Mexico is a rustic that’s so various and delightful it’s arduous to resolve the place to go to, not to mention dwell. After dwelling there for practically 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 actually some struggles that include dwelling in Mexico – identical to another overseas nation. Personally, I consider the professionals outweigh the cons – however you possibly can decide for your self.
15 Execs and Cons of Playa del Carmen
The record under is predicated alone 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 study extra concerning the gorgeous metropolis in Mexico, and what you possibly can anticipate in the event 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 positioned 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 referred to 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 countless record 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 greatest execs of Playa del Carmen is its lodging for on-line employees and digital nomads. With coworking areas, cafes, seashore golf equipment, eating places, and occasional outlets galore, you’ll all the time discover a spot to drag out your laptop computer.
Playa del Carmen is rising exponentially, which implies its infrastructure is bettering as properly. 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 are 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 good 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 change fee (in 2023) is $17.20 MX (pesos) for every $1 USD. This isn’t truly that nice because of the financial 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 in search of. You could find fundamental studio flats or luxurious apartment flats with a rooftop pool.
Meals is comparatively low cost as properly, particularly in the event you store on the grocery store or native markets. You possibly can simply purchase recent vegatables and fruits 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 are 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 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 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 all the time 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 straightforward. The central seashore space may be very walkable, and you may get round to most locations inside quarter-hour. You may as well get round by bike fairly simply.
For additional excursions, you might have a couple of choices. Playa del Carmen affords Uber as a easy possibility; in addition they have taxis which are continually driving across the streets in search of a fare.
In the event you’d wish to journey just like the locals, it’s also possible to hop on a “collectivo.” These are primarily 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 primarily based 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 actually a particular vitality 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 study 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 in all probability gathered by now, the professionals of Playa del Carmen are fairly attractive. 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 reveals 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 are an everyday incidence.
8. Loads of Purchasing
Whether or not you want groceries, garments, electronics, or dwelling items, Playa del Carmen has a whole bunch of procuring selections for you. There are malls, mom-and-pop outlets, malls, and practically 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 as well discover outlets stuffed with trinkets and souvenirs as properly.
The central space is dwelling to shops like H&M and Louis Vuitton and throughout town yow will discover a store to your each want. The preferred grocery shops are Walmart, Mega, and Chedrui.
9. Inexpensive Medical Remedies
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. 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 of discover a physician or specialist for a lot lower than you’d 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 complete employees 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 every medical or dental process, it’s essential 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 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 dwelling in a tropical local weather is that it all the time comes with a very popular and often moist season. Playa del Carmen isn’t any exception.
Typically talking, the climate on this space may be very nice. Nevertheless, from July by means of September, anticipate sizzling and humid climate with occasional heavy downpours. There have been occasions I bear 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 stunning and particular, it attracts thousands and thousands of vacationers yearly. Throughout peak seasons, it may be arduous 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 the event you like your peace and quiet, you’ll wish to select your location correctly. Playa del Carmen, significantly through the peak seasons, is thought for being a celebration city – and it actually lives as much as its popularity.
Round 10 pm at evening, the colourful nightclub scene comes alive. DJs, dwell music, and reveling are taking place on each nook within the central space. In the event you 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 utterly 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, that means you’re continually going to the shop to purchase extra bottled water.
In the event you’re planning on staying there long-term, you’ll undoubtedly wish to put money into a five-gallon water dispenser. It’s a ache to convey them dwelling after which must refill them, nevertheless it at the 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. Numerous Building
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 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 many harmful particles on the walkways and roads. Don’t be shocked 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 every different overseas nation, it’s essential to concentrate on your security always and conscious of the final crime charges. General, Playa del Carmen is protected; nevertheless, there are particular issues to concentrate on.
The Mexican cartel is a really actual and harmful group. Though they don’t usually goal vacationers, sadly, folks may be within the incorrect place on the incorrect time. All the time pay attention to your environment.
There are additionally crimes focused at vacationers. Issues like pickpocketing and theft, worth scams, and druggings do happen. Observe good frequent 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 beautiful, it’s stuffed with appeal, 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 fantastic, blissful life within the solar with out the excessive prices of many different Western cultures.
