Mexico is a rustic that’s so numerous and exquisite it’s laborious to resolve the place to go to, not to mention reside. After dwelling 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 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 actually some struggles that include dwelling in Mexico – identical to some other overseas nation. Personally, I imagine the professionals outweigh the cons – however you’ll be able to decide for your self.
15 Execs and Cons of Playa del Carmen
The checklist 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 undoubtedly information you’ll need earlier than heading out in your travels.
Preserve studying to study extra in regards to the gorgeous metropolis in Mexico, and what you’ll be able to count on in case you relocate or keep for an prolonged time frame on this checklist of professionals 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 recognized 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 referred to as it dwelling. Only a brief flight from the U.S., it’s no thriller why this seaside city has fairly the draw. There’s an virtually limitless checklist of issues to do in Playa del Carmen.
Execs 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 professionals 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 outlets galore, you’ll at all times discover a spot to drag 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 at all times be capable of 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 on occasion 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 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 excellent temperature. Preserve an eye fixed 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 price of dwelling. The present trade fee (in 2023) is $17.20 MX (pesos) for every $1 USD. This isn’t really that nice because of the 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 on the lookout for. You could find fundamental studio flats or luxurious rental flats with a rooftop pool.
Meals is comparatively low cost as nicely, particularly in case you store on the grocery store or native markets. You may simply purchase contemporary fruit and veggies from a neighborhood 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, in case 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’ll be able to really feel such as you’re in the midst 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 at all times 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’ll be able to’t discover wherever else.
5. Ease of Transportation
Getting round Playa del Carmen is extraordinarily simple. The central seaside space could be very walkable, and you may get round to most locations inside quarter-hour. You can too get round by bike fairly simply.
For additional excursions, you might have a number of choices. Playa del Carmen presents Uber as a easy choice; additionally they have taxis which can be continually driving across the streets on the lookout for a fare.
If you happen to’d wish to journey just like the locals, you may as well 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 charge based mostly on distance, and it’s normally extraordinarily inexpensive.
6. Immersed in Historical past
By way of the professionals and cons of dwelling in Playa del Carmen, and the Yucatan Peninsula on the whole, one in all 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 may be 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 study 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 town, there are additionally tons of sights 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 reveals and festivals round city at any given time of the yr. Watch a vibrant present on the well-known Coco Bongo Membership, or preserve an eye fixed out for music festivals which can be a daily prevalence.
8. Loads of Purchasing
Whether or not you want groceries, garments, electronics, or dwelling items, Playa del Carmen has tons of of buying decisions for you. There are malls, mom-and-pop outlets, department shops, and practically the whole lot 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 too discover outlets stuffed with trinkets and souvenirs as nicely.
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 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 therapies, and Playa del Carmen is a well-liked vacation spot for that. In truth, I’ve even taken benefit of therapies myself. From eye docs and dentists to common wellness and cosmetic surgery, you’ll be capable of discover a physician or specialist for much 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 workers spoke English, and it was very skilled. They charged me $50 to repair the crown, whereas, within the States, it could have been $200.
In fact, as with all medical or dental process, it’s necessary 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 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. Scorching 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 normally moist season. Playa del Carmen isn’t any exception.
Typically talking, the climate on this space could be very nice. Nevertheless, from July by way of September, count on scorching and humid climate with occasional heavy downpours. There have been instances I bear in mind the complete 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 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 tens of millions of vacationers yearly. Throughout peak seasons, it may be laborious 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 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 nicely 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 wish to select your location properly. Playa del Carmen, significantly in the course of the peak seasons, is understood for being a celebration city – and it actually lives as much as its fame.
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. If you happen to want your magnificence sleep, you may wish 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 dwelling in Playa del Carmen, one of many main disadvantages is the truth that you’ll be able to’t drink the faucet water, that means you’re continually going to the shop to purchase extra bottled water.
If you happen to’re planning on staying there long-term, you’ll undoubtedly wish to spend money on a five-gallon water dispenser. It’s a ache to convey them dwelling after which should refill them, but it surely 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 mostly bought from the shop and is secure to drink.
5. A lot of Development
As talked about earlier, Playa del Carmen is rising quickly, and with that – comes building. 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 visitors, closed sidewalks, and plenty of harmful particles on the walkways and roads. Don’t be stunned in case you ultimately 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 overseas nation, it’s necessary to concentrate on your security always and conscious of the final crime charges. General, Playa del Carmen is secure; nonetheless, there are specific issues to concentrate on.
The Mexican cartel is a really actual and harmful group. Though they don’t usually goal vacationers, sadly, individuals will be within the mistaken place on the mistaken time. All the time concentrate on your environment.
There are additionally crimes focused at vacationers. Issues like pickpocketing and theft, value scams, and druggings do happen. Apply good frequent sense and if one thing feels off, keep away from it. Preserve 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 beautiful, it’s stuffed with attraction, and the tradition is great. 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’ll be able to construct a gorgeous, completely happy life within the solar with out the excessive prices of many different Western cultures.