Playacar ZH Fase 1

The beach fronting Playacar Phase 1, a gated residential community of beachfront villas just south of downtown, established in 1979 as Playa del Carmen's first upscale development.

The sand here is notably uncrowded, and the community grounds contain the small Xaman-Ha Mayan ruins.

In recent years the shoreline has narrowed in stretches due to coastal erosion, so it is often less broad than the wider beach along Playacar Phase 2 further south.

All Mexican beaches are public, so many walk down from the town centre, though land access through the gated streets is limited.