Is Playa del Carmen Safe in 2024? [An Honest Guide]

👉 Sections highlighted:Playa del Carmen Safety Analysis | Recommendations | Criminal Acts and Deceptions | Locations to Stay Clear Of | Beverages | Protective Measures | Common Questions

Playa del Carmen overall tends to be a fairly safe place to visit, but you should carefully review this article before traveling to ensure a trip to this Riviera Maya locale fits your personal comfort level.

While it was formerly a small fishing village long ago, today tourism is a big business in Playa del Carmen. Due to this, the Mexican government has worked diligently to maintain the state of Quintana Roo as an safe international destination.

I’ve spent roughly 5 weeks traveling around the Yucatan Peninsula so far and, during that time, have had no safety issues. The founder of Travel Lemming, Nate, has also invested many months in Playa del Carmen without incident. That said, our experiences are obviously only anecdotal.

Therefore, to stay as safe as possible when traveling to Playa, it is important to be aware of things such as carrying travel insurance for trips to Mexico.

Let me try to give you as much safety advice as possible to prepare for your trip to Playa del Carmen:

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Is Playa del Carmen Safe in 2024?

Though Mexico tends to receive negative publicity in the media regarding safety, statistically speaking Playa del Carmen is generally secure for travel.

Mexico is a huge country and, as with anywhere globally, there are things to avoid and location-specific issues to be aware of. In the Mexican state of Quintana Roo (where Playa del Carmen is situated), there is very little violent crime particularly directed at tourists.

As mentioned above, this is because local cities like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum all significantly rely on tourism dollars to maintain their economy and it’s in everyone’s best economic interest to uphold the area’s reputation.

Reportedly, minor criminal offenses and robberies have occurred occasionally, and violence associated with drug cartels (rarely targeting visitors) is a reality of living in Quintana Roo. Recently in Tulum, some tourists have unintentionally found themselves in the middle of confrontations between gangs, raising significant safety concerns.

Overall, the easiest ways to ensure your safety are to avoid gang hotspots (which you are unlikely to accidentally come across anyway) and to not overtly display your possessions.

Scams and crime exist no matter where in the world you travel. Like most tourist hot spots, Play del Carmen is not exempt from this.

In particular, these are some of the most prevalent scams to be cognizant of in Playa del Carmen, Mexico:

• 💳 ATMs – Random cash machines located on streets tend to be unmonitored and can be manipulated. To keep your credit card safe, always use ATMs situated at a bank.
• 🚗 Car Rentals –Securing transport by renting a vehicle in Mexico can be intricate, considering that rental businesses sometimes charge clients for harm they did not bring about and for enormously high insurance rates. To combat this, I recommend employing Discover Cars for all overseas reservations.
• ⛽ Gas Stations – If you’ll be driving in Mexico, then pay attention to the fuel meter when first pulling up to the pump. A common deception is for attendants to not reset the meter, making you pay for more fuel than received.
• 🍷 Unregulated Alcohol – As reported in various areas, there have been instances of spiked or uncontrolled alcohol in Playa del Carmen. Be certain to obtain your alcohol from a legitimate origin, and remain watchful of your drinks at all times. I recall numerous spontaneous invitations into lodgings from strangers concocting bootleg tequila in their bathing areas. I consistently refrained, needless to say.
• ⚠️ Familiar Acquaintance Scam – I came across this deception to be notably prevalent on 5th Avenue, where people come up to you asserting they’re the manager of your Playa del Carmen hotel, and that they recognize you. This is usually done to lure you into an overpriced shop and pressure you into making a purchase.
• 🐦 Misleading Scam in Mexico – A well-dressed duo runs a scam in Playa del Carmen where they pretend to assist in removing “bird droppings” from your hair. Of course, it’s all a distraction so valuables can be stolen during the commotion.

In addition to these widespread scams, gang brutality is undeniably found in Playa. A swift internet search will tell you that homicides have been increasing in the area in recent years. These are extremely infrequently focused on visitors, but it does occur.

Generally, unless using, purchasing, or being involved with people connected to cartels with drugs, chances are one won`t be the victim of a cartel-related incident.

📚 Related Topic:Is Tulum Considered Safe?

Where To Avoid in Playa del Carmen

Generally, most visitors tend to reside in areas near La Quinta (5th Avenue) and within a few blocks of Playa del Carmen’s shoreline. The advice you`ll likely hear is to avoid roaming farther from the coast than the highway.

However, after wandering numerous neighborhoods and doing a ton of research on the subject, I have to say there are no distinct regions to avoid. Yes, some parts of Playa are nicer than others, but the data shows that this doesn’t necessarily relate to being more or less safe.

Instead, many of Playa del Carmen’s safety issues tend to be situational and occur when common travel recommendations are ignored.

That noted, specifically at night, it’s wise to stick to busy regions and avoid poorly lit alleyways and public transportation stations. Always be conscious of your surroundings, go where others are present, and trust your instincts regarding leaving uncomfortable circumstances.

Can You Drink the Water in Playa del Carmen?

When considering water safety, the short answer is that tap water in Playa is not considered safe for drinking.

Now for the long answer:

Though there are effective water treatment facilities in the Yucatan, the issue arises in the piping system used to deliver the water to homes and businesses. Many of these pipes are prone to bacteria that infiltrate the water and, upon ingestion, make people ill.

