Real answers about the Riviera Maya
Everything you need to know about visiting, living, and owning property in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya.
Popular Questions
Popular Questions
Start with what visitors and owners ask us most often.
How do I get to Playa del Carmen from Cancún Airport?
Three real options: pre-booked private transfer (~$60–95 USD, door-to-door, easiest), ADO bus ($16–20 USD, drops you at Playa's central bus…
Is Playa del Carmen safe?
Yes for visitors who use city-trip judgment. Tourist zones (Playacar, Centro, Coco Beach, Zazil-Ha) are calm day and night; petty theft is…
Where are the best tacos in Playa del Carmen?
El Fogón for al pastor (skip the 5th Ave location, go to the original on Av. 30). La Floresta for pescado/camarón. Taquería La Soriana…
How do I know if a property manager in Mexico is honest?
Honesty shows up as paperwork. A trustworthy PM will hand you a sample owner statement, a vendor list, a 12-month repair log from a…
Can foreigners buy property in Mexico?
Yes. In coastal areas like Quintana Roo, foreigners buy via fideicomiso (a 50-year renewable bank trust) — fully legal, fully transferable…
How do I avoid rental scams in Playa del Carmen?
If you're being rushed to wire a deposit before a live video walkthrough, it's a scam — full stop. Stolen photos relisted at 30–50% under…
What should I do if my Airbnb has no water?
Document in the Airbnb app first: time it stopped, photos, and whether neighbors/building staff see the same issue. Ask for an ETA and…
What should I do if the AC stops working in my rental?
Don't sit in a 32°C/90°F unit waiting for a callback. Try the 60-second checklist (remote batteries · breaker reset · drain unblock), then…
Browse by Category
Browse by Category
Seven clear topics — every answer sorted once, no overlap.
Getting Here & Transportation
Airport transfers, taxis, buses, ferries, and late arrivals.
10 answersAreas & Where to Stay
Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, Isla, Cozumel, and neighborhoods.
8 answersBeaches & Things to Do
Best beaches, ruins, cenotes, diving, and day trips.
15 answersFood, Drink & Nightlife
Tacos, brunch, coffee, restaurants, bars, and where locals eat.
10 answersPractical Information
Money, internet, safety, groceries, weather, and mid-stay problems.
16 answersProperty Ownership & Management
Airbnb, buying, PM vetting, compliance, utilities, and owner protection.
13 answersLiving & Working in the Riviera Maya
Long-term rent, remote work Wi‑Fi, pets, and digital-nomad basics.
5 answersAll answers
Beaches & Things to Do
Search or filter the full library.
Are the Cobá ruins worth visiting?
Yes — Cobá is in the jungle, less crowded than Chichén, and was the largest Maya city in the region. Used to be the climb-the-pyramid site…
Are the Ek Balam ruins worth a day trip?
Yes — Ek Balam is the lesser-known Mayan site where you can still climb the main pyramid. ~1h 45min from Tulum. Less crowded than Chichén…
Are the Tulum Ruins worth visiting?
Yes — Tulum is the only Mayan site on the Caribbean coast, with cliffs over a turquoise beach. Go right when it opens (8am) — by 10am tour…
How do I visit Chichén Itzá from Playa del Carmen?
Chichén Itzá is 2.5 hours west — feasible as a day trip but long. Go before 9am to beat tour buses and heat. Combine with Cenote Ik Kil +…
What are the best cenotes near Playa del Carmen?
The big-three day-trip cenotes from Playa: Cristalino (closest, 20 min, good for families), Azul (next-door, great for beginners), and…
What are the best cenotes near Tulum?
Gran Cenote and Cenote Calavera are walking distance from Tulum Pueblo. Dos Ojos (15 min) is the cave-system showpiece. Cenote Carwash is…
What are the best dive sites in Cozumel?
Cozumel is one of the top dive destinations in the world. Palancar (3 sections — Gardens, Caves, Bricks) is the showpiece. Santa Rosa Wall…
What are the best family activities in Playa del Carmen?
Xcaret Park for a full day. Cenote Cristalino for a half-day. Akumal Beach for swimming with turtles. Mayakoba bike tour for a quieter…
What is the beach like in Akumal?
Akumal Bay is the iconic 'swim with sea turtles' beach — protected feeding area, calm water, easy snorkel access. Hire a federally-licensed…
What's the best beach in Cozumel?
El Cielo (sandbar) for the iconic snorkel beach — boat-only. Playa Palancar for the polished west-side beach club. Playa Mia for family…
What's the best beach in Isla Mujeres?
Playa Norte is one of the best beaches in Mexico — north tip, knee-deep turquoise water, soft white sand. Playa Centro for in-town access…
What's the best beach in Playa del Carmen?
Mamita's Beach Club (Coco Beach side) for the polished beach-club day. Punta Esmeralda (north end) for the free public-beach + cenote…
What's the best beach in Puerto Morelos?
The central beach next to the lighthouse is the public benchmark — wide, calm, sheltered by the reef. Punta Brava (north) is quieter. There…
What's the best beach in Tulum?
Playa Paraíso is the best public-access beach with classic Caribbean white sand. Playa Pescadores is the local move (free…
Where is the best snorkeling in Puerto Morelos?
The Puerto Morelos National Marine Park reef sits ~500m offshore — one of the closest healthy reefs to anywhere in the Riviera Maya. Book a…
About these answers
Written or fact-checked by our Playa del Carmen operations team. We update entries as ferry schedules, regulations, and vendor lists change.