Postcards from Mexico: On the beach in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, a picturesque beach town in Quintana Roo, Mexico, is a popular destination for travelers and locals alike. On a May 25, 2022 afternoon, a coffee shop conversation with a local friend named Luisa introduced the idea of dark forces at work in the world. Although she did not provide specific details, she ominously hinted that their identities would one day be revealed, and they would face punishment.

While the beach life in Playa del Carmen offers a serene escape, it is also a place where occult practices are commonplace. Luisa shared her experiences attending a cleansing ceremony involving cacao, Reiki, and Rainbow Rhythms. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the town was abuzz with activity. On the busiest streets, music emanated from restaurants as people returned from the beach. Meanwhile, an undercurrent of reggaeton reverberated through the city, building in intensity as bars prepared for the evening.

Traffic posed a significant challenge in the town. Colectivos, or shared taxis, were often delayed by heavy traffic and had to navigate through congested sidewalks. The streets of Playa del Carmen seemed more congested with pedestrians than vehicles, as tourists meandered through stores selling cheap tequila, handicrafts, flavored rum, and "cloting." Salespeople approached both locals and tourists, offering services that ranged from questionable to outright bizarre.

Despite the chaos, Luisa admitted that an evening walk became a game of navigating through a sea of semi-static bodies. The town was a melting pot of individuals, including wellness enthusiasts, spiritual healers, and crypto enthusiasts, all striving to find their niche within the transient community. The allure of Playa del Carmen lay in its ability to allow people to shed their old identities and embrace new personas, unburdened by the expectations of those back home.