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Today Playa del Carmen, or just "Playa" as it is colloquially referred to, is the center of the Riviera Maya concept, which runs south from Puerto Morelos, to Tulum and down to the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve. Playa is a day trip stop for several cruise-lines and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Mexico with expats from Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, Canada, US and many other countries. Playa has everything you might want.

Today Playa del Carmen, or just "Playa" as it is colloquially referred to, is the center of the Riviera Maya concept, which runs south from Puerto Morelos, to Tulum and down to the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve. Playa is a day trip stop for several cruise-lines and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Mexico with expats from Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, Canada, US and many other countries. Playa has everything you might want: supermarkets like Wal-Mart, Mega, Chedraui, fruit markets such as Dacs, vegan eateries like, Bio-Organicos or The Pitted Date, local and international fashion boutiques like H&M, Calvin Klein, Forever 21 or Steve Madden along 5th Ave, in its recently completed US style Mall, Quinta Alegria. Savor a wide range of culinary delights from Italian, Thai, French, American, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Mexican, Spanish, Vegan, etc., all framed by the magnificent Mexican Caribbean Sea, its gorgeous turquoise blue waters and pristine white sand shores. Make it a point to visit Xcaret Eco Park, a Mexican-themed "eco-archaeological park", and popular tourist destination located just south of downtown in Xcaret, (pronounced "esh-caret") also home to popular sister park, Xplor Zip-line park. Tourist activity in downtown Playa del Carmen centers on La Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue, stretching from Calle 1 Norte until Calle 42, a pedestrian walkway located just one or two blocks inland from the beach. Fifth Avenue is lined with boutique hotels, shops, eateries, bars, entertainment, cafs and famed restaurants. The Playa del Carmen local community and government agencies make every attempt to retain Playa del Carmen's reputation, charm and roots as a bohemian small fishing village. And while this city has grown rapidly over the past ten years, it maintains the heart and soul of this palapa and hammocks beach town, without following in the footsteps of the metropolitan of Cancun.

When driving from Cancun International Airport to Playa, take Highway 307 south towards Tulum for roughly 45 minutes onto the downtown over-pass and get off at Constituyentes Avenue. Then turn left onto Constituyentes and this avenue will take you to the middle of the city. From then you can head to any of the various areas in Playa using 10th or 15th Avenues.