Is Playa Del Carmen Safe? A 2025 Guide to Crime and Safety

Is Playa Del Carmen Safe to Visit? Playa Del Carmen remains a relatively safe destination, especially compared to other tourist hotspots or even where you might live. While crime exists, as it does everywhere, most tourists experience a trouble-free vacation. Understanding potential risks and taking a few precautions can help ensure your trip is enjoyable and safe. So that is why we are putting this article out for this year, so you have current information. 

Current Crime Situation in Playa Del Carmen

With the tourism industry rebounding after the pandemic, crime rates have fluctuated. A growing city—Playa Del Carmen has expanded by 103% in the past decade—naturally sees an increase in crime. However, much of this is petty crime, and violent incidents remain rare in tourist areas. The main concerns for visitors include scams, minor theft, and police stops. 

About 70% of safety problems can be avoided if you do not drink excessively or take drugs. 

Rental Scams

We are adding this to the list this year. More and more scammers are trying to take advantage of tourists looking for a short-term rental or longer. Most come from people messaging you off Facebook. Scammers have real looking profiles and change names often. So how do you avoid scams? 

• Never send money to an individual before seeing the unit. 
• Rent from vacation agencies or trusted rental agents. 
• Don’t fall for bait and switch advertising. You might see a great price on a condo, but when you call, it is not available, but they have others for rent. Usually not good quality rentals. 
• Check the name of the owner to the electric bills and other documents. This can be tricky since some owners use agents or names are not switched to current owner. 
• If someone is rushing you, usually it is a scam. Take your time and understand everything about your rental. 

See our article about renting in Playa Del Carmen here for more tips. 

Police Stops in Playa Del Carmen

Police presence is high downtown, often as a show of force. Occasionally, individuals (especially solo male travelers at night) report being stopped and asked for identification. While these stops are usually routine, there have been reports of officers asking for money. If this happens, report it to your consulate. The consulates can offer guidance and also collect reports and meet with police on regular basis in order to represent the safety of their fellow citizens. 

To avoid issues:

• Be polite and courteous with the police even if it feels a little out of place. Police realize that most foreigners do not speak Spanish. Often there is one officer that can speak some English. 
• Carry a copy of your passport and ID.
• Avoid walking alone late at night (11pm-4am) mostly the fringe areas of the immediate downtown area of the center of Playa Del Carmen. 
• Walk in well-lit, populated areas.

A police stop can happen in the afternoon but mostly happens late at night. Police tend to target people that have been out at night and might appear intoxicated. 

Safety at All-Inclusive Resorts in Playa Del Carmen

If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, your trip will likely be extremely safe. Resorts have high security, controlled access, and surveillance. Travel between the airport and resorts is also very secure. Usually, the biggest safety issue at resorts is slip and fall accidents around pools and bathrooms. Heavy drinking also causes accidents at resorts. 

News Reports vs. Reality Mexico often gets a bad reputation for crime, but it’s important to put things in perspective. Just as an incident in one part of the U.S. doesn’t mean the entire country is unsafe, crime in isolated areas of Mexico doesn’t define Playa Del Carmen’s safety. Sensationalized news often exaggerates risks. Staying informed on local or regional level is the best approach.

Common Safety Concerns & How to Avoid Them

ATM Safety

• Avoid ATMs on 5th Avenue; they are prime targets for card skimmers.
• Use ATMs inside banks where there are cameras. Machines are less likely to be tampered with at banks. 
• Be cautious of scams involving strangers at ATMs. Some will say you’re not logged off and it is part of a scam.

Pickpocketing in Playa Del Carmen

• It is rare while walking on 5th Avenue but can occur in restaurants on 5th Avenue and supermarkets. 
• Keep your purse or backpack secured and never unattended.
• Men should carry wallets in front pockets and avoid clothes with loose pockets. 

