In fact, some said you could spend two days here and not see the same thing twice. Tulum was once a small but important port city that sits on the edge of a cliff, with a beach below where you can swim too. Its perfectly fine to wear a linen shirt and cargo shorts to a plush dinner and even a night out at Coco Bongo. On the one hand, why get your expensive clothes all dirty and sweaty just for a little fun? An exception is the ferry to Isla Cozumel, which has regular departures daily and can be booked at the ferry terminal only one day ahead of travel. Mistake #1: The Nicest Hotels Are in Cancun Hotel Zone of Cancun. Reef Quest has a variety of dive charters including reef dives and local cenote dives. The fun bar and restaurant known as Le Lotus Rouge is set in a circus-like setting that would impress even David Lynch. If youd like more context for these destinations in the Yucatan, check out my guide on Cancun vs Riviera Maya. We got scammed 3 times on 5th Ave to a point we decided not to leave our comfortable all inclusive hotel resort. We recommend taking cash out at Cancn airport upon arrival for peace of mind. Not only are they stunningly beautiful, many of them are home to those little fish that eat away the dead skin on your feet. A single ticket costs M$216 (US$10.50). Thats why Im not going to tell you about all the good and fun things to do in Playa del Carmen. I highly recommend Xpu Ha beach. The Mexican authorities have admitted an increasing presence of drug-related crime in Playa del Carmen. We have reviews of the best places to see in Playa del Carmen. It is important to always keep your wits about you and stay vigilant. We did find a couple of places to charge my wheelchair at the pools. For a monthly car rental, expect to pay between $20-30 per day. Theyre my all-time favorites in the world I even included them in my best damn Playa del Carmen taco guide and theyre not for outsiders. Not only will this help you get around and show your respect for the locals, but it could also be valuable when in a sticky situation. With the Discover Cars search engine, you can search & compare the best prices from dozens of rental agencies, see reviews, and book with confidence. In other words, why even come in the first place? The all-inclusive resorts are generally very safe. Further northeast is Zazil-Ha, an up-and-coming area that appeals to medium-term visitors and creative types with its affordable short-term rentals and co-working spaces. Note that youll need be ready to pedal or walk 15 minutes to town. But the best parties? You'll likely walk past the beach at Parque Fundadores while strolling La Quinta Avenida as it sits parallel to the bustling thoroughfare. With an efficient grid layout, this is a compact city thats easy to navigate on foot. Seaweed in the Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen. Book your seat online at least a day in advance and download an e-ticket on your phone. Accommodations are also a fraction of the price compared to the Hotel Zone. There are also several all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya region between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Therefore, if youre traveling from Playa del Carmen to Cancun, I recommend renting a car. Keep in mind: Because this thoroughfare attracts a large number of tourists, prices at restaurants and bars will be higher compared to other areas of Playa. Taylor Herperger is a traveler and freelance writer with passions in environmentalism, adventure travel, and music. Incidents are rare, but you dont want to be that person. I lied. Recent travelers said this adventure was the highlight of their trip to Playa del Carmen, noting that the tour was fascinating and that they learned a lot about the Mayans and the land's natural history. Order here The right concentration of algae is important for the environment. I honestly dont want to go because I dont feel safe, Im terrified in fact, but my husband already booked the tickets. Avoid the season completely: Late February through mid-April is peak season for Spring Break travel. According to the website is was "Sweet and savoury snacks". For tips from the better half of my bipolar self, be sure to see my/his 10 reasons to visit Playa del Carmen. If you want to be closer to all the action, Playacar Palace, seated by the ferry port but outside the gated portion of Playacar, is an excellent choice. By all means, have some fun while in Playa, but dont go so overboard that you make yourself a vulnerable target. Sorry and I agree with you that it is truly not the same as it used to be, so pure and beautiful, just like anything else. A couple usually approaches and offers to clean the bird poop from your hair or the tomato ketchup on your back, distracting you and thus swiping your valuables while your guard is down. In particular, incidents happen either when a tourist gets into an unmarked