Fundadores Park (El Zócalo)

The basics

You can easily visit the park before or after a stroll through 5th Avenue and central Playa del Carmen—guided walking tours of the centro often do, and stop to take in the sculpture, check out the beach and promenade, and watch the dance performances, which usually take place during the evening. The park is a local gathering place, and worth seeing just for the sculpture, a 50-foot (16-meter) statue of a man and woman forming an archway with their embrace high above the ground.

Things to know before you go

• Pack sunscreen and hats, as shade can be limited.
• Food carts and local eateries lie just off the public square.
• English is widely spoken in almost all of the tourist areas.
• Bring cash: You may want to tip performers in the square.

How to get there

Fundadores Park sits just outside of the ADO Bus Station on Fifth Avenue between Avenida Benito Juarez and the ferry dock. If you take a bus into the city, it’ll likely be the first place you see. If you’re staying in downtown, it’s an easy walk to El Zócalo.

When to get there

The park is open and free to the public at all hours of the day and night, but can become crowded during the middle of the day on weekend evenings. If you want to try and beat the crowds, visit on weekdays and plan to arrive early in the morning before the shops open. It’s also a good place to watch the sunrise. The fire and dance performances don’t have a strict schedule, but you can usually see them after dinner.

Portal Maya Sculpture

At the front of the park, a beachside sculpture depicts a man and women clasping hands in a spiral of wind and water to form an archway. Portal Maya stands over 50 feet (15 meters) high and commemorates the December 2012 end of the Maya calendar. Visitors to El Zócalo can walk around the piece to see it up close.