Mexico : Safety by City
- Acapulco
- Aguascalientes
- Cabo San Lucas
- Cancun
- Chichen Itza
- Chihuahua
- Cozumel
- Cuernavaca
- Culiacan
- Durango
- Ensenada
- Guadalajara
- Guanajuato
- Hermosillo
- Huatulco
- Isla Holbox
- Isla Mujeres
- Ixtapa
- Juarez
- Leon
- Los Cabos
- Manzanillo
- Matamoros
- Merida
- Mexicali
- Mexico City
- Monterrey
- Morelia
- Nogales
- Nuevo Laredo
- Oaxaca
- Piedras Negras
- Playa del Carmen
- Puebla
- Puerto Morelos
- Puerto Vallarta
- Queretaro City
- Reynosa
- Saltillo
- San Luis Potosi
- San Miguel de Allende
- Sayulita
- Tijuana
- Tulum
- Valladolid
- Veracruz
- Zacatecas
- Zamora
- Zapopan
- Zihuatanejo
Playa del Carmen has a rich history that dates to the ancient Mayans.
The Mayans settled in the area that is now Playa del Carmen in the 1500s.
Spanish explorers who arrived later influenced the area.
The turn of the 20th century was the major starting point for the transformation of Playa del Carmen.
The economy saw a major shift as the area became a bustling tourist destination.
Although record-setting numbers of tourists visited Playa del Carmen in 2025, safety is a concern for some people.
How safe is Playa del Carmen for travelers?
Is it safe for families or for women travelers?
Learn the answers to these and other questions about safety in Playa del Carmen.
Warnings & Dangers in Playa del Carmen
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Playa del Carmen is one of the safest destinations for travelers to Mexico. Officials have spent a lot of money and resources on ensuring that the area is safe. It has an “iron shield” strategy, including 1,000 police officers who patrol Playa del Carmen. It also has a specially dedicated tourist police force. Although the overall risk for travelers is low, travelers still need to be aware of safety risks and warnings.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Travelers must only use reputable taxi services and other transport services in Playa del Carmen. Consider having the hotel staff call a taxi for you. The U.S. Department of State points out that criminals may pose as taxi drivers to target travelers for crimes such as robberies. One of the advantages of traveling to Playa del Carmen is its walkability. Visitors often enjoy being able to walk to restaurants, bars, beaches, and other destinations.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Petty crimes, including those committed by pickpockets, are the highest risk for travelers. The pickpockets are especially active late at night. Do not walk alone at night. You increase your risk of becoming a victim of the busy pickpockets. Some sources suggest that travelers keep their phone in their front pocket, rather than their back pocket, in some areas of Playa del Carmen, such as along Fifth Avenue.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
The natural disasters that sometimes happen in Playa del Carmen affect the beaches and coastal areas, in general. Beach erosion is an issue in some areas in and around Playa del Carmen. Hurricanes have contributed to eroding coastlines. Travelers need to pay close attention to weather reports when planning their trip to Playa del Carmen and during their visit.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Do not walk alone at night in Playa del Carmen. You increase your risk of becoming a mugging victim. Stay off the side streets of Playa del Carmen. Be careful and pay close attention to your surroundings if you are at any transport station.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Terrorism is a high risk in many areas of Mexico. The strict law enforcement presence in Playa del Carmen helps to reduce the risk of acts of terrorism. Travelers are more likely to become victims of petty crimes than they are to encounter acts of terrorism.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
Scams are one of the greatest risks to travelers who visit Playa del Carmen. Travelers can lower their risk of falling victim to scams if they are aware of the various types of scams and know how to avoid them. Travelers may want to skip the opportunity for a massage. Massage scams are one of the common scams. While you are getting a massage, you may also be getting robbed of your wallet, credit cards, or cash. Taxi scams are another common scam. The low price of a taxi service may sound great. It will not be so great when you learn that the driver demands a higher price. Some drivers refuse to let travelers out of their taxi until they force the visitor to take their money out of an ATM. ATM scams are something that travelers need to know about while they are in Playa del Carmen. Some ATMs are fake machines. The whole machine is fake. Travelers who use these machines may find that their accounts have been completely drained of every dollar. Use recognized bank ATMs.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
The risk to women travelers to Playa del Carmen who take a solo trip depends on several things. Women who stay clear of places and things that increase their risk are likely to have a wonderful trip to Playa del Carmen. Thousands of women visit the area every year by themselves without incident. Solo women travelers should dress more modestly when they travel alone, especially at bars or nightclubs. Do not leave food or drink unattended, even for a few minutes. Women may find out that someone spiked their drink. Check out the details of hotels and hostels that have a good reputation among other solo female travelers. There are also groups for solo women travelers who visit Playa del Carmen. Stay in well-lit, safe neighborhoods. Do not go anywhere with anyone who claims to know where a better restaurant, club, or local attraction is, because you increase your safety risk.
