Playa del Carmen

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Playa del Carmen was just a small fishing village with only a few paved blocks of town. Located between two growing tourist destinations – Cancun and Cozumel, most travelers were just passing through. It was mostly a fishing village but was gaining popularity as a “hippie” hangout, and little by little grew as a backpacker’s destination.

Today, Playa del Carmen has grown to be one of the most important tourist destinations in Latin America and has been called the glamour capital of the Riviera Maya. The famous Fifth Avenue (La Quinta) has grown from its original few blocks to miles, much of the central area closed to traffic to create a fabulous pedestrian walkway. The avenue is lined with charming outdoor cafes and restaurants, bars with live music and inviting shops to find Mexican souvenirs and trinkets.

This chic destination has attracted a diverse variety of residents and has become an interesting mix of cultures. Playa del Carmen has a record growth rate of about 26% per year, making it the fastest growing city in Mexico which makes it prime for real estate investing as well as vacation rentals.

Although the town has grown tremendously, it has still retained its bohemian charm and European flair. However, all the modern services and conveniences are close at hand. There are grocery stores, including Sam’s Club and Walmart, shopping malls with cinemas, furniture stores, hospitals, bilingual schools and even Starbucks.

Municipal employees have been kept busy with a facelift to many of the main streets and avenues, with new pavement and palm trees in the medians. New stop lights continue to pop up and many areas are being reconstructed with underground services.

Playa del Carmen real estate is very diverse and there is something for every budget and lifestyle. Whether it is in town, on the beach or in Playacar (a gated manicured community next to town) buying real estate in Playa del Carmen is an excellent option for investment or second home.