Carmen beach

Playa del Carmen is a Mexican city, head of the municipality of Solidaridad, Quintana Roo. According to data from the Population and Housing Census of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) for the year 2020, it has a population of 304,942 inhabitants, making it the second most populous city in Quintana Roo, and it is also the 57th most populous city. populated by Mexico.

It is within the tourist zone called "Riviera Maya". The city (located at coordinates 20.62° north and 87.07° west) is bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea and its main economic activity is tourism. This goes hand in hand with the fact that a lot of employment is also generated in the construction industry, this is the second most important industry in the municipality.^{[citation needed]}

Development and growth

Church of Our Lady of the Carmen

In 1996, its population was 10,000 inhabitants, and in 2003 it already had a population of 49,000 inhabitants, mainly due to the immigration of people from different parts of the republic in search of work demanded by the tourist industry.^{[citation required]} According to figures from the National Institute of Migration from 2003, at least 7 percent of the population that permanently resides in the city is of foreign origin.^{[citation required]} Until November 2004, the growth of this tourist destination was reflected in the hotel offer of 23,428 rooms in operation and an annual influx of travelers estimated at a little more than two million people, mainly from the United States, Canada and Europe. As of the 2020 Census, the city has 304,942 residents.

History

In pre-Hispanic times, Playa del Carmen was called Xaman Há (from the Mayan language: Xaman Ha' 'Agua del Norte') and was a starting point for the Mayans on their pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Ixchel in Cozumel. The first modern settlement dates from the beginning of the XX century, when a community of fishermen, coconut palm and tree producers was located there. gum.^{[citation needed]}

During the 16th century, the Spanish invaded and conquered most Mayan sites. However, unlike many others, Playa del Carmen never became a Spanish settlement.^{[citation needed]} It is recorded that it was Francisco de Montejo who conquered this region in 1526, founding the town of Salamanca where Xel-Ha is currently located. Also, a year later, a lieutenant of Montejo, Alonso Dávila, established his camp in Xaman-Ha, which he described as a fishing village. Despite these events, this area remained very sparsely inhabited throughout the entire colonial period.^{[citation required]}

The founding of Playa del Carmen was due to a chicle colonizing company from the eastern coast of Yucatán that in 1908 obtained a concession from the government of Porfirio Díaz to explore forest resources.

Until the mid-1980s, Playa del Carmen was a small transit town with less than 1,500 inhabitants, although in the last two decades it has transformed significantly at the pace of tourism growth.^{[quote required]}

Geography

Hydrography

The highly permeable limestone rock that forms the soil of this region does not allow the existence of surface water currents, there are innumerable cenotes. Cenotes are, in most cases, widening of complex underground fluvial networks, which sometimes make their way to the sea. In these, marine water, denser than fresh, can penetrate through the bottom of the phreatic system. For this reason, there are cenotes in which, after a certain depth, the water changes from fresh to salty.

The depth of the aquifer ranges from 5 to 10 m, but it is also located up to 1 m from the surface and its average thickness is 19 M. The predominant water families are sodium-chlorinated and sodium chloride-sulfated.

Climate

The climate of the municipality is warm sub-humid with rains in the summer of higher humidity. The average annual temperature is 25.8 °C, the lowest temperatures are recorded in January with 13 °C and the maximum are reached in August with 32.9 °C. The prevailing winds are from the southeast. The annual rainfall is 1,331.2 millimeters with the rainy season from June to November.

The climate is affected by Cyclones or Hurricanes, which increase precipitation, especially in the summer. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 of each year.

Average climate parameters of Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo (1951-2019)
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Temp. max. abs. (°C)	37.5	33.0	34.0	39.0	40.0	39.0	39.0	39.5	39.0	34.0	35.0	39.0	40.0
Average temperature (°C)	27.8	28.5	29.6	30.8	31.7	32.0	32.5	32.9	32.6	30.8	29.3	28.6	30.6
Average temperature (°C)	22.8	23.4	24.3	26.1	27.3	27.9	28.0	28.0	27.9	26.3	24.4	23.4	25.8
Temp. medium (°C)	17.9	18.3	19.0	21.3	22.9	23.7	23.5	23.2	23.1	21.7	19.4	18.2	21.0
Temp. min. abs. (°C)	8.0	7.0	5.0	10.0	15.0	14.0	13.0	15.0	14.0	13.5	11.0	9.0	5.0
Total precipitation (mm)	61.2	50.5	28.1	51.2	78.1	153.0	126.3	126.3	168.8	284.3	130.3	73.1	1331.2
Precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)	7.7	4.4	3.8	3.7	6.5	10.6	9.3	9.6	14.5	15.9	9.5	7.3	102.8
Source: National Meteorological Service. Updated on December 8, 2016.

