Comparison

How2Playa vs PDC Guide

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

How2Playa

Features
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Find hot deals in Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico. Restaurants, Bars, clubs, etc. Never miss a promo again! Set reminders 15 min, 1 hour, at 9am or whenever you are close a hot deal. Find the best deals close to your location navigating our custom map, add to favorites, recieve real time notifications for new hot deals in your area. Add your own customized deals. Make the most of your stay in Playa del Carmen. Use RADAR mode to detect any deal nearby, the ultimate deal hunter!

About

PDC Guide

Features
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Welcome to Playa del Carmen—your way. PDC Guide is the definitive mobile companion for exploring Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. Whether you're planning your first trip, returning for another unforgettable vacation, or living here year-round, PDC Guide puts the best of Playa in your pocket. Discover Local Favorites From beachfront palapas on the north end to hidden taquerias off Quinta Avenida, explore hand-picked recommendations for restaurants, bars, beach clubs, cafés, and nightlife—curated by locals, not algorithms. Events & What's Happening Now Stay in the loop with live music, full-moon parties, food festivals, art walks, wellness events, and weekly happenings. Our events calendar is updated daily so you never miss what's going on while you're here. Beaches & Cenotes Find the perfect stretch of sand for your mood—family-friendly, party vibes, quiet escapes, or snorkeling spots. Plus curated guides to the best cenotes within driving distance, with tips on entrance fees, depth, and what to bring. Day Trips & Excursions Explore Tulum, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Chichén Itzá, Coba, Akumal, and Bacalar with easy-to-follow guides, transport tips, and honest recommendations on which tours are worth your money. Practical Local Info Get the answers tourists actually need: where to exchange money, how to use the colectivos, which ATMs to trust, tipping etiquette, safety tips, Spanish phrases that help, and how to avoid common tourist traps. Offline-Friendly Save your favorites and access key information even when your data connection gets spotty. WHY PDC GUIDE? Unlike generic travel apps, PDC Guide is built exclusively for Playa del Carmen. We're not trying to cover every city in the world—we're trying to be the best guide to this one. That means deeper recommendations, fresher updates, and real local perspective you can't get from a global platform. PERFECT FOR - First-time visitors planning their trip - Return travelers looking for new experiences - Digital nomads settling in for the long haul - Expats and residents staying connected to the community

Screenshots

How2Playa1 screens
PDC Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: How2Playa at every 3 weeks against PDC Guide's every 5 months. PDC Guide's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

How2Playa ships an update every 3 weeks, PDC Guide every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
How2Playa versus PDC Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHow2PlayaPDC Guide
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.215.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLuis Felipe Camacho RojasJustin Hampton

In-app purchases

None

How2Playa

No in-app purchases

None

PDC Guide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is How2Playa free?
How2Playa is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PDC Guide free?
PDC Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do How2Playa or PDC Guide have ads?
Neither How2Playa nor PDC Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, How2Playa or PDC Guide?
How2Playa ships an update every 3 weeks, and PDC Guide every 5 months. Most recently, How2Playa was updated on September 29, 2026 and PDC Guide on October 1, 2026.

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