Mexico is a rustic that’s so numerous and delightful it’s laborious to resolve the place to go to, not to mention dwell. 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 disadvantages 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 persons are pleasant, however there are actually some struggles that include residing in Mexico – similar to every other international nation. Personally, I consider the professionals outweigh the cons – however you may decide for your self.
15 Execs and Cons of Playa del Carmen
The listing under relies 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 positively data you’ll need earlier than heading out in your travels.
Maintain studying to be taught extra concerning the beautiful metropolis in Mexico, and what you may anticipate in the event you relocate or keep for an prolonged time period on this listing 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 identified for its white sand seashores, crystal clear turquoise waters, and laid-back vibe.
Thousands and thousands of vacationers flock to Playa del Carmen yearly, and 1000’s of expats and digital nomads have known as it house. Only a brief flight from the U.S., it’s no thriller why this seaside city has fairly the draw. There’s an virtually infinite listing of things 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 greatest execs of Playa del Carmen is its lodging for on-line employees and digital nomads. With coworking spaces, cafes, seaside golf equipment, restaurants, and occasional retailers galore, you’ll at all times discover a spot to tug out your laptop.
Playa del Carmen is rising exponentially, which suggests its infrastructure is enhancing as effectively. Excessive-speed web might 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. Nonetheless, I additionally would splurge each every so often and work in a lounge chair at a seaside membership like Mamita’s Beach Club.
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. Discuss a dream life!
There are miles of walkable seashores which might 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, typically calm, and on the excellent temperature. Maintain 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 reasonably priced 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); nevertheless, 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 searching for. Yow will discover fundamental studio flats or luxurious rental flats with a rooftop pool.
Meals is comparatively low-cost as effectively, particularly in the event you store on the grocery store or native markets. You’ll be able to simply purchase contemporary fruit and veggies 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, in the event you love the outside, is the quantity of nature that surrounds the world. 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 may really feel such as you’re in the course of nowhere. You’ll be able to 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 may’t discover anyplace else.
5. Ease of Transportation
Getting round Playa del Carmen is extraordinarily straightforward. The central seaside space could be very walkable, and you will get round to most locations inside quarter-hour. You can even get round by bike fairly simply.
For additional excursions, you could have just a few choices. Playa del Carmen affords Uber as a easy possibility; in addition they have taxis which might be always driving across the streets searching for a fare.
When you’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 payment based mostly on distance, and it’s often extraordinarily reasonably priced.
6. Immersed in Historical past
By way of the professionals and cons of residing in Playa del Carmen, and the Yucatan Peninsula typically, 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 actually a particular power on this a part of the world.
Be taught concerning the wealthy historical past of the world 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 Points of interest Round Each Nook
As you’ve most likely gathered by now, the professionals of Playa del Carmen are fairly attractive. Along with the free pure wonders of the town, there are additionally tons of sights and parks to discover.
Due to its lovely 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 12 months. Watch a vibrant present on the well-known Coco Bongo Club, or hold an eye fixed out for music festivals which might be an everyday prevalence.
8. Loads of Procuring
Whether or not you want groceries, garments, electronics, or house items, Playa del Carmen has tons of of procuring decisions for you. There are malls, mom-and-pop retailers, department shops, and practically all the pieces 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 can even discover retailers filled with trinkets and souvenirs as effectively.
The central space is house to shops like H&M and Louis Vuitton and throughout the town you could find a store in your each want. The most well-liked grocery shops are Walmart, Mega, and Chedrui.
9. Reasonably priced Medical Therapies
It’s no secret that individuals journey overseas for extra reasonably priced 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 docs and dentists to basic wellness and cosmetic surgery, you’ll be capable to discover a health care provider 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 consider 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 every 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 residing in Playa del Carmen. As with all 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. Sizzling and Humid Climate
A draw back to residing in a tropical local weather is that it at all times comes with a extremely popular and often moist season. Playa del Carmen is not any exception.
Usually talking, the weather in this area could be very nice. Nonetheless, from July by means of September, anticipate sizzling and humid climate with occasional heavy downpours. There have been instances I keep in mind all the avenue 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 lovely and particular, it attracts hundreds of thousands of vacationers yearly. Throughout peak seasons, it may be laborious to search 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 effectively into the early morning hours.
3. Noisy and Rowdy
Talking of partying till the early morning hours, in the event 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 repute.
Round 10 pm at evening, the colourful nightclub scene comes alive. DJs, dwell music, and reveling are occurring on each nook within the central space. When 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 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 may’t drink the faucet water, which means you’re always going to the shop to purchase extra bottled water.
When you’re planning on staying there long-term, you’ll positively need to spend money on a five-gallon water dispenser. It’s a ache to carry them house 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 protected 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 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 site visitors, closed sidewalks, and plenty of harmful particles on the walkways and roads. Don’t be stunned in the event you finally 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 international nation, it’s necessary to pay attention to your security always and conscious of the overall crime charges. Total, Playa del Carmen is protected; nevertheless, there are particular issues to pay attention to.
The Mexican cartel is a really actual and harmful group. Though they don’t typically goal vacationers, sadly, individuals might be within the fallacious place on the fallacious 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. Maintain 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 filled with allure, and the tradition is fantastic. 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 a stupendous, joyful life within the solar with out the excessive prices of many different Western cultures.
