May 30, 2011 How to choose a place to Stay in Playa del Carmen
There are several choices when it comes to choosing the right property to stay at in Playa del Carmen. First, do you want an all-inclusive property, a hotel or condo/hotel? All inclusives appeal to some people. Usually they are large properties with drinks and meals included. The good news is that drinks and meals are included. Most of the all-inclusives in Playa are extremely large properties with several thousand rooms, several pools and restaurants, and things to do for all age groups.
The bad news is that it can be expensive to leave the property and go to the ‘downtown’ section of Playa. The all-inclusives don’t want you to go, so they’ve invoked a minimum $20 cab fare to go from the property to Playa. The return is only $10, but $30 cab fare seems high for a round trip. You are also limited to the restaurants the property has to offer, the quality of food, etc.
Hotels and condo/hotels let you enjoy Playa and all it has to offer. Playa is charming and reminds most people of the Italian Riviera. Architecturally, Playa is more horizontal than vertical, and buildings are no taller than 3-4 stories with high ceilings and rooftop gardens. 5th Ave., the pedestrian only, cobblestone street, runs for several miles and is filled with an eclectic mix of open air restaurants and shops. Italian, French, Mexican, Argentinean and other restaurants offer everything from pizza to tacos to sushi and everything in between. It’s a shame to go to Playa and not experience 5th Ave.
5th Ave in Playa is pedestrian only and filled with open air restaurants and shops
If you decide to stay in a hotel or condo/hotel you need to decide how important location is to you. For example, the Premier Zone in Playa runs the length of the beach between Constituyentes and Juarez.
Those streets are easy to find on a map because Constituyentes and Juarez each have a pier for ferry boats to/from Cozumel and the cruise ships. They are the only streets with ferry rides. The Premier Zone is about 1 mile long and is considered the most desireable location in which to stay. The streets that run parralel to the beach are Avenues. The streets that run perpendicular to the beach are called Calle’s. Calles are evenly numbered or named (16, 14, 12, Constituyentes, Juarez, etc) and Avenues have numbers. The avenue closest to the beach is First Avenue, and moving westward they are 5th, 10th, 15th, 20, 25, etc), so the distance between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue is actually only 1 block.
If you choose a hotel or condo/hotel east of 5th Avenue, it will be more expensive than west of 5th Ave because you are closer to the beach. If you choose something north of Constituyente it will be less expensive than south of Constituyente. It’s all based on location. The closer you are to the beach and/or to the Premier Zone, the more expensive the properties.
Map of Riviera Maya, also called Mayan Riviera
Tomorrow: My favorite properties on the beach in the Premier Zone!!