– Destination Guide
Do you know how some places look different once you’ve spent a long time there? They change, don’t they? Like there was a layer of make-up removed, and suddenly you’re able to see what they are really about.
Playa is one of those places, the kind of town that takes a while to know properly. But when you manage to peel off some of the glossy layers that wrap it, you will see a much deeper, more interesting city than you had ever imagined.
Playa del Carmen, named after Nuestra Señora del Carmen by the first Spaniards who came to this land, is in constant transformation. It went from being a small fishermen’s village to the town that put the Riviera Maya on the global map. It is the destination that has taught so many travelers to love the Caribbean coast. And in every stage of its development, it has added something new to its multifaceted personality.
Luxury villas, trendy hostels and high-end resorts, fantastic nightlife, and an assortment of the most diverse individuals make it fascinating to explore. None of these things existed in the once sleepy village with sandy roads. Yet some parts of it have stayed the same, tied to its very identity.
Perhaps that is most true of Playa’s connection to the ocean. The sea, arguably the reason why the town became famous in the first place, offers not only mesmerizing views but tons of things to do – kayaking, fishing, kite surfing, sailing, scuba diving. Stay above the surface, and you’ll be able to play on an endless expanse of turquoise blue. Plunge beneath, and you will spot sea turtles grazing on the sea bed, bull sharks that spend the winter in these warm waters, and a precious coral reef we have to protect before it’s too late.
There are also some areas of the city where one can find its old bohemian vibe. Calle 38, a tree-covered road with charming restaurants that goes all the way to one of the town’s best beaches. DAC, the organic food market on 30th Ave with its iconic towering ceiba tree, always a meeting place for locals. Playacar’s Maya ruins, vestiges of an ancient culture, and a gateway to the nearby white-sand beach.
And although it retains its essence, Playa’s metamorphoses have made it culturally richer. For instance, it is now a destination tailored for food lovers, where you'll find everything from French patisseries and Vietnamese restaurants to Russian gastronomy and experimental Mexican flavors.
Playa is an invitation to explore its secrets and an ideal base to visit the rest of the Riviera Maya. Drive a few minutes north or south, and you will find breathtaking beaches and stunning cenotes. Take a boat and visit Cozumel and its mesmerizing coast. Delve a little deeper, and you’ll discover the spots that locals keep for themselves.
What is the best of Playa? Well, that is for every traveler to decide. Maybe it is the wide-open spaces and the fresh salty air. Maybe it is the slow life and the small-town atmosphere. Maybe it is the cultural diversity of those who came as visitors and made it their new home. What is for sure is that it is worth spending here enough time to find out.
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