Mexico is a rustic that’s so various and lovely it’s onerous to resolve the place to go to, not to mention stay. After dwelling there for practically 5 months, I can extremely suggest staying on the Yucatan Peninsula, particularly, Playa del Carmen. However, of course, there are upsides and downsides to each metropolis – in this put up, 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 definitely some struggles that include dwelling in Mexico – similar to every other overseas nation. Personally, I imagine the professionals outweigh the cons – however you may decide for your self.

15 Pros and Cons of Playa del Carmen

The checklist beneath is predicated alone private expertise, conversations with different expats and vacationers, and studying different folks’s ideas on-line. There definitely appears to be consensus throughout the board, and it’s undoubtedly information you’ll need earlier than heading out in your travels.

Hold studying to be taught extra concerning the gorgeous metropolis in Mexico, and what you may anticipate for those who relocate or keep for an prolonged interval of time in this checklist of execs and cons of dwelling 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 identified 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 known as it house. Only a quick flight from the U.S., it’s no thriller why this seashore city has fairly the draw. There’s an virtually limitless checklist of issues to do in Playa del Carmen.

Pros 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 the 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 espresso outlets galore, you’ll all the time discover a spot to drag out your laptop computer.

Playa del Carmen is rising exponentially, which suggests its infrastructure is enhancing as effectively. Excessive-speed web will be discovered all throughout the town, so that you’ll all the time be capable of meet these work deadlines.

My favourite locations to work have been Nest and Bunker; they’re each coworking areas. Nonetheless, I additionally would splurge each now and once more 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. Discuss a dream life!

There are miles of walkable seashores which can 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, usually calm, and on the good temperature. Hold a watch out for sea turtles, dolphins, and different marine life.

3. Price of Living

I discovered {that a} main perk of dwelling in Playa del Carmen was the inexpensive price of dwelling. The present trade charge (in 2023) is $17.20 MX (pesos) for every $1 USD. This isn’t truly that nice as a result of financial 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 in search of. You’ll find fundamental studio residences or luxurious rental residences with a rooftop pool.

Meals is comparatively low-cost as effectively, particularly for those who store on the grocery store or native markets. You’ll be able to simply purchase contemporary fruits and greens from an area fruiteria for lower than $5 USD. In fact, going out to eat can vary from cheap native taco vans to eating places which can be fairly high-end.

4. Surrounded by Nature

An enormous profit to Playa del Carmen, for those who 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 center of nowhere. You’ll be able to go for day hikes on jungle trails, go snorkeling to discover the coral reef, and swim in the crisp, clear waters of the cenotes. There’s all the time one thing to do open air.

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 simple. The central seashore space could be very walkable, and you will get round to most locations inside 15 minutes. You can even get round by bike fairly simply.

For additional excursions, you have got a number of choices. Playa del Carmen gives Uber as a easy choice; in addition they have taxis which can be always driving across the streets in search of a fare.

For those who’d prefer to journey just like the locals, you too can hop on a “collectivo.” These are basically vans that transport folks on sure routes round city and even to close by areas like Tulum, Cancun, and different cities. They cost a price based mostly on distance, and it’s often extraordinarily inexpensive.

6. Immersed in Historical past

In phrases of the professionals and cons of dwelling in Playa del Carmen, and the Yucatan Peninsula in common, 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 may be definitely a particular power in this half of the world.

Be taught concerning 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 in the town so that you can be taught concerning 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 engaging. Along with the free pure wonders of the town, there are additionally tons of sights and parks to discover.

Because of its lovely 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 a lot of reveals and festivals round city at any given time of the yr. Watch a vibrant present on the well-known Coco Bongo Membership, or maintain a watch out for music festivals which can be a daily incidence.

8. Lots of Purchasing

Whether or not you want groceries, garments, electronics, or house items, Playa del Carmen has lots of of purchasing selections for you. There are malls, mom-and-pop outlets, malls, and practically all the pieces you’ll discover in 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 full of trinkets and souvenirs as effectively.

