Playa del Carmen: know before you go
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Planning a trip to Playa del Carmen? Here are our top picks...
Stay: Casa del Mar near the beach
Local tour: Playa del Carmen buggy tour
Food tour: Local food walking tour
Day trip: Chichen Itza private tour
Car rental: Find competitive rates with Discover Cars
My family moved to Playa del Carmen with the expectation of being here for a few months, and we're still here over a year later. Here are a few tips from an expat family that made Playa del Carmen a place to call home.
Any time is a great time to visit Playa del Carmen
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Weather-wise, you can visit Playa del Carmen any time of the year and will have a good time. Regardless of the season, you'll enjoy sunny days in Playa del Carmen - even hurricane season provides ample sunshine to explore.
Playa del Carmen is also typically spared the harsh effects of hurricanes, unlike many other coastal cities.
It's the perfect place for day trips
While Playa del Carmen is a great base for your trip, some of your most memorable moments will probably be outside of 5th avenue, the tourist hotspot in the city. There are many interesting places to visit within a few hours of Playa del Carmen, including the famous site of Chichen Itza.
It's also the perfect base to launch your explorations of the ancient Mayan ruins in Akumal, Tulum, Cozumel, Sian Ka’an, and Valladolid. There are also many great cenotes near Playa del Carmen which are well worth visiting.
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The Mayan culture is alive
When many people think of Mexico, they think of the Mexican culture, but the true culture here is Mayan. There are many elements of the Mayan culture sprinkled throughout the city, and locals put a lot of emphasis on their Mayan roots.
The most popular tourist attractions showcase the city's ancient Mayan heritage, which is interesting to learn about, especially given the lengths Spanish conquerors went to eradicate the Mayan people.
The relationship with Spanish heritage is complicated (to say the least)
An interesting dynamic is the complex relationship that the locals have with their Spanish heritage. Although the official language is Spanish, the method in which the Spanish conquered the Mexican territory is still a hot topic today, over 500 years later.
The relationship between the past and present is still contentious in the eyes of locals, who still have deep-seated anger towards the Spanish for the atrocities committed against their ancestors - and with no reparations or apologies to date.
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Greetings are important
Locals interact with a number of rude tourists throughout the year, so a simple greeting can make a huge difference to your interactions here.
Greetings are important here, so don't forget to speak as you make your way around town. A few Spanish words - even just a quick "Buenos días" - can go a long way with locals, especially if you need help.
Haggle within reason
Prices are cheap in Mexico because wages are low, so if you plan to haggle, do so within reason. Many locals work several jobs, with only one day off per week.
Keep in mind, 20 pesos is only $1, which isn't much to most people but makes a difference to the local community. A few pesos go further than you think.
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Playa del Carmen is the birthplace of gum in North America
A fact not known by many people is that the first evidence of gum in North America was from the Mayan people over 4,000 years ago in Playa del Carmen.
They chewed on chicle, which is a substance that they believed quenched their thirst and suppressed hunger. How cool is that?
Planning a trip to Playa del Carmen? Stay at Casa del Mar in a quieter part of town near the beach.
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Last Updated 1 April 2023