TAP WATER RISK: HIGH
Do not drink the tap water when you travel to Playa del Carmen. Buy bottled water. The safety of tap water in the area is often an issue. Some sources even say to avoid cooking with tap water. Get safe water from your accommodation or from local shops.
Safest Places to Visit in Playa del Carmen
Visitors to Playa del Carmen discover many safe places to visit.
The resources that local officials devote to making sure that travelers have an enjoyable experience and stay safe make it one of the safest places in Mexico.
The Fifth Avenue, or La Quinto area, is a pedestrian-only area.
Visit the many shops and restaurants.
Experience the local flair of Playa del Carmen.
Just be aware of the pickpockets.
The adventure parks that are less than 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen are world-famous destinations.
Go mangrove tubing, snorkeling, or swimming in canals.
Explore caves or go ziplining.
Adventure parks offer many other activities for solo travelers and for families.
Visit the perfect beach.
Consider the popular Playacar Beach.
It is more peaceful than some of the other beaches.
You may also get a glimpse of the Mayan ruins.
The most popular beach in Playa del Carmen is probably Fundadores Beach.
If you like the hustle and bustle of a popular beach, this may be the ideal spot for you.
Vendors keep the shoppers happy, while restaurants keep foodies and beachgoers happy.
The pristine waters keep everyone happy when they visit Playa del Carmen.
Visit the Gaston Charro Art Gallery to explore the artwork.
Local artists add to the beauty of the artworks displayed at the gallery.
Visit the eco parks of Xcaret and Xel-Ha for great cultural experiences.
Enjoy the natural beauty of the underground rivers, the local wildlife, and other unforgettable experiences.
Make sure that you swim with the dolphins.
Places to Avoid in Playa del Carmen
Avoid all side streets, especially at night.
Do not put yourself or your family at risk of becoming a crime victim.
Criminals can lure travelers by pretending that they know a better or shorter walk to a local attraction.
Stay away from areas where there are no other travelers.
If you find yourself in an unfamiliar or deserted area, quickly get out of the area.
Most neighborhoods that have high crime rates are in areas that travelers usually do not go to anyway.
Avoid the Colosio neighborhood.
It is north of downtown.
There is a high crime rate.
It is also an area of extreme poverty, not a tourist destination.
The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2, or exercise increased caution, warning for the state of Quintana Roo, which includes Playa del Carmen.
Although most gang-related and terrorist crimes occur outside of Playa del Carmen, travelers should still stay informed about things like demonstrations and acts of violence.
Stay away from these areas.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Playa del Carmen
- Dress down. Avoid wearing expensive clothes, shoes, and jewelry. You may think it is cool to show off your new shoes or your wealth, but what you are really doing is advertising yourself to criminals.
- Do not display your phone. Carry your phone in your front pocket when you are in crowds. Do not display your phone when you are walking. Someone can snatch it out of your hand.
- Avoid getting intoxicated. Getting intoxicated leaves travelers at risk of various crimes.
- Avoid side streets. Both men and women should avoid walking on side streets. You may be followed by muggers or other criminals.
