Is Airbnb SAFE? | Do NOT book on AirBnB in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

[@StephenWeppler]

As an airbnb host here in Playa let me chime in 🙂 As far as safety when it comes to keys and keypads that will be no different renting from an airbnb host or not, the codes may not get changed often, keys can be copied etc. We use a smart keypad, we change the code for every single guest, as soon as a guest checks out we delete their code. I've only had one guest ask in a year but in my app I can show the log of every time someone enters or exits the unit and who has codes. It just comes down to who is doing this responsibly and who isn't. Prices, they are up for two reasons right now, it's high season AND Mexico is one of the only Countries in the World where you can come unvaccinated AND not have to show a Negative test upon entry AND until recently as your other video explains 180 day visas where handed out like candy, Playa and other places in Mexico have been busy the entire pandemic when other places in the world were shut down, that drove prices up alot here, supply/demand. As a host and a resident of Mexico I belong to alot of facebook groups and I see alot of people get ripped off by NOT using airbnb. Usually goes something like "I gave Don Julio a deposit for an apartment and never heard from them again" That's close to impossible to happen on airbnb and if it did airbnb would take care of it. The other problem renting outside of airbnb, is who are are renting from have any kind of insurance? What happens if you fall down the stairs etc.? Host and guests are covered through airbnb for this sort of thing. Just a few things to think about :-) P.S. Your host is one of the good ones, she's a friend, my real estate agent and my airbnb property manager 😀 You found a good one, some do not.

[@JRspeaking]

Exactly! So many assumptions and paranoia here. Typical. She hears the (rare) horror stories and takes it as and overarching truth. For every bad Airbnb, there are hundreds of good ones.

[@NoMore9to5Work]

Hey Stephen, if you dont mind, can you share you AirBnB link here to view?

[@xXDJJUNIORXx]

what is your airbnb? im looking to book

[@StephenWeppler]

@@NoMore9to5Work /h/believepdc

[@StephenWeppler]

@@xXDJJUNIORXx /h/believepdc

[@julietarroyo4308]

A woman traveler with a KZbin cannel told of a theft in her AirBnB while she was sleeping. All of her money, electronics, credit cards were stolen. It was a horrible experience for her. She suspected it was someone with access to the unit, a key or keycode. It made me think twice about booking an AirBnB. She also found out that the unit was not permitted and she had bad customer service with AirBnB.

[@axelfoley1406]

Scary. That's why we gotta do our homework when booking.

[@Val-T.]

Can't wait for the next video, would love to learn about alternatives to AbnB...

[@PortableProfessional]

Coming soon! Great to hear, Val!

[@VegasNegus]

All excellent points here Megan. I have noticed that the fees for Air Bnb are very high Mexico in relation to many other countries. The safety concerns are also valid. I'm going to imagine that local hotels available on Booking or Agoda may be preferable and comparable in price. Looking fwd to the next video.

[@PortableProfessional]

Yes, Jay, exactly! Prices have been creeping up on AirBnB everywhere, but I still couldn't believe how high the costs were in PDC!

[@everydogandhisman4294]

Eye opening :-/ can't wait for the next video

[@Jay41711]

I've stayed at around a dozen different airbnbs in this region and only had very minor issues. People need to use common sense when booking and researching properties.

[@PortableProfessional]

Good to hear! Safe travels, Jason.

[@sheriftito9984]

Excellent points , looking forward your next video .

[@PortableProfessional]

Thank you, It's in progress!

[@ezmealstravels9221]

Thanks for the information 👍 I've never stayed at an airbnb always stayed at hotels .

[@alltogethernow121]

I quit using AirBnB also... crazy landlords, micromanaging the kitchen use, left-keys that don't fit in locks, unanswered phone calls - just more trouble than its worth.

[@Carolinapetroska]

You are right

[@rudirussel768]

Watching this video, while planning a high security features airbnb in mexico. The irony 🥲

[@sweetjane6506]

I'm a long-time user of Airbnb, both as a host and as a guest. I would never use them again in Latin America. The standards are completely different here and not in a good way. They're not cheap either. I have had good experiences with their customer service most of the time, but if you cancel a monthly contract because of Covid, the host can keep your money and then rent the listing again. Bonus!!

[@malcorub]

We are a family of 6, so staying in hotels gets cramped and uncomfortable. I appreciate the tips from you, but it's AIRBNB for us all the way.

