Mexico is a rustic that’s so numerous and exquisite it’s exhausting to determine the place to go to, not to mention reside. 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 drawbacks 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 imagine the professionals outweigh the cons – however you may choose for your self.
15 Professionals and Cons of Playa del Carmen
The checklist beneath is predicated by myself private expertise, conversations with different expats and vacationers, and studying different folks’s ideas on-line. There actually appears to be consensus throughout the board, and it’s undoubtedly data you’ll need earlier than heading out in your travels.
Hold studying to be taught extra in regards to the gorgeous metropolis in Mexico, and what you may anticipate in case you relocate or keep for an prolonged time period on this checklist of professionals 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 known as it dwelling. 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.
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 greatest professionals of Playa del Carmen is its lodging for on-line staff and digital nomads. With coworking areas, cafes, seashore golf equipment, eating places, and low retailers 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 bettering as properly. Excessive-speed web will be discovered all throughout town, so that you’ll all the time be capable to 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 on occasion 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’ll swim year-round. Speak about a dream life!
There are miles of walkable seashores which are all simply accessible by automotive, 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. Hold an eye fixed out for sea turtles, dolphins, and different marine life.
3. Price of Residing
I discovered {that a} main perk of residing in Playa del Carmen was the inexpensive price of residing. The present change charge (in 2023) is $17.20 MX (pesos) for every $1 USD. This isn’t truly that nice because of the 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 anyplace from $400 to $1500 on common, relying on the neighborhood and the facilities you’re on the lookout for. You could find fundamental studio residences or luxurious rental residences with a rooftop pool.
Meals is comparatively low cost as properly, particularly in case you store on the grocery store or native markets. You may simply purchase contemporary vegatables and fruits from a neighborhood fruiteria for lower than $5 USD. After all, going out to eat can vary from cheap native taco vehicles to eating places which are fairly high-end.
4. Surrounded by Nature
An enormous profit to Playa del Carmen, in case you 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 may 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 outdoor.
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 anyplace 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 quarter-hour. You may also get round by bike fairly simply.
For additional excursions, you’ve a couple of choices. Playa del Carmen provides Uber as a easy possibility; additionally they have taxis which are consistently driving across the streets on the lookout for a fare.
Should you’d prefer to journey just like the locals, you can too 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 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 generally, certainly one of my favourite professionals 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.
Be taught 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 Sights Round Each Nook
As you’ve most likely gathered by now, the professionals of Playa del Carmen are fairly engaging. 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 reveals and festivals round city at any given time of the yr. Watch a vibrant present on the well-known Coco Bongo Membership, or hold an eye fixed out for music festivals which are a daily prevalence.
8. Loads of Buying
Whether or not you want groceries, garments, electronics, or dwelling items, Playa del Carmen has lots of of purchasing selections for you. There are malls, mom-and-pop retailers, malls, and practically every part you’ll discover within the States.
Alongside the favored and touristy fifth Avenue, the road is lined with boutiques, clothes shops, artwork galleries, and native distributors. You may also discover retailers stuffed with trinkets and souvenirs as properly.
The central space is dwelling to shops like H&M and Louis Vuitton and throughout town you’ll find 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. In actual fact, I’ve even taken benefit of remedies myself. From eye docs and dentists to normal wellness and cosmetic surgery, you’ll be capable to discover a physician or specialist for a lot lower than you’ll within the United States.
I wanted to see a dentist for a crown that had fallen out, and I couldn’t imagine how good the workplace was. Your entire employees spoke English, and it was very skilled. They charged me $50 to repair the crown, whereas, within the States, it will have been $200.
After all, as with every medical or dental process, it’s necessary to do your analysis. Look into the physician, learn critiques, 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 every worldwide vacation spot, it’s necessary to teach your self earlier than making a dedication to a prolonged time interval, and even visiting a brand new metropolis or nation.
1. Scorching and Humid Climate
A draw back to residing in a tropical local weather is that it all the time comes with a extremely popular and normally moist season. Playa del Carmen isn’t any exception.
Typically talking, the climate on this space could be very nice. Nonetheless, from July by way of September, anticipate scorching and humid climate with occasional heavy downpours. There have been occasions I keep in mind your complete road being flooded in a matter of seconds.
Many locations in Playa del Carmen don’t provide 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 hundreds of thousands of vacationers yearly. Throughout peak seasons, it may be exhausting 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 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 properly into the early morning hours.
3. Noisy and Rowdy
Talking of partying till the early morning hours, in case you like your peace and quiet, you’ll need to select your location correctly. Playa del Carmen, notably through the peak seasons, is understood for being a celebration city – and it actually lives as much as its status.
Round 10 pm at evening, the colourful nightclub scene comes alive. DJs, reside music, and reveling are occurring on each nook within the central space. Should 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 celebration 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, which means you’re consistently going to the shop to purchase extra bottled water.
Should you’re planning on staying there long-term, you’ll undoubtedly need to spend money on a five-gallon water dispenser. It’s a ache to deliver them dwelling after which should refill them, nevertheless it at the very least 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 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 usually discover heavy visitors, closed sidewalks, and plenty of harmful particles on the walkways and roads. Don’t be stunned in case you finally end up with a flat bike or automotive tire.
Sadly, the development can also 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 every 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 specific issues to pay attention to.
The Mexican cartel is a really actual and harmful group. Though they don’t typically goal vacationers, sadly, folks will be within the incorrect place on the incorrect 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. Observe 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 Price It?
Completely! Regardless of the cons, the professionals of Playa del Carmen far outweigh them. It’s attractive, it’s stuffed with attraction, 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 an attractive, joyful life within the solar with out the excessive prices of many different Western cultures.
