Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Playa del Carmen Tourist Traps
Search:

Playa del Carmen Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Playa del Carmen Tourist Traps

Mariachi band on La Quinta - Playa del Carmen
Mariachi band on La Quinta
by Abeyna
Tips and photos of Playa del Carmen tourist attractions and tourist traps, posted by real travelers and Playa del Carmen locals.
Playa del Carmen Map
Playa del Carmen Tourist TrapsTips 1 - 10 of 19  
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Excursions
  • Tip Rating:
    • jorgec25
  • By jorgec25 on January 30, 2009
  • Playa del Carmen Page by jorgec25
    • Beware of the excursions that take you to Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba or the theme Parks like Xcaret. You can catch a public bus (ADO) that is even more confortable and takes you to all those places, faster, and for a quarter of the price. You also avoid the constant attempts to sell you things, and the short stops right in front of a souvenir shop that sells everything overpriced.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Playa del Carmen?

    Read reviews about Playa del Carmen Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Eat local!
  • Tip Rating:
    • Dabs
  • Updated By Dabs on December 21, 2006
  • Playa del Carmen Page by Dabs
    • McDonald's on the highway - Playa del Carmen
    McDonald's on the highway
    by Dabs
    There are so many great options for food in Playa del Carmen, there should be no reason to go to places like McDonald's, Burger King, TGIFriday's or Johnny Rockets, all American franchises that just don't belong in Playa del Carmen. Since our first visit in 2003, they have added a Johnny Rockets and a huge McDonald's on the highway and on our most recent visit in 2006 we were horrified to see a Burger King right smack in the middle of 5th Avenue.

    No reason to go to any of these!

    There are plenty of other types of cuisine besides Mexican, lots of pizza places, restaurants that serve seafood and steaks, lots of Italian restaurants, even German and Japanese.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Beware of Mayan Gods on 5th Avenue
  • Tip Rating:
    • Kaspian
  • Updated By Kaspian on July 10, 2007
  • Playa del Carmen Page by Kaspian
    • Mayan Warrior God (2007) - Playa del Carmen
    Mayan Warrior God (2007)
    by Kaspian
    The vicious feathered warrior-god beckons to you because you can't help but look his way.
    "Come, come! It's okay, have your picture taken with me."
    Excited, you go and stand beside him. The god spreads his giant impressive wings, your friend takes the photo, and then "boom", the god hits you up for 50 pesos. It would have been nice if he had told you of this arrangement in advance, but hey--gods don't follow the rules, they make them.

    Ask him before you take the photo how much it will cost you. I don't know if gods haggle, but you could probably get him down to a 20.

    Alternative? Have your photo taken with one of the many cool statues on 5th. I haven't met one that talks.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    5th Avenue
  • Tip Rating:
    • diver-x
  • By diver-x on October 27, 2006
  • Playa del Carmen Page by diver-x
    • A quiet moment on the street - Playa del Carmen
    A quiet moment on the street
    by diver-x
    The shop owners on 5th Ave are waiting for you. Just for you. And they'll tell you so. Over and over again. "We've got the most crap for the least money," said one. "Senior, Seniora, come in. Come see.". . . "We got what you're looking for.". . . "Where you from?". . . "Where you staying?". . . "Where you going?" . . . It's a constant barrage as you walk the gauntlet.

    Well, it's hard to avoid it. 5th Ave is the main drag in Playa del Carmen. And you really don't want to avoid it. If you want to shop or get a beer or a bite to eat, it's the place to go. But bring your patience and sense of humor. It's actually pretty entertaining if you relax, slow down and listen for the most imaginitive come-ons.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    La Quinta - Spoiled by commerce & Macdonalds
  • Tip Rating:
    • Abeyna
  • Updated By Abeyna on March 23, 2007
  • Playa del Carmen Page by Abeyna
    • Mariachi band on La Quinta - Playa del Carmen
    Mariachi band on La Quinta
    by Abeyna
    Playa is basically a scaled down version of Cancun. I spotted a Starbucks, Subway, Haagen Dazs, Wal Mart and the first thing I saw when I arrived.. Macdonalds! As its a popular holiday location all the large internation corps have taken up their seat on the main street.

    Would also be aware of the shop vendors.. they need to earn a living, so they try to engage you in convo as you walk by. I spent most of my time ignoring them although felt rather guilty.

    Remember, you're on holiday.. enjoy the mexican culture. Going abroad isn't just about eating Macdonalds on the beach.

