What are the best areas of Playa Del Carmen?
If you are wondering what the best areas of Playa Del Carmen are, you are either thinking about visiting or moving to the area. So, we will answer this question from both angles because the best area for tourists is not necessarily the best areas for people to live. If you are an investor and want to be able to rent out a property, it is important for you to pay attention to the advice for tourist. the best areas for tourists is also a good place to invest.
What are the best areas in Playa Del Carmen for tourists?
The best area for tourists to be in is the downtown area. This is where you have famous 5th Avenue, access to beaches, restaurants, shops, plazas and entertainment. The downtown of Playa Del Carmen can be defined as the area between Playacar to the south and CTM Avenue (aka 46th Street) to the north. Then the beach to the 307 Highway. This is what most people will describe as the downtown area.
Within this area, you will find most of the touristic attractions. This area is very walkable also, so people like being in this area so there is less need for taxis, car rentals and public transportation.
What are the best areas to stay in Playa Del Carmen?
We’ve created a helpful map for you to explore the different areas of Playa Del Carmen and the recommended hotels in each. Whether you’re looking for a resort with easy access to shopping and dining, a central location to be in the heart of the action, or a more residential area for an Airbnb, our map provides detailed descriptions to help you choose the best spot. Simply click around the map to learn more about each area.
To see further descriptions of the areas and also recommended hotels in each area, see our guide to where to stay in Playa Del Carmen.
What are the best areas to live in Playa Del Carmen?
If you’re considering moving to Playa Del Carmen, it’s essential to know which areas are best for living. This can help you decide whether to buy or rent a property. We’ve created a detailed map to give you a sense of the city. Here’s a breakdown of the best and worst areas in Playa Del Carmen, considering factors such as:
– Accessibility to services
– Rentability if you want to lease your property
– Crime rates and neighborhood quality
– Noise levels
– Popularity with foreigners
– Overall quality of life
Our Map of Best Areas to Live in Playa Del Carmen
Before we dive in, remember that opinions are subjective. While our ratings provide a general feel of each area, they may not reflect your personal preferences. Each area can have pockets of not-so-great streets or there can be a nice street in a bad area. So, it is always good to explore these areas in person or even in google street view.
How to Use This Map
We’ve ranked areas using a color-coded system, with a score from 1 to 4, where 1 represents the best areas to live in.
Green Areas (Rank #1):
These are the top areas to live in Playa Del Carmen. They are close to the center and offer a high quality of life. These areas are also popular with foreigners.
Blue Areas (Rank #2):
These are the second-best areas. There are two blue areas, including downtown and quieter residential neighborhoods.
Yellow Areas (Rank #3):
These are shoulder areas close to the center. They offer good access to amenities but are more densely built compared to green areas.
Red Areas (Rank #4):
There are three red areas, which are older parts of Playa Del Carmen with a mix of small properties and planned developments. These areas are affordable and suitable for families.
Grey Areas:
These areas are generally not preferred by foreigners for living or renting. Some of the reasons are, they are lower income areas, not as clean, transportation is harder, and accessibility to services is harder.
More Details About Each Area of Playa Del Carmen
Green Areas: Best Areas to Live
Playacar Phase 1 & 2:
A favorite among expats, offering green spaces, beachfront living, golf course views, and beach access. See our article about buying in and living in Playacar.
Coco Beach:
Close to downtown but quieter. It has newer buildings and beach access, though it can be noisy due to nearby beach clubs.
Corasol (formerly Grand Coral):
A large private development with houses, condos, and beachfront towers. It offers plenty of green space and luxury living but requires a car to get around. See our article and video about buying in Corasol.
North End Developments:
Newer developments like El Cielo and Ciudad Mayakoba offer a mix of houses and condos. These upscale areas provide more space and a sense of being away from the busy center.
Blue Areas
Downtown Playa Del Carmen:
Great for those who prefer to live without a car, with walkable access to the beach and amenities. However, it can be noisy and crowded. One neighborhood in this area is called Colonia Hollywood. See our article and video about this area.
Yellow Areas
Shoulder Areas of Downtown:
These areas are close to the center but more affordable. They offer cheaper rents and property prices but may have mixed neighborhoods with local houses, older condos, and small businesses.
South End Shoulder Areas:
These areas have larger plots and good access to amenities but are farther from the beach.
Red Areas
Planned Communities (fraccionamientos):
These areas are good for families and middle-class Mexicans. They are affordable but more suitable for long-term living rather than short-term renting. Some offer private streets with pools and parks, while others may look cluttered due to mixed-use properties. See our article about buying in a fraccionamiento.
Grey Areas
Nicte-Ha:
Located past Colosio, this small area has a mix of houses, small businesses, and industry. It’s far from most amenities and has limited services. Homes here often have high walls and gates for added security.
West Side Developments:
These pre-planned developments are the most affordable but have lower living standards. Houses are close together, and noise and structural issues are common.
What are the best areas to buy in Playa Del Carmen
In the map below we talk about these areas and why there are good to buy in these areas. It will depend on if you are an investor or if you are just looking to live in Playa Del Carmen. We show you some properties and area to give you a feel for the neighborhoods. We have more in our real estate guide for Playa Del Carmen article here.
We shot this video at the end of 2024 and update the information in our articles and make videos each year or so. This way we can keep you up to date on how the market is in Playa Del Carmen and let you know about new projects and developments.
Conclusion
We hope this overview helps you understand the best and worst areas to live in Playa Del Carmen. If you’re considering moving here, you might also find these related articles helpful:
– How to get off on the right foot with a realtor in the Riviera Maya
– How safe is Playa Del Carmen for residents?
– Recommended real estate agents to work with
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