Playa del Carmen -or Playa as it is called by the locals- has acquired international fame in the unprecedented short span of just ten years.
This fascinating town attracts visitors from all over the globe who want to see for themselves what it's all about: to immerse themselves in its atmosphere, feeling the soft white sand underfoot, enjoying the bohemian nightlife on sandy shores and listening to waves break on the beach as they sip a tropical drink.
Young people from all over the world have identified Playa del Carmen as the place to go to get to know other cultures and ways of life. The resort lures painters, musicians, dancers and poets looking for ways to leap the boundaries of the every day and enter a fantastic universe, where ideas flow like rivers and creativity springs inspired by Nature. The streets of Playa are the favorite stage for anyone with a mission: folk dancers, concheros in pre-Hispanic costumes executing their mystic ritual dance, street performers, strolling minstrels who narrate local legends and artisans working at their craft to the fascination of passers-by.
All along its busy promenades lined with handcraft stores -a mere sampling of Mexican and international creativity- and on the city's famous Fifth Avenue, meeting place of extravagant characters, visitors can taste the delicious local dishes at any of numerous sidewalk cafés, where a marimba, trio from Veracruz or heavy rock band entice diners inside.
