Playa del Carmen Celebrates 123 Years of Unity and Roots

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The municipality marked a significant milestone this week with the commemoration of the 123rd anniversary of the founding of Playa del Carmen, an event led by Municipal President Estefanía Mercado at Parque Fundadores. The ceremony honored the region’s Mayan heritage, the first families who built the early settlement, and the community spirit that has shaped one of Mexico’s fastest-growing cities.

“We are a land founded with dignity, with Mayan roots, and with the strength of its people,” Mercado said, noting that long before modern development, the coastline was a sacred and strategic space for the Maya. The coast that would become Playa del Carmen served as a key point along ancient maritime routes to Cozumel, an island dedicated to Ixchel, the Maya goddess of fertility.

Mercado highlighted surnames such as Quiam, Dzib, Puc, and Aguilar, describing them as part of the city’s living historical memory and acknowledging the vision of the first families who settled the area in the early 1900s, when the community was little more than a remote village tied to the chicle and coconut industries.

The mayor also underscored the importance of the recent officialization of the municipality’s name as Playa del Carmen, a move she described as “an act of historical justice” that recognizes local identity after decades of administrative references to the broader municipality of Solidaridad.

Calling for unity and collaboration, Mercado reminded residents that the city continues to face complex challenges linked to rapid population growth, infrastructure demand, and environmental pressures. “Playa del Carmen has great challenges, but we are going to face them with work, commitment, and the strength of our people. Here, no one gives up and no one is left behind,” she said.

Honoring Foundational Roots

During the ceremony, José Luis Acosta, president of Unidos por Playa A.C., emphasized the importance of preserving community memory. He described the city’s foundation as an expression of collective resilience.

“Playa del Carmen was born from a love of work, family, and the land. As long as we continue to honor our roots, this city will continue to be a home and a hope,” Acosta said.

Recovering a Forgotten History

City chronicler Raymundo Tineo Celaya recounted how the origins of Playa del Carmen’s name were uncovered in 2002 after a dedicated commission sought to resolve long-standing historical uncertainty. The key evidence came from the Archivo General de la Nación: a letter dated November 14, 1902, written by the Compañía Colonizadora de Oriente Peninsular, reporting that chicle shipments were being exported from “the beach to which we had given the name del Carmen.”

This discovery confirmed the site as a formal settlement linked to the chicle trade, marking the earliest documented use of the name. Families soon established permanent homes, and growth continued modestly until the tourism boom of the 1970s and 1980s dramatically reshaped the region. Playa del Carmen became an independent municipality in 1993.

Recognitions and Cultural Events

As part of the anniversary celebration, Mercado presented a recognition to Benjamín Arias for his work in locating the historical founding document, and a posthumous recognition to Narciso Dzay, who championed the construction of the first church—today known as the Capilla de la Virgen del Carmen, a landmark in Parque Fundadores.

The municipal president also laid a floral wreath, toured artistic exhibitions, and unveiled a commemorative plaque at the chapel.

Attendees included Eduardo Asencio, honorary president of DIF Solidaridad; deputies María José Osorio and Lili Mis; members of the City Council, municipal cabinet, and many founding families.

The anniversary celebration served not only as a tribute to the city’s origins but also as a reaffirmation of its evolving identity—one informed by deep cultural roots and the collective aspirations of its diverse and growing population.