car, or when the price isnt negotiated and agreed upon upfront. Be prepared to pay a higher price than your initial quote. I could sleep with my door open at night if I wanted SAFE HERE. Check out my guides on Is Cancun Safe? The park also offers various excursions like dolphin interactions, stingray encounters, shark swims, snuba tours and speedboat rides. A Piece of Travel is a blog offering advice on self-guided travel for wheelchair users and solo female travelers. The Summer of Seaweed for the Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen The only way most tourists interact with cartel members is when they buy drugs and make no mistake: all the dealers are part of a cartel. There are lots of car rental agencies in downtown Playa. If your goal is to get some R&R, I recommend choosing a place to stay thats set back from 5th Avenue. For those planning to stay more than a week in town, sign up for an intensive Spanish class at the established International House Riviera Maya. Show floors are extremely slippery and dangerous but just towels on the floor help and we always travel with our own shower stool. Rather, many of Playa del Carmens safety-related incidents tend to be situational and occur when common travel tips are ignored. A bit unnerving . Police armed with assault rifles questioned where we were going etc and let us go. In order to keep yourself safe from theft, dress casually, leave the expensive-looking jewelry and accessories at home, and dont flash around electronics. Tips for solo travelers include sticking to main tourist centers, staying in hostels, and not walking alone at night. He claimed that I gave him one 500 peso bill and a 20 peso bill. However, don't take that drink to go and walk around with it. We would be staying in an AirBnB. Thats when locals get paid, and many of them are eager to withdraw their earnings. Im not sure Id go so far as saying the water in Playa is brown, unless were talking about seaweed season, which is from around May to October. They still have a narrow strip of sand, but fewer people frequent them. Should you need amenities beyond a quick meal or a kitschy souvenir, check out the intersecting Avenida Jurez, the commercial district's main thoroughfare equipped with banks, grocerystoresand gas stations. Tip 7: All inclusive is supposed to mean food as well. In general, most tourists choose to stay in the areas close to La Quinta (5th Avenue) and within a few blocks of Playa del Carmens beach. Selina offers a hostel right on the water and one by the ADO Cancun bus station. No matter where you go there is terrible humans. The water in Playa del Carmen is not potable, and you should never drink water from the faucet. Were going with fantasy football friends for the draft. There are tons of things to do in Playa Del Carmen, including shopping 'til you drop, doing an endless amount of water sports, swimming in iconic cenotes nearby, visiting Mayan ruins, and feasting on delicious Mexican food. This is not the first time this has happened and we are not the only ones being affected. Last time we went to Mexico my husband told me to avoid fruit & veggies, especially ones you eat the skin since its watered/washed with the water there. Speaking of the sun, here in Playa del Carmen it shines over 300 days a year, and its just waiting to transport you to a tropical paradise far away from routines, overly-friendly Starbucks employees, annoying colleagues, and those mind-numbing commercials. Accessibility Note: Cancun offers slightly better wheelchair accessibility than Playa del Carmen. But, generally it was okay. Why I moved to Chetumal lived in Playa and it got bad to worse. Of all the Mayan ruins, this site has the most spectacular setting. I have not had 1 problem yet bought a house in gated comunity 5 min from beach. Ive spent 5 weeks traveling around the Yucatan Peninsula to date and, in that time, have had no safety incidents. Published July 13, 2023 12:16 p.m. PDT. Thats right. Destination Expert for Yucatan Peninsula, Chetumal, Mahahual And I personally really enjoyed the Rio Secreto cave complex. Though its good to be aware of hurricane season (June through November) and any other potential natural disasters, Id say being aware of potential heat stroke and heat exhaustion is even more important on a day-to-day basis. Taylor Herperger Updated on June 26, 2023 Mexico Jump to: Is Playa del Carmen Safe? Find what to do today, this weekend, or in July. Whats the point? While kids will love the park, Xplor advises it's best for children 5 and older. Stay in well-lit areas of the city, go where other people go, and try not to walk alone at night. Just waiting for McDonalds and Im done. MOST POPULAR EXCURSIONS IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN If you're interested exploring Playa del Carmen itself, you'll only need a few days, as the city's chief offers are its, Jumping into the underground Cenote Chaak Tun, Shopping at one of several malls in the area. Our travel specialists dont have a mean bone in their bodies! 