Uber Now Operates in Playa del Carmen — What It Means for Getting Around
Quick answer: Uber began operating in Playa del Carmen and Tulum on October 20, 2026, offering free rides as a launch promotion, Excélsior and Uno TV report.…
Read MoreAll you need to know about Playa del Carmen
Who are we? Why are we doing this?
We are a team of writers who live and love Playa del Carmen. Sadly, Yellow Journalism is rampant today. "If it bleeds, it leads" as the old saying goes.
We do not believe that the random bad news story represents our beautiful area. In fact, we know that there is MUCH more good here than people know about.
On these pages you will find what is really happening here, written by locals, for locals. If you are not a local (or just hope to be one, one day) don't worry, you are welcome here too. In fact, you just found Playa's best kept secret…
Playa del Carmen beach
Where is Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a city located on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula in southeastern Mexico. It is situated just south of Cancun and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. The city is located about 35 miles south of Cancun International Airport and is easily accessible by car or bus. Playa del Carmen is known for its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, making it a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities. It is also home to a number of restaurants, bars, and shops, and is a great place to experience the rich culture of Mexico.
Playa del Carmen — Mexico
Latest Posts
Mexico’s Tourist Entry Fee Is Set to Rise in 2027 — What Visitors to Playa del Carmen Will Pay
Quick answer: Mexico’s entry fee for foreign tourists, the Derecho de No Residente (DNR), is set to rise from 983 pesos to 1,158 pesos in 2027, an increase of…
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Quintana Roo's Para-Athletes and Para-Dancers Are Headed to Nationals — What It Says About Sport in the State
Quick answer: Quintana Roo is sending para-dance and para-athletics teams to Mexico's National Paralympiad, Riviera Maya News & Events reports. The…
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300 Travel Agencies Want to Sell Bacalar — What the Demand Means for Southern Quintana Roo
Quick answer: Bacalar's hoteliers returned from a tourism caravan through Monterrey, Chihuahua, Culiacán and Tijuana having connected with just over 300 travel…
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Playa del Carmen’s Janal Pixán 2026 Program Is Out — Parades, Altars and What’s Free
Quick answer: Playa del Carmen will celebrate Janal Pixán, the Maya observance of Day of the Dead, from October 31 to November 3, 2026, with more than 300…
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New Winter Flights to Cancún From Halifax, Windsor, Tampa and Richmond — What They Mean for Playa del Carmen
Quick answer: New winter routes are being added to Cancún International Airport, with Halifax, Windsor, Tampa and Richmond among the cities named, Riviera Maya…
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October 25, 2026
Day of the Dead 2026: Cozumel Welcomes Michoacán and Isla Mujeres Unveils Its Program — What to Expect
Quick answer: Two island communities near Playa del Carmen have announced their Day of the Dead celebrations for 2026. Cozumel's festival…
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October 23, 2026
A Free App Now Lets Anyone Help Track Marine Wildlife in the Mexican Caribbean — Meet MARAP
Quick answer: The conservation organization MarAlliance has launched MARAP, a free app for tracking marine wildlife in the Mexican…
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October 22, 2026
Playa del Carmen Is Expanding HIV Testing and Prevention — What It Says About the City's Health Services
Quick answer: Playa del Carmen is expanding its HIV testing and prevention strategy, Riviera Maya News & Events reports. The expansion…
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October 21, 2026
A Playa del Carmen Hotel Was Denied Federal Authorization — Why That Is Good News for Buyers
Quick answer: Federal officials have denied authorization for a hotel project in Playa del Carmen after work had already been carried out…
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October 20, 2026
CFE Is Installing New Power Lines in Playa del Carmen — What It Means for the Outages
Quick answer: Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) is installing new power lines in Playa del Carmen after months of outages and…
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October 19, 2026
Playa del Carmen Wants to Turn Sargassum Into an Industry — What the Processing-Plant Plan Really Means
Quick answer: Playa del Carmen is seeking private investment to build sargassum processing plants, according to Riviera Maya News &…
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August 10, 2026
Grand Velas Riviera Maya Ranks Among the World’s Top 15 All-Inclusive Resorts — What It Says About the Region
In Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards, Grand Velas Riviera Maya was ranked #11 among the Top 15 All-Inclusive Resorts in the…
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August 9, 2026
Puerto Morelos Just Won a Triple International Award — Why the Riviera Maya’s Quiet Neighbor Is Suddenly in the Spotlight
In 2026, Puerto Morelos — the small coastal town roughly midway between Cancún and Playa del Carmen — won a triple international award…
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August 8, 2026
Southwest’s Direct Las Vegas–Cancún Flight Is Back — What It Means for the Riviera Maya
On June 4, 2026, Southwest Airlines resumed direct service between Las Vegas and Cancún International Airport after a four-year suspension…
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August 2, 2026
Playa del Carmen Just Became Mexico’s First Sustainable Bull Shark Destination — Here’s Why That Matters
In July 2026, Playa del Carmen became the first destination in Mexico to receive an official Geographical Indication for sustainable bull…
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November 10, 2023
Playa del Carmen Fishing
Nestled along the picturesque shores of the Mexican Caribbean, Playa del Carmen beckons fishing enthusiasts with its rich marine bounty and…
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August 11, 2026
A $270 Million Medical District Is Coming to Cancún — What It Means for the Riviera Maya’s Economy
In August 2026, a development group announced plans to build a $270 million Premier Medical Destination Center in Cancún’s emerging tech…
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August 7, 2026
“Made in Playa del Carmen”: Inside the City’s New Push to Support Local Entrepreneurs
In March 2026, Playa del Carmen’s municipal Economic Development office announced a five-part program to support local entrepreneurs…
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August 6, 2026
Quintana Roo Just Created a Real Estate Registry to Stop Illegal Agents — What Buyers Need to Know
In May 2026, Quintana Roo authorities created a formal registry to track and identify real estate agents operating without proper legal…
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August 5, 2026
Underwater Sculptures Are Helping Rebuild the Riviera Maya’s Coral Reefs — Here’s How
In May 2026, a new underwater sculpture initiative launched in Quintana Roo aimed at accelerating coral reef restoration along the Riviera…
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February 20, 2024
Where to Find New and Used Bookstores in Playa del Carmen
Book lovers will be happy to know that Playa del Carmen has a handful of bookstores that cater to those who love to read, in both English…
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September 26, 2023
What Travelers Need to Know About the Drinking Age in Mexico
Understanding the legal drinking age is a crucial aspect of any traveler's journey, and Mexico is no exception. Here is what visitors to…
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August 3, 2026
Sabor a Playa 2026: How an Eleven-Day Food Festival Reveals the Real Playa del Carmen
Sabor a Playa 2026 ran July 9–19 along Fifth Avenue, bringing together twelve local restaurants, more than 100 local artists, and 25…
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November 13, 2023
A Culinary Odyssey: Unveiling the Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen
Picture this: you're kicking back on the sun-kissed shores of the Riviera Maya, the gentle breeze carrying the aroma of world-class…
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August 4, 2026
Quintana Roo Just Protected Sacred Maya Honey — What It Means for the Riviera Maya
In 2026, Quintana Roo granted official protected status to Maya honey produced by native stingless bees, known locally as xunán kab — a…
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August 7, 2023
The Evolution of Playa del Carmen: From Fishing Village to Coastal Gem
Nestled along the turquoise shores of the Mexican Caribbean, Playa del Carmen has a captivating history that transformed a quiet fishing…
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