Before your trip

So you’ve booked your plane tickets and accommodation and you’ve started counting down the days till you get to sunny Mexico! We know it can be a little bit overwhelming going to a new place so we’ve made a short list of a few things you should know before your trip! Above all, we want you to have fun, relax and enjoy your holidays!

Mexico’s currency is the peso and although most places in Playa accept US dollars, it is advisable to have pesos on hand otherwise you are at the mercy of the merchant’s exchange rate which is not usually favourable. For the best rates, we suggest buying Mexican pesos from your local bank beforehand.

A trip to Mexico will not be complete without trying all kinds of delicious food and if you’re a food enthusiast you might want to eat from a taco stand on the street. Start taking probiotics before your trip to prevent any food intoxications and keep taking them while you’re here. Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep your gut healthy and help support gastrointestinal health. Make sure you consult with your doctor if it’s ok for you to take probiotics.

Part of the fun of going abroad is to get immersed in the culture and the best way to do that is through language. Although most people in Playa can communicate in English with tourists, it’s always useful to know a few words and phrases to break the language barrier and give you a more authentic Mexican experience while you’re down here! Start practicing your Spanish before you get here with these useful words and phrases!

Packing for your holidays in Playa is fairly simple, but with the excitement of your trip you might forget a few items so we’ve made a list of the essentials!

For the ladies

Light, airy dresses, cotton shirts, shorts, camisoles and bathing suites, flip flops, comfortable walking shoes for ruins, water shoes if you plan on going to lots of parks and wedges if you like wearing heels (stilettos aren’t advised as the main street is cobblestone), a rash guard if you plan on going paddle boarding or for diving during the winter and for night dives.
Places with air conditioning can be quite cold so it’s always best to bring a shawl or a light sweater for the evenings.

For the men

Light cotton shirts, comfortable walking shoes for ruins, water shoes if you plan on going to lots of parks, light dress shoes, rash guard if you want to go paddle boarding or night diving.
Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have one at home. Don’t forget biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellant for all the parks and cenotes. (You can always buy these items here if you don’t have much space in your suitcase). During the rainy season don’t forget your rain coat as it can rain pretty hard at times. Investing in a GoPro or waterproof camera is well worth the money for incredible pictures
If you have extra space in your suitcase, you can bring school supplies for children and we will give them to an organization or you can pay a visit to one of the schools!

Plan accordingly – Weather

Summer, May to September can get pretty hot with temperatures averaging 28C (83F) and with the humidity factor up to 36C (96F). July and August are the hottest months so it’s advisable to get to the ruins as early as possible to avoid the heat from the strong summer sun. Cenotes, snorkelling, diving and water parks are especially inviting during these months as they are the perfect way to stay cool.

November to February is our winter with temperatures averaging about 24C or 75F, January being the coldest. The nights cool down enough for a light sweater and the days are warm and sunny.

Hurricane season starts in June and ends in November, but remember that we do get 340 days of sunshine so the chances of a hurricane are more unlikely and predictable. It may say on your weather forecast that it is going to rain during your whole trip, but it tends to rain for short periods of time a day.

Check the weather forecast beforehand.

Getting to Playa from the airport

At the customs and immigration office you will receive a tourist card which you have to keep to exit the country. If you do lose this card, you will have to pay around $50 US for a new one.

Playa is a 40 min drive from the Cancun airport and getting here is very easy.

You can chose from a shared-ride van, non-stop van or a private SUV. Let us know if you would like us to arrange transportation for you.

You can also take the ADO bus which is the most frequently used bus by tourists and locals. The buses are reliable, air conditioned and clean. There are two bus stations in Playa del Carmen one on 5th and Juárez and the other on 20th and 12th. You can then take a taxi to your condo for 35 pesos.

If you plan on renting a car during your trip you, can rent it from the airport and from there just get on the highway and follow the signs to Playa del Carmen, take the exit for Avenida Constituyentes and continue driving until you get to 20th street.

We look forward to meeting you and wish you safe travels!