Playa del Carmen is still a beachcombing sort of place. But it's growing and changing rapidly. Its location on the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula has made it a convenient jumping-off point for cruise-ship passengers who want to visit Cancun or tour Tulum's romantic cliff top ruins, Xei-Ha sea lagoon, where you can swim and snorkel amidst exotic tropical fish, and Xcaret Eco-Archeological Park. You can also fly to the awesome Mayan site at Chichen Itza. But Playa is gradually becoming fashionable for its own attributes, too. This is mainly due to its white-sand beaches that are calmer and less crowded than those in Cancun and Cozumel. Shops line the pier and lead into town, where you'll find restaurants, more shops, small hotels and the fine beaches of Playa.