Mexico is a rustic that’s so numerous and delightful it’s onerous to determine the place to go to, not to mention reside. After residing there for practically 5 months, I can extremely suggest 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 definitely some struggles that include residing in Mexico – similar to another overseas nation. Personally, I consider the professionals outweigh the cons – however you’ll be able to choose for your self.
15 Execs and Cons of Playa del Carmen
The checklist under is predicated alone 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 positively data you’ll need earlier than heading out in your travels.
Hold studying to be taught extra concerning the beautiful metropolis in Mexico, and what you’ll be able to count on when you relocate or keep for an prolonged time frame on this checklist of execs and cons of residing 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 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 residence. Only a quick flight from the U.S., it’s no thriller why this seashore city has fairly the draw. There’s an nearly infinite 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 execs of Playa del Carmen is its lodging for on-line staff and digital nomads. With coworking areas, cafes, seashore golf equipment, eating places, and occasional retailers galore, you’ll all the time discover a spot to tug out your laptop computer.
Playa del Carmen is rising exponentially, which suggests its infrastructure is enhancing as effectively. Excessive-speed web may be discovered all throughout town, so that you’ll all the time be capable of meet these work deadlines.
My favourite locations to work had 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 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 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, typically calm, and on the good temperature. Hold an eye fixed out for sea turtles, dolphins, and different marine life.
3. Value of Residing
I discovered {that a} main perk of residing in Playa del Carmen was the inexpensive price of residing. The present trade charge (in 2023) is $17.20 MX (pesos) for every $1 USD. This isn’t really 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.
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 primary studio flats or luxurious apartment flats with a rooftop pool.
Meals is comparatively low cost as effectively, particularly when you store on the grocery store or native markets. You may simply purchase recent vegetables and fruit 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 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 seashore, 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 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 outside.
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 anyplace else.
5. Ease of Transportation
Getting round Playa del Carmen is extraordinarily straightforward. The central seashore space could be very walkable, and you may get round to most locations inside quarter-hour. You too can get round by bike fairly simply.
For additional excursions, you could have just a few choices. Playa del Carmen affords Uber as a easy choice; in addition they have taxis which might be continually driving across the streets searching for a fare.
If you happen to’d wish to journey just like the locals, you can even 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 primarily based on distance, and it’s often 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, one in every 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’s definitely a particular power on this a part 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 within the metropolis 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 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 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 yr. Watch a vibrant present on the well-known Coco Bongo Membership, or preserve an eye fixed out for music festivals which might be a daily incidence.
8. Loads of Buying
Whether or not you want groceries, garments, electronics, or residence items, Playa del Carmen has a whole lot of procuring decisions for you. There are malls, mom-and-pop retailers, malls, and practically every little thing 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 too can discover retailers stuffed with trinkets and souvenirs as effectively.
The central space is residence to shops like H&M and Louis Vuitton and throughout town yow will discover a store on your each want. The preferred grocery shops are Walmart, Mega, and Chedrui.
9. Reasonably priced Medical Therapies
It’s no secret that individuals journey overseas for extra inexpensive medical and dental remedies, and Playa del Carmen is a well-liked vacation spot for that. In reality, 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 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 consider 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 essential 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 essential 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 residing in a tropical local weather is that it all the time comes with a highly regarded and often moist season. Playa del Carmen is not any exception.
Usually talking, the climate on this space could be very nice. Nevertheless, from July by means of September, count on scorching and humid climate with occasional heavy downpours. There have been occasions I bear in mind your complete avenue 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 stunning and particular, it attracts hundreds of thousands of vacationers yearly. Throughout peak seasons, it may be onerous to seek 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 effectively 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 wish to select your location correctly. 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 fame.
Round 10 pm at evening, the colourful nightclub scene comes alive. DJs, reside music, and reveling are taking place on each nook within the central space. If you happen to 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, watch out for main holidays as a result of the locals don’t fiddle. Of their tradition, it’s fully regular to occasion and have a good time 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’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 positively wish to put money into a five-gallon water dispenser. It’s a ache to carry them residence after which must refill them, however it a minimum of 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 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 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 usually discover heavy visitors, closed sidewalks, and many harmful particles on the walkways and roads. Don’t be shocked when 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 overseas nation, it’s essential to concentrate on your security always and conscious of the overall crime charges. Total, Playa del Carmen is secure; nonetheless, there are particular issues to concentrate on.
The Mexican cartel is a really actual and harmful group. Though they don’t typically goal vacationers, sadly, individuals may be within the incorrect place on the incorrect time. All the time 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 Value It?
Completely! Regardless of the cons, the professionals of Playa del Carmen far outweigh them. It’s beautiful, it’s stuffed with allure, 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’ll be able to construct a wonderful, glad life within the solar with out the excessive prices of many different Western cultures.