Explore and enjoy the many things Playa del Carmen has to offer, it will change your way of life and you will make lasting new international friends!

Playa del Carmen is an idyllic holiday destination, blending surf, sun, relaxation, fun and culture all into one convenient package.

This makes it an incredibly popular destination with people from all over the world.

Whether it’s ancient cultural sites, ruins or the endless white beaches to stroll along, there is a lot to see and do, making Playa del Carmen ideal for the whole family.

A must-see is the colorful Quinta avenida, Playa’s main avenue where you will come across great restaurants and bars, stores and shops and many other visitors from all sort of nationalities strolling along.

Playa’s sunny beaches have pristine white sand, a feature that avoids it becoming hot under the sun and thus, no problem for your feet. Participate in some of the many water sports available or just lie on the shore and let your cares melt away.

You’ll soon realize how friendly and relaxed Playa’s locals are, and at the same time experience a very interesting blend of cultures. The pace here is even slower than in other parts of Mexico – the main theme here really is RELAX!

Highlights, which really shouldn’t be missed: the the Chichen-Itza Mayan Ruins, the Xcaret Eco-Archaeological Park, and a daily ferry run to Cozumel Island are just some of the things to see here, to give you a feel of the place and its surroundings.

Just as in typical vacation destinations around the world, there is no strict dress code in Playa del Carmen. In this relaxed, laid back beach town everyone dresses as they please. Outfits will of course, depend on factors such as the weather, which is always hot or at least warm. Summer fashion is what you will see most of here, as heavy winter clothing is truly unnecessary.

The weather in Playa del Carmen.... bring your shorts!
With the sub-tropical climate, this is a very warm and often hot area throughout most of the year. Located south of the Tropic of Cancer, the sun is very intense and plenty of sunscreen is recommended. Average temperature is around 27º. Around this area humidity is also a factor to take into consideration. The average level of humidity hovers around 90º.

During the summer months, June to August, it is HOT in Playa. Be sure to wear light clothes, preferably of natural fibers such as cotton and hats are important too! Sunscreen is a must here, for all skin types as the sun rays are particularly strong this time of year.

Autumn is a rainy and stormy season for Playa, with a few hurricanes and tropical storms here and there. During the winter the average temperature drops a little but by no means can it be considered a cold winter. Light sweaters and jackets should be fine at this time of year.

When packing for a holiday here in Playa del Carmen, be sure to pack cool clothes, beach towels, hats, sunglasses, a light jacket and pants for wintertime and again, A LOT of sunscreen!

Food
In Playa del Carmen, most bars and restaurants are to be found on La Quinta (5th Avenue) a charming, bustling pedestrian street that is Playa’s epicenter. It is great to sit back with a cool drink here and watch the different nationalities roam past. There are also great places to eat on the beach that allow you to really get that Caribbean feel. There is no way to get bored here with the endless variety of cuisines and cultures available. From Mexican to Chinese, Swedish, Italian, Thai, German, Cuban and much much more, everyone’s tastes will be adequately catered for. Restaurants here are usually intimate, family run affairs with friendly service.

Aside from the bigger, more touristy eateries on La Quinta, keep in mind that there are other great places to go for a bite, especially since these are even more authentic and will truly give you a glimpse of what true Playa del Carmen’s locals are like. Dare to wander our a little and see what you come across.

Remember that we are talking about Mexican pesos here. On average, you will get a great Mexican meal for around 30 pesos. Keep in mind though that prices on La Quinta will escalate a fair bit into the 100 – 200 peso range.

Tipping
Truly a part of Mexican life, you should consider tipping the maid at your hotel, taxi drivers, restaurant waiters, etc. In Spanish a tip is referred to as a propina. The standard tip at a restaurant is around 10% of the bill.

Money and Finances
We recommend that you bring a combination of US dollars and US dollar-denominated travelers checks. Changing money can be time consuming. The monetary unit in México is the peso. Automated teller machines connected to the Cirrus and Plus systems are located in Mexico and is the fastest and cheapest way to get pesos. (Be sure to bring your PIN number). Credit cards, especially Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in some stores, restaurants and larger hotels. You can also obtain cash advances on your credit card in banks. Traveler's checks can be cashed in at banks, and in larger cities, in retail establishments as well.

Tipping: A 10-15 % tip is expected in restaurants and hotels, and a 10% tip for taxis is possible but not required.

Health & Safety:
No shots are required to enter the country but you should check with your local doctor. If you will be traveling in the low-lying tropical regions of Mexico, we recommend insect repellent with a minimum of 20% DEET and/or malaria pills. It's a good idea to be up to date on your tetanus, typhoid and polio immunizations also. If you plan stay longer than a few weeks and don't want to worry too much about what you eat, an immune globulin shot is recommended for protection against hepatitis. For complete information visit: www.cdc.gov.

Petty theft is a problem in México. Pickpockets are in abundance in crowded places especially on crowed buses, bus stops or train stations. Don't carry all your valuables on your person. Leave them in a locked suitcase or in the safe at your hotel. Take the same precautions you would in large cities in North America. Women should not walk alone after dark, don't wear expensive jewellery, be care with handbags, etc. Use only official taxis or radio taxis if available.

Food and Drink:
You should not drink the water (including ice and coffee) unless it is boiled or bottled. Be careful around diary products (including cheese) Make sure uncooked vegetables are cleaned with purified water or peeled. Be cautious with seafood, especially in out-of -the-way mountain towns and avoid undercooked meat. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Telephone:
Making international calls can be difficult and expensive. Many public phones don't have access to international lines. Try hotels, the telecommunications office or LADATEL phones found at airports, bus/train stations and other areas. It's not a problem to receive phone calls at your home stay, but it may not be possible for you to make phone calls form the home stay (especially long-distance). Unfortunately many host families have been left with enormous phone bills due to either double billing by the Mexican Phone Company (in the case of collect calls or credit card calls) or due to inconsiderate program participants.

Banks & ATM's:
Playa has the following banks ofering money exchange and other services: Banorte, BBV Bancomer, Bital, Scotiabank Inverlat, CICSA, Intercontinental & Monex. Note that most tellers do not speak English and many banks do not accept Travelers Checks. There can be a fee up to $3.00 per transaction to access the PLUS system, It can get costly to make small withdrawls if your plan does not cover PLUS fees.

Shopping:
Shopping hours are generally 10am to 9 or 10pm. You’ll come across stores and shops that sell folk art, jewelry, crafts and gifts as well as many souvenirs. For exquisite and intricate amber jewelry, head to the Amber Museum Shop. The owner, and designer, of this gallery has the amber shipped in from Chiapas. Telart has clothing and textiles from all over Mexico as does Manas Huellas, which also carries art and handicrafts from Oaxaca and Chiapas. La Calaca carries a large collection of carvings and wooden masks, such as angels and devils, from local and other artists.

Come explore Mexico this summer, make friends & learn Spanish!

TEENAGER SUMMER PROGRAM IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN:

E-mail: info@teenagersabroad.com
Tel: NORTH AMERICA: 1 800 219 9924 or WORLDWIDE: +1 416 925 2112