Playa del Carmen Information
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Playa del Carmen Information
PLAYA DEL CARMEN CITY INFORMATION
Population: 47,200
Location:
In the State of Quintana Roo, off the northeastern end of the Yucatan peninsula, south of New Orleans. Approximately 1.5 hours flying time from Miami.
Languages: Spanish and Mayan, but English is spoken in most areas.
The original inhabitants of this part of Mexico were Mayan and although Spanish is the official language, most of the indigenous population still speaks their native tongue. In the past few years, people from all parts of the world have settled here, giving this region a cosmopolitan atmosphere
Time Zone: Central Standard Time. The time is one hour behind that of New York City. When it is 11:00am in New York City; it is 10:00am in Playa del Carmen. However, Daylight saving time is observed from the first weekend in May until the last weekend in September.
Average Temperatures: Month High Low
January 80F 68F
February 81F 68F
March 82F 69F
April 84F 71F
May 87F 74F
June 85F 75F
July 88F 75F
August 87F 75F
September 87F 75F
October 83F 73F
November 81F 71F
December 80F 70F
When to Visit: Playa del Carmen is warm year round, but the steady sea breeze tempers the heat. There is outdoor swimming all year. Rainfall is evenly distributed over the twelve months. The chance of hurricanes is greater in September and October. The sun reflected from the water is intense, so it is important to come prepared with sunblock. Most visitors wear shorts and T-shirts. A sweater is useful for air-conditioned places and for the occasional cool winter day.
National Holidays:
Jan 1 New Years Day (Nuevo)
Feb 5 Constitution Day
Mar 21 Birthday of Benito Juarez, Mexican president and national hero
Holy Week (Semana Santa) Good Friday through Easter Sunday
May 1 Labor Day (Da del Trabajo) with workers parades
May 5 Battle of Puebla commemorates the Mexican victory over the French at Puebla in 1862
Sept 1 The president of Mexico delivers the annual State of the Nation address
Sept 16 Independence Day
Oct 12 Day of the Race (Dia de la Raza) Columbus Day
Nov 1-2 The Day of the Dead
Nov 20 Revolution Day: Anniversary of the 1910 Mexican Revolution
Dec 12 Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadelupe
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Currency: The currency is in Mexican Pesos.
Banks and Currency Exchange Facilities:
US Dollars are easily exchanged into pesos in banks, major hotels, airports and exchange houses. Mexican banks are open from 9 am to 2:30 pm weekdays only. Most credit cards are accepted in shops, hotels and travel agencies. Major purchases are best made with a credit card. You automatically receive the bank rate of exchange, which is higher than the rates given in town or at the hotels.
Cash advances and ATM withdrawals typically come in pesos.
Major ATM cards work at ATMs at the big banks such as Banamex .Banks advertise their closing hour as 5 PM during the week.
Departure Tax: is approximately US $17. Be prepared with US cash for this. Change may not be available. Children under 2 years are exempt.
Customs Regulations: After passing through immigration, you must claim your luggage and pass through Customs. You must present a Customs form, which will be given to you at check-in before you leave the US or during your flight. You will be asked to press a button at a sort of traffic light: Green means go, red means your baggage will be briefly searched. Questions can be directed to the Customs office at the Cancun Airport at (52-98) 86-00-73.
A post card home will probably take many weeks, or even months. A package will probably not make it. Don’t send anything valuable with the Mexican Mail. If you do want to send some post cards, stamps can be found at the Post office and at the pharmacy or the mini super. Stamps are called estampillas.
Business Hours:
Most stores are open from 10 am to 10 pm daily in the Hotel Zone. Stores downtown may close between 2 pm and 4 pm for the traditional “siesta†and on Sundays.
Public rest rooms: Restrooms are difficult to find in most places. You are expected to supply your own toilet paper.
Children: Many resorts, hotels, and beachfront villas have many activities especially for families with children.
Car Rentals:
Major rental car companies operate from the airport and some hotels. You must be 25 years old, hold a drivers license and major credit card. Road signs are in Spanish.