The central space is house to shops like H&M and Louis Vuitton and throughout the town yow will discover a store on your each want. The most well-liked grocery shops are Walmart, Mega, and Chedrui.

9. Inexpensive Medical Therapies

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. Actually, I’ve even taken benefit of remedies myself. From eye docs and dentists to common wellness and cosmetic surgery, you’ll be capable of discover a health care provider or specialist for much lower than you’ll in the USA.

I wanted to see a dentist for a crown that had fallen out, and I couldn’t imagine how good the workplace was. The whole employees spoke English, and it was very skilled. They charged me $50 to repair the crown, whereas, in the States, it will have been $200.

In fact, as with all medical or dental process, it’s vital 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 dwelling in Playa del Carmen. As with every worldwide vacation spot, it’s vital to teach 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 dwelling in a tropical local weather is that it all the time comes with a highly regarded and often moist season. Playa del Carmen isn’t any exception.

Typically talking, the climate in this space could be very nice. Nonetheless, from July by September, anticipate sizzling and humid climate with occasional heavy downpours. There have been occasions I keep in mind all the road 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 lovely and particular, it attracts hundreds of thousands of vacationers yearly. Throughout peak seasons, it may be onerous to search 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 the 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 folks, with no room for any extra towels. And the partying continued effectively into the early morning hours.

3. Noisy and Rowdy

Talking of partying till the early morning hours, for those who like your peace and quiet, you’ll wish to select your location properly. Playa del Carmen, notably in the course of the peak seasons, is thought for being a celebration city – and it definitely lives as much as its repute.

Round 10 pm at night time, the colourful nightclub scene comes alive. DJs, stay music, and reveling are taking place on each nook in the central space. For those who want your magnificence sleep, you would possibly wish to keep away from this neighborhood because the golf equipment can keep open till 5 am.

Additionally, beware of main holidays as a result of the locals don’t fiddle. Of their tradition, it’s fully regular to get together and have a good time till the solar comes up.

4. You Can’t Drink Faucet Water

When contemplating the professionals and cons of dwelling in Playa del Carmen, one of the key disadvantages is the truth that you may’t drink the faucet water, which means you’re always going to the shop to purchase extra bottled water.

For those who’re planning on staying there long-term, you’ll undoubtedly wish to make investments in a five-gallon water dispenser. It’s a ache to carry them house and then must refill them, but it surely no less than saves you some journeys and reduces your rubbish waste.

Some folks say to not drink the ice at eating places and bars, however the ice they use is usually bought from the shop and is protected to drink.

5. Tons of Development

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 definitely no indicators of this stopping, and even slowing down, any time quickly.

As a result of of this, you’ll usually discover heavy visitors, closed sidewalks, and tons of harmful particles on the walkways and roads. Don’t be shocked for those who ultimately end up with a flat bike or automobile tire.

Sadly, the development can also be devastating the native wildlife as a result of of the land clearing. Half of the rising pains of an increasing metropolis.

6. Crime Consciousness

As with every different overseas nation, it’s vital to remember of your security always and conscious of the final crime charges. Total, Playa del Carmen is protected; nonetheless, there are specific issues to remember of.

The Mexican cartel is a really actual and harmful group. Though they don’t usually goal vacationers, sadly, folks will be in the fallacious place on the fallacious time. All the time remember of your environment.

There are additionally crimes focused at vacationers. Issues like pickpocketing and theft, value scams, and druggings do happen. Apply good widespread sense and if one thing feels off, keep away from it. Hold 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 beautiful, it’s full of allure, and the tradition is fantastic. When weighing up the professionals and cons of dwelling in Playa del Carmen, I can confidently say that I loved my time in this metropolis and would fortunately return once more.

Playa del Carmen is a spot the place you may construct a lovely, pleased life in the solar with out the excessive prices of many different Western cultures.