Things are picking up for the busy winter travel season in Playa del Carmen, and businesses are getting ready.
It was reported earlier this week by a local Quintana Roo news agency that hotels in Playa del Carmen are expected to rise above 90% occupancy starting this month. The number was noted by Gerardo Valadez, the President of Riviera Maya’s National Chamber of the Restaurant Industry. This means a big boom is coming for restaurants, shops, and lots of local businesses in the area.
“November is considered a very good month of the year. December, January, and February will come. They (the hotel sector) talk about what we are going to have spectacular occupations for the winter season,” Valadez mentioned in the report. “We have already passed the most difficult months and we are prepared for what is to come,” he continued.
Playa Del Carmen’s Already Past Its Shoulder Season
The lag is per usual in Playa del Carmen and the surrounding region. These months are what’s known as the shoulder season or ‘off season’, which is the period between peak travel times.
Tourists and lots of travelers coming to Playa in the winter months leave in droves during the spring, only to return when the weather cools down in their home countries. There are a few factors to consider about the best time to visit Playa del Carmen, but the period between December (or November) and April is typically the busy season.
Looking at this 90% occupancy rate, however, will Playa del Carmen’s tourist arrivals for the end of 2022 top last winter’s record-breaking numbers?
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Hotel Capacity In Winter 2021 For Playa Del Carmen
In December 2021, Playa del Carmen was buzzing with tourists as the region entered its peak winter travel season. A number of hotels, hostels, and AirBnbs were booked up. Additionally, new vacation rentals were popping up around the city to accommodate the influx of tourists. Many noted Mexico’s relatively easy accessibility as the key factor in the tourist boom, but will this trend continue?
Mexico had more relaxed entry requirements compared to a number of countries over the past few years, and as a result, many people flocked to the country during the winter season last year, many of whom were taking their first international getaway in over a year.
Cancun and Playa del Carmen were some of the top performers in tourism during this time. Thousands came to explore the Mexican Caribbean coast during the peak travel season.
And even in 2020, Playa del Carmen was a top player in the travel scene. In fact, Playa del Carmen was the most-searched destination for international hotels and flights by U.S. travelers, according to Expedia.
Travel To The Mexican Caribbean: An Ongoing Trend?
Flash forward to the end of 2022, when Covid-related entry restrictions are pretty much non-existent in countries across the globe. While many travelers are now free to roam to different destinations without any major entry requirements, given the current predictions for hotel occupancies, Mexico will continue to be a favorite for all types of tourists for this holiday season and beyond.
Tips For Booking Hotels And Rentals In Playa Del Carmen
With many hotels likely to sell out in Playa del Carmen this winter (even despite rising hotel prices), here are a few quick tips to help you with booking your hotel or vacation rental on your next visit to Playa del Carmen:
- Book a hotel with a good refund policy in case your travel plans change at the last minute (and in some cases, a solid travel insurance package might be the only viable option).
- If looking for vacation rentals, don’t be afraid to bargain in some cases.
- If you want to be in the heart of the action, book a hotel near the tourist center. It can be difficult to get around Playa del Carmen if you don’t have a car. And these properties book up early, so plan your vacation in advance!
- When booking an AirBnB, always message the seller directly on the app or website. It’s not uncommon for landlords or property managers to outsource their management duties, so you won’t necessarily be dealing with the property owner during check-in. Always get all of the information that you can so that you’ll be better prepared during check-in time and feel comfortable with your host.
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