Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a resort town on Mexico's Riviera Maya coast, built up fast over the past two decades from a quiet fishing village into one of the region's busiest tourist and expat hubs. It's more walkable and less corporate than nearby Cancun's hotel zone, centered on the pedestrian street Quinta Avenida lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. A large community of North American and European remote workers has settled here long-term, drawn by the beaches and lower cost of living.

Cochinita pibil, slow-roasted achiote-marinated pork traditionally cooked in banana leaves, is the Yucatan dish worth seeking beyond the tourist menus. Fresh ceviche and tacos al pastor, cut straight off a vertical spit, are everywhere along Quinta Avenida. Bargaining is common at markets and with taxis, agree on a price before getting in.