Skin Cancer & Sun Safety in Playa Del Carmen: What You Need to Know

Living in paradise comes with a price — and sun exposure is one of the hidden dangers in Playa Del Carmen. With its turquoise beaches and year-round tropical sun, the Riviera Maya is a place where UV rays are relentless. Whether you’re a local, an expat, or a digital nomad, understanding the risks of skin cancer is essential for long-term health. 

This might not be something you want to talk about or read, but it is essential to know about and understand how you can live in the Riviera Maya and stay healthy from the sun. Many people (especially men) don’t like to go to the doctor or get things checked out. Here are some of the lines that people think in their heads that prevent them from checking their skin health. Do any of these sound familiar? 

• I am getting older and some dry patched or skin changes are just part of age. 
• Some sun is healthy because of the vitamin D. 
• I look better with some color from the sun. 
• It probably is just eczema. 
• The sun is natural, and it should not affect me. 
• When I get older, I will get checked out. 
• I am the type of person that does not bake in the sun all the time, so I am sure I don’t have a problem.
• I would rather not know, so I don’t worry about it. 

If any of these sound familiar, don’t keep using them as an excuse to not get a checkup or use preventative measures to protect your skin.

The Good News About Prevention

If one of your excuses is not wanting to know and maybe it will go away, you need to hear this. There are some very easy ways to prevent further damage and even reverse damage to your skin. Below are two commonly used creams that can really treat some pre-cancerous issues with your skin. You might be dealing with a dry patch or sore spot that does not heal. These can be eliminated by these creams. 

Efudex is a power cream that should only be used as directed by a demonologist. There are lots of videos on YouTube showing peoples transformation and process using this cream. It is like an acid wash for your skin, and it will become inflamed and eventually dry out and come back to normal. For a about a month and a half you look bad with dark red patches on your skin, but in the end, it can repair your skin and prevent skin cancer. 

Why Playa Del Carmen Is a High-Risk Zone

Located just above the equator at 21° latitude, Playa Del Carmen experiences strong UV radiation nearly every day of the year, even on cloudy or breezy days.

• UV Index in Playa can reach 10–12 (extreme) — one of the highest ratings on the global scale. Many people think 10 is the highest rating the UV scales goes to, but it goes higher. 

Skin Cancer in Mexico: A Growing Concern

While Mexico technically has lower skin cancer rates than countries like the U.S. or Australia, this can lull people into a false sense of security. Skin screening and people seeking care are extremely low. Most locals never get tested or seek treatment.  Cases of skin cancer are rising, particularly among:

• Fair-skinned expats and tourists. One of the most at risk are fair skin and blue eyes.
• Locals who work outdoors. 
• People who skip sunscreen or protective clothing.

The most common forms of skin cancer include:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) – slow-growing but damaging
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) – may spread if untreated
• Melanoma – rare but extremely aggressive and deadly

Signs of Sun Damage and Skin Cancer

Watch for:

• New moles or dark spots. Some people will just think it comes with age, but you NEED to get these checked out. 
• Hands, neck, top of chest (especially women) and face are the most prone to sun exposure and damage. 
• Changes in shape, size, or color of existing moles.
• Sores that won’t heal. Again, some people will just assume that with age, these are some of the things to deal with. You might even use lotions and trying to moisturize, but to no avail. There are easy treatments that can eliminate these sores, and you can have smooth skin again. 
• Patches of rough or scaly skin. People who are over 40 or 50 might assume this is part of aging, but these are early signs that can be easily fix if you start early. 

If you see something suspicious, don’t wait — book a dermatology appointment.

 Smart Ways to Protect Yourself in Playa Del Carmen

1. Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen daily — even on cloudy days. Although most demonologist will recommend a special sunscreen that is not the typical brands sold in stores for summer beach weather. Below is one of the sunscreens that is recommended by dermatologists locally. This sunscreen is expensive (about$35USD). It is fairly liquid, so it lasts a while.
2. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.
3. Wear UV-protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses. Baseball caps only cover part of your face, often leaving the sides in full sun, so look for a hat with wide brim to shade all your face.
4. Avoid the sun from 10am–4pm — seek shade.  With a little planning, do your shopping early, plan on cooking, working or relaxing in the middle of the day. At night you can enjoy the atmosphere of Playa without worrying about the sun. 
5. Use umbrellas at the beach or even walking in town. 
6. Check the daily UV index using a weather app. It is best to assume is high each day, but checking will reenforce the idea that you need to be protected. 
7. Walk on the shady side of the street. Locals do this all the time. Look for shade to reduce exposure. 
8. Keep kids protected — their skin is more vulnerable. 
9. Make sure you use sunscreen on your ears. If sun damage occurs on the ears, it can be more unpredictable and harder to treat. 
10. Drink water — sunburn + dehydration is a dangerous combo. 
11. Visit a dermatologist once a year for a full-body check.
12. Be cautious on boats or rooftop bars — exposure is stronger. Sometimes on tours you can be trapped without shade. This is where you need to plan ahead. 

Where to Get Checked in Playa Del Carmen

Several private clinics and hospitals offer skin cancer screenings and dermatology services, including:

• Dermacaribe is one of the most recommended places. It should be noted that often there is a three-month waiting list to get an appointment. It is good to plan ahead and not get disillusioned because it takes a while. There are doctors that speak English here. 
• Dra. Estefanía Ocampo Verdeja. Another English-speaking doctor in Playa Del Carmen. Here is the website for this doctor. 
• Costamed Playa del Carmen. There is a dermatology department that can check your skin for common damage and issues. Here is a link to Costamed’s website
• Galenia Hospital in Cancun. They have a good oncology center. Here is the website for Galenia Hospital.

Fees are reasonable compared to U.S. rates — and catching skin changes early can literally save your life! Appointments usually start around 1000 Pesos.

 The Bottom Line about Skin Care

Living in Playa Del Carmen is a dream — but don’t let the sun turn it into a nightmare. Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. A little awareness and a lot of sunscreens go a long way.

Protect your skin. Protect your life. Paradise isn’t worth the risk if you don’t stay safe under the sun.

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Mr.Yucatan

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