Is Playa del Carmen Safe? What Every Visitor Should Know

Let’s get this out of the way first: Is Playa del Carmen safe? Absolutely.

Rest assured that Playa del Carmen is a safe, welcoming place with lower crime rates than New York. So, why do people worry about the city, and what will you need to be aware of?

Playa del Carmen crime rates are lower than people might think, and the location is no less safe than many U.S. cities. As an American woman, I’ve found it is always sensible to do my due diligence when I move somewhere new, so I made this guide for you.

The following tips helped me feel secure when I needed to decide where to go and where to avoid in Playa del Carmen. I hope they offer you the same peace of mind so you can see why you are just as safe as any new resident in a popular city.

Understanding Safety in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a safe place for expats to live and invest in. While common sense precautions are, as the name suggests, common sense, you will find that many expats, including single women like myself, feel safer here than in many U.S. cities.

Every time I’ve brought new people to the city, they’ve felt welcomed by a friendly community that puts newcomers at ease.

Playa del Carmen is also diverse enough that I did not feel like an outsider to the local authorities. The few times I’ve spoken with the authorities, I’ve felt their commitment to the safety of all residents, both new and old faces, as well as tourists.

That doesn’t mean I’ve had to deal with them a lot. While petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur, they are easy to avoid. Anything more serious is also scarce in the expat and tourist areas.

In summary, the location is generally safer than other tourist locations like London or Paris.

Is It Safe to Live in Playa del Carmen as an Expat?

Many expats in Playa del Carmen report feeling safe walking around alone at night, especially in well-lit areas such as city centers. The community is largely supportive, and both community groups and social networks can provide additional support or safety when necessary. Single women living here thus often feel a sense of security they would not get in many other locations.

Many online guides highly recommend the location for this reason alone. The Broke Backpacker, for example, calls the area “super safe to visit” and describes the local authorities as “proactive” in keeping away problems. In fact, I would agree with their assessment that most issues come from the occasional expat getting a little too drunk in their enjoyment of the location.

Comparing Playa del Carmen Safety to U.S. Cities

Crime rates in Playa del Carmen and most of the surrounding area are notably low compared to the rest of Mexico and many areas in the United States. Digital nomad site The World Wanderers even confirms that the safety level is akin to that of many places in Europe or the USA.

However, this overall feeling of safety is a little more focused in tourist areas. While these locations are generally safe and well-patrolled by local police, other places have slightly higher crime levels, and you may need to read up on them before visiting.

Debunking Common Myths About Crime in Playa del Carmen

The media in the United States often exaggerates the crime rates in Mexico. These reports have resulted in many people having unnecessary fears about living in the Land of the Sun.

Much like in the U.S., a lot of crime in Mexico relates to more complex situations, such as drug issues or organized crime, which you rarely find in expat communities. As such, if you are a visitor, you should always try to be aware of “tourist crime,” such as pickpocketing, theft, or scams. On the other hand, anything more significant than that is unlikely to slip into areas such as Playa del Carmen, and most visitors or residents experience few issues during their stay, if any.

What to Avoid in Playa del Carmen

Of course, it’s easy to say the center of town is ok to be in, but is downtown Playa del Carmen safe?

In truth, it’s rarely a problem to move around the city, so long as you follow the same rules you would in any other urban area. 

During your time in Playa del Carmen, keep these tips in mind to help you feel as secure and relaxed as possible:

• – Avoid using unlicensed taxis
• – Be cautious of friendly strangers offering deals or tours
• – Refrain from displaying excessive wealth or expensive accessories
• – Be aware of common scams affecting tourists or new residents
• – Try to be vigilant of bars that inflate their prices for tourists

– If you become a resident, your biggest issue is that the further you get from the city center, the less likely people are to speak English. At best, you might feel out of place. So, if you want to choose somewhere to live or visit, do so where you know other expats and tourists might be.

The best way to ensure you avoid worry is to check with your hotel or other expats. They should be able to give you good reviews and information on what to avoid.

Is Playa del Carmen Safe? Yes!

No matter who you are, I understand how you might want to ensure that Playa del Carmen is bright, welcoming, and full of social opportunities.

Is Playa del Carmen Safe, then? Well, I’ve found it safer here than in many other places I have lived throughout my life, and I would be honored to help you find your future home among its community.

So, contact me today if you’re curious to learn more about life here and want some help starting the process of investing in this picturesque paradise.