    If purchasing any of the tourist items from shops on La Quinta, try looking at some of the shops round the corner because its likely you can get it a lot cheaper there. I would strongly recommend some good haggling!

    If Playa is too crowded for you, try Tulum down the road or any of the places in Riviera Maya. IF Playa ISN'T crowded enough.. there's always Cancun!

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Playa del Carmen?

    Read reviews about Playa del Carmen Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Shops in PDC
  • Tip Rating:
    • RJ1967
  • By RJ1967 on January 12, 2003
  • Playa del Carmen Page by RJ1967
    • Playa del Carmen Tourist Traps
    by RJ1967
    Along 5th Ave and the side streets, you can find hundreds of small shops.

    You can try to bargain, but some shopkeepers won't go for it. Shopping must be more of a "girl" thing. It bores me.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Returning- How much?
  • Tip Rating:
    • bllopis
  • By bllopis on November 9, 2003
  • Playa del Carmen Page by bllopis
    • Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen
    Cancun Airport
    by bllopis
    Our tourist advisor told us we had to pay 40 Euros (or dollars) per person to fly back to our country. When we paid (and all the other tourists), it was 45 Euros!!! Some people explained us that this could probably be a trap. Some asked for a bill: they gave nothing.

    Patience.

    Alternative? No idea. Probably you can ask in your travel agency or at the hotel the alternatives.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Capitalism and Tourism
  • Tip Rating:
    • darthmilmo
  • By darthmilmo on March 6, 2003
  • Playa del Carmen Page by darthmilmo
    • Alas, paradise is a bit tarnished by the capitalism imprints in the main tourist avenue of Playa del Carmen.

    Do not let this steer you away. At least it's not as bad as Cancun :). If you want more peace and quite, then head to Tulum and stay in one of the many nearby Cabins. I personally chose Playa since the brother of my brother-in-law lives there so I manage to avoid rent during most of my stay :).

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Wild beaches
  • Tip Rating:
    • Joan58
  • By Joan58 on January 16, 2003
  • Playa del Carmen Page by Joan58
    • Playa del Carmen Tourist Traps
    by Joan58
    Not a long time ago, the eastern flank of the Yucatan Peninsula was a virgin beach, its long stretches of white sand overlooked by nothing more than coconut palms. After the growth of Cancun, also the coast have been altered by the construction of many tourist services. If the expansion go on like this, in a few years all the Maya Riviera will be a succession of hotels and holiday villages. In this way many beautiful wild beaches could desappear.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Xcaret Eco-Park
    Electrcrio
  • By Electrcrio on October 9, 2005
  • Playa del Carmen Page by Electrcrio
    • .

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    1 | 2
    More Playa del Carmen Tips
    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 169 - Photos: 275
    Things To Do
    Tips: 214 - Photos: 360    		Nightlife
    Tips: 53 - Photos: 59
    Transportation
    Tips: 37 - Photos: 24    		Restaurants
    Tips: 129 - Photos: 157
    Shopping
    Tips: 16 - Photos: 20    		Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 39 - Photos: 49
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 19 - Photos: 13    		Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 37 - Photos: 16
    Local Customs
    Tips: 17 - Photos: 28    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 3
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 9 - Photos: 13    		General Tips
    Tips: 38 - Photos: 32
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0
    Best Playa del Carmen Travel Deals

    Map + Guide + Discounts
    Playa Del Carmen Attractions Save on Tours, Golf, Dining & More

    Playa Del Carmen Hotels
    Official Site. Book direct for our best rates guaranteed.

    Playa del Carmen Specials
    Sale Ends Sunday - Up to 70% Off Caribbean & Mexico Vacations.

    Playa Del Carmen Hotels
    Find Great Hotel Deals and Cheap Rates on Playa Del Carmen Hotels.

    Playa del Carmen Vacation
    Airfare + Hotel Package Specials All Inclusive Luxury Beach Resorts

    Sponsored Links

    More Playa del Carmen Travel Deals

    Playa Del Carmen Flight
    Bye-bye Booking Fee, Hello Savings Flying Just got Cheaper at Expedia

    Playa Del Carmen Vacation
    Save 50% All Inclusive, Peak Travel Oceanfront Resort, Book Mexico Now

    Priceline: Hotel Travel
    Great Low Prices, Pictures, and Guest Reviews. Shop. Compare. Save.

    Sponsored Links

    Playa del Carmen Hotels

    Cheap hotels from
    Cheap flights from
    Cheap car rentals from
    Cheap cruises from
    Cheap vacations from




    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.