When we recently spent a week in Playa del Carmen, we stayed in the beautiful hotel zone of Playacar. Of course, we also wanted to visit the center of the city. It was just within walking distance from our hotel.

We have been there twice. Once in the evening for a nightly discovery trip. And once in the afternoon, after a thunderstorm had driven us off the beach. Here we want to tell you what there is to experience.

I’ve known Playa del Carmen for almost 30 years. Since its beginnings, so to say. And I admit it openly… this little town has changed a lot. No other place in Mexico can boast such a strong growth. The population was 300 at the 1970 census. In 2020, there were almost 305,000.

So, if you knew and loved the Playa from before, you should prepare for a completely new experience. The quiet small village atmosphere of those time is gone. The unpaved streets of sand as well.

Today’s Playa del Carmen is pure bubbling life. The town is full of people, and entertainment is offered everywhere. Street performers, boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, music on every corner. Almost a kind of fairground ambience.

So, if you want to get to know the center of Playa del Carmen, there is a lot to do. We tried it. Here are ten things to look at.

The first place that attracted us was the Parque Fundadores with its adjacent beach. It used to be a quiet corner to play beach volleyball in those early days. My husband and I had been on the beach at the time with only one or two other couples. Our dog always stole the bottles of drinking water from the other beach visitors.

Once a man with horses came by. We arranged to go horseback riding with him and explored the lonely, white sandy beach to the north on horseback. We didn’t see a human soul for hours. It was one of the greatest days of my life.

Well, those days are gone. Parque Fundadores now is the center of life in the city. The huge monument at the entrance to the beach can testify to this. The site is always crowded and full of people. Delicious snacks are sold everywhere. The laughter of the people and cheerful music form the background to all the colorful life here.

The photo shooting at the funny “Playa del Carmen” sign is probably mandatory. It is also a colorful monument right on the beach. Right between Parque Fundadores and the pier for the ferry to Cozumel Island.

All places important for tourism in Mexico have such a lettering in a photogenic place. And actually, I even like it. It’s a really nice and colorful background for a photo or selfie.

In Playa del Carmen, however, I made a big mistake. When we arrived at the lettering – after some delicious margaritas at Señor Frogs – there was a longer queue of people at the beautiful colorful monument. They stood in line at a distance.

I thought to myself, they all want to take pictures of the lettering itself from where they stand. So, I just went straight there, stood up, and my husband took some photos. That was it, and we left.

Afterwards he almost rolled on the floor laughing and told me that I had been very cheeky. These people were all in line for a photo at Playa del Carmen sign. I would have pushed forward, he said. But I really had no idea! Sorry guys.

The dance of the Voladores de Papantla is now a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage. It is a ritual dedicated to fertility and the responsible gods. First of all, there is a tree or pole, at least 25 m/ 82 ft high. And five men. Dressed in red trousers, white shirts, a red ribbon around the hips and a headdress with feathers.

Four of the men symbolize the four winds (cardinal points) and one the sun that gives life. They all climb to the top of the tree – the sun at last. Once at the top, the sun sits in the middle and begins to make music with a flute and a drum. The four winds tie ropes around their hips.

Then they begin to rotate the platform at the top of the pole. And the four winds drop upside down. Their ropes wrap up, and so they turn 13 laps around the tree in free flight with their heads down. Times four winds gives 52. The cycle of an age in Mexico before the arrival of the Spaniards.

In Playa del Carmen you can experience the Voladores de Papantla at Parque Fundadores right next to the beach. Take your time, it’s worth it! And please don’t forget to leave them a tip of a few pesos. As a person with a fear of heights, I think they deserve it more than honestly.

From Playa del Carmen, the ferry departs for the island of Cozumel. I can still remember a small jetty made of simple boards. And a rather small ferry. Well, times have changed here as well.

The harbor master’s office right next to the Parque Fundadores is not to be overlooked. The pier has also grown. Just like the ferry. And the number of passengers.

Nevertheless, if you are already nearby, you should not miss a visit to the Island of Cozumel. The crossing does not take long. And in a short day-trip you can discover a lot of new things. You can also book the tickets for the ferry online at a fair price.

Oh… 5ta Avenida. Also called fifth avenue. The beating heart of Playa del Carmen. I can still remember when it was two or three blocks long and not paved. At that time, there was only something going on in the first few buildings. And of course, only in the evening or on weekends.