Ecosystems

In the municipality where Playa del Carmen (Solidaridad) is located, the flora is made up of medium subevergreen and subdeciduous forest, and low subevergreen forest, which are particularly valuable for logging due to the presence of precious woods such as mahogany and the cedar. On the other hand, in areas close to floodplains and the sea, mangrove communities have developed, although the surface they occupy is relatively small. The coastal zone has patches of dune vegetation. Among the wide wealth of flora species detected in the area are trees of: zapote, ramón, chechén, chacah, cedro, ya'axche, kitanche, papaya, sa' 39;kbob, mahahau, hiraea obovata, bisil, mansoa verrucifera, tatsi, habín, kaniste, guaya and chit palm, all distributed and present in the Cancun - Tulum corridor. On the shore of the coast there are mangrove areas and some swamps with species such as red and white mangroves. In the area of the coastal dunes there is a predominance of sea grapes, as well as the coconut palm, among others. The areas prone to flooding or subject to flooding have tule vegetation. The animals in the region are mostly of Neotropical origin, however, animals of Nearctic origin such as deer are present. The main groups represented are amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The presence of 309 species was detected in the Cancun - Tulum corridor, of which birds are the most widespread of all. Birds are represented by grackles, white herons, hummingbirds and small mammals such as the gray fox, squirrels, mice, opossums and bats; which together with the great variety of marine fauna represent an important resource of the locality,

Demographics

Playa del Carmen is a city made up mainly of people from different parts of the Mexican Republic and abroad, making this town a cosmopolitan place.

According to the population census carried out in the municipality in 2014, in Playa del Carmen and in the rest of the municipality, 60.4% of the population is non-native and 10.9% is immigrant (Solidarity Census 2014).

Playa del Carmen is one of the localities with the highest population growth nationwide. It is the main town in the municipality of Solidaridad and is where the vast majority of the population lives. In the municipality there are only two clearly recognized localities: Playa del Carmen (the municipal seat) and Puerto Aventuras.

According to the results of the INEGI 2020 Population and Housing Census, Playa del Carmen reached 304,942 inhabitants and 333,800 residents in the entire municipality.

Graphic of demographic evolution of Playa del Carmen between 1960 and 2020

Population of censuses and counts of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) from 1900 to 2020.

Economy

Tourism

Portal Maya, Playa del Carmen.

Paseo del Carmen, shopping center located south of Fifth Avenue.

Playa del Carmen is one of the most visited places in the Riviera Maya and, in general, in the Mexican southeast. Thus, tourism is the most important economic activity in the town, making the rest of the economy depend directly or indirectly on this activity. The city is a tourist destination and also a connection to other attractions mainly related to ecotourism, adventure tourism and beaches, among which are:

• Xcaret, eco-archeological park 6 km south of Playa del Carmen.
• Xplor, natural adventure park located 6 km south of Playa del Carmen next to Xcaret.
• Cozumel, an island located in front of Playa del Carmen, 45 minutes by ferry.
• Tulum, Mayan archaeological area located on the coast 64 km south of Playa del Carmen.
• Xel-Ha, ecological park.
• Sian Ka'an, a biosphere protected by SEMARNAT and World Heritage by UNESCO

Fifth Avenue

The famous Fifth Avenue is the street most visited by national and foreign tourists. It is about 4 kilometers long, from 1st street to 40th street. It is a very safe and busy pedestrian avenue, especially in the evenings and nights. Most of the trade is concentrated here, from handicraft and souvenirs shops to restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Starting from Avenida Constituyentes, the locals have unofficially named Fifth Avenue as the New Fifth; since it is the new part and bohemian atmosphere of this important tourist destination.

La Quinta Avenida, Playa del Carmen.

Fifth Avenue at night.

Playa del Carmen is a very important and visited place in Mexico, either by locals or by foreigners, so it is important to be aware of taking care of our beaches, establishing rules to keep them clean and preserve them in their entirety, take care of the ecosystem is not only not throwing garbage into the sea, not smoking on the beach so as not to dirty the sand, not throwing away broken glass bottles, but also taking care of the flora and fauna, because many species are in danger of extinction. We must remember that it is forbidden to drink alcohol on public roads. This is a recommendation for national and foreign tourists.

Iconic places

Playa del Carmen is synonymous with fun thanks to the many hundreds of places it offers to enjoy, among them are the legendary and historical ones that gave life to the paradise that Playa del Carmen is today.

Xcaret theme park

Playa Mamita's was founded in the year 2000. At the beginning it only had a modest restaurant and a smaller bar than is now the main bar. Today it is one of the most visited places, in addition to being the venue for the best music festivals that Playa del Carmen has to offer, such as the famous BPM (which was last held in 2017 due to a tragic outcome), Corona Sunset and the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival among others.

