Playa del Carmen Seeks Cultural Heritage Status for Virgen Fest

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — During the 17th ordinary session of the City Council, Councilwoman Anaiza Quiam Medina introduced a proposal to designate the festivities in honor of the Virgen del Carmen as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Playa del Carmen. The initiative aims to preserve one of the municipality’s most representative traditions.

Joined by descendants of founding families, Quiam Medina emphasized that the annual celebration, which draws hundreds of visitors, strengthens community ties and connects residents to their spiritual and historical roots. “We want these festivities to be passed down from generation to generation and not lost amid the rapid growth of this destination,” she stated.

Reviving Lost Traditions

The proposal also seeks to revive other local customs that have faded over time. Claudiano Quiam, a descendant of the town’s founders, noted that the Virgen del Carmen festivities were among the first celebrations to attract tourism to the area and still hold deep cultural significance.

While other traditional events, such as fishing tournaments and celebrations for the Virgen de Fátima, exist, Quiam Medina highlighted that none carry the same historical and symbolic weight as those dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen. The festivities coincide with the founding date of the municipality.

This year marks the first time the anniversary will be officially celebrated under the name “Playa del Carmen” instead of “Solidaridad,” a symbolic change reinforcing the identity the initiative seeks to protect.