Playa del Carmen (or, just "Playa" to the locals) is a city on the move. Until recently, Playa was a little fishing village, prized for its turquoise blue waters and environmental treasures by adventurous Mexicans and savvy, in-the-know travelers. But with an enviable location across the water from Cozumel and a mere 45 minutes south of Cancun International Airport, this secret was too good to keep. Today, Playa is one of the fastest growing coastal towns in Mexico.

Playa del Carmen is a tourist destination, but not overwhelming like Cancún. Despite this new global renown, you can visit Playa del Carmen and still enjoy a simple beach holiday without the trappings and characteristics of a modern-day resort like a Cabo or Mazatlan. Big hotels and developers are beginning to move in, but the urban plans take into account the local environment — so structures are low-rise. Even with the burst of interest, the area is nowhere near as commercial as Cancun.

Playa del Carmen skews towards a younger demographic, frequently in the twenty to thirty-something age range. They come here looking for a comfortable holiday; to swim, sunbathe, stroll along wonderful beaches, listen to bands in the outdoor air, and dance at some of the hottest clubs in the world at night.

Playa’s geographical location makes it an ideal base for visiting all of the main towns and resorts in the Riviera Maya.