Emily Becker is a Mexico-based writer for BMTM.
I get asked this question a lot. There seems to be a lot of doubt about the safety of visiting Playa del Carmen as a solo female traveler, whether it is my friends who are planning to visit the Riviera Maya or my concerned family members.
I want to say that I have been to Playa del Carmen more times than I can remember, and that nothing horrible has ever happened to me. I am aware that other travelers have not been so lucky.
I want to share some tips and debunk some myths about staying safe in Playa. The more we learn and prepare ourselves, the better off we are.
I traveled to Playa del Carmen safely as a solo female traveler.
A lot of people choose Playa del Carmen for their Mexican beach vacation because of the heavy club scene. There is a dark side to the party scene in Playa that is hard to see from the outside. I'm not saying it's inherently dangerous to partake in it, but definitely don't venture to any of the big clubs or parties in Playa alone.
A great alternative to partying in Playa is to take a dance lesson in a group. I go to parties because I love to dance, but the only reason I go is to dance the night away. Taking a dance lesson is much more enjoyable and safer than going to a sweaty club.
In Playa del Carmen, club promoter will find groups of ladies and offer them free bottle service just to have more women in the club. The motivation for taking advantage of free drinks is to get more people in the club. Remember that they will ask for a tip if you accept the free booze.
Playa del Carmen is not a good place to be late at night, even if you have company. The best way to avoid being robbed is to have a grasp on your five senses.
If you do drink, make sure to drink with water. Stay hydrated, and check in with a friend every once in a while to make sure you haven't crossed your own boundary.
There is a lot of violence in Playa del Carmen. If you don't buy or use drugs, there's no reason you would be a victim. There is a strong market for recreational drugs in Playa.
If you go out at night, you will likely have at least one person in the street, outside a bathroom, or in a bar who will offer you drugs at some point. Say no and walk away.
Playa cab drivers have a bad reputation for harassing women, refusing to take patrons where they have asked to go, and even kidnapping in some cases. It's not true for all cab drivers, but why risk it?
If you want to avoid hailing a random cab at night, use WhatsApp Taxi. This is the safest option because there is no ride-sharing service in Playa del Carmen. If you send a message to the number on the app, they will send a reliable driver to you.
There are random ATMs along the street in Playa del Carmen. They are not monitored and can make you an easy target for theft. ATMs that are attached to a bank have guards and cameras.
There are a lot of people on Quinta Avenida who may try to scam you. Shops will approach tourists, claiming to recognize them from their hotel. They will lure a tourist into their overpriced store and force them to buy something for an outrageous price. Go ahead and say "no, gracias" and move on.
If you want to make friends and have fun in Playa, stay at a hostel and go out in a group. Make sure that you have someone in the group that you trust. When I'm ready to leave the party, I always try to find a friend who will join me.
Playa del Carmen is a great place to stay at night. Take a stroll down Quinta Avenida and then head back to your place for a quiet evening away from the crazy party scene. My favorite nights in Playa have been spent reading in a hammock.
Don't bring your valuables with you. Don't bring all the money you have with you to the beach or dinner. There are many pickpockets waiting for the chance to steal from you in Playa del Carmen.
You can share your location with a trustworthy friend at home. If you are in trouble, at least someone knows where you are and can check in with you. It is a good idea to travel solo in Playa del Carmen, because you know that there is someone who will be there for you.
If you are going to rent a car in Mexico, make sure it is from a reliable company. There are companies on the Riviera Maya that try to get customers to pay for damages that they didn't do. You can see customer reviews and compare prices with Cars Discover.
In Playa del Carmen, wearing designer clothing and flashy jewelry can make you a target for theft, just like other places in Mexico and around the world. Being a beach town, people dress pretty casual in Playa, so wear clothes that are comfortable to you and leave your expensive accessories at home.
Staying in the main tourist areas is fine if you don't know how to get around Playa del Carmen. Outside of the downtown area, most of Playa is residential, and everything you need is within a few blocks. If you already know where you are going, go for it. wandering around the streets of Playa aimlessly isn't a great idea and there isn't much to see.
People think that the only thing to do in Playa del Carmen is go to the bars at night. That couldn't be further from the truth. There is a cenote in Playa that opens up to the ocean. You won't feel like you're missing out on the nightlife scene if you plan your days with activities that you are excited about.
This travel guide to Playa del Carmen has more ideas.
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The answer to the question "Is Playa del Carmen safe?" is complicated. You can easily visit as a solo female traveler and have a great time. There are risks and things to look out for. I hope that this will help us all to embark on new adventures to Playa del Carmen and beyond, with the tools we need to stay safe and enjoy the journey as much as possible.
Do you know anything about staying safe in Playa del Carmen? Let us know what you have to say.
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