Is Playa del Carmen Safe for Travel in 2024?

Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Safety Score
67

Playa del Carmen is a city located along the Caribbean Sea in the municipality of Solidaridad, in Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is a popular tourist area in eastern Mexico. Playa del Carmen features a wide array of tourist activities due to its geographical location in the Riviera Maya. It has also been the destination of PGA Tour golf tournaments and the set location for various television shows. The town has one of the fastest-growing populations in Mexico.

Warnings & Dangers in Playa del Carmen

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM

Playa del Carmen is not the safest place to travel, but if you follow certain precautions and do not go outside late at night, you can stay safe.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW

Playa Del Carmen is small in size, and you can usually get around it on foot. They often use their car or taxi to get around. Never take a taxi from the street and use only licensed taxi services.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK : MEDIUM

Pickpocketing is the most common crime in Playa del Carmen. Keep track of your belongings anytime, anywhere. Do not leave things unattended, even for a minute. Keep valuables and documents in the hotel safe and carry a copy with you.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : MEDIUM

Playa Del Carmen is at risk of hurricanes from June to November. There is also a risk of earthquakes and floods. Consider these considerations when traveling here.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK : MEDIUM

Playa Del Carmen is a tourist region, and usually, outsiders are not involved in attacks and armed robberies. However, in any case, do not draw attention to yourself with too loud behavior and do not carry large amounts of cash with you.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK : LOW

The risk of external terrorist attacks is minimal. Usually, there are showdowns among local drug gangs. Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK : MEDIUM

A frequent fraud is to put opiate in a tourist's glass to rob him. Don't leave your drink unattended at the bar. Otherwise, there are not many scams in this place.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : MEDIUM

Women traveling alone can be safe here if they don't leave their resort. Outside the hotel, women may not be comfortable. Take care of male company when traveling outside of your resort.

How Safe Is Playa del Carmen for Tourists?

Playa del Carmen is not the safest city to travel to.

The crime rate here ranges from low to high.

The main problems are related to drug trafficking, theft, assault, and bribery.

Playa del Carmen is a tourist area and lives off tourists, so the police try to protect tourists’ safety.

Nevertheless, petty theft and theft are shared here.

Be very careful; never leave your bags and wallets in a visible place.

Do not carry large amounts of money with you and have a copy of your documents with you.

The crimes are organized here and are almost always cartel-related.

Usually, these showdowns do not include concerned tourists.

In any case, it is better to stay only in the resort area and avoid walking around the city at night.

As in any other tourist destination, it is important to keep track of your belongings here.

Pickpockets work on beaches, so don’t leave your belongings unattended when you go swimming.

Never catch a taxi on the street.

A general rule of thumb – is not to walk alone at night, especially if you are a woman.

In bars and nightclubs, do not leave your drink unattended – opiate may be added to it to rob you.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Playa del Carmen?

A foreign national wishing to enter Mexico must obtain a visa unless they are citizens of one of the 67 eligible visa-exempt countries or one of the three Electronic Authorization System eligible countries. A valid passport is a must.

Which Currency Is Used in Playa del Carmen?

The Mexican peso is the currency of Mexico. The peso was named the eight-real coins issued in Latin America by Spain—similarly to calling 1¢ (US) coin a penny or a 10¢ piece a dime.

How's the Weather like in Playa del Carmen?

In Playa del Carmen, the summers are long, hot, oppressive, wet, and overcast and the winters are short, comfortable, muggy, and mostly clear. The best time to visit Playa del Carmen is between April and May when there are fewer people along the shore.

What Do I Need to Know about Airports in Playa del Carmen?

Ciudad del Carmen International Airport is an international airport located in Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico. It handles national and international air traffic of the city of Ciudad del Carmen.

Should I Get Travel Insurance for My Travels?

A travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country or city. Make sure you got it before starting your journey; the customs officer may ask for it.

What Are Some Things to Do in Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen is a coastal resort town in Mexico, along the Yucatán Peninsula’s Riviera Maya strip of Caribbean shoreline. The state of Quintana Roo, it’s known for its palm-lined beaches and coral reefs. Its Quinta Avenida pedestrian thoroughfare runs parallel to the coast, with blocks of shops, restaurants, and nightspots ranging from laid-back bars to dance clubs. 

Is the Water in Playa del Carmen Safe to Drink?

Tap water is not recommended to drink. You can use bottled water or boil tap water.

Is Uber Safe in Playa del Carmen?

There is no Uber taxi in Playa del Carmen. You can use any other local taxi services.

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