Perfect Playa Del Carmen Vacay

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My Guide to the Perfect Playa del Carmen Getaway.

The last time we were in Playa del Carmen was years ago for our honeymoon. Ryan and I love to take quick weekend getaways to Cabo often because it's only a 2 hour flight, but there are so many more great places to travel in Mexico. After this trip, I'm really wishing we would have explored more of Mexico sooner! We found the BEST resort and restaurants with just enough night life to make it the perfect beach vacay.

Where to Stay

We stayed at the Thompson Beach House Playa del Carmen and I'll never stay anywhere else in Playa. It is incredible! There are actually two Thompson properties just a few blocks apart. Both are luxury boutique hotels and both are gorgeous, but the Beach House is right on the sand which is a must for me.

Besides the hotel being great, the team at the Thompson went all-out to welcome us. They even had pineapple and flamingo balloons, a fresh fruit spread and mezcal waiting for us. It makes all the difference when places show they care and little personal touches are why I always LOVE Thompson hotels. (ps – the hotel in Cabo that we always stay at, The Cape, is a Thompson as well!)

Good Times & Tan Lines

We got the Good Times & Tan Lines package for our stay and it was SO worth it! Here's what it included:

  • Gorgeous luxury accommodations
  • Daily breakfast for two
  • Daily use of a poolside cabana for your group with a bottle of rose each day
  • Spa service for two
  • $250 credit to use toward dining at our three restaurants during your stay

Can't be mad about that! The pool is right on the sand and really private with great cabanas and poolside service. I loved being there with Ry, but this would be SUCH a great girls getaway too!! 

Where to Eat

Even if you're not from L.A., you've probably heard of the restaurant Catch. It's been one of the hottest restaurants and places to spot celebrities in Los Angeles for the last couple of years and they have one here!! It has basically the same menu (including my favorite cashew sweet potato side!) and the same fun vibes.

Catch is on the the roof at the main Thompson Playa del Carmen, but the Thompson Beach House has a sister restaurant Catch Grill right on the sand. Needless to say we didn't go out to eat anywhere else. With the food and beverage credit in our package and all the amazingness on those menus there was really no reason to.

Where to Play

The Beach House is right in the heart of Playa Del Carmen which made it the perfect spot for us. You know we're not about that tourist life, but it's still fun to be in the mix. It was a 2 minute walk to all of the restaurants, bars, night clubs and shopping!

When we travel we always go for a run around where we're staying so we get a lay of the land and get to sight see while burning off the chips and margs. You can stop, shop and get a feel for the scene so you know where you want to explore more later.

Playa has tons of night clubs and is a big spring break destination so if that's not your jam, just make sure you don't go in March.

I honestly can't even tell you what there is to do in Playa besides relax and that is all you need to know. 

What Do You Need to Know

You DON'T need a car. And you don't want one. You can't even really drive around Playa and the Thompson has super cute bike you can barrow to ride around town. Have the hotel book your travel to and from the airport and you're good to go.

You DO need Pesos. You can use your card and charge to your room at the hotel of course, but it just makes life easier. Around town they'll take USD and there are ATM's, but if you want to make sure it's on the up and up just get pesos. Also, just FYI as of when we went 1 U.S. dollar = 18.5770017 Mexican pesos.

You Do need to drink bottled water. Whether you're at the hotel or out and about, it's just safer to drink bottled water in Mexico always.

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