11 years ago Save I have a very sensitive stomach. Car insurance Important things to note about Full-Coverage Insurance 5. The best beaches in Playa del Carmen for spring break relaxation, A guide to Playa del Carmen for digital nomads. If you want to be treated fairly, learn some Spanish vocabulary that goes beyond the standard Una cerveza, por favor! (A beer, please!). Several companies in Playa del Carmen deliver large 20-liter barrels of purified water right to your doorstep. So stay out of my tent, you clown. Several say your preference will probably be determined by which park you hit first. Today, were going to tell you what not to do in Playa del Carmen. Everyone was running and police and military were there instantly. Most activities revolve around Playa del Carmen's renownedbeaches, a handful of which are located just minutes from the main thoroughfare,La Quinta Avenida. Ever wonder what not to do in Playa del Carmen? And throughout town, you'll find some appealinggolf courses. Restaurants dont want their patrons to get sick, so you dont have to live in fear every time you go to a restaurant. The tourism market in Playa del Carmen has absolutely boomed in recent years. What is the best way to get from the airport to Akumal. At the midpoint between party-central Cancn and boho-chic Tulum, this mid-sized city has everything from wellness retreats to raving parties to gourmet restaurants. Let them know of your general travel plans, including travel days and accommodations, and check in with them regularly to let them know youre okay. Michael .. aka MRBITCHEN. MEXICO CITY (AP) Police in Mexico rescued 20 kids ranging in age from 1 to 17 from rented rooms in the resort town of Playa del Carmen, where they were forced to work 12 hours per day selling . Not to worry. We were so disappointed with our experience. Are you also trying to decide between a trip to Playa del Carmen and Tulum? Outside of the city, you'll want to explore. I am still mad about this. One of the most important things to know before your Mexico trip is about Mexicos four-tiered covid stoplight system. Every single Bruce Willis flick? Because youre not invited. In the Mayan language, Xel-H means "where the water is born." If you're interested in sampling Playa's nightlife, check out the Coralina Daylight Club. Beyond Playa del Carmens touristy core, theres a world of parks, weekend markets and neighborhood restaurants to discover Emma Shaw / Lonely Planet, Things to know before going to Playa del Carmen to make your trip more memorable. Playa del Carmenon Mexicos Riviera Mayamight offer the ideal mix of beach-town characteristics. It was surreal to see this is real time. For the many digital nomads making their way to Tulum, a sleepy beach town on Mexicos Maya Riviera, postcard-perfect views and endless sunshine have become, On Mexicos tiny island of Holboxwhere spotty wi-fi and sporadic siestas are part of the charmunplugging is as easy as arriving. Surfers also like to visit Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca. Here youll find several family-friendly all-inclusive resorts, plenty of short-term rentals and one of the best beaches in Playa del Carmen. Xaman-H was established here as a launchpad for pilgrimages from the mainland to Cozumel. But when examining Playa del Carmen vs. Cancun, from my experience, the WiFi situation is pretty equal. But the algae in Mexico disturb the idyllic picture of the holiday beach. Share. On average it takes around 1 hour, 15 minutes to drive from Playa del Carmen to Cancun. Keep an eye on your drink, and dont accept drinks from strangers. Im in Playa myself right now, and its a lot different than the last time I lived here three years ago. The bright turquoise water contrasts with the caramel- and mocha-colored rock formations within the caves, which include stalactites and stalagmites. I gave the attendant two 500 peso bills to pay for the 860 peso gas fill-up. Treacherous, mean-spirited, and deceitful. Ive also written a guide on Cozumel vs. Cancun. Avoid driving at night, as its hard to see all the speed bumps and potholes in the dark. So, in order to stay as safe as possible, there are some important things you should know before traveling to Playa, such as carrying travel insurance to Mexico. The ADO bus station is located right on 5th Avenue, which is a 5-mile pedestrian street packed with everything you need, including accommodation. In fact, renting a car in Playa del Carmen is actually more of a hassle than not having a vehicle; theres next to no parking, and you cant access many points of interest with a vehicle since so many attractions are located on and around 5th Avenue. You'll find Hard Rock in southern Playa del Carmen, Grand Coral Golf Riviera Maya in the center