Is Playa del Carmen Safe? 2024 Travel Guide
Welcome to our Playa del Carmen safety guide.
This atmospheric Caribbean town is one of the liveliest you can visit in Mexico, and is a must-see during your time in the Riviera Maya.
Known for its bustling nightlife and endless entertainment opportunities, Playa also has some unique attractions that attract visitors from all four corners of the globe.
The attractions include nearby cenotes which are great for a cool-off from the hot Mexican Sun, snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea as well as visiting nearby ancient ruins.
Playa del Carmen Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where is it: Southern Mexico
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Very Easy
- ⏱ Time needed: 4-7 Days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: December-April
Is Playa del Carmen Safe?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you’ll need to know about Safety in Playa del Carmen as a backpacker or traveler.
We’ll look at all the different factors, our top safety tips, other useful information as well as an FAQ section where we answer your key questions.
Is Playa del Carmen Safe Right Now?
Quick Answer: Like with most other destinations in the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen is a pretty safe town to visit. This is especially true when staying in the touristy areas between the beach and Avenida 35, where there is heightened police presence as well as more tourists.
If staying in nearby Playacar (where all of the big resorts are located), you’ll find it even safer given it’s a gated community.
There are a few safety risks to be aware of though. Pickpocketing can be an issue when walking along busy streets, which is more likely at night.
Other acts of violence have occurred further out of the city (after the motorway bridge beyond Avenida 40), so please take care if heading here after dark.
We would advise any travelers who are thinking of heading to Playa del Carmen to prepare properly before arriving, and to get in touch with us where we can offer more guidance. Also, see our Mexico safety guide for a general overview before arriving here.
Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen
Unless you’re after a five-star expensive resort (which are all located in Playacar), you’ll find the town of Playa del Carmen best for numerous reasons.
Firstly there are all kinds of accommodation options throughout the city, and also as there are always many restaurants and other amenities close-by.
Travelers looking to keep things cheap will want to stay at the Why Not Rooftop Party Hostel. Here you’ll be staying in an air-conditioned dorm room with an on-site pool and terrace to enjoy. You’ll also be located right on the legendary Quinta Avenida.
Those who want a more comfortable experience (without breaking the bank) will love the Hotel Sayab. Here you’ll also be on the Quinta Avenida, close to all of the best restaurants and a block from the beach. You’ll have your own deluxe private room, along with an en-suite bathroom and air-conditioning.
If you’re looking for a more memorable stay with various amenities, then you can head to the Pelicano Inn. Here you’ll have a spacious room, along with breakfast included in the rate. You’ll be located right on the beach, and can also enjoy the on-site bar here too.
Things to do in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is known to be one of the best basecamps for exploring the Mexican Riviera Maya. Nearby there are many cenotes to explore, which are ancient caves filled with lush green and blue waters. These also offer a perfect chance to cool-off when midday temperatures get quite hot.
There are also many other worthwhile attractions to explore. The ruins of Chichén Itzá are a must, whilst the adventure park of Xcaret offers a very immersive experience.
If you find that Playa del Carmen is expensive for your travel budget, you can also enjoy the beaches in some of the more relaxed towns along the coast, such as Puerto Aventuras and Akumal and find different type of offers there.
Within Playa del Carmen itself, we can enjoy the beach and soak up the incredible atmosphere. There are a ton of restaurants to enjoy here, many of which serve delicious dishes from the Yucatán region (such as Tacos de Cochinita Pibil).
We can also chill out in the Parque Los Fundadores, where we can see renditions of ancient Mayan performances at night.
In our opinion, this alone makes Playa del Carmen worth visiting over other places in the region. Then, if you want to connect with the local scene, just walk a few blocks back.
Is Playa del Carmen Safe to Visit?
Playa del Carmen Travel Warnings
At this time there are no major official major risks to watch out for in Playa del Carmen.
Having said that though, there has always been an issue with pickpocketing and local scams, so always think twice before agreeing to something (and also leaving valuables locked up in your apartment). You can follow our other tips outlined in this article to stay safe.
Crime in Playa del Carmen
Playa has a heavy police presence, and especially so around the Quinta Avenida. This has mostly curbed big incidents, although cartels do still operate in and around here (you’ll have zero issues if you don’t get involved). Overall it’s much safer compared to the scenes in central Cancún.
Your biggest risk is pickpocketing, and especially in busy markets and streets such as that of the Quinta Avenida. See our favorite money belt for help with concealing items.
Given there are so many distractions (blaring music, bright lights, tons of people etc) it’s easy for someone to quickly make-off with your belongings. For this reason only bring out what you need with you, and try to stay alert with your surroundings.
