Like many, I’ve felt myself drawn to Mexico’s coast for some beach side relaxation. Rather than the popular beach resort of Cancun, I opted to visit it’s quieter neighbor: Playa del Carmen. There I found so much more than a lazy day at the beach. I discovered a place of amazing food, art, culture, and local charm. As with many destinations I visit, one of my favorite things to do is get lost wandering and taking photos. Through some of my favorite pictures of Playa del Carmen, I hope to give a colorful glimpse into this wonderful corner of Mexico.
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Playa del Carmen is a small city just over an hour south of Cancun. It is easy to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun’s airport via bus for around $15 USD each way.
The bus drops you right onto Playa del Carmen’s main tourist crawl: 5th avenue. Bustling 5th avenue is full of restaurants, galleries, and shops.
It seemed every store front was full of color and character. The sun and playful decorations mingled with the festive music playing in the street.
Overhead were many strings of colorful Papel Picado meaning “perforated paper”.
These traditional Mexican decorations formed a canopy of color along the street.
Having traveled to Mexico before, I was at least more prepared for the blistering heat! The scattered palm trees provided some welcome shade.
Hot climates and bright colored buildings seem to go hand in hand.
Playa del Carmen is full of amazing street art from sculptures to vibrant murals and graffiti. I saw many tributes to the legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and there is even a small museum dedicated to her.
Even down small side streets, there were gorgeous murals to discover.
The rich indigenous heritage was reflected in various fixtures and folk art throughout the city.
From galleries selling authentic pieces of regional art to souvenirs inspired by them, it was easy to find these distinct deep colors and intricate patterns.
The first city I visited in Mexico was Mérida (one of the safest cities in Mexico). Playa del Carmen, being a resort town with lots of security, also felt pretty safe as a solo female traveler, though I avoided walking around at night.
The bright daylight was perfect for exploring anyway to really take in the eclectic architecture.
The mix of architecture was fascinating to the eye: from small old homes with interesting little details…
…to stark modern apartments.
Playa del Carmen’s beaches attracted me with their easy accessibility. The long stretch of sand was just a couple blocks from all the restaurants and shops on 5th avenue.
I loved enjoying the beach in the early mornings before the larger crowds arrived… and before the sweltering midday heat!
Of course, the ocean isn’t the only natural beauty in Playa del Carmen. I passed by so many stunning flowers just adding to the city’s vibrant colors.
Though not the first colorful city I’ve photographed in Mexico or even the first Mexican beach I’ve enjoyed, Playa del Carmen had its own special atmosphere that I would surely revisit. If you plan on visiting this part of the world, check out my Mexico Packing List for some very helpful items for your journey!
Hopefully my favorite pictures of Playa del Carmen have inspired you to visit this unique and colorful city! Many of the photos you have seen are available for purchase on a wide variety of prints, posters, stationery, and other gifts. You can visit my full store here for products featuring photography from Mexico and other beautiful places around the world.
