Yucatan Road Trip: Playa del Carmen
Our roadtrip officially began in Playa del Carmen, where our longtime friend, Nadia, lives with her son, Ian. Nadia helped us find a reliable car rental (details below) and offered dozens of local tips regarding where to go and what to see in Playa del Carmen and across the Yucatan. She even let us crash at her apartment for a few days so we could avoid the resorts. This gave us the opportunity to live like a local, which was quite a different experience from previous all-inclusive resort get-aways in Playacar. We rode local colectivos (buses) from her quiet neighborhood in the suburbs and spent our days people-watching on public beaches and hitting back alley food carts.
Local Beach Vibe
We tossed a blanket in the sand just in front of the iconic mermaids statue at Parque los Fundadores. We bought a 6-back of beer and some snacks at the nearby 7-11 for a fraction of what we paid at nearby tourist restaurants. The beach was not crowded when we arrived in late morning and stayed relatively empty until past noon.
Another day, we arrived at Coco Beach in late afternoon and walked the waterfront north, hanging out for a bit at Playa 88 and then onwards to Playa Punta Esmeralda. Lots of families and young couples lounging on towels; no beach chairs, umbrellas, or fancy fruity drinks. We returned along 5th Avenue North, soaking in the colorful street art, calm quiet, and laid-back vibe.
On prior trips to Playacar, I never noticed that the resort zone is a gated community. While exploring the city streets in Playa del Carmen, we came upon the “great gates of Playacar” (ha ha), where none shall pass on foot. Challenge accepted: we hit the beach via Señor Frogs and hoofed it south to the land of seclusion. Within an hour or so, we were kicking up sand next to posh lounge chairs and spying little Mexican Agoutis stealing cold french fries off neglected poolside tables. We passed through a resort, hailed a taxi, and exited the “great gates”, happy to leave the pristine landscaping. I’ll be honest, the public beaches are more interesting.
Rental Car Details
The day before our roadtrip, we rented an SUV in Playa del Carmen for $70 USD/day - yes, a lot of money, especially for budget travelers! Our decision was based on a number of factors that could vary according to your own situation.
It was the tourist high season, which meant cars were scarce and prices were jacked.
We had 4-6 people in our entourage, plus luggage. We needed a suitable sized, reliable vehicle that could accommodate a group road trip.
We were splitting the cost with friends, so $70 USD/day was more bearable.
Internet stories abound about the shady business practices of car rental companies in Mexico and our friend Nadia agreed. Nadia hooked us up with her friend’s business, so it seemed less risky for us.
We found cheaper car options on the internet, but they came with risks or drawbacks that we couldn’t accept. Can you rent a car for a lower price in Mexico? Sure! Start to finish, though, our rental experience went as anticipated - the SUV was the model they promised, tuned, clean, and ready to roll; the contract was clear; they did not rush us and answered all of our questions; they provided us with a single point of contact for anything unexpected. The business does not have a website, but if you are interested in renting a car in Playa del Carmen, leave a comment and I will share the owner’s name and phone number with you directly.
