I've lived in Playa del Carmen for about eight years, plus a couple of years in Mexico City, and also exploring some other parts of Mexico. I haven't made it out to Puerto Vallarta yet, but expect to, soon. Playa doesn't have PV's history and architecture, it's true. Still, there areplenty of festivals in the municipal plaza, and loads of free cultural events in the Teatro de la Ciudad. Plus, we're ot too far away from Valladolid and Merida, so it's possible to go on trips adound the peninsula to immerse yourself in Mayan and Yucatecan history and culture. The sargassum comes and goes. It can get bad in the summer, depending on ocean currents. The best beach days are in the winter, or when the wind is not from the south. To anyone thinking of moving to Mexico, I recommend exactly what you're doing: narrow the list down to a few places, and really experience the life before deciding.
We have visited Puerto Vallarta twice now. We are looking forward to another visit, hopefully in the not-too-distant future. Vallarta is a fantastic city to get around on foot, and day trips outside of town are easily accessible through either the buses, or by arranging rides through a professional guide/driver company.
Of the three towns, I've only been to Puerto Vallarta, and only once. However, it made a positive impression on me. As you mentioned in the video, it feels more like a real town because you see and interact with the locals more. My travel companion, who is European, thought it was "too Americanized." I thought there were plenty of locals and Mexicans from other parts of Mexico vacationing there, and people were very polite and generous. Since my friend and I speak fluent Spanish, we were treated very well everywhere we went. The food choices were terrific and very affordable. I would love to go there again, but my friend said he wouldn't. To each their own.
I've watched a few of your videos and really enjoyed them! I am a digital nomad so I have tried living and working in quite a few Mexican cities. I completely agree about Tulum, you couldn't pay me to spend time there. I did love Puerto Vallarta but so far my absolute favourite is Manzanillo! It is just beautiful and less expensive because I think it is a bit lesser known. Now I am in Ixtapa / Zuihatenejo for 1 month and it is probably one of my least favourite spots so far. It's really expensive and I don't find it to be as beautiful as other places along the west coast like Manzanillo or Puerto Vallarta :(
Thanks for your comment, and letting us know about Manzanillo and Ixtapa. They sound incredible! Have you made it to Mexico City yet? It’s one of our favourite cities so far….
Rented a very nice 2 bedroom condo on the beach in Playa and got wise about not renting or buying anything on Mamitas Beach after the first day, we got wise and walked to Mega Sorianna, bought a beach Umbrella, drinks and snacks on the second day and was able to enjoy the beautiful beach without bitchin’ n moanin about the crappy food and the rental fees. I really love the beaches in Playa and when I go back, I’ll be a smarter tourist
Love them both... Depends what vibe you are looking for. Been to both a few times over several years. Was just in Playa for 6 wks....Tulum has some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. (I lived in Hawaii for a decade. )....Such a great variety of activities..Puerto Vallarta is also so fun and close to other beach areas. I love them all.
@ShouldWeLiveHere Love Hawaii. Beautiful people with a great heritage. Each Island has different feeling. I still get chills when I see the hula and hear the singing and Ukulele.....Honolulu is a great city. The Pipeline and it's long tradition of surfers is mesmerizing...Walking up and in Haleakala is a deep breath and spiritual experience like swimming in a MX Cenote....There really are "healing stones" deep in the jungles of HI...Kona Coffee like Mexican coffee is delicious.
It looks so magical. I should’ve looked up your video before I almost moved to Tulum. I’m glad I didn’t. No one told me about like the prostitution the night club girls. I was literally meeting people that I thought were just real estate agents but I’m at them and like brothel, thinking that they were just cute fun bars.
I will be visiting Playa del Carmen next year. I will go and be very careful but the constant presence of armed police and crime makes me feel that is a place i will not return. I thought it was all just sterotypes. Im sure many people gonand are fine but i jusy dont feel go about.
Agree. Tulum is awful. All over Mexico people are nice but anywhere in Mexico you will find bad people that will ruin your trip. Avoid Mexico if you want a vacation that won’t be marred by extortion.
Everywhere is a tourist trap in Mexico. Lol. And if its not than its mostly probably its not a place where a tourist should be! Lol Anywhere in the world people travel to and want to be are tourist traps were trapped no matter what or where we want to go. No where tourists go are safe from getting ripped off nowhere on this planet. Been to Thailand? Wayyy worse than Mexico like 100 times worse for tourist traps and very unsafe there. I felt way more unsafe in Thailand than I do in Mexico.
Great video…..thanks for letting me contribute
Thanks once again for your help!