- Do not walk alone. Walking alone leaves travelers at risk of becoming crime victims. Stay with your group or with trustworthy people that you know.
- Do not use street ATMs. Use ATMs at reputable banks. Street ATMs are often fake machines or have skimmers on them that steal your money and information.
- Do not hail taxis on the street. Hailing taxis on the street may be dangerous for travelers. The driver may double the fare or be a criminal posing as a taxi driver. Use reputable taxi companies.
- Take only what you need to the beach. Taking personal belongings to the beach can increase your risk of becoming a crime victim. Leave personal belongings at the hotel.
- Keep informed. Monitor the local news and the U.S. Department of State for changes to safety and for alerts.
- Stay out of unsafe areas. Do not venture from areas where there are plenty of people. The tourist police and local law enforcement spend a lot of money and resources trying to keep travelers safe.
So... How Safe Is Playa del Carmen Really?
Playa del Carmen is one of the safest places in Mexico.
The local government and law enforcement officials have spent a great deal of resources and money on keeping the area safe for both travelers and residents.
Enjoy an unforgettable experience, whether you are a solo male or female traveler.
Families make memories that last a lifetime when they visit Playa del Carmen.
Most criminal activity is limited to petty crimes, such as pickpockets.
The U.S. Department of State gives the state of Quintana Roo a Level 2 warning, while many areas of Mexico have Level 3 and Level 4 warnings.
Travelers who know the safety risks can protect themselves and enjoy all that Playa del Carmen has to offer in the way of attractions, natural beauty, culture, and history.
How Does Playa del Carmen Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Playa del Carmen |
68 |
| Piedras Negras |
60 |
| Chichen Itza |
70 |
| Tulum |
75 |
| Chihuahua |
40 |
| Nuevo Laredo |
35 |
| Zacatecas |
60 |
 Irvine | 82 |
 Valencia | 72 |
| Poplar Bluff | 57 |
| Hamilton Township | 72 |
| Lansing | 41 |
 Tegucigalpa | 33 |
Useful Information
Visas
A tourist visa is required for anyone who visits Mexico for more than 180 days. Travelers to Mexico also need to have a passport book or card.
Currency
The Mexican peso is the official currency in Mexico. The Bank of Mexico issues and manages it. People who plan to travel to Playa del Carmen and want to convert U.S. dollars to Mexican currency should only use reputable currency exchange services and banks.
Weather
Playa del Carmen has a tropical climate. Travelers and residents can enjoy the hot temperatures and swim in the sea all year. Plan to avoid the hurricane season.
Airports
Cancun International Airport is the closest airport to Playa del Carmen. It is the airport that is used most often by travelers. Cozumel International Airport is another option. It is used less often by international travelers.
Travel Insurance
The U.S. Department of State recommends that travelers to Mexico, including Playa del Carmen, purchase travel insurance. Check with your travel insurance provider to learn more details.
Playa del Carmen Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
27 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 29 |
| Low °C |
20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 21 |
| High °F |
81 | 82 | 86 | 88 | 90 | 91 | 91 | 91 | 90 | 90 | 86 | 84 |
| Low °F |
68 | 70 | 72 | 73 | 73 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 75 | 73 | 70 |
If you are all-inclusive and go into playa del Carmen for the day you will be plagued by men pretending to be a staff member of your hotel on his day off. They try to get you to go with them to their relatives’ shop. They know all the wrist bands for each hotel.
Same here but they did sell me nice jewelry! Did not feel in danger at any time!
This is true but I always ask them what I ordered if they remember me.
years ago this happened to me wasn’t aggressive or anything but almost made me feel like we had met at the resort I was staying at .
Dangerous
I was robbed of my money in my jewelry. It is no longer safe. The police robbed me! Very dangerous! Do not go there!
how recent was your visit, Sandra?
Sandra I just read your message, When was this? we are long time visitors and have never had an incident?
