go to content go to search box go to global site navigation

Playa Del Carmen

Advertisement

The beach, Playa Del Carmen

Introducing Playa Del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, now the third-largest city in Quintana Roo – its population more than doubled over the past five years – is the hippest city in all of the Yucatán Peninsula. Sitting coolly on the lee side of Cozumel, the town’s beaches are jammed with super-fit Europeans ­– they let Americans in, too, if they meet the weight requirements! The waters aren’t as clear as those of Cancún or Cozumel, and the beach sands aren’t quite as champagne-powder-perfect as they are further north, but still Playa (as it’s locally known) grows and grows.

Advertisement

With daily cruise ship visitors, Playa is starting to feel like a mass-tourism destination, but it retains its European chic, and one need just head two blocks west of haughty-taughty 5 Av to catch glimpses of real Mexico.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009

Tips & articles

  1. The Riviera Maya on a shoestring

    27 April 2012

    It may seem like the resort-studded tropical coastline of Mexico’s Riviera Maya might be out of reach for the budget...

    Read more

  2. Cancún and the Riviera Maya

    10 February 2012

    Yearning for sun, sand and eye-popping natural beauty? A trip to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula – and its crowning resort developments...

    Read more

  3. Top 10 sights in Cancún and Yucatán

    15 September 2011

    It’s no great secret why Cancún, and to a larger extent the Yucatán Peninsula, has become Mexico’s top tourist destination....

    Read more

See all tips & articles for Playa Del Carmen

In our shop

Bags feeling light?
Coffee table looking bare?
Get your guidebooks, travel goods, even individual chapters, right here.

See all books in our shop

Hotels & Hostels in Playa Del Carmen

See all hotels and hostels in Playa Del Carmen

Travel Insurance

Going to Mexico? Make sure you're covered.

Get a quote

See all travel services

Advertisement