of town and El Camalen Mayakoba at the northern end. Download the app, and youll be able to unlock a bike and bop around town for just M$98 ($4.80) per day. In Cancun, youll be a short boat ride away from the Cancun Underwater Museum of Art. 1. Police in Mexico rescued 20 kids ranging in age from 1 to 17 from rented rooms in the resort town of Playa del Carmen, where they were . But seriously, why take in some Playa del Carmen nightlife, go a Riviera Maya snorkeling excursion or eat at a delicious Playa del Carmen restaurant when you can do all of that at home and visit your mother on the weekends? Safety in Playa del Carmen: What You Should Know. Cancn vs. Tulum: which should you choose for spring break? Playa del Carmen, for the most part, is safe for tourists and expats who steer clear of illicit activities. Recently opened in 2022, the Secrets Moxche in Playa del Carmen has a total of 8 pools, including an infinity pool and a sandy beach-themed zero-entry pool. Is this the case? Additionally, any time you order a beverage at a restaurant it should be made with purified drinking water. Centro stretching from the ferry terminal to Calle 8 is tourist central and the citys bustling heart. Read Next: Is It Safe to Travel to Mexico City? Despite the soaring temperatures, we recommend visiting during the shoulder season in July and August, when crowds are thinner. Its a search engine that shows reviews for different rental agencies, so you can avoid the ones with a bad reputation! Travel Lemmings founder, Nate, has also spent many months in Playa del Carmen without incident. The thing that sets Playa del Carmen apart from next-door neighbors Cancn and Tulum is the towns remarkable access to the sand. A Valid Driver's License (or IDP) 3. Thank you! In the end it was his word against mine. Forget it. There are three main routes into Playa del Carmen from Tulum, Cancun, and Valladolid. This tip is made easy if your accommodation has a safe, but I personally always travel with a PacSafe Portable Safe that I can secure to an object in my room. Explore festivities ideal for maximizing the sweater weather season. Speaking of which, I really hope your air-conditioning at your hotel works, because thats where youre going to be for the next however many days. Your email address will not be published. Thats not to say that Cancun doesnt have its fair share of hostels, though. This is illegal to walk around town with an open drink. Just like in Cancun, there are tour agencies hoping to get tourists attention with signs on street corners and people selling tours as you pass by. MEXICO CITY -. "Go to the beach," they say. Only get into a taxi that has obvious signage, and always settle the price with the driver before you get in the car. Playa del Carmen is safe for female travelers, although women traveling to this region should exercise reasonable caution and be aware of risks to ensure they stay as safe as possible. Scams and crime exist no matter where in the world you travel. The female dress code is just as informal, with coverups, sundresses and sandals the norm. Animals in these establishments usually have to be tranquilized to be considered safe around humans and generally have a pretty low quality of life. If youre anywhere along the Hotel Zone of Cancun, expect to overpay for anything you buy. Required fields are marked *. Make the most of its spectacular beaches and decadent clubs at a lower price this fall. Many diving companies have set up shop in Playa: One of the most popular is the Playa-basedReef Quest Divers, which caters to amateurs and experts alike. Dont even think about it. I wrote a review on Selina Playa del Carmen if youre looking for a well-located hostel with a cowork space. If you make a purchase, well make a small commission at no extra cost to you. It also has a couple of Senor Frogs, which is a chain restaurant/bar thats also found in Cancun (among other destinations in the world). I mean, why go see a movie for free at a beach club, tropical park or even a luxurious plaza? Always be aware of your surroundings, go where other people are, and trust your instincts when it comes to leaving uncomfortable situations. Meanwhile, those looking to snorkel can borrow equipment from their hotel, buy equipment in town or try an excursion with Reef Quest,The Snorkel ShoporPlaya del Carmen Tours. I know zip lining across jungle canopy, slinging mud on an ATV down jungle trails or swimming in underground rivers may sound like your idea of fun, but forget it. USA TODAY 0:00 0:49 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and State Department are urging Americans to "avoid travel to Mexico" due to " very high levels of COVID ," but that's not the. Good, because you aint going nowhere anyhow. Carretera Federal Libre Chetumal Puerto Jurez Km. Your email address will not be published.

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