The Best Neighborhoods in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen’s access to beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and a vibrant expat community make it an ideal spot to relocate.

Where is Playa del Carmen? Playa del Carmen is a coastal city located in the heart of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, about an hour south of Cancun and 40 minutes north of Tulum. For those wondering: Is Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya the same? While Playa del Carmen is located within the Riviera Maya, the Riviera Maya encompasses the coastline area south of Cancun to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere outside of Tulum. 

As the city of Playa del Carmen grows and provides more housing options, finding the best of Playa del Carmen neighborhoods doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here’s a breakdown of the best neighborhoods in Playa del Carmen, highlighting lifestyle, safety, and highlights to help you decide where to call home.

Best Neighborhoods in Playa del Carmen

1. Centro

Centro, or Downtown Playa del Carmen, is the heart of the city. It’s vibrant and lively, with everything you need within walking distance.

Highlights: Centro Playa del Carmen includes the famous Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue), a bustling pedestrian street lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries. The main beach is also easily accessible, making it ideal for sunbathers and swimmers. The Deportivo Villanueva offers a running track, gym, and affordable yoga, Zumba, and dance classes daily. Coworking spaces such as NEST are popular among remote workers. For fitness enthusiasts, there’s The Gym and Evolve.

Shopping and Dining: You’ll find supermarkets like Walmart and Mega, boutique shops, and local markets like DAC for fresh produce. Restaurants here range from taco stands to high-end international cuisine.

Safety: While Centro is generally safe, petty theft can occur due to the area’s popularity. Be mindful in crowded areas and avoid dark side streets at night.

Living Options: Most condos in Centro offer modern amenities, and many include 24-hour security. Living here means convenience but can be noisy due to nightlife and construction.

Pros: Walkable, vibrant, close to everything.

Cons: Can be noisy, parking is limited.

2. Playacar

If you are wondering where do most expats live in Playa del Carmen? Playacar is a gated community offering a more serene and upscale lifestyle. It’s divided into Phase 1 (closer to the beach) and Phase 2 (more residential).

Highlights: Playacar features the Xaman-Ha bird sanctuary, small Mayan ruins, pristine beaches, and the Playacar Golf Club. Popular spots include B Element Gym, Starbucks, La Brioche, Casa Sofia, and Lara y Luca.

Shopping and Dining: Paseo del Carmen, located at the entrance, offers shops and restaurants. Within Playacar, you’ll find cafes, gyms, and local convenience stores.

Safety: Extremely secure with controlled access points. The gated environment makes it one of the safest areas in Playa.

Living Options: Luxury villas, townhouses, and condos dominate Playacar. The community is family-friendly and has excellent amenities.

Pros: Quiet, family-oriented, high security, close to the beach.

Cons: Higher cost of living, own transportation recommended.

3. Colosio

Located north of Centro, Colosio is an up-and-coming neighborhood with an authentic local feel. It has grown significantly in popularity with expats since the pandemic.

Highlights: Colosio offers a quieter stretch of 5th Avenue with more cafes and fewer bars. Popular spots include Le Petit Choux, Que Huevos, Fifty Brunch, and Crisol. There are two public beach entrances at 88th Street and 72nd Street, where the beach is larger, more accessible, and free of beach clubs. Every Sunday, Colosio hosts a vibrant local market offering fresh produce, goods, clothing, and delicious street food, making it a favorite spot for residents to gather and shop.

Safety: While not as polished as Playacar or Centro, Colosio is generally safe for expats. Be mindful of poorly lit areas at night.

Living Options: Affordable apartments and condos with modern amenities are becoming more available. Many new buildings have 24-hour security.

Pros: Affordable, close to the beach, authentic local vibe.

Cons: Developing area with ongoing construction.

4. Zazil-Ha

Zazil-Ha is a highly sought-after neighborhood for expats and locals alike, offering proximity to the beach and a growing range of amenities.

Highlights: This area is perfect for beach lovers, with easy access to Martina’s Beach Club and vibrant dining spots along CTM. Popular restaurants and cafes include Branton Burger, Sabrina, and Quadra. Home to plenty of boutique stores, cafes, and restaurants. Streets like CTM and Calle 40 are lined with fruterias, laundry mats, and convenience stores. 

Safety: Most modern condos here include 24-hour security. Gated communities like Tohoku offer additional safety for residents.

Living Options: Condos dominate this area, many with rooftop pools and modern finishes. It’s walkable to both the beach and Quinta Avenida.

Pros: Trendy, close to the beach, walkable.

Cons: Construction is common as the area develops.

5. Ejidal

Situated on the other side of the highway, Ejidal offers a quieter, more affordable alternative to Centro.

Highlights: Ejidal is close to major shopping centers like Centro Maya, which includes stores like Sam’s Club, Home Depot, and Petco. It also features Parque La Ceiba, a public green space with children’s play equipment, trails, and festivals or events.

Shopping and Dining: Small local shops, markets, and inexpensive restaurants make Ejidal a budget-friendly option. You’ll also find some of the most adventurous dining experiences from fine dining at an underground cave at Alux Restaurant to some of the finest Argentinian meats at Bendita Costilla. 

Safety: Ejidal is safe but less patrolled than gated communities. It’s more of a local area, so speaking Spanish will be helpful. 

Living Options: Affordable houses and apartments are available. The area is perfect for those seeking space and a quieter lifestyle.

Pros: Affordable, less touristy, spacious.

Cons: Less walkable, further from the beach.

6. Mayakoba and Gated Communities

Mayakoba and nearby gated communities like Selvanova, Selvamar, and Real Ibiza offer modern suburban living with top-notch amenities and a strong focus on luxury, nature, and security. All are located within a 15-minute drive to Centro. 

Highlights: Mayakoba is a world-class destination with unparalleled offerings for residents and visitors. The double-gated community is home to four resorts as well as residential homes.  For foodies, the area boasts more than 30 dining options, including oceanfront restaurants, canal-side dining, and even cooking classes. Adventure seekers can refine their golf skills at the stunning El Camaleón Golf Course, or explore water activities through the Dive Center, such as jet skiing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Unique experiences like kayaking along Mayakoba’s scenic canals or swimming in the El Burródromo cenote make it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. For wellness seekers, the community features four spas, offering treatments that nurture the body and soul. 

Other nearby gated communities like Selvamar emphasize family-friendly amenities like nature trails, parks, and tennis courts.

Living Options: The gated communities tend to offer larger houses, with great communal amenities. You’re much more like;y to find a house with a garden here than in the bustling Centro area.

Safety: Gated communities provide 24/7 security, making them some of the safest living environments in Playa del Carmen.

Pros: Secure, luxury-focused living. Access to diverse amenities. Family-friendly.

Cons: Further from the beach and Centro. Reliance on private transportation.

Best Neighborhoods in Playa del Carmen

Whether you’re seeking the vibrant energy of Centro, the tranquility of Playacar, or the community feel of Mayakoba’s gated developments, Playa del Carmen has a neighborhood to suit every lifestyle. Explore these options, plus many more with us at Azul Mexico Realty,  to find the perfect place to call home on this side of paradise.