Well, yes. Today the street is a great promenade. And at any time of the day or night it is very well filled with lots of people. Hundreds of boutiques, bars and restaurants court visitors. Street artists make you laugh and be amazed. And the road has now become very, very long.

The ambience is exciting and cheerful. Somehow a mood like at the fair or in Disneyland. But it’s fun. So let yourself drift and discover 5^th avenue until the end of the road. It is also worth exploring the side streets.

My personal tip – I liked it better at the end of 5^th avenue. It was kind of more quiet and more Mexican. However, there were some bars on the way, whose great music also attracted me very much. But my partner just didn’t want to get in. We don’t have exactly the same likings when it comes to music.

The Mayan ruins of Xaman Há are completely unknown to most visitors of Playa del Carmen. Perhaps with the exception of those who are housed in the Playacar hotel zone and by chance happen to walk past the ruins on their way to Playa downtown.

Xaman Há means “water of the north” in the Mayan language. The ruins are scattered over large parts of the Playacar hotel zone. The buildings date from the post-classical period between 1200 – 1500 AD. They are hidden in the dense, green vegetation near the beach. You will definitely find more iguanas than tourists there.

Xaman Há was an important place for the Maya. From there you could make the crossing to the holy places of the island of Cozumel. There are no large pyramids as in the famous ruins of Chichen Itza or Tulum. But you will find a lot of small temples, houses and warehouses from ancient times. We actually liked it quite a bit.

The beach of Playa del Carmen is long, white and exciting. We have been there after a thunderstorm and therefore it was not too crowded. But still – you could really feel how vibrant life takes place there on a sunny day.

Catering is available everywhere. Directly along the beach you will find a lot of beach clubs, bars and restaurants. In addition, of course, a wide range of all sorts of activities that provide a lot of fun. You can read more about this in our article about the most beautiful beaches in Playa del Carmen.

Or are you rather part of the group of sun worshippers in search of peace? Then you should possibly take a look at the beach sections that are not directly in the city center. My tip would be the beaches in the hotel zone of Playacar, which you can reach via a passage at the restaurant Señor Frogs. Or the beaches at the northern end of Playa.

So that’s the way it is… in Playa del Carmen you can really enjoy shopping. There is pretty much everything the tourist heart can desire. I myself have been quite grateful for that.

On our first trip to the city, I put on shoes that I always wear at home all summer long. They are something like my favorite shoes. But I hadn’t expected the demands of hot, humid climates. As soon as we arrived in the city, I already had blisters on my feet.

First, we went to a pharmacy to buy patches. That helped, but only a little. A few blocks further, my partner just bought me flip-flops. In a small shop with great selection. And they were really extremely comfortable. Putting Flip-flops on right in the shop, throwing the old shoes into the backpack, all good.

As far as gastronomy is concerned, Playa del Carmen of course has so much to offer. If you stroll through the pedestrian zone, you will discover one nice restaurant after the other. Personally, I have always been magically attracted to the places with good live music. But here, too, the choice is infinitely large. Depending on whatever you want to listen.

Of course, there is also a great variety in terms of culinary aspects. It doesn’t always have to be Mexican cuisine. Playa probably has as much to offer as any capital city on this planet. Just in a smaller area.

If you are looking for a suitable restaurant, do not forget to look around in the smaller side streets. Or just read our article about 30 delicious restaurants in Playa del Carmen.

You will probably never get bored in Playa del Carmen. Especially at night. The evenings usually start with a leisurely stroll along the pedestrian zone 5ta Avenida. To see and to be seen, so to say.

After a delicious dinner, we continue to one of the numerous bars. With good music and great cocktails, you can get the desire to discover more in the pleasant, warm air of the night. More action, more party, more music, more drinks.

And then the great clubs of Playa await you. There is indeed a solid selection of them. From Coco Bongo to Mandala. So, you will be able to dance confidently all night long. Actually, until sunrise. By the way, a cold beer with a hearty breakfast makes things much better the next day.

Honestly – yes. If you’re looking for action and fun, then definitely. If you like to bathe in the crowd and party all night, then you should go. There is always something to do, and partying almost becomes an Olympic discipline in Playa del Carmen.

Only if you are a traveler with the exclusive desire for silence and relaxation, then you should possibly look for other locations for your holiday. Or get an accommodation on one of the beautiful beaches far outside the city center.