Beware - Family Safety
On July 27, 2021 at approx. 8pm my 17 year old son was arrested at gun point by 6-7 police officers, between the Grand Hyatt and Hilton Hotels. The police accused him on potential theft. They asked about his whereabouts on July 22nd. My daughter had the entire day and night memorized on her iphone which was shown to the police. The police then acknowledged he may not have taken part in a theft but he was being arrested anyway. Police corruption!!
Did I mention my departure date was July 28th. I wonder if the corrupt police knew that information. I may never know. Better than 50/50 they did know in my opinion.
Hilton and Grand Hyatt security were present. I was pulled aside and told by hotel security that it would be ok. I just need to go to the police station, where they have an ATM, and pay the police between 5,000 – 10,000 pesos and my son would be released. That was exactly what happened. The hotel security seemed like this was just a daily event and not to worry.
While at the police station, my son was processed as a criminal and I was led with 2 minutes to an ATM machine which was either in the station or 2 steps outside the station. I made the payment and my son was released within an hour. The scam was not over yet.
3 police officers said they would give us a ride back to the hotel. During the ride back to the hotel, via a translation app, the police men said ‘the judge thanks you for the quick payment, but now you need to help us’. The police then proceeded to take most (not all) of the money in my wallet. They did bring us back to the Grand Hyatt (sort of). They dropped us off 2 blocks north of the hotel down a dimly lit street. They noted that they are not supposed to drop people back in front of the hotel.
Upon arriving back at the Grand Hyatt (Playa del Carmen), a security official from the hotel asked me one question …..how much did you pay?
As I told the Mr Ortiz (Director of Hotel Operation), I don’t blame the hotel for police corruption, but I do blame them for not warning guests about what can happen once you leave the front gate. They tell you all about the wonderful things in the area, but zero about the risks. This means I put my family in more risk than I would have otherwise.
Don't Believe Photos or Hype!
I believe every word of your report because in 2005 I was the victim of police corruption. This was before Hurricane Wilma in 2005. The beaches were magnificent back then. Due to the unprecedented ferocity of the hurricane and the advent of the Sargasso plague, consider the place desperate and worthless as a safe destination.
It was unsafe before but is now on red alert warning advisory. I am extremely familiar with the Maya Riviera and 15 years ago, planned to emigrate and even held a work visa from immigration.
Don’t fall for the photo-shopped beach photos…the beaches are ruined now. The place is full of varmints and people are being harmed in broad daylight. Do your homework in this area!
Police corruption in playa del carmen
Robbed my the police twice. Once for a fake arrest which required a ATM withdrawal at the police station. And then again when the police drove me back to the hotel and told me I needed to help them now
Do not go to Cancun or Playa Del Carmen. The police are corrupt and will rob you you are not safe. My money and my jewelry was stolen by the police.
CANCUN SAFE
I’ve been to Cancun 6 times now. Never had a problem with safety. I feel safer there than some places where I live in the U.S. People treat you like royalty and thank you for coming because you keep them employed. Mexicans are very humble people and they come to the U.S. to do the work that Americans will never do. I hate to see how people treat them here.
Evidently you must be of Mexican descent, George. I can imagine it is much easier and safer for a Mexican, esp. if he is fluent in Spanish and knows the culture. But for many tourists, this is not the case……they can be easily targeted because they are NOT of Mexican descent.
Definitely safe
I’ve been to Playa del Carmen twice. I was just there in Oct. 2020. Never had any issues. Always felt safe. Obviously you don’t want to bring any attention, if you’re going out of your resort.
I really appreciate the fact that people were wearing face mask at our resort and tourist guide.
Planning of going back in Feb. Love all of the Xcaret parks
25+ times over almost 20 years and no problems
You have to pay attention and don’t do anything to bring attention to yourself. Don’t wear hats or shirts with sports teams or anything that will make them call out to you. Don’t under any circumstance flash your money. Smile and say no thank you while making a stop motion with your hand. My wife and I have been coming here for almost 20 years and have never had an issue the 25+ times we have visited. We are headed down there tomorrow, 12/14/2020 and will be there for awhile relaxing at Riu Palace.