Fundadores Park is one of the first public spaces to be built in Playa del Carmen, the only public park to date located on the beach. It is a space for rest, cultural expression and organization of social events. In it is the Mayan Portal, a sculpture that has become an icon, a symbol of identity of the town.

Xcaret is undoubtedly the best-known park in Mexico and worldwide as well, founded in 1990, this park has been placed among the best places to visit in the Riviera Maya, it is also considered the best ecological park in the world.

Xaman-Ha Aviary is a sanctuary for Mexican birds, more than two hectares of space home to two hundred individuals of forty-five different species.

Xplor is a place full of adventures with many attractions such as: zip lines, snorkeling, jeeps, etc. It is an unforgettable experience.

Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen One of the oldest places, also one of the most visited, located on 5th Avenue and Ave. Juárez, on the corner of the first park created in Playa del Carmen. Dozens of weddings are held in this parish every year.

Coco Bongo Show & Disco (Playa del Carmen): The emblematic discotheque of the Riviera Maya, its start in Playa del Carmen was in 2007, and it is currently the number 1 point of reference when it comes to nightlife in Playa del Carmen.

Ciudad Mayakoba (Playa del Carmen): The most outstanding real estate development in the destination. An integral, planned and sustainable community. Located at the north end of the city, just 35 minutes from the Cancun airport.

Culture

Grafiti in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo.

The cultural diversity of Playa del Carmen can be seen in the facilities of the Casa de la Cultura, as well as in Parque la Ceiba, places where pictorial, sculptural and craft exhibitions are presented, literature, painting, music, dance, theater and many more, for the entire population. Playa del Carmen, also known as the Riviera Maya, is one of the most attractive destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, it has beautiful beaches, such as Paa-Mul, Playa Paraíso and Playa Maroma among others, part of the tourist attraction are the parks Xcaret, X -Plor and Xel-ha among others.

Papantla Flyer in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo.

Modern Church, interior view

Festivities and events

• Carnival of Playa del Carmen

It takes place at the end of January, there are shows and parades where they recreate the Mayan culture.

• Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen

It is celebrated in July, and is one of the most important events for the municipality of Solidaridad since it is the patron saint of the town. On this date the Feria del Carmen is also held to commemorate said celebration.

• Guelaguetza

Playa del Carmen and Oaxaca twinned by the Guelaguetza, in April the Expo Guelaguetza in Playa del Carmen is received at the Plaza Cívica 28 de Julio, where you can find handicrafts and products from Oaxaca as well as being able to enjoy music and typical dances of that region.

• Holy Maya

Held in November, it is a ritual where hundreds of canoeists set sail from Xcaret towards the sanctuary of the goddess Ixchel, in Cozumel. They travel to listen to the message of her deity, to return to Playa del Carmen to transmit it to the Mayan people, who hope to find out what fate has in store for them. The participants of this recreation make the spiritual value of the Mayan roots feel, rowing kilometers to reach their goal. Thousands of tourists witness this spectacular event every year.

• Riviera Maya Jazz Festival

Years ago in Cancun, it was dreamed of being able to strengthen a great music festival in the low season months, so that it would become a relevant alternative for tourist activity in those months when the flow of vacationers decreases, as they are especially the time that goes from September to early December. Cancun had its jazz festival and it was dreamed that it would establish itself as a solid party to celebrate this musical genre in the Caribbean, and that it would be considered a promotional bastion for Cancun and its area of influence, with a relevant capacity and trigger the influx tour. With artists of the highest quality, Playa del Carmen, together with the state and municipal authorities, and the work of the Riviera Maya Tourism Promotion Trust, plus the good participation of hoteliers and tourist servers, managed to capitalize on the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, as one One of the most relevant meetings in the world of this musical genre, the festival has grown considerably, both in technology and in logistics and quality, in order to provide a better experience for attendees; "this evolution represents a watershed for the jazz scene in Latin America". The organizational capacity of Quintana Roo can be considered a source of pride, a similar path followed by other festivities in the state, such as the cinema, and the great return of the Caribbean Culture Festival, which is also expected to eventually be consolidated.

Government

Playa del Carmen houses the executive branch of the Municipality of Solidaridad. Said government is constituted by the Presidency and the Cabildo. The position of Municipal President is granted through popular election to govern for three years with the possibility of re-election for another three years if the subsequent contest is won. The Cabildo is made up of 15 councilors and a municipal trustee who are elected by the president, and who preside over the different commissions designed to fulfill the various functions for which the local government is responsible.

