The Airport that you would be flying into is Cancun.  The Cancun Airport is  approximately 43 miles north of Playa del Carmen, about a 45 to 50 minute drive.

Taxi - One of the easiest ways to get to Playa is with an authorized airport taxi. It's a 45 minute ride to Playa del Carmen and they can take up to 4 people in a private taxi. A union controls who can carry tourists from the airport and what they charge.

Colectivo - A colectivo is (usually) a van that will take up to 10 people. They don't leave at any specific time, but you will have to wait until it's full enough to justify the trip. You may have to make stops at other resorts and hotels along the way, which can easily double the time it will take you to get to Playa del Carmen. To take one of these authorized taxis, go to any of the TTC kiosks located around the terminal and buy a ticket, or just step out of the arrival hall and you will get many offers. The price usually works out to about $18 usd per person.

Passport and Visa - Americans arriving into Mexico by air or sea will be required to have a valid passport. We strongly suggest that you bring your passport to avoid any potential hassles with immigration. Also bear in mind that your passport doesn't only make traveling easier, it is also the best way to prove your nationality. Mexico, like many other countries, requires that your passport have at least 6 valid months left on it when you arrive. Most nationalities do not need to apply for a Mexican visa ahead of time, but some do, so check this in your home country before you leave.

Upon your arrival you will be asked to fill in a departure card, which also serves as your visa. Make sure to keep this paper with your travel documents, as you will be asked to show it when you leave. If you fail to produce it, you will be fined.

Playa del Carmen (often referred to as just "Playa" locally) was a little, unknown fishing village that was discovered by the traveler's visiting Cancun and Cozumel and is now one of the fastest growing coastal towns in Mexico.

Playa del Carmen offers you the enjoyment of a simple beach holiday without the trappings and characteristics of a modern-day commercialized resort like Cancun, yet it has a metropolitan elegance with many highly rated restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. The tourist developments here are low-rise, taking into account the local environment, and giving playa a more charismatic and authentic Mexican feel. This is contrast to the highly commercialized resort experience which is common in places like nearby Cancun.

For more information about Playa del Carmen, please see http://www.playa.info/ or http://playadelcarmen.com/.