Supermarket & Parking Lot Thefts

• Don’t leave purses in shopping carts.
• Be aware of distractions—one person may bump into you while another takes your wallet. A common scam in supermarkets is one person distracts you and another opens your purse to takes your wallet. Some will spill something on you and offer to clean it off. In the commotion you are robbed. 
• Park in well-lit areas and keep valuables out of sight in your car. Keep in mind that many rental cars are identifiable as rentals. This makes them more of a target. Some stores and malls have underground or parking inside. Often at the edges of these parking lots where there are less people, thieves target cars. If I have things in the car, I will park outside in the sun where it is very rare to have thefts. 

Overpaying & Tourist Scams

• In shops: Prices are typically fixed, but street vendors may inflate costs for tourists. It is the law that all items must have the full price with taxes included (including restaurant menus). Street vendors fall into a grey zone. 
• In restaurants: Double-check bills for added charges (tips are not legally allowed to be included in the bill).
• In taxis: Confirm prices before getting in. Avoid overpaying by checking rate charts or booking transfers in advance. Taxi stands have listed prices. They charge slightly more that hailing a taxi on the street. Playa Del Carmen taxis have a reputation of overcharging.

Crossing the Street

• Traffic rules are different; drivers don’t always stop for pedestrians even if it is the law. 
• Use crosswalks and stay alert. raised walkways in the middle of the blocks is for pedestrians to have the right of way crossing the street. It is easy for drivers to get distracted, so caution should be used. 

Nightlife & Personal Safety

Drinking & Late Nights

• Walking alone while intoxicated makes you a target for crime.
• Stick with friends and use taxis instead of walking at night.
• Be cautious of people approaching you with excessive friendliness.

Club & Bar Safety

• There have been occasional reports of drink spiking—never leave drinks unattended.
• If clubbing, go with friends and have a plan in case you get separated. Be sure you can contact each other with cell phones. 
• Take enough cash for a taxi home.

Prostitution Scams

• Some individuals (including trans women) in club areas may engage in pickpocketing.
• If someone is overly touchy, it could be a distraction to steal from you.
• The best response is to be firm and walk away. This can be hard though if you are tipsy. These tend to be the targets of friendly pickpockets. 

Bringing People to Your Hotel

• Be mindful when inviting strangers to your room. Prostitutes and hookups offline can lead to robberies. This is why many hotels ask to register guests or do not allow outside guests in the hotel. They do this for your protection without have to talk about it. 
• Keep valuables secured if inviting someone over—unregistered guests in hotels increase the risk of theft.

Drugs & Legal Risks

• Drug-related crime exists, but it is mostly an issue for those involved in illegal activities.
• Taking or buying drugs puts you at risk of scams, robbery, or police trouble.
• Club-related incidents involving paranoia or medical emergencies have happened due to drug use. Every once in a while, we hear of tourist that are lost, often found in the woods after tripping on drugs. There is a reason there is an ambulance parked by the street that has the clubs on it in Playa Del Carmen. 

Hotel Room Theft Prevention

It is a good thing that we do not hear about a lot of theft in hotels in Playa Del Carmen. This is normally not much of an issue but here are some commonsense things to keep in mind.

• Use the in-room safe for valuables. Make sure safes are bolted down. Believe it or not this is an issue sometimes. 
• Lock doors and windows when leaving. Also check windows in your room when arriving. Many housekeepers leave bathroom windows open or closed but not locked. 
• Avoid leaving cash or electronics in plain sight.

Final Thoughts on Safety in Playa Del Carmen

Most visitors to Playa Del Carmen have an amazing, trouble-free vacation. While crime exists, the vast majority of incidents are minor and preventable. By staying informed, using common sense, and taking basic precautions, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to this beautiful destination.

If you are going to be staying in Playa Del Carmen for an extended period of time or as a resident, you will want to read our article on crime and issues that affect residents here.

For additional travel tips, check out our latest guides on Playa Del Carmen and the Riviera Maya!

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Mr.Yucatan

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