Go and relax. People are great
Agreed….such a beautiful people and place. We go all the time and only the first few times stayed at an all inclusive. After that we have always stayed in the local community of Playa with the local people renting a unit from vrbo. Live with the locals. Feel the full experience. Safety and kindness of the people there. I will always LOVE it in Playa Del Carmen
Playa Del Carmen is Horrible
I had a terrible experience in Playa Del Carmen. First night there I was robbed by 5 taxi drivers. They came up to me and acted like the cops and told me to put my hands up and they frisked me and picked my pockets of all cash I had on me. While walking down the streets I didn’t go more than 5 minutes at without someone trying to sell me weed or cocaine or hookers. Most of the bars were ok, but don’t go to Las Miches unless you want to get over charged or double charged, they said they were charging me in peso’s and when I checked my statements later I found out they charged me in US dollars, so for a couple of beers and some food I was charged $200. This was my first time here and I will not ever return! There are many more places in the world to visit that will not try to rob you any chance they get.
safety
Sandra I just read your message, When was this? we are long time visitors and have never had an incident?
Just because your a long time visitor doesn’t mean mean that his bad experience didn’t happen. Playa del Carmen is “safe” to an extent.
Playa police have bad apples.
On a sunday night in december 2020 I was walking my nightly stroll from my rented condo near calle 88 beach. Aftwr walking to the oxxo nesr CTM, i remembered i needed to withdraw pesos for the morning. I used the ATM in the oxxo store, pulled put 4000, and walked out to continue my walk to the condo. 20 feet outside teo policica municipal officers stopped me and said in fair english that someone with my description had been reported for trying to buy drugs (im a firefighter/paramedic in Canada). I told him it wasnt me and feel free to search me. Id been respectful and gave them the benefit of the doubt. As he did a 360 around me emptying my back pockets (i had a small flashlight in my rear right pocket) he pulled it out and put me in cuffs. I didnt resist. He showed me a dmall blue paraphenalia bag with a white powder and said it was in my pocket. Total BS. He said i could pay now and walk away. I refused, amd explained i want to dispute this incident with his supervisor. I was sat in the back of the police truck, and driven to the public safety compound. Once there, he again said i could pay and leave. They wanted 3000 pesos. I refused and asked for his supervisor. Instead i was tsken to a cell with teo other foreigners. I was kept for 8 hours until they csme again and took me to a “phone call” at the small broken window, the “prosecutor” said i could leave for 3000 pesos, and it would be thrown out. I paid it. When my belongings were returned, my cell phone, credit card, and flashlight were missing. I asked and she daid the police didnt bring me with any of those items. They did return my debit card, and drivers licence. Once released, i walked to the front of the police station, re enetered, and was directed to internal affairs where i requested my phone and credit cars back. I was told they would speak to the officer, and to return next week. They didnt ask for my contact info or address. Police corruption is definetly a problem in PDC. They tried to take 4000 dollars put of my credit cars but capital one declined it all thankfully because it easnt done with my pin. Im aure they took my phone to ensure i couldnt cancel it, and im sure they left my bankcard so i could pay the 3000pesos to get out. My cab driver from the police station said im not the first or last that will get robbed by heavily armed anonymous police, that it was a problem hes ashamed of because his livelyhood depends on tourism.
beware of the police
I have been robbed by the police on a few occasions and have friends that have been robbed too.
This is becoming more common every year. The police are not treatening, they just say that they are ” checking you for drugs”, even though we are over 60 and don’t use drugs. They have you remove everything from your pockets and then keep the cash or your cards.
Most of these cops are probably Cartel so there is no use making a complaint, if they know you made a complaint about them you may wind up in a dumpster!
It’s a shame that the city has become so corrupt! You use to feel same when you seen the police, now you feel scared when you see them!
The govement is so corrupt they just turn a blind eye to it and say there is no problem with crime!
