Mexico is a rustic that’s so numerous and delightful it’s exhausting to resolve the place to go to, not to mention stay. After residing there for practically 5 months, I can extremely advocate staying on the Yucatan Peninsula, particularly, Playa del Carmen. However, in fact, there are upsides and disadvantages to each metropolis – on this submit, I’ll share with you the professionals and cons of Playa del Carmen.
The climate is heat, and the individuals are pleasant, however there are actually some struggles that include residing in Mexico – similar to some other international nation. Personally, I consider the professionals outweigh the cons – however you may choose for your self.
15 Professionals and Cons of Playa del Carmen
The listing under is predicated by myself private expertise, conversations with different expats and vacationers, and studying different individuals’s ideas on-line. There actually appears to be consensus throughout the board, and it’s positively information you’ll need earlier than heading out in your travels.
Maintain studying to be taught extra in regards to the gorgeous metropolis in Mexico, and what you may anticipate if you happen to relocate or keep for an prolonged time frame on this listing of execs and cons of residing in Playa del Carmen.
What’s Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen is positioned south of Cancun and north of Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Nestled alongside the shores of the Caribbean Sea, it’s recognized for its white sand seashores, crystal clear turquoise waters, and laid-back vibe.
Hundreds of thousands of vacationers flock to Playa del Carmen yearly, and 1000’s of expats and digital nomads have referred to as it residence. Only a brief flight from the U.S., it’s no thriller why this seashore city has fairly the draw. There’s an virtually limitless listing of issues to do in Playa del Carmen.
Professionals of Playa del Carmen
There are such a lot of benefits of Playa del Carmen and staying there long-term. Here’s what I discovered throughout my five-month keep.
1. Digital Nomad-Pleasant
One of many largest execs of Playa del Carmen is its lodging for on-line employees and digital nomads. With coworking areas, cafes, seashore golf equipment, eating places, and low outlets galore, you’ll all the time discover a spot to tug out your laptop computer.
Playa del Carmen is rising exponentially, which suggests its infrastructure is bettering as nicely. Excessive-speed web will be discovered all throughout town, so that you’ll all the time have the ability to meet these work deadlines.
My favourite locations to work had been Nest and Bunker; they’re each coworking areas. Nevertheless, I additionally would splurge each from time to time and work in a lounge chair at a seashore membership like Mamita’s Seaside Membership.
2. Breathtaking Seashores
The primary benefit of Playa del Carmen is that it’s a Mexican paradise. The seashores are like one thing out of a postcard, and you may swim year-round. Speak about a dream life!
There are miles of walkable seashores which might be all simply accessible by automobile, bike, or foot. Alongside the seashores, you’ll discover white sands, lounge chairs at eating places and bars, and distributors promoting artisan items.
Playa del Carmen’s seashores are surrounded by a coral reef, so the water is shallow, typically calm, and on the excellent temperature. Maintain an eye fixed out for sea turtles, dolphins, and different marine life.
3. Value of Residing
I discovered {that a} main perk of residing in Playa del Carmen was the inexpensive price of residing. The present alternate price (in 2023) is $17.20 MX (pesos) for every $1 USD. This isn’t truly that nice as a result of economic system (I’ve seen it at $22.00 MX); nonetheless, it’s nonetheless less expensive than the U.S.
Flats in Playa del Carmen vary wherever from $400 to $1500 on common, relying on the neighborhood and the facilities you’re on the lookout for. You will discover primary studio residences or luxurious rental residences with a rooftop pool.
Meals is comparatively low-cost as nicely, particularly if you happen to store on the grocery store or native markets. You possibly can simply purchase contemporary vegetables and fruit from an area fruiteria for lower than $5 USD. In fact, going out to eat can vary from cheap native taco vehicles to eating places which might be fairly high-end.
4. Surrounded by Nature
An enormous profit to Playa del Carmen, if you happen to love the outside, is the quantity of nature that surrounds the realm. Not solely is there the pristine seashore, however there are cenotes (freshwater underground springs), jungles, nature preserves, and extra to discover.
