Happy TravellerWelcome to Playa del Carmen, a vibrant resort city located along the pristine Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Known colloquially as Playa, this thriving destination is part of the municipality of Solidaridad and boasts a population of just over 300,000 people. The city is a popular tourist destination in Mexicos Riviera Maya region, with a growth rate of 25% per year and recognized as one of Latin America’s fastest-growing communities according to Guinness World Records. In 2016, Playa was the tenth most popular international travel destination for U.S. travelers, with over a million tourists passing through the city the following year. Playa del Carmen’s main airport is the Cancún International Airport, which is approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) away.
The area is renowned for its white sand beaches, blue turquoise waters, coral reefs, and surrounding rainforests. The downtown area of the city revolves around Quinta Avenida, a bustling pedestrian thoroughfare lined with countless shops, clubs, and restaurants. The city has a tropical savannah climate, with year-round summer temperatures and warm nights. The peak season for tourism is during the summer and winter breaks.
Playa del Carmen is located within the Riviera Maya, which runs from south of Cancún to Tulum and the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve. The city is a stop for several cruise ships that dock at the nearby Calica quarry docks, about six miles (10 km) south of the city. The Xcaret Eco Park, a popular tourist destination located just south of the town in Xcaret, is a Mexican-themed eco-archaeological park.
Originally a small fishing town, Playa del Carmen has recently undergone rapid development with new luxury residential condominium buildings, restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment venues. Tourist activity in Playa del Carmen centers on Quinta Avenida, a pedestrian walkway lined with hundreds of shops, bars, and restaurants. Most of the all-inclusive hotels, the aviary, and the golf course are located in Playacar, a residential and tourist development in Playa del Carmen just south of the main urban area. The city is also home to Inter Playa del Carmen, an association football club founded in 1999, and hosts the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba, a PGA Tour FedEx Cup golf tournament held at El Camaleón Golf Club since 2007.
Despite being a safe travel destination, Playa del Carmen experienced a tragic shooting incident in January 2022 at the Xcaret all-inclusive hotel. Two Canadians lost their lives, and another was injured. This unfortunate event serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and cautious while traveling.
In popular culture, Playa del Carmen has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and reality series, including The Amazing Race, The Celebrity Mole, and UK reality series Geordie Shore. Notable residents of Playa del Carmen include fashion designer Tory Burch, disc jockey David Guetta, poker player Barry Shulman, and actress Ana Claudia Talancón. If you’re looking for a tropical paradise and a vibrant tourist destination, Playa del Carmen should be at the top of your list of places to visit.
