The Riviera Maya receives millions of tourists and visitors each year. These tourists define the region – a Mexican region that has, in fact, been developed specifically for them. Yet, behind the majestic facades of the giant resorts, the savory culinary cuisine of the international restaurants and the exciting excursions and amusement parks exist the locals. In Playa del Carmen in particular, a local is fondly referred to as “Playense.” The Playense are comprised of the Mayans local to the region, the Mexicans from other regions of Mexico who now call the Riviera Maya home and even the foreign expats who couldn’t tear themselves away from the exotic beauty and irresistible charm of the euro-chic Playa del Carmen. Out of love for the very place we call home, Playaloves.me is now dedicating a section to the Playense. Here you will find documentary style images that focus on the myriad of people that call themselves Playense.
For our inaugural exploration of local Playa, we visited the Playas de X-angrila, located just past the beach area of the new Paradisius by Melia.
