When planning their vacation rental, people tend to think that being close to the beach is all it matters. However, they fail to take into consideration that in small cities such as Playa del Carmen, it is very easy to commute to the beach area from pretty much everywhere. Even if your rental place advertises to be only a few blocks away from the ocean, keep in mind that the beaches downtown are mostly taken by big resorts or hotels, and when going to a public beach elsewhere you will need to drive anyway. Furthermore, it will take you just the same time to walk to a beach you can barely use as if you were driving from most other places in the city to another one that is not as crowded or taken by the resorts. Having said that, think twice before paying thousands of dollars for a property that advertises being a few steps from the beach.
Also take into consideration that when you are on vacation, accommodation is only one of the several expenses you will need to bear. A car is something you may end up renting too so why not to choose a place that offers it all at once with straight forward costs that allow you to budget accurately and plan the rest of your trip accordingly?
You can also find better places that offer very affordable rates than the ones downtown. Although they might not be a few steps from the ocean, they are a few minutes away by car. The amenities of the vacation rental home are something important to check for. You don’t want to end up sacrificing your vacation by not having access to the basics from your host. When in doubt of the advertised information, ask the person in charge all your questions and require them to provide videos or images of the place.