I've lived in Playa del Carmen for about eight years, plus a couple of years in Mexico City, and also exploring some other parts of Mexico. I haven't made it out to Puerto Vallarta yet, but expect to, soon. Playa doesn't have PV's history and architecture, it's true. Still, there areplenty of festivals in the municipal plaza, and loads of free cultural events in the Teatro de la Ciudad. Plus, we're ot too far away from Valladolid and Merida, so it's possible to go on trips adound the peninsula to immerse yourself in Mayan and Yucatecan history and culture. The sargassum comes and goes. It can get bad in the summer, depending on ocean currents. The best beach days are in the winter, or when the wind is not from the south. To anyone thinking of moving to Mexico, I recommend exactly what you're doing: narrow the list down to a few places, and really experience the life before deciding.
We have visited Puerto Vallarta twice now. We are looking forward to another visit, hopefully in the not-too-distant future. Vallarta is a fantastic city to get around on foot, and day trips outside of town are easily accessible through either the buses, or by arranging rides through a professional guide/driver company.
Thank you for watching the video, and your feedback! Much appreciated….
Of the three towns, I've only been to Puerto Vallarta, and only once. However, it made a positive impression on me. As you mentioned in the video, it feels more like a real town because you see and interact with the locals more. My travel companion, who is European, thought it was "too Americanized." I thought there were plenty of locals and Mexicans from other parts of Mexico vacationing there, and people were very polite and generous. Since my friend and I speak fluent Spanish, we were treated very well everywhere we went. The food choices were terrific and very affordable. I would love to go there again, but my friend said he wouldn't. To each their own.
Yes, we loved Puerto Vallarta as well. Thanks for sharing!
I've watched a few of your videos and really enjoyed them! I am a digital nomad so I have tried living and working in quite a few Mexican cities. I completely agree about Tulum, you couldn't pay me to spend time there. I did love Puerto Vallarta but so far my absolute favourite is Manzanillo! It is just beautiful and less expensive because I think it is a bit lesser known. Now I am in Ixtapa / Zuihatenejo for 1 month and it is probably one of my least favourite spots so far. It's really expensive and I don't find it to be as beautiful as other places along the west coast like Manzanillo or Puerto Vallarta :(
Thanks for your comment, and letting us know about Manzanillo and Ixtapa. They sound incredible! Have you made it to Mexico City yet? It’s one of our favourite cities so far….
Rented a very nice 2 bedroom condo on the beach in Playa and got wise about not renting or buying anything on Mamitas Beach after the first day, we got wise and walked to Mega Sorianna, bought a beach Umbrella, drinks and snacks on the second day and was able to enjoy the beautiful beach without bitchin’ n moanin about the crappy food and the rental fees. I really love the beaches in Playa and when I go back, I’ll be a smarter tourist
Thanks for sharing!
Love them both... Depends what vibe you are looking for. Been to both a few times over several years. Was just in Playa for 6 wks....Tulum has some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. (I lived in Hawaii for a decade. )....Such a great variety of activities..Puerto Vallarta is also so fun and close to other beach areas. I love them all.
Thanks for your comment! What are your thoughts about Hawaii?
@ShouldWeLiveHere Love Hawaii. Beautiful people with a great heritage. Each Island has different feeling. I still get chills when I see the hula and hear the singing and Ukulele.....Honolulu is a great city. The Pipeline and it's long tradition of surfers is mesmerizing...Walking up and in Haleakala is a deep breath and spiritual experience like swimming in a MX Cenote....There really are "healing stones" deep in the jungles of HI...Kona Coffee like Mexican coffee is delicious.
Wow! Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We were in Hawaii years ago and it’s still a favourite place of ours…
@BretBallast Pleasure...Good wishes!
Beaches are better at playa del Carmen tulum the sand is too hard just wider beach same water girls are topless in tulum
It looks so magical. I should’ve looked up your video before I almost moved to Tulum. I’m glad I didn’t. No one told me about like the prostitution the night club girls. I was literally meeting people that I thought were just real estate agents but I’m at them and like brothel, thinking that they were just cute fun bars.
Much better and autentic towns are like Huatulco, Escondido, Zihuatenejo, Mazunte…
I will be visiting Playa del Carmen next year.
I will go and be very careful but the constant presence of armed police and crime makes me feel that is a place i will not return. I thought it was all just sterotypes. Im sure many people gonand are fine but i jusy dont feel go about.
Agree. Tulum is awful. All over Mexico people are nice but anywhere in Mexico you will find bad people that will ruin your trip. Avoid Mexico if you want a vacation that won’t be marred by extortion.
Have you tried Mexico City? We really enjoyed our stay there…
Tulum's for people with too much money
Obviously you have never been there if you think that
The three options are tourist traps… this is a joke.
Everywhere is a tourist trap in Mexico. Lol. And if its not than its mostly probably its not a place where a tourist should be! Lol
Anywhere in the world people travel to and want to be are tourist traps were trapped no matter what or where we want to go. No where tourists go are safe from getting ripped off nowhere on this planet. Been to Thailand? Wayyy worse than Mexico like 100 times worse for tourist traps and very unsafe there. I felt way more unsafe in Thailand than I do in Mexico.