Safety in Playa del Carmen during the day
Playa is a pretty safe place in the day, owing mostly to the fact that it is a super touristy destination. Both locals and police want to keep it that way, hence why incidents are less likely during the day.
Again pickpocketing remains the biggest issue, so you’ll want to only bring things that you need when heading out (such as cash for the day and perhaps an identity document – which is not your passport). When heading to the beach take extra care and don’t leave your belongings unattended or out of sight when heading for a swim in the sea.
Taxis are pretty safe in Playa, and you can also safely use public transport (colectivos) to get around the region. Again use common sense and avoid bringing things of major value since pickpocketing can be a risk anywhere.
Playa del Carmen Safety at Night
Although Playa is pretty busy regardless of the hour, you’ll definitely want to use more caution when exploring at night.
Issues like pickpocketing can be an issue in busy streets, whilst assaults have happened further out (after Avenida 40 which is the less busier part of town).
Most issues have involved drunk tourists, so if you are planning on getting hammered only do so at your own risk – and perhaps head out with someone you trust who can get you back safely.
You can walk on the beach with no issues, although it’s best to avoid swimming at these hours (again especially so if you’ve had a few drinks). The police are generally helpful and protect the area, although corruption and scams have happened too especially when pushing certain rules (such as nudity or over-the-top behaviors).
Have you got travel insurance for Playa del Carmen?
7 Safety Tips for Playa del Carmen
Below we will list 7 of our top safety tips for when heading to Playa del Carmen.
1. Avoid Walking beyond the Avenida 40 after Dark
This is the street that is adjacent to the motorway bridge, which includes anything further in-land. These areas can get quite sketchy, and many tourists have reported theft or violence here. If you do need to come during these hours, be sure to take a reputable taxi to and from.
2. Don’t Drink the Tap Water
Even despite the numerous resorts and hotels that have popped-up all over the city, the tap water still shouldn’t be trusted for personal consumption. Instead, we recommend only drinking from sealed bottles of water while in Playa del Carmen, which you can easily pick up from a local Oxxo or general store.
3. Take Care when Walking along the Quinta Avenida
The most touristy street in town is generally quite safe, especially as it’s just a block from the sea. However pickpocketing can be an issue here despite the increased police presence, and you’ll never know it’s happened until you check your pockets. Always leave your wallet and phone in your front pockets, and try to take care when in crowded spaces.
4. Take out Solid Travel Insurance
It’s always a good idea to take out travel insurance before coming to Playa del Carmen. Not only will you have a solid policy ready in case something happens, however you’ll also be able to relax knowing that all expenses are covered.
5. Avoid Carrying Large amounts of Cash or Credit Cards with You
As we mentioned earlier, pickpocketing and petty theft can be an issue in the more crowded areas. You can avoid any worries or issues by only bringing what you need out with you, and leaving the rest locked away safe in your accommodation. You can also bring one card out with you if you prefer not handling any cash.
6. Only Head on Tours with Reputable Companies
There’s an almost unlimited number of experiences to have in and around Playa, along with a whole host of tour companies to match. Whilst you can do a lot independently here, there are some which you’ll need to go on a tour with. When heading to Isla Contoy (and snorkeling off the shore of Isla Mujeres), we highly recommend heading with this day tour which includes all transport, snorkeling gear, lunch and an open bar.
7. Avoid Drinking Excessively
Let’s be honest here – Playa has an incredible nightlife scene and you’ll probably be going out to various bars and clubs whilst here. This is all fine, however if you plan on drinking a lot then it would be wise to head out with a friend or someone to look after you. It’s very common here for drunk tourists to get scammed or robbed, so again this one is really up to you.
Playa del Carmen Safety FAQ Guide:
We’ll now answer some questions we’ve been asked about Playa del Carmen:
Is Playa del Carmen Safe? Final Words
And that’s all for our guide on how to stay safe in Playa del Carmen. This hotspot in the Riviera Maya is a must-visit for several reasons.
Here we can go swimming and snorkeling in some of the most transparent and clear waters around, as well as visit numerous Mayan ruins and cenotes nearby too.
Playa del Carmen is generally a safe place to visit, and especially so when using common sense and not putting yourself in precarious positions.
However there are some risks to be aware of, and most of them include drinking too much as well as forgetting to follow our general safety tips that are outlined throughout this article.
In this guide, we’ve explored the current safety situation in Playa del Carmen, which includes whether it’s safe to visit, as well as any current travel advisories. As well as looking at the best things to do in the Playa del Carmen, we’ve also included our FAQ which answers your most burning questions.
Are you thinking of heading to this beach side hotspot soon? Be sure to read our guide on the best time to go to Playa del Carmen to find out some of the best times to visit.
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