Inside a 30-minute drive, you may really feel such as you’re in the course of nowhere. You possibly can go for day hikes on jungle trails, go snorkeling to discover the coral reef, and swim within the crisp, clear waters of the cenotes. There’s all the time one thing to do outside.
Nature lovers will fall in love with Playa del Carmen. Though it doesn’t have any hills or mountains, it makes up for it with a panorama you may’t discover wherever else.
5. Ease of Transportation
Getting round Playa del Carmen is extraordinarily straightforward. The central seashore space could be very walkable, and you may get round to most locations inside quarter-hour. You can even get round by bike fairly simply.
For additional excursions, you may have a number of choices. Playa del Carmen presents Uber as a easy possibility; in addition they have taxis which might be continuously driving across the streets on the lookout for a fare.
In the event you’d wish to journey just like the locals, you may also hop on a “collectivo.” These are basically vans that transport individuals on sure routes round city and even to close by areas like Tulum, Cancun, and different cities. They cost a payment primarily based on distance, and it’s normally extraordinarily inexpensive.
6. Immersed in Historical past
By way of the professionals and cons of residing in Playa del Carmen, and the Yucatan Peninsula on the whole, certainly one of my favourite execs about this place is that it’s completely teeming with historical past. From the Mayan tradition to the asteroid that worn out the dinosaurs, there’s actually a particular power on this a part of the world.
Study in regards to the wealthy historical past of the realm by exploring well-known ruins and pyramids like Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza. All of that are inside a day’s journey from Playa del Carmen.
There are additionally museums and websites within the metropolis so that you can be taught in regards to the tradition, just like the Museo Frida Kahlo, Riviera Artwork Gallery, and the central plaza with historic structure.
7. Enjoyable Points of interest Round Each Nook
As you’ve in all probability gathered by now, the professionals of Playa del Carmen are fairly attractive. Along with the free pure wonders of town, there are additionally tons of sights and parks to discover.
Due to its stunning pure panorama and inlets of the Caribbean Sea, quite a few water theme parks incorporate the ocean itself into the park. Snorkel, swim, zipline, and extra at locations like Xel Ha, Xcaret, and Xplor. Some even have rollercoasters!
You’ll additionally discover loads of exhibits and festivals round city at any given time of the 12 months. Watch a vibrant present on the well-known Coco Bongo Membership, or hold an eye fixed out for music festivals which might be a daily prevalence.
8. Loads of Buying
Whether or not you want groceries, garments, electronics, or residence items, Playa del Carmen has a whole lot of procuring decisions for you. There are malls, mom-and-pop outlets, department shops, and practically all the pieces you’ll discover within the States.
Alongside the favored and touristy fifth Avenue, the road is lined with boutiques, outfitters, artwork galleries, and native distributors. You can even discover outlets filled with trinkets and souvenirs as nicely.
The central space is residence to shops like H&M and Louis Vuitton and throughout town you could find a store to your each want. The most well-liked grocery shops are Walmart, Mega, and Chedrui.
9. Inexpensive Medical Remedies
It’s no secret that folks journey overseas for extra inexpensive medical and dental remedies, and Playa del Carmen is a well-liked vacation spot for that. The truth is, I’ve even taken benefit of remedies myself. From eye docs and dentists to normal wellness and cosmetic surgery, you’ll have the ability to discover a physician or specialist for much lower than you’d within the United States.
I wanted to see a dentist for a crown that had fallen out, and I couldn’t consider how good the workplace was. The whole workers spoke English, and it was very skilled. They charged me $50 to repair the crown, whereas, within the States, it might have been $200.
In fact, as with all medical or dental process, it’s necessary to do your analysis. Look into the physician, learn evaluations, and ask questions.
Cons of Playa del Carmen
Regardless of all the professionals, there are additionally some cons to residing in Playa del Carmen. As with all worldwide vacation spot, it’s necessary to coach your self earlier than making a dedication to a prolonged time interval, and even visiting a brand new metropolis or nation.