If accommodations involve a private residence like an Airbnb, my guidance is to avoid drinking the tap water and obtain it elsewhere. Every OXXO convenience store sells large jugs of water. Or, if looking to assist environmental protection, think about investing in a water filtration bottle (I examined the Grayl Geopress, which you can access here).

However, if you’ll be lodging at a prominent hotel or resort, there is a high probability the water coming from the tap has been locally filtered and is safe for consumption. Double-check with your lodging on this, but it’s a generally accepted standard to assume the water is okay to drink.

Additionally, whenever you order a drink at a restaurant it should be made using purified drinking water. Restaurants want to avoid making their patrons ill, so there`s no need to worry each time you dine out.

Safety Tips for Playa del Carmen

Tip #1 – Dress Casually

Often when incidents such as petty theft and muggings occur in Playa, it’s because thieves find a vulnerable tourist with an obvious display of wealth.

In order to keep your valuables secure, dress casually without flashy clothes or accessories, leave expensive jewelry at home, and don’t take out electronics unnecessarily. Try to only bring essential items for Mexico so that losing something wouldn’t be too upsetting.

Tip #2 – Don’t Overdo the Alcohol

A travel recommendation you’ll get almost no matter where you’re headed, intoxicating yourself excessively during your vacation in Playa is strongly discouraged.

While Playa has amazing nightlife, being openly intoxicated in Mexico (particularly when alone and at night) will make you an easy target for theft, assault, drink tampering, and bribery, as much as we wish this wasn`t true – situations like these do unfortunately occur.

By all means, have some fun while in Playa, but don’t go so overboard that you make yourself a vulnerable target.

Tip #3 – Avoid Recreational Drugs

As mentioned above, drug trafficking and turf wars are very common in Playa, and foreigners who find themselves entangled in these things leave themselves vulnerable to increased risk. Not to mention, using recreational drugs will expose you to the same vulnerabilities as excessive alcohol.

Tip #4 – Be Aware of Wildlife

Though it’s a bustling city, make no misconception — Playa is merely a stone’s toss from the jungle and the vast variety of wildlife that inhabits there.

Though spotting a wild jaguar, crocodile, or spider monkey would necessitate venturing past the downtown city limits, these animals do live not too far outside the perimeter, so it`s wise to be mindful of their potential presence.

For example, if you’ll be visiting a cenote without many other individuals present, just do a scan for crocodiles. Incidents are uncommon, but you don’t want to be “that person”.

👉 Pro Tip: Stay away from the vendors trying to sell you animal photos or experiences. Animals in these establishments usually have to be tranquilized to be considered safe around humans and generally have a fairly low quality of life.

Tip #5 – Learn Some Basic Spanish

While most people working in Playa’s tourism sector speak English, learning a few basic phrases in Spanish is still recommended.

Not only will this help you get around and show your respect for the locals, but it could also be valuable when in a difficult situation.

Tip #6 – Keep Valuables Locked Away

I don’t recommend bringing a vast amount of valuable items on vacation to Mexico, but those that you do have should be secured away when not in use (think Passports, immigration cards, electronics, etc.)

This recommendation is easy if your lodging has a secure location, though I always travel with a PacSafe Portable Safe that I am able to lock in place on an item within my room. It`s quite convenient!

Tip #7 – Be Taxi-Savvy

Though infrequent, taxi scams in Playa have reportedly occurred. Specifically, incidents transpire either when a visitor gets into an unauthorized car, or when the price isn’t negotiated and agreed upon beforehand.

Only get into a taxi displaying clear signs, and always agree on the cost with the driver before entering the vehicle.

For arriving at and departing from Cancun International Airport, you can also safely pre-book a private transfer service like Cancun Airport Transportation.

Tip #8 – Check the Weather

Checking anticipated weather conditions and properly preparing for different situations can be among the wisest actions to take to remain protected in this area.

Though being aware of potential natural disasters like hurricanes from June through November is important, I’d say knowing about potential issues like heat stroke and heat exhaustion on a daily basis is even more crucial.

The climate of the Yucatan can become excruciatingly hot and humid depending on the time of year, and overheating, sunburns, and dehydration are very real risks.

Always bring protective items like eco-friendly sunscreen, hydration, and a portable rain cover for protection from natural elements.

Tip #9 – Stick to the Main Streets

As mentioned earlier, adhering to Playa’s main drags makes for avoiding the appearance of being lost randomly. Linger in well-lit parts of the city, gravitate where others do, and try not trekking alone after dark.

Of course, the exception to this rule is 5th Avenue (La Quinta), where you’ll need to be somewhat attentive of your surroundings due to potential for deception.

👉 Read Next: Is It Safe to Travel to Mexico City?

Tip #10 – Stay in Touch

Another good traveling suggestion regardless of destination is to consistently remain in contact with someone from home during your trip. Inform them of your general itinerary, like travel dates and accommodations, and check in with them regularly to let them know you’re okay.

When I travel, I have a spreadsheet with my itinerary that I give my family access to, and then I send them quick messages every now and then to let them know all is well.

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Playa del Carmen Safety FAQs

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That concludes my guide to staying safe in Playa del Carmen, Mexico! Mexico is generally safe but cautions are prudent, and Playa del Carmen is no exception. Playa overall offers a safe experience and I hope this article supplied the information and tools needed to travel here with confidence.

Before your trip, check some of my other popular articles:

• Tulum versus Playa del Carmen – Which is Superior?
• Six Premier Beach Clubs in Playa del Carmen
• Best Chichen Itza Tours from Playa del Carmen

Enjoy your trip to Playa del Carmen!