Playa del Carmen (Fifth Avenue Beach)

Overview

Playa del Carmen, 68 km south of Cancún, has grown from a quiet fishing village into the Riviera Maya's most cosmopolitan beach town. Its broad, palm-lined beach faces Cozumel island, and the pedestrian Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) runs parallel one block inland.

Highlights

• Calm Swimming: Reef-protected waters create gentle conditions ideal for families.
• Quinta Avenida: A 4-km pedestrian boulevard lined with shops, restaurants, and street performers.
• Cozumel Ferry: Ferries to Cozumel depart from the pier at the end of the main street.

History

Known to the Maya as Xaman-Há, the site served as a departure point for pilgrimages to Cozumel's Ixchel temple. Modern development began in the 1980s with backpacker hostels and has since upscaled dramatically.

Visitor Tips

• Colectivo vans: Shared vans from Cancún are fast and cost under MXN 50.
• Walk south: The best stretches of beach are south of the ferry pier, away from the commercial zone.
• Duration: Half-day to full day.