1. Sizzling and Humid Climate
A draw back to residing in a tropical local weather is that it all the time comes with a very popular and normally moist season. Playa del Carmen isn’t any exception.
Usually talking, the climate on this space could be very nice. Nevertheless, from July by way of September, anticipate sizzling and humid climate with occasional heavy downpours. There have been instances I keep in mind the whole avenue being flooded in a matter of seconds.
Many locations in Playa del Carmen don’t supply air con or have an open storefront. So, oftentimes, you would possibly end up very sweaty with frizzy hair.
2. Heavy Crowds Throughout Peak Season
Since Playa del Carmen is so stunning and particular, it attracts thousands and thousands of vacationers yearly. Throughout peak seasons, it may be exhausting to seek out lodging, get into eating places, discover seashore chairs, and even stroll down the road!
There are two main peak seasons in Playa del Carmen – Christmas and Semana Santa (the weeks earlier than and after Easter). Not solely are there vacationers galore, however the locals even have holidays throughout that point, and town is packed.
I occurred to be in Playa del Carmen throughout Semana Santa, and I used to be blown away by how busy it was. The seashore was a sea of individuals, with no room for any extra towels. And the partying continued nicely into the early morning hours.
3. Noisy and Rowdy
Talking of partying till the early morning hours, if you happen to like your peace and quiet, you’ll need to select your location correctly. Playa del Carmen, notably through the peak seasons, is thought for being a celebration city – and it actually lives as much as its popularity.
Round 10 pm at evening, the colourful nightclub scene comes alive. DJs, stay music, and reveling are occurring on each nook within the central space. In the event you want your magnificence sleep, you would possibly need to keep away from this neighborhood because the golf equipment can keep open till 5 am.
Additionally, watch out for main holidays as a result of the locals don’t fiddle. Of their tradition, it’s fully regular to social gathering and rejoice till the solar comes up.
4. You Can’t Drink Faucet Water
When contemplating the professionals and cons of residing in Playa del Carmen, one of many main disadvantages is the truth that you may’t drink the faucet water, that means you’re continuously going to the shop to purchase extra bottled water.
In the event you’re planning on staying there long-term, you’ll positively need to spend money on a five-gallon water dispenser. It’s a ache to carry them residence after which should refill them, however it at the very least saves you some journeys and reduces your rubbish waste.
Some individuals say to not drink the ice at eating places and bars, however the ice they use is mostly bought from the shop and is protected to drink.
5. A number of Building
As talked about earlier, Playa del Carmen is rising quickly, and with that – comes development. On practically each nook, you’ll discover a new rental constructing going up – and there are actually no indicators of this stopping, and even slowing down, any time quickly.
Due to this, you’ll typically discover heavy site visitors, closed sidewalks, and many harmful particles on the walkways and roads. Don’t be stunned if you happen to finally end up with a flat bike or automobile tire.
Sadly, the development can be devastating the native wildlife due to the land clearing. A part of the rising pains of an increasing metropolis.
6. Crime Consciousness
As with all different international nation, it’s necessary to pay attention to your security always and conscious of the final crime charges. Total, Playa del Carmen is protected; nonetheless, there are particular issues to pay attention to.
The Mexican cartel is a really actual and harmful group. Though they don’t typically goal vacationers, sadly, individuals will be within the flawed place on the flawed time. At all times concentrate on your environment.
There are additionally crimes focused at vacationers. Issues like pickpocketing and theft, worth scams, and druggings do happen. Apply good widespread sense and if one thing feels off, keep away from it. Maintain your valuables shut and keep away from strolling with giant volumes of money.
Is Playa del Carmen Value It?
Completely! Regardless of the cons, the professionals of Playa del Carmen far outweigh them. It’s attractive, it’s filled with allure, and the tradition is great. When weighing up the professionals and cons of residing in Playa del Carmen, I can confidently say that I loved my time on this metropolis and would fortunately return once more.
Playa del Carmen is a spot the place you may construct a ravishing, completely satisfied life within the solar with out the excessive prices of many different Western cultures.
