“Where are you staying for a month in Playa del Carmen?”
This was the first question people wanted answered when they found out we were planning a month-long trip *. They weren’t as curious about where we were going as they were about the amount of time we were staying. So before I dive into our actual experience (more on that in our next post), I wanted to start with how we went about looking and finding the right place for our family since people were curious about our process.
Airbnb 4EVa.
I am an Airbnb devotee through and through. Besides saving money with a kitchen (you may not want to cook on vacation but at least you have the option) you get so much more value. I’ve seen 2-bedrooms for the same price as a hotel room and if you can swing it, many to most of the places I checked out offered a monthly discount rate. We paid the same amount for a month as we would have for two weeks. I mean, that’s freaking awesome!
If you do book with Airbnb, consider using my referral code.
what is right for you + filters.
I added a few filters on Airbnb. We would still have to pay rent on our house in Guadalajara so price range was the biggest filter. From there, I knew if we were going to be somewhere for a month, we would need a kitchen, a pool or a TV for the kids, and wifi so I could work my virtual business*. We also wouldn’t have a car so we needed a place that was walkable to the beach and town.
With filters in place, I moved the location pin around Mexico (yes. the whole country. more on that below) and kept refreshing the search. For us, the filters and what we’d need mattered more than location. If we had the things that made our life comfortable, we’d be happy anywhere. After searching, reading reviews, and getting in touch with owners, we found a good fit at Condo Ottanto.
Be open to location.
Did you really search all of Mexico? Yes. Yes, I did. When we started entertaining the idea of planning a month-long trip, we weren’t set on where. I looked at all the West Coast beaches in Mexico. Then I looked up areas around Baja and checked over near Merida. I searched in Mexico City, Guanajuato, and so many more towns. My point is, unless you have your heart set on a specific location, be flexible. This can lead to discovering a place you never considered and may help you find more affordable options or better options for your family.
Don’t Judge.
I’ve written about “touristy” destinations and how people immediately assume it’s a bad thing. My advice? First, decide for yourself. You never know if (or what) you’ll miss out on if you don’t experience it firsthand. Like movies and books, people have their opinions about travel and those opinions won’t always match yours. Exhibit A and exhibit B.
Second, a” touristy” spot could make your stay much easier and more comfortable; as was the case for our summer. Some of the other accommodations I found were in less-known, less-populated towns—a more discover-and-adventure-type vacation. I do love remote stays and places that feel like we’re the only inhabitants, but did I want to walk 30 minutes to the nearest store every time we needed water? No. I did not. For a week, that might seem novel, but for a month, it would quickly become an annoyance.
When you are staying somewhere for 30 days, having nearby convenience (including laundromat, market, access to taxis, etc.) is essential. You can still find adventure but staying in a place where you can (or can’t) easily find what you need could be a tipping point.
(coming out later this week + NEXT):
part 1: planning for a month long trip + HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT PLACE (This post)
PART 2: six Highlights from our month in playa
PART 3: HOW OUR FAMILY SURVIVED 30 DAYS IN A STUDIO—OUR OVERALL EXPERIENCE + DAY-TO-DAY
PART 4: How to Avoid Overpacking (includes a CheckLIST)
PART 5: making the most of a stinky situation
Notes:
*My virtual skincare business helped pay for this. If you want to have a pressure-free chat about what that business may look like for you, reach out or read this post.