[@letterbox203]

Will I use Airbnb? In the U.S. possibly, abroad? No. It's risk vs reward. If I want a place to stay for 1 or 2 months in California, for example, it will be much cheaper than renting a hotel room. If I am not carrying expensive equipment then I might use Airbnb. If I can save 50% vs hotel, and I feel "safe", then I might take the risk, but in the end if this disturbs my peace of mind, I just might forego the savings

[@dominiquetheeasyminimalist]

A couple of times, I used Airbnb to get various info, then I find the coordinates of the renters directly 😁. Saves me and them a good chunk of money, and I know who I’m renting from. I also check local FB groups and expats sites. It’s pretty easy nowadays to find information, but even so we are never 100% safe from being hacked 🤷‍♀️😡. What your friends went through is absolutely horrible!!!

[@PortableProfessional]

Great tips as always, Dominique!

[@goguled]

Had bad experiences with airbnb in Playa del carmen, but it was a last minute booking. Some airbnbs are scams in playa and there is few options for airbnbs that don't charge $100+ a night. We had theft problems in cancun, someone broke into our airbnb in December.

[@gelan8543]

I have been living in Airbnb in Bangkok for six months. I found that host did not know it is required that they report my residence to immigration within 24 hrs. I was overdue and had to hire an agency to do it for them at my expense or my Visa would have been canceled. Additionally, I found hosts will create multiple listings for the same property. I believe it allows them to pick and choose which guests (with long-term stays) to select. In the end, the guest gets Airbnb credit and the host gets a long-term guest.

[@MikesTropicalTech]

Any rental less than 30 days in Thailand is illegal - period. The host knows exactly what they're doing by not reporting you to immigration.

[@Pleasurechest985]

Spot on

[@PortableProfessional]

Thanks for the feedback, Al!

[@komihag7678]

Avoid any place that are known for theft,Crime most people know where

[@pescadorbill]

I'm heading there in March. What are your suggestions for alternatives?

[@Sheyshel]

Most appartments on AirBnb don't have an oven.

[@AmputeeAdventures]

Before I booked a place, I asked a lot of questions and had a person check it out first. I also did month to month so I could find my own place. Caveat emptor.

[@PortableProfessional]

Smart! Always great to have someone on the ground to scope prior to arrival. nice going!

[@spellbindingjourney]

Airbnb’s in Mexico are usually poor value. Some are not secure. I stayed in one in Sayulita with a questionable lock. Worse, it faced the street and was accessible to all. I’ve used them in other countries and felt they were better value and more secure. The extra fees are excessive and a way to keep the base price lower so you’ll book it. I prefer hotels.

[@joeblades4331]

We just stayed in PDC last month on 38th and 5th in an ABnB and I had the same concerns. Mexico is a non stop continuous scam.

[@PortableProfessional]

Definitely things to look out for, but I love it here in DC so far! Hope you had a nice stay! Living on 5th sounds.... loud haha

[@carpediem1975mx]

Everyone's experience is unique, but if your experiences have been bad in Mexico, dont come here anymore... Go to dominicana or some other shit... We dont need your dollars...

[@yesseniarodriguez6248]

Did anything happen?

[@Italia1970]

I will be in Playa del Carmen starting Tuesday for a month.

[@dwalker6868]

Thank you

[@roguetiger3163]

Avoid??

[@PortableProfessional]

Hahaha! Thank you for catching this. Updated!

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

Okay, I won't. Safety first. Always.

[@PortableProfessional]

Yes, always! Whether it's airbnb or another rental property!

[@robertoastorga1023]

I appreciate your videos. Nevertheless, I think that profiling RB&B in Mexico is not productive. Playa del Carmen has a reputation to be a drug paradise for Americans and other tourists. In fact, Quintana Roo has had a lot of criminal activity for the past 5 years (maybe more.) In my experience, RB&B in Mexico has been exceptionally responsive and professional. I would rather avoid areas that have high concentrations of drug trade and activity (do your research.)

[@niyahguthery]

Is VRBO a better option?

[@Liviee97]

NOPE. I was robbed in my sleep staying in a VRBO in Peurto Vallarta

[@MikesTropicalTech]

I had the worst experience of my life with a VRBO in Moldova. Customer service lied to me for 3 days then hung me out to dry. 68 countries travelled, 1 VRBO. Never again!

