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Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Just south of Cancun international airport.
Playa del Carmen is today considered one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world. Famous for its turquoise water and white sand beaches, it is a little piece of paradise and the heart of the unique Riviera Maya. The unique beauty of its beaches to the rhythm of an extensive culinary offer and an excellent nightlife make it a very attractive place for anyone who visits it, with a great mixture and diversity of cultures.
Playa del Carmen is less internationally recognized than its northern sister city, Cancun. However, this comes with many added benefits.
Unlike Cancun, which has a reputation of being incredibly touristy, Playa del Carmen retains an authentic Mexican feel due to its smaller size despite still being a tourist destination. Also, Playa del Carmen can be far less crowded and hectic than Cancun year-round. The resorts and hotels are also much newer in Playa del Carmen. To summarize, anything one can find in Cancun - be it gorgeous beaches, great nightlife, or delicious cuisine - one can also find in Playa del Carmen, but in a much more authentic and relaxed environment.
"Quinta Avenida," also referred to in English as "5th Avenue," is the main tourist thoroughfare in Playa. It is a pedestrian only, cobblestone lined street which spans approximately 20 blocks. Along 5th Ave., you will find a variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, shopping opportunities and various overpriced services. In Playa, nearly everything starts from this street.
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Playa del Carmen, also referred to locally as Playa, is a resort city located along the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is part of the municipality of Solidaridad. As of 2020, the city's population was just over 300,000 people,[2] many of whom being foreign expats. The mayor is Roxana Lili Campos.
Playa del Carmen is a popular tourist destination in Mexico's Riviera Maya region. Its current growth rate is set at 25% per year and according to the Guinness World Records, it one of Latin America’s fastest growing communities. In 2016, the city was the tenth most popular international travel destination for U.S travelers, and over a million tourists passed through the city a year later. [3][4] The main airport for Playa is the Cancún International Airport, which is around 70 km away. This airport ranks tenth in terms of international passengers worldwide,[5] and the second busiest in Mexico behind Mexico City.
The area is known for its white sand beaches, blue turquoise waters, coral reefs, surrounding rainforests, and balnearios. The downtown area of the city revolves around Quinta Avenida, a busy pedestrian thoroughfare lined with many shops, clubs, and restaurants. The weather is hot year-round, with the summer and winter breaks being peak season. [6]