I have a confession to make: I messed up in Mexico! Despite all the hours of research and planning, my first trip to Playa del Carmen and historic Chichén Itzá did not go as smoothly as I’d hoped. That’s why I’m sharing all of my mistakes so your trip to this beautiful city just south of Cancun is as close to perfection as possible.
Mexico is a cash-based society. As someone who uses contactless payment 99% of the time, it was stressful to keep cash on hand. Many tourists withdraw cash using an ATM, but finding a safe one can prove difficult. As a solo traveler, I felt more comfortable going to a well-rated casa de cambia (currency exchange).
TIP: Convert your cash to Mexican pesos before leaving. If you need to perform a conversion in Mexico, use a reputable casa de cambia or an ATM within a bank.
2. Not Checking My Data Plan Before Departure
Whenever I travel outside of the U.S. by air, I usually receive the little “ping!” that let’s me know my International Day Pass has been activated. I spent over an hour and a half contacting my service provider about it—only to find out that my data plan works in Mexico exactly as it does in the States!
TIP: Check your carrier’s terms and conditions!
As a chronic planner, I incessantly researched tours to Chichén Itzá to identify which might be the best fit for me. Despite positive reviews online, hidden tour fees and a poor guide made seeing this New Wonder of the World much less wonderful to visit.
TIP: Read tour itineraries and reviews carefully! Many tours to Chichén Itzá and neighboring sites do not include site fees, which must be paid in cash.
I’ll admit, one thing I was not prepared for when visiting Chichén Itzá was its heavy commercialization. Google the ancient Mayan city and you’ll likely encounter photos of its iconic pyramid, El Castillo, or the Great Ball Court, a massive arena used for the oldest ballgame known to man, Pok-ta-Pok. While the ruins are spectacular, much of the grounds are filled with vendors hawking their wares. I found it to be overwhelming and slightly off-putting at times.
TIP: Be mindful of your privilege and show respect. While tourists from all over the globe flock to Mexico for its archeological marvels, to many locals, historic sites like Chichén Itzá represent a vital source of income. If you’re itching to experience the same rich history without the crowds and bartering, I recommend visiting neighboring ancient cities like Coba. Check out my
On my last full day in-country, I planned a snorkeling day trip to the island of Cozumel, a famous cruising port located a short (45-minute) ferry ride from Playa del Carmen. I purchased a ferry ticket at the docks in Playa del Carmen, but imagine my surprise when I realized the ferry I was “scheduled for” was quite visibly out to sea. The kiosk ferry operator had sold me a ticket for a non-existent time slot! I ended up missing my snorkeling excursion.
TIP: If you’re interested in taking a day trip to Cozumel, there are three ferry operators to and from Playa del Carmen: Ultramar, Winjet, and the newest operator, Xcaret. Review the times carefully and pre-purchase your tickets online.
As a Type A traveller who’s also economical and values safety, taking Mexico’s ADO bus service to and from the airport was a no-brainer. I had pre-booked my ticket, but my flight was delayed. Luckily, it only set me back $15 USD.
TIP: Mexico’s ADO bus service is an economical and safe way to travel to Cancun International Airport (CUN). They are clean, comfortable, and reliable. Buy your ticket at an ADO airport kiosk, which is located in every CUN terminal parking lot.