I get requested this query a lot. Whether it is my pals who’re making plans to go to the Riviera Maya or my worried own circle of relatives members, there appears to be widespread doubt approximately how secure it’s miles to go to Playa del Carmen as a solo lady traveler.
Before I get into the bits and bobs of this topic, I need to preface it with the aid of using pronouncing that I had been to Playa del Carmen greater instances than I can count, and not anything horrendous has ever came about to me. I recognise that different tourists have now no longer been so lucky, though.
There are many elements that cross into staying secure in Playa, and I wish to percentage a few guidelines at the same time as additionally debunking not unusualplace misconceptions. After all, perils exist everywhere, and the greater we examine and put together ourselves, the higher off we are.
What Not to Do in Playa del Carmen
DON’T exit to events alone
There is a heavy clubbing scene in Playa del Carmen, which might be why a variety of human beings select it for his or her Mexican seashore vacation. While it can appear like all glitz and glamour from the outdoor, there may be a critically darkish underbelly to the birthday birthday celebration scene in Playa. I’m now no longer pronouncing it is inherently risky to partake in it, however surely do not challenge to any of the massive golf equipment or events in Playa alone.
A awesome opportunity to partying in Playa with the aid of using your self is taking a dance lesson in a set placing instead. I love to bop, and typically the most effective motive why I visit events besides is to bop the night time away. If you are like me, taking a dance lesson in preference to going to a sweaty membership is an awful lot greater enjoyable — and safer!
DON’T get over excited with drinks
It’s not unusualplace exercise in Playa del Carmen that membership promoters will discover corporations of girls and provide them unfastened bottle service, simply to have greater ladies withinside the membership. While it is probably engaging to take benefit of unfastened drinks, simply be conscious that the inducement for that is to get greater human beings withinside the membership in widespread. (And in matter you do receive the unfastened booze, don’t forget that they’ll ask for a tip.)
Playa del Carmen isn’t the area to lose control, as it is now no longer a secure area in widespread to be walking round past due at night time, even when you have company. There are pickpockets ready to take benefit of inebriated tourists, so having a hold close in your 5 senses is the excellent manner to keep away from being robbed.
If you do drink, simply don’t forget to change cocktails with glasses of water. Stay hydrated, and test in with a pal each now and again to ensure you have not crossed your very own boundary.
DON’T partake in leisure pills
The fact in Playa del Carmen is that there exists a awesome deal of cartel roughness. However, in matter you do not purchase or use pills, there is no motive why you will be a victim. This trouble in all likelihood would not exist if there were not a sturdy marketplace for leisure pills in Playa.
If you exit at night time, you’ll in all likelihood have as a minimum one man or woman withinside the street, outdoor a bathroom, or in a bar provide pills to you at a few point. Just say no and walk away.
DON’T hail cabs past due at night time
Cab drivers in Playa have a horrific recognition for trouble ladies, refusing to take consumers wherein they have got requested to cross, or even kidnapping in a few matters. Of path this isn’t real for all cab drivers, however why chance it?
To keep away from hailing a random cab at night time, use WhatsApp Taxi instead. There’s no Uber in Playa del Carmen, so that is the most secure option. All you need to do is ship a short message to the Whatsapp number, allow them to recognise wherein you are, and they may ship a dependable driving force to you.
DON’T use ATMs that are not in a financial institution
Throughout Playa del Carmen, you will see random ATMs alongside the street. These aren’t monitored, so the use of them could make you an clean goal for theft. Only use ATMs which can be connected to a financial institution wherein there are guards and/or cameras.
DON’T purchase into bluffs
Especially on the primary walking street, Quinta Avenida, there are masses of folks that may also try and rip-off you. One famous one is that store clerks will technique tourists, claiming to understand them from their hotel. Then they’ll entice stated visitor into their overpriced keep and stress them to shop for some thing for an outrageous price. Just say “no, gracias” and circulate on.
