Sun, Sand & SensES

If you’ve got sensory sensitivities, kids, or family members who do, you learn to pace yourself in Playa del Carmen. There’s a lot happening all the time. Noise, color, music, movement. I do everything in bite-sized pieces otherwise the day runs me over. The first bite is beach day.

I usually head straight to a beach club. It makes life so much easier. No hauling chairs, guessing about shade, or stress about food. I can pick between pool or ocean, and I don’t spend the whole time scanning the sand for my bag. Playa feels safe overall, I’ve never had anything stolen, but I also wouldn’t leave my stuff unattended on a public beach for even a second. At the clubs, I feel fine to leave my stuff on the chairs. Though, if I go in the ocean I take my phone and card in one of those plastic cases. Don’t go without one. Even if you’re at a resort, it’s not worth the headache of losing your essentials.

I love being able to nap on the beach and feel safe. I can relax in a way I never could on a public stretch of sand. . Every so often vendors walk by, offering necklaces or braids or tours but they’ve started to recognize me and don’t ask anymore..

Locals here are pros at sun protection. Long sleeves, hats, neck guards, full coverage like it’s a uniform. It’s funny because at home you usually only see suburban kids dressed like that for water activities. Tourists (mostly male,) meanwhile, let themselves burn to a bright red crisp, which stresses me out just to look at. My skin tans well, and is also quite sensitive. I can tell when its had enough by the feel, and I usually cover up, put sunscreen on, or get out of the sun by then, Another time I’ll detail my whole process for tanning without burning.

Check out the ebook travel guide to PDC for the complete guide to staying in Playa for a first time vacationer!