OUR TOP TIPS – KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
MONEY/ CREDIT CARDS/ ATMs / EXCHANGE INFO
- Currency: Most prices are in pesos & it’s in your favor to use pesos. US & CDN dollars etc. are accepted but the exchange rate is usually not favorable.
- ATMs: Only use ATMs within a bank and not street ATMs which can be compromised. There are ATMs in grocery stores which are very safe to use. (Both Spanish & English instructions are available on the ATMs)
- Banorte Bank: This bank is close to Luna Encantada & El Faro. It is on 10th Avenue between Calle (Street) 8th & 10th.) It has an ATM within the bank. Fair exchange rates.
- Cambios (money exchange kiosks found in Playa) will exchange foreign currency. Exchange rates vary so shop around. (Banks & cambios require passports as ID for money exchange.
- Bring some pesos with you to get started especially small bills for taxis & tips.
- Some beach clubs, restaurants (Carboncitos) & beach massage only take cash so confirm before ordering.
- Restaurant Tipping: Many restaurants include a 10% tip on the bill so be sure to read your receipt so you aren’t tipping twice. Ask if tip (propina in Spanish) is already included.
- Beach Clubs in town: Zenzi, Lido & Inti Beach Club enjoy live & DJ music and happy hours. Karen’s on 5th Avenue between Calle (Avenue 2 & 4) offers live Latin blues/jazz band daily. Enjoy a bar swing & a margarita!
- Duty Free: At times it is cheaper to buy your duty free at Walmart than the airport. Most expensive liquors like Tequila are not kept on the shelf. Simply take the empty box to the cash. Once you pay you take your receipt to customer service & they’ll put the bottle in the box.
LOCAL SERVICES
- Walmart: To help flow of tourists, Walmart has recently added self-check out for 20 or less items. Please bring reusable bags with you as they have banned all bags. Alcohol sales on Sunday differ from weekdays and closes around 5PM. Carry your driver’s license as ID in case you are asked to show ID for purchase over $100USD. They have a fantastic bakery. You have to have your bakery items weighed & packaged in the bakery. (Trays & tongs are there to use.) If you want to buy expensive alcohol, quite often it’s not on the shelf. Only the box is; take the box to the cash, pay & then show your receipt at customer service to get your alcohol. Taxis are readily available from the store.
DIRECTIONS TO WALMART FROM LUNA ENCANTADA
Walmart is about a 5 block stroll (approx. 10 min walk). If you take a taxi home, tell them your condo is at Luna Encantada on Calle 6 & the ocean next to Fusion and INTI Beach Club. Taxis are allowed to take you to our complex. Some will try to drop you off a block before so they don’t cross 5th Avneue.
*Walk out the front entrance up our street & turn right onto 5th Avenue.
*At the next block (Calle 8) make a left & cross over 10th ave., then 15th & 20th ave. until you see 25th Avenue.
*On 25th Avenue you will see Walmart which is between Calle 8 & 10th.
DIRECTIONS FROM EL FARO
Walmart is about a 5 block stroll (approx. 10 min walk). if you take a taxi, then them El Faro is next to Zenzi Beach Club on Calle 10th & 1st Avenue.
*Walk out the front entrance up our street (Calle 1) & cross 10th Avenue, then 15th & 20th ave. until you see 25th Avenue.
*On 25th Avenue you will see Walmart which is between Calle 8 & 10th.
CHEDRAUI GROCERY STORE (Best to stop via your airport transfer on your way to the condo as it is a further walk.)
- Chedraui: Fantastic new grocery store in ‘Playa’. A larger selection of alcohol especially wine, & a great selection of international cheeses/deli, bakery, take out cafe. Tends to be less busy than Walmart. Avenue 10th & 30 street. (Calle)
- Grocery Bakery at Grocery Stores: Grab a tray/tongs, select your items & they will package it in bakery. You cannot take bakery items to cashiers without it being labelled.
OTHER SERVICES
- Riviera Baby Gear Rental: For those of you not wanting to haul your baby items (pack n’ play, high chairs etc., contact RBG for their rentals. They deliver. (Very reasonable.)
- La Europea is a wine & spirits store with a deli & cheese section. Located on 5th Avenue & Constituyentes Avanue (18th street) in the Quinta Alegria Shopping Mall. (Great spot!)
- Convenience Stores: OXXO are convenience stores that sell beer & ice. Ice is safe to enjoy. OXXO is on Calle 6 & Avenue 10 which is close to Luna Encantada complex. There is a new mini Market outside our complex at Luna Encantada for guests staying there. (Calle 6 & the ocean.)
- The Gym: Upscale fully equipped gym. Off 5th Avenue on 16th street & 1st avenue.) Near Plank Restaurant. o. 300 pesos for 1 visit (approx. $15USD) . 600 pesos (approx. $30USD) for 3 visits, & 10 visits 1500 pesos (approx. $80USD)
- If you want to dine in, Uber Eats & Rappi offer you the very best in food delivery!
GETTING AROUND PLAYA
- Playa is a walking town; you are a mere walk to all stores, restaurants & services.
- Avenues & streets are in numbers. 5th, 10th ave. 15th ave etc. Calle (streets) are by 2’s. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10th etc.
- Taxis: Readily available throughout town. Best not taken at a taxi stand as you’ll pay a higher rate. Catch them anyhwere on the side streets or avenue. Negotiate price before getting in.
- Playa Mobility: For wheelchairs & mobility scooters for those that need help getting around. Reserve before you go as they tend to get booked up. (Free delivery/pick-up)
- Dream Car Rental is by far your best bet to rent a car in the area. Airport or in Playa del Carmen.
INFO ON LOST PASSPORTS OR REQUING CONSULAR ASSISTANCE
USA
Consular Agency Playa Del Carmen (“The Palapa,” Calle 1 Sur, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico).
The U.S. Consular Agency
Hours: Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Please make an appointment by calling the office phone during normal office hours or send an email to pdcca.appointments@gmail.com containing information about the service you require, your contact information and a preferred time for your appointment within normal office hours. Emergency cases are accepted as walk-ins.
011-52-984-873-0303 (direct dial from the U.S.)
202-370-6708 (Vonage dialing from the U.S.)
01-984-873-0303 (dialing from outside Playa Del Carmen but within Mexico)
Email: playausca@gmail.com
For a Google Map (Click Here) Note: For better results, be sure to toggle between “Map & Satellite” views at the top-right of the map.
In the case of a life-or-death emergency involving a U.S. citizen occurring outside of normal business hours, please call the Merida switchboard number to be connected to the duty officer.
CANADA
Consular Agency of Canada in Playa del Carmen
Hours of Operation Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Address, phone, email
Consular Agency of Canada
Plaza Paraso Caribe, Modulo C, Planta 2, Oficina C21 – 24
Av. 10 Sur entre Calle 3 y 5 Sur, M-35, Lote 1
Colonia Centro
77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo – Mexico
Telephone: (984) 803-2411
E-mail: crmen@international.gc.ca