Did you know that Playa del Carmen is not only a beach paradise but also a good destination in Mexico for solo female travelers? With its warm weather and welcoming locals, this city provides a surprisingly peaceful retreat despite its bustling nightlife. Playa del Carmen offers a unique blend of modern amenities and traditional charm, all while being one of the most affordable coastal destinations in Mexico.
In 2022, I moved to Playa del Carmen for six months and had an amazing experience as a solo female traveler. Playa del Carmen was the perfect place for me to reset and recharge. The energy in Mexico is very healing; Black people, in particular, are known to feel safe and thrive mentally in Mexico.
No place is perfect, and crime happens everywhere, so caution should be a priority wherever you go. I have heard of unusual incidents in the expat community, but they are not very frequent, so there is a moderate level of peace. Other parts of Mexico are more active with extortion, shootings, and robberies, but Playa del Carmen is on the lower end of that spectrum.
Aside from safety, which I did feel compared to the U.S., especially when walking outside late at night, there are a few other reasons why I would recommend Playa del Carmen to other solo travelers.
Here Are the 8 Things I Loved About Living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Transportation in Playa del Carmen
One of the things I enjoyed most was that you don’t need a car in the Centro of Playa del Carmen. It’s walkable, with everything you need within miles: restaurants, beaches, shopping centers, parks, laundry services, taco stands, clubs, street vendors, fruit stands, banks, grocery stores, coffee shops, etc. Quinta Avenida, also known as “Fifth Avenue,” is the tourist district in Centro. With five miles worth of shopping, restaurants, and entertainment, you will definitely get your steps in exploring this strip.
Even if you travel 30 minutes out from the tourist area, you’ll still have basic necessities within walking distance, such as small fruterías (fruit shops), lavanderías (laundry services), taco stands, and convenience stores. The further out you go, the more you’ll need a vehicle or a taxi/Uber to get around. The bus is also a good option; it’s less than 50 cents to ride. If you want a quicker option, there are vans that can take you around faster than the bus for a good price. You can also ride a bus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum and many other surrounding cities.
Transportation in Playa del Carmen is frequent and reliable.
Affordable Accommodations in Playa del Carmen
The cost of living in Playa del Carmen is very reasonable. As someone who was living there on a slim salary, I was still managing. You could get a cute Airbnb for $8–$24 a night on the lower end and $25–$50 a night on the moderate end. You could even find a studio apartment one block from the beach for as low as $400–$600 a month. That was at the beginning of my stay. By the time I left, those prices were increasing daily due to the “high season,” which is the tourist season from December to April.
The city of Playa is growing rapidly, with new high-rise apartments being built everywhere, featuring beautiful décor, layouts, and locations. It’s no surprise that the cost of living in these stunning apartments is similar to U.S. prices. It’s still a good deal in my opinion, especially since most prices include utilities and a cleaning service. So, whether you’re looking for affordable apartments spread throughout the city or a pricier place near the beach with a rooftop and beach views, you have good options.
As of 2024, prices have increased due to inflation and the influx of expats moving to Mexico, but you can still find apartments at the prices mentioned above; there are just more higher-end options.
Safety Level in Playa del Carmen
While I was there, I moved around a bit. I Airbnb-hopped, stayed in a hostel for a couple of months doing a work exchange, had a roommate for a month, and also had my own apartment. I stayed in many different areas: the hood, guarded communities, near the beach, in the tourist area, and a little further out. Overall, I never felt threatened. I will say that out of all the places I stayed, the tourist area was the most risky. With large crowds, pickpockets, scammers, thieves, and everything else you can expect in any tourist area, it was not ideal for me. There is a strong police presence on the beach. They ride through on 4 wheelers with masks and long rifles for your added protection.
Some of my basic safety tips for solo female travelers in Playa del Carmen would be to be mindful of where you place your purse or backpack when out at restaurants, as thieves can quickly grab your items without you noticing, so always keep it in view. I would also advise being cautious when withdrawing money from ATMs in tourist areas, as fees are higher and people may watch how much money you take out, making you a target for crime. Additionally, never flash large amounts of money in front of taxi drivers when paying; always take your money out discreetly.
Overall, safety was not one of my biggest issues. I will say that due to all the construction happening around the city, noise was one of my biggest issues among others, which you can read about more in “Things You Should Know Before Moving to Playa del Carmen.”
Playa del Carmen Has Good Energy
The overall energy of Mexico is immensely welcoming and healing, and it always has been. What many people don’t realize is that during slavery, Mexico granted enslaved people access to freedom as soon as they set foot on Mexican soil and refused to return runaways. That’s good energy, if I’ve ever seen it. Grateful is an understatement.
Mexico is not only welcoming but also offers many healing attributes, from the warmth of the people to the various spiritual practices available. Mexico hosts many different healing retreats offering psychedelics such as mushrooms, ayahuasca, ashwagandha, and other powerful plants that provide deep insight, stress relief, and overall well-being. These powerful plants have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and spiritual practices. You can also find plenty of meditation and yoga activities as well.