Cabildo members:

• Sindico Municipal - Comisión de Hacienda, Patrimonio y Cuenta Pública.
• First Rigid
• Second ruler
• Third ruler
• Fourth
• Fifth Regidor
• Regid sex
• Seventh Regidor
• Octavo Regidor
• Noveno Regidor
• Tenth Rigid
• First
• Tenth Regid
• Tenth Regiver
• Tenth Regidity
• Tenth Regid

Transportation

Among the systems and means of transportation available to both residents and tourists, the following stand out:

Urban transportation

• Collective transport service (camiones and combis)
• Taxi service of the municipality of Solidarity
• Motorcycle service (referred only in certain colonies)

Foreign Transportation

• ADO Bus Service for transfer to different destinations in the state of Quintana Roo and the rest of the country.
• Forward collective transport through vans with routes to different places mainly to Cancun and Tulum.

Sea transport

There is the Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal, which houses a fleet of boats from concessionary companies to transport passengers to the Island of Cozumel.

Education

In Playa del Carmen there is a diversity of alternatives for the educational demand of upper secondary and higher levels; both public and private institutions.

Upper middle level

• College of High Schools (Cobach)
• College of Scientific and Technological Studies of the State (CECYTE)
• National College of Technical Professional Education (Conalep)
• Center for Technological Studies of the Sea No.36 (CETMAR)
• Playacar Grand School (closed)
• English College (closed)
• Yits'Atil Education Institute (closed)
• Instituto Playa del Carmen de la Salle (closed)
• Instituto Tepeyac Campus Xcaret (closed)
• Monteverdi Vittorio Institute (closed)
• Mayaland (closed)
• United Nations High School
• Ak Lu'um Waldorf School (non-profit association)
• National Intensive Training Centre (CNCI)
• La Salle Playa del Carmen (closed)
• Technical Secondary of Tourism
• Weston College (closed)
• Educational Consortium Riviera Maya (CERM)
• Monteverdi Vittorio Institute (closed)
• Centro Educativo Intercultural del Caribe (CEIC)
• Instituto del Colegio Valladolid (closed)

Upper level

• Technological University of the Riviera Maya (UT Riviera Maya)
• Universidad Autónoma de Quintana Roo (UQROO) - Riviera Maya Campus
• Inter-American University for Development (UNID)
• Riviera University (UNIR)
• University of the South
• Tecnológico Universitario Playacar
• Universidad Vizcaya de Las Américas - Campus Playa del Carmen
• Universidad Aztlán - Plantel Playa del Carmen
• University Center English
• Instituto Universitario Itzamná
• Centro de Estudios Superiores Felipe Villanueva
• Universidad Benito Juárez - Unidad Playa del Carmen
• Escuela de Enfermería Ignacio Chávez
• Explayarte Music-Danza-Teatro

Health

The inhabitants have a good coverage of health services ranging from public hospitals and health centers to private clinics, offices and laboratories. The following health institutions should be highlighted:

• Hospital General de Playa del Carmen.
• General Hospital of Area No. 18 of the IMSS.
• IMSS UMF n.o 11 Playa del Carmen.
• Cruz Roja Mexicana Delegación Playa del Carmen.
• Costamed Playa del Carmen (Private).
• AMERIMED Hospitals Playa del Carmen (Private).
• Grupo Playa Med Hospital Playa del Carmen (Private).
• Hospiten Riviera Maya (Private).

Media

As the city has grown, the information needs of the population have increased and with it the proliferation of some media.

Radius

• Riviera FM - 98.1 MHz.
• Playa FM - 103.1 MHz.
• Lokura FM Playa del Carmen - 106.3 MHz FM.
• The 40 Playa del Carmen - 96.1 MHz FM.
• Playahit Radio.

TV

• Canal 10 Playa del Carmen.

Print media

Newspapers in circulation:

• For this!
• News from Quintana Roo.
• Quequi.
• Diario de Quintana Roo.
• Weight.
• 24 Hours Quintana Roo.

Magazines:

• Fifth Magazine.
• In Riviera Maya.

Digital Media

• The Quintana Roo Pancarta.
• Fifth Force
• News Playa del Carmen
• Legally

Sports

The city is home to the Inter Playa del Carmen soccer team, which has a Mexican Third Division championship and currently plays in the southern zone of the Mexican Second Division.

The Mayakoba Golf Classic is a professional golf tournament on the American PGA TOUR circuit held at the El Camaleón Golf Club since 2007. Since 2013, it has been a full points tournament in which the winner acquires all rights to win the PGA TOUR.

It also has a municipal baseball league, in which five teams from Playa del Carmen participate, two from Puerto Aventuras, one from Chemuyil and as a special guest the Tulum Taxi Drivers. The city stands out for its participation in the sport of Chess.

Twinnings

The city of Playa del Carmen has Twinning with the following cities around the world: