Spotlight on Playa Del Carmen

Photo: One of the beaches near Playa del Carmen. (Photo via Flickr/David Stanley)

As Cozumel and Cancun surged onto Mexico’s tourism scene in the 1970s, outpost Playa del Carmen stood as little more than a blip on the radar as a ferry landing thoroughfare for those traveling to more “exotic” locales. In the early 1980s, however, the tiny fishing village began a metamorphosis as forward-thinking investors counted on its primo location and natural blessings to plant it firmly on the tourism map.

While maintaining a gentle balance during its growth spurt, Playa welcomed new tourism-focused eateries, shops and accommodations to garnish Quinta Avenida – or Fifth Avenue – with energized local flavor. In the process, it evolved into a Bohemian haven with high appeal to everything from European backpackers to budget travelers from the U.S. and Canada. Rather than rushing through the village, visitors began to linger to relish its charm.

No doubt chic boutique hotels and all-inclusive resorts elevated Playa del Carmen’s visitor profile over the years. Some old-timers argue that Playa has been overdeveloped, while others feel it’s exactly what they covet as a tamer option to nearby Cancun with its hustle and bustle. Yet, those into nightlife can still party like a rock star if that’s the flavor of the day. With it large ex-pat population that’s heavily skewed toward Argentineans and Italians, the scene is vibrant, to say the least.

It’s a refreshed personality aside, Playa remains the perfect springboard to warm Caribbean waters of Tulum, Mayan ruins, pristine diving in Cozumel and Cancun’s red hot action running from day to night. Playa is also a takeoff spot for the cenotes (underground pools) and action-packed eco-parks of Xcaret, Xel-Ha or Xplor.

When To Visit

Since it has a subtropical climate, Playa’s weather ranges from warm to hot nearly year-round. Humidity is usually high, with the average temperature hovering around 80ºF. As an extremely positive note, the sea is almost always warm enough for a swim.

While daytime temperatures are comfortable from November through January, the air tends to cool down a bit at night. When showers attempt to dampen the fun from October through March, the cloudbursts are generally far from overwhelming. Rates are higher from Dec.15 through Jan. 1 during the holiday break.

During peak season from February to May, rain is sparse and the sea is prime for swimming. Prices elevate, however. Travelers with flexibility to visit after Easter during April or May are privy to more space for savoring the amiable weather.

Those with no tolerance for heat and with flex in scheduling should consider low season from June to August. The sea is calm and the air remains warm even through the night. The period is prone to precipitation, however, ranging from brief showers to intense thunderstorms. And bear in mind that hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin run from June 1-Nov. 30, with activity spiking in early- to mid-September.

Since Playa del Carmen is leaner on festivals than most Mexican resorts, locals lean toward events in larger Yucatan destinations like Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum.

The grandest is the annual BPM Festival slated for Jan. 6-15 that features ten days of music festival day and night parties at various beachfront venues and nightclubs throughout Playa. Fans can look forward to celebrating in style with German collective Keinemusik, Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep In Sound, Marco Carola’s Music On, Nicole Moudaber presents MOOD, Jamie Jones’ Paradise, Guy Gerber’s RUMORS, Dubfire’s SCI+TEC, No.19 Music’s Social Experiment, Steve Lawler’s Warriors and more than 70 additional parties to be announced with 400-plus artists.  

The BPM Festival three-day opening weekend (Jan. 6-8), three-day closing weekend (Jan. 13-15), seven-day (Jan. 9-15) and 10-day (Jan. 6-15) festival passes are available at TheBPMFestival.com/tickets. Pass perks include entry to all BPM events during the respective date range, line bypass, guaranteed entry (subject to venue’s legal capacity), plus discounts at more than 125 local stores and restaurants.  

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