Just got robbed at Playa del Carmen, came in with the car from Tulum towards Cancun.
They demanded a stop and search and stole the cash money I had on me. After they emptied my wallet and said I could leave and have a nice day… AGHHHH! If you resist – they pull out the handcuffs.
Lots of thieves hanging out at the beaches and bars, they all communicate on whatsapp. I had chain stolen at a bar.
Be careful with the police they extort tourists .I was walking back to my airbnb on 5th Avenue, it wasn’t even late at night it was around 7 pm, I was stopped by two police officers and demanded a search for no reason. I refused , I was pushed around and they took my back pack . I didn’t have anything just a towel no money nothing because I heard the rumors so I don’t carry stuff, when they couldn’t find anything of value they let me go. This is horrible you can’t even go chill on the beach what is the point of coming here to get harassed. Never coming again, there are other places safer to visit stay away.
Mexican Police scum bags. They are the criminals. You are not safe there. Go to a better place
IT’S NOT SAFE,
the police in Playa are a gang… they would throw you in jail unless you give them a lot of money… they would lock you in shitty place – I am not joking at all
It’s crazy dangerous – avoid that place
Police can attack you for no reason
Terrible, the police tried to beat me up and rob me, this happened on September 9th of 2021. I was taking my financé to the doctor and told her that I am going to get you some water. I left not even a half block away the police stop and four men get out of the car. All I said was “que” which is what in Spanish then the processed to push me against the car, took a punch and grazed me as I ran back to my financé and more people waiting for the doctor. They claimed I called them stupid when I did not, never travel alone in playa del Carmen under any circumstances. It’s a shame I really love this place besides the corruption.
Credit card
I just left PDC. I was shopping with my sisters at one of the gestores to buy some gifts. We paid for all the things we got, which was a lot , with some pesos we had and then credit card. Maybe it was the amount , idk, but he asked to see some ID and then he took a picture of the ID. After he took it I asked why he did that and he said something about how because of the amount the banks need to make sure it was the correct person that paid that amount. I just felt really sick after that and felt I count do anything because even if he deleted it in front of me with phones you can still retrieve deleted pics. Has this happened to anyone ?
Love Playa del Carmen
Just left Playa del Carmen. Had a great time with no issues. This is my 5th time visiting PDC and I have never had an issue. Only a great time.
Iffy
Was recently there Feb 2022.
I will not be going back there again with my family there were times that I felt uncomfortable as the sun was setting. I also got tired of haggling over money when I was at the Hilton the concierge negotiated a price for my father’s scooter for medical reasons when their team from this private company showed up they tried to charge me $140 more and then we had to argue for one hour.
I agree with a lot of the other reviews there are way safer places to go to. And definitely don’t go there if you have anybody that’s handicapped the streets are all torn up there are no handrails there are not even handrails by the pool, too much of a hassle.
Its fairely safe and alot of fun
So I went there pretty fun and yes there is police corruption so I advise you if you don’t want to get scammed by the police stay out of the city you can go just don’t stay there for too long get hotels outside the city I recommend the Grand Velas they also have a grand Velas in Cabo there’s no reason to worry about cartels yes they do operate in playa and Cancun but there are legitimate soldiers on beaches that’s all you should know
Work trip to Playa Del Carmen
I am going next week and am more excited than ever after I have read this. Thank you for the advice and tips.
Playa has its pros and cons, depending on where you stay.
But generally speaking it’s a place that’s iffy.
As a black woman travelling solo it definitely showed support of being fairly racist. If you don’t speak Spanish it’s a problem as you don’t know what’s taking place around you.
Hotel staff act less bothered towards black customers. I spoke to a older couple on a timeshare vacation who felt the same way.
I’d go back to Mexico at some point but not alone and probably only visit playa for a day.
I have no intention to go back for now.
I visited nov/dec 2022 for the first time.
This can be a challenge
Playa del carmen can exhibit challenges like many other locations however given the current state of affairs, there are many other locations that are safer choice for travelers and their families.