[@u_t_d_s_h-1_a]

Entrusting one's itinerary to faceless non professionals with little accountability and no concerns for the welfare of their client is unadviseable; ---should disappointments occur, as it often does, to whom would one have recourse, internet? ---especially in countries whose population have divergent opinions of what is proper . . . In the event of a flawless transaction, it makes ones life a whole lot easier, but, should the contrary obtain, part of their work benefits would include deliberately frustrating your requests for refunds.

[@williamallsup1915]

You assume hotels are better? I have had things stolen out of nice hotel rooms in Mexico but never had anything stolen in an Airbnb. And please we all don't feel certain about many hotel rooms too, it's not just Airbnb that have an air of uncertainty in Mexico. To each his own on this but this all seems very much typical KZbin hype to get clicks. If you say something is middle of the road no one cares, but say Do NOT or NEVER in a title and maybe someone will watch.

[@axelfoley1406]

How many hotel stays? How many AirBnB stays?

[@TheScientificSkeptic]

Of course it's clickbait. Sensational claims for views is what makes these hacks money so hopefully someone will make videos criticizing her as a fraud. lol

[@ericeverson5956]

NO

[@user-mq1od7fx5l]

AirBNB in Mexico is so damn expensive!

[@yesseniarodriguez6248]

Now I'm scared🙁

[@lacha608]

Good points. I was thinking about using Airbnb recently, though my first and only experience with it (years ago) was very problematic. But with all the service fees, the prices for my length of stay were doubled. So, pointless. Just saw a video about an Airbnb stay in the U.S. that was filthy. The guest left for a hotel. Looking forward to your next video.. I would really like some alternative ideas to Airbnb, generally speaking (not specific to Mexico).

[@PortableProfessional]

Thanks for sharing! I'll make sure i cover some international options for next week too! :)

[@JRspeaking]

Thousands and thousands of people all over the world use Airbnb with no issue. Don't take one persons word as gospel.

[@feryalighani-missaghi1649]

Megan,, I was looking at Airbnb for my vac in Paris and Rome. What alternatives do you recommend?

[@PortableProfessional]

Oh wow, nice vacation! Next Saturday I'll give some alternatives - stay tuned!

[@feryalighani-missaghi1649]

@@PortableProfessional we are booking anytime before tomorrow!

[@FlatEarth59]

Hi, perhaps you can help me find a lawyer in Mexico. I was scammed out of $15,000 , by a mother and daughter team. Tinder Swindler’s I do have evidence, if this happened up here they would be charged with a crime of Fraud over $10,000 Thankyou for your effort. Jay😢

[@adalix3954]

I stopped using Airbnb since I discovered that the owners can suppress all the reviews they don't want to show you. They simply ask Airbnb to suppress them and you, the paying guest who wrote a factual review, can't do anything about it! Not very honest. And the fact that you can't reach the platform, as a guest, confirms that Airbnb cares a lot more about the owners than you, although you're the one who pays!

[@PortableProfessional]

Nice to see you here again!! Also thank you for sharing this, I had no idea the hosts could do that! :O

[@adalix3954]

@@PortableProfessional Kisses from Paris, Megan !

[@StephenWeppler]

not true, as a host I can tell you it's VERY hard to get airbnb to remove a review, I've never asked but I know some who have and it happens VERY rarely.

[@adalix3954]

@@StephenWeppler It happened to me and it also happened to two friends of mine (separately, these two don't know each other). In Europe each time. during the last two years. So it's not so rare. Really not !

[@StephenWeppler]

Well, if rent privately there are no reviews to go by so not sure how that would help you?

[@nofood1]

Never an issue an Asia. This is such a great video and very important. I was going to visit Mexico this year but countries are opening up in Asia so I guess Ill stay longer out here. Good tips even for us experienced travelers! 🍨

[@StillWatersMovinn]

The Asian countries that are opening up, is that for the unvaccinated as well?

[@enriqueguzman8954]

Lairs

[@crisyorke1328]

Pierre Poilievre has annouced that he will be running for PM, are you going to vote for him and the conservative party? Seems like Canada has some hope!

[@PortableProfessional]

Oh interesting, I'll keep these views private for now haha but curious to see how things pan out!

[@davidhuxley444howareyoudoi5]

This girl has no idea what she's talking about

[@MikesTropicalTech]

The word you're looking for is "woman". And you're wrong.