Travel Blog
Tips, guides, and inspiration for your Playa del Carmen vacation.
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“Tranquilo recommended the best local restaurants and even arranged a cenote tour for us. Their tips made the difference between a good trip and an amazing one.”
“The team really knows their city and gave us tips that made the trip unforgettable. You won’t find this kind of local knowledge on any booking platform.”
15 Best Restaurants in Playa del Carmen (Local's Guide)
The best places to eat in Playa del Carmen, Mexico — from birria and al pastor to Pugliese pizza and Peruvian ceviche. Local favourites, not tourist traps.
January 10, 2025
Top 5 Things to Do in Playa del Carmen, Mexico (2026 Guide)
The best things to do in Playa del Carmen — sunrise at the northern beaches, brunch and street art, Cenote Jardín El Edén, a ferry to Cozumel, and diving the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
January 15, 2025
Best Riviera Maya Tours from Playa del Carmen (2026)
The best tours in the Riviera Maya, recommended by a local — Chichen Itza, Cozumel reefs, Tulum, Xcaret, Xplor, and how to book them from Playa del Carmen.
January 20, 2025
5 Best Cenotes near Playa del Carmen, Mexico (2026 Guide)
The best cenotes near Playa del Carmen — five spectacular swimming spots where the Yucatán's underground river system meets the surface, from free ocean-fed Punta Esmeralda to the Dos Ojos cave network.
June 1, 2026
5 Best Beaches in Playa del Carmen, Mexico (Local's Picks)
The best beaches in Playa del Carmen, ranked by a local — Punta Esmeralda (Mexico's best beach), Playa 38, Blue Flag-certified Playa 88, Parque Fundadores, and the quiet gem of Playa 72.
January 25, 2025
Best Way to Exchange Money in Mexico (2026 Guide)
How to exchange US dollars for Mexican pesos in Playa del Carmen without losing money. Banks and exchange booths quietly take 10–15% per transaction — here's how to get the real exchange rate.
June 3, 2026
Scuba Diving in the Riviera Maya & Cozumel (2026 Guide)
Where to scuba dive in the Riviera Maya — the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world's second-largest reef system. Open Water certification and Cozumel reef dives from Playa del Carmen.
June 3, 2026
Top 5 Things to Do in Cozumel, Mexico (2026 Guide)
The best things to do in Cozumel — snorkelling the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, wandering San Miguel, the El Cielo starfish lagoon, Punta Sur nature reserve, and a beach club day on the Caribbean.
June 3, 2026
Playa del Carmen for Digital Nomads: Where to Actually Stay Long-Term
Fast wifi and a coworking desk don't make a trip. Here's where nomads actually settle, and why.
September 29, 2026
Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen the First Time
5th Avenue is the obvious answer. It's also usually the wrong one. Here's where first-timers actually end up happy.
September 29, 2026
Playa del Carmen vs Tulum: Which One Fits the Trip You're Actually Taking
Tulum sells a feeling. Playa del Carmen sells a town you can actually live in for a week. Here's the honest tradeoff.
September 29, 2026
What a Month in Playa del Carmen Actually Costs
Not the Instagram number. The real one — rent, food, coworking, transport — broken down by neighborhood.
September 29, 2026
Zazil-Ha vs Centro vs Colosio: Which Playa del Carmen Neighborhood Is Yours
Three neighborhoods, three completely different trips. One has the calm, one has the energy, one has the price. Here's how to pick without guessing.
September 29, 2026
Skip Airbnb's Fees: Book Direct in Playa del Carmen
Airbnb hid its service fee in the price instead of showing it at checkout. It's still there. Booking direct means it never enters the price at all.
September 29, 2026
Colosio, Playa del Carmen: The Neighborhood Guide Nobody Writes Honestly
Colosio isn't 5th Avenue and never will be. Here's what it actually is — walkable, artsy, cheap enough to notice — and who should stay there.
September 29, 2026
Playa del Carmen Vacation Rentals: The Guide From the People Who Host Here
Three neighborhoods, three different trips. Walking minutes, real costs, and how to pick the right base before you book.
September 29, 2026