So when I say the energy is good there, please believe me.
Beautiful Beaches & Cenotes in Playa del Carmen
No wonder Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Mexico. With plenty of beach options and extraordinary underwater caves called cenotes surrounding the city, you will have plenty of opportunities to snorkel, dive, and explore. Centoes are natural swimming holes that were scared to the Maya civilization, and is now admired for it’s beautiful and historical significance. The majority of the world’s cenotes are mainly found in the southeast of Mexico, in the Yucatan Peninsula, which makes this a very unique underground water experience.
Depending on what time of year you visit, Mexico’s beaches can be very beautiful, with clear water and soft white sand. This is because their beaches can sometimes be filled with lots of brown seaweed that covers the beaches in thick layers. It can be a sight for sore eyes, especially if you were expecting something more pristine and picture-worthy. But nonetheless, I am a beach lover, so I was there daily.
Maybe it’s the hippie in me or the dominant water placements in my zodiac, but living by the beach has been one of the most rewarding benefits of Mexico. Legend has it that you can’t be sad on the beach. The sound of the waves, the breeze, the birds chirping and soaring above your head, people swimming and smiling in the ocean, the turquoise blue water, vendors selling everything from coconut water and fruits to candies and assorted foods, and the feel of the sand under your toes are all things that help free your mind of worries. Experiencing this repeatedly makes you start to truly believe that everything will be alright. At least that’s how it felt for me.
If you happen to be there during the “low season,” when many tourists are back home, you can enjoy a somewhat empty beach during the week. This feeling is like no other. Even the stray dogs come to the beach to play and vibe out. I personally avoided the beach on Sundays out of respect for the locals, who use Sundays as a beach day for their families. Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days to visit the beach during any season.
Expat Community in Playa del Carmen
As you may already know, there is a thriving Black expat community in Playa del Carmen, and an even larger overall expat community in Mexico. People from all over the world, including Europe, Central America, South America, North America, and Asia, are finding a home in Mexico. Because of this, it is easier to find your community within this larger community. Meeting other expats, solo travelers, digital nomads, free spirits, and brave souls has never been easier, making the Mexican experience even brighter. Making friends, business connections, and finding new travel partners are just some of the perks of living abroad.
Outside of that, you’ll find that the Mexican people are really chill, laid-back, and hospitable to outsiders, especially if you know the language.
Although I didn’t know any Spanish at the time, one of the Airbnbs I stayed at invited me to a party they were hosting for one of the tenants. I couldn’t say no; that would be rude. So, I went. But before I went, I had a full-on breakdown because I didn’t know Spanish and the Airbnb host who invited me didn’t speak English. But I needed to push myself to go outside and mingle more. This was the perfect opportunity, but what was I going to do? The only Spanish I knew was “hola,” “de nada,” “gracias,” and “por favor.” The introvert in me was screaming. But I didn’t care; I went. The one person who spoke English found me, and I pretty much made him my friend for the rest of the night. I ate tacos, had two beers, laughed, learned some new Spanish words, and had a great night. I’m so glad I went. I definitely recommend going to a Mexican party if you’re invited and feel compelled to. You probably won’t regret it.
Delivery Service in Playa del Carmen:
Although there are a few different delivery options for food and groceries, I will only discuss my absolute favorite delivery service in Mexico: Rappi. Rappi became my lifeline during my stay in Playa del Carmen. As an introvert who sometimes dislikes going outside, Rappi was my best friend. Not only was the service super fast, but the accuracy was impressive, considering most of the drivers were men. You can have almost anything delivered through Rappi—from takeout to groceries, alcohol, money from the ATM, and small packages. They will deliver your items in a car, on a bike, a motorcycle, it doesn’t matter, just know they’re coming promptly. Rappi was truly a lifesaver for me.
Lots of Things to Do in Playa del Carmen
If you are looking for a place with lots of things to do in and around the city as a tourist or expat, you’re in the right place. Playa can literally be whatever you want it to be. If you want the party rooftop scene, it’s there. If you want a hippie scene, it’s there. If you’re looking for an art scene, it’s there. If you want a more cultural Mayan experience, it’s there. If you want a peaceful and relaxing experience, it’s also there. There are a plethora of positive, adventurous, and fun activities to be found in and around Playa del Carmen, so get connected.
The best way to connect with other expats and solo travelers is to join the many Facebook groups dedicated to the expat lifestyle, and ask any questions you may have. WhatsApp is another great way to connect, everybody is on it. Once you get the invitation to one group it makes it much easier to find other groups to join to get more involved in private meetups, parties, and events. These communities are usually very welcoming and helpful. Once connected, you can start to build and find your tribe.
Conclusion
In my opinion, Playa del Carmen is an excellent place to enjoy the beach life while benefiting from an active city with plenty of entertainment. It is not overly saturated with hotels the way other beach destinations can be, so depending on where you are, you are more likely to have an authentic experience. This was a great place to retreat as a first-time solo traveler. Playa owes me nothing.
