Mexico is a rustic that’s so numerous and exquisite it’s onerous to determine the place to go to, not to mention stay. After dwelling there for almost 5 months, I can extremely suggest staying on the Yucatan Peninsula, particularly, Playa del Carmen. However, after all, there are upsides and disadvantages to each metropolis – on this publish, 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 – identical to some other overseas nation. Personally, I imagine the professionals outweigh the cons – however you possibly can decide for your self.
15 Professionals and Cons of Playa del Carmen
The record under is predicated by myself private expertise, conversations with different expats and vacationers, and studying different individuals’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 in regards to the beautiful metropolis in Mexico, and what you possibly can count on when you relocate or keep for an prolonged time frame on this record of execs and cons of dwelling in Playa del Carmen.
What’s Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen is situated 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.
Tens of millions of vacationers flock to Playa del Carmen yearly, and hundreds of expats and digital nomads have known as it dwelling. Only a quick flight from the U.S., it’s no thriller why this seaside city has fairly the draw. There’s an nearly infinite record 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 execs of Playa del Carmen is its lodging for on-line staff and digital nomads. With coworking areas, cafes, seaside golf equipment, eating places, and low retailers galore, you’ll at all times discover a spot to drag out your laptop computer.
Playa del Carmen is rising exponentially, which implies its infrastructure is enhancing as properly. Excessive-speed web could be discovered all throughout the town, so that you’ll at all times be capable to meet these work deadlines.
My favourite locations to work have been Nest and Bunker; they’re each coworking areas. Nevertheless, I additionally would splurge each every now and then and work in a lounge chair at a seaside 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 might be 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, usually calm, and on the excellent temperature. Hold a watch out for sea turtles, dolphins, and different marine life.
3. Price of Dwelling
I discovered {that a} main perk of dwelling in Playa del Carmen was the inexpensive value of dwelling. The present alternate charge (in 2023) is $17.20 MX (pesos) for every $1 USD. This isn’t really that nice as a result of economic system (I’ve seen it at $22.00 MX); nevertheless, it’s nonetheless less expensive than the U.S.
Residences in Playa del Carmen vary anyplace from $400 to $1500 on common, relying on the neighborhood and the facilities you’re searching for. You’ll find fundamental studio residences or luxurious apartment residences with a rooftop pool.
Meals is comparatively low cost as properly, particularly when you store on the grocery store or native markets. You possibly can simply purchase contemporary vegatables and fruits 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, when you love the outside, is the quantity of nature that surrounds the realm. Not solely is there the pristine seaside, however there are cenotes (freshwater underground springs), jungles, nature preserves, and extra to discover.
Inside a 30-minute drive, you possibly can 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 at all times 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 possibly can’t discover anyplace else.
5. Ease of Transportation
Getting round Playa del Carmen is extraordinarily simple. The central seaside 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 number of choices. Playa del Carmen affords Uber as a easy choice; additionally they have taxis which might be consistently driving across the streets searching for a fare.
When you’d wish to journey just like the locals, you can too 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 price based mostly on distance, and it’s often extraordinarily inexpensive.
6. Immersed in Historical past
By way of the professionals and cons of dwelling in Playa del Carmen, and the Yucatan Peninsula basically, one in all 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 definitely 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 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 points of interest and parks to discover.
Because of 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 a watch out for music festivals which might be an everyday prevalence.
8. Loads of Procuring
Whether or not you want groceries, garments, electronics, or dwelling items, Playa del Carmen has a whole lot of purchasing selections for you. There are malls, mom-and-pop retailers, shops, and almost 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 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 the town you will discover a store to your each want. The preferred grocery shops are Walmart, Mega, and Chedrui.
9. Reasonably priced 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 medical doctors and dentists to common wellness and cosmetic surgery, you’ll be capable to discover a health care provider or specialist for much lower than you’d in the US.
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 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 vital to do your analysis. Look into the physician, learn opinions, 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 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 dwelling in a tropical local weather is that it at all times comes with a very popular and often moist season. Playa del Carmen isn’t any exception.
Usually talking, the climate on this space could be very nice. Nevertheless, from July via September, count on sizzling and humid climate with occasional heavy downpours. There have been occasions I bear in mind the whole 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 may 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 onerous to seek out lodging, get into eating places, discover seaside 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 seaside 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, when you like your peace and quiet, you’ll need to select your location properly. Playa del Carmen, notably through the peak seasons, is thought for being a celebration city – and it definitely 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. When you want your magnificence sleep, you may 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 dwelling in Playa del Carmen, one of many main disadvantages is the truth that you possibly can’t drink the faucet water, which means you’re consistently going to the shop to purchase extra bottled water.
When 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 need to refill them, however it not less than 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 usually bought from the shop and is secure to drink.
5. Numerous Building
As talked about earlier, Playa del Carmen is rising quickly, and with that – comes development. On almost each nook, you’ll discover a new apartment constructing going up – and there are definitely no indicators of this stopping, and even slowing down, any time quickly.
Due to this, you’ll typically discover heavy visitors, closed sidewalks, and many harmful particles on the walkways and roads. Don’t be stunned when you ultimately end up with a flat bike or automotive 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 every different overseas nation, it’s vital to pay attention to your security always and conscious of the final crime charges. General, Playa del Carmen is secure; nevertheless, there are specific issues to pay attention to.
The Mexican cartel is a really actual and harmful group. Though they don’t usually goal vacationers, sadly, individuals could be within the mistaken place on the mistaken time. At all times concentrate on your environment.
There are additionally crimes focused at vacationers. Issues like pickpocketing and theft, value scams, and druggings do happen. Follow good frequent sense and if one thing feels off, keep away from it. Hold your valuables shut and keep away from strolling with massive 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 stuffed with attraction, 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 on this metropolis and would fortunately return once more.
Playa del Carmen is a spot the place you possibly can construct a wonderful, completely satisfied life within the solar with out the excessive prices of many different Western cultures.
