For drinks, dancing, and people watching, there’s Tantra, located in the Eurohotel or Plataforma, located inside the Carmen Fun Centre. If you head over to the Parque Principal Zaragosa, Thursday and Sunday nights, you might catch a free concert. The park is by the waterfront near the Municipal Palace. If you like to spend lazy days fishing, try around the gulf or the lagoon and cast your line. Attractions in the area include the museum over at the Victoriano Nieves Cespedes Hospital Building, with its Maya ceramics, the Iglacia del Virgen del Carmen, and the Universidad Autonoma del Carmen.

Rewards/Deals

The casino does not have a player rewards system in place. Ask staff about any promotions or contests that may be running during your stay.