Comments on: Playa del Carmen is safe

By: heatherinparadise

heatherinparadise — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:43:48 +0000

Hi Dani,

Absolutely it would be safe to travel to Chichen Itza–thousands of tourists do so every day. I’m still living here, 7 years now, in a non-touristy area and feel very safe. I travel the highway all over the area often without incident.

There have been NO kidnappings, highway-robberies, or anything like that. Be sure to stay away from illegal drugs and illegal drug trafficking, that’s my advice. We’re lucky in this area as we’ve not had the gang wars like in towns around the border and on the west coast (you need 2 drug cartels for wars, I guess, this area doesn’t have 2 drug cartels).

Quintana Roo, which is our state, has a murder rate akin to that of Wyoming or Montana. The only crime I personally witness frequently is petty theft–bikes being stolen, homes robbed, that kind of thing. And even of that crime, I’ve only had my bike stolen once.

Have a great trip–you’ll love it here.

By: Dani

Dani — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:18:57 +0000

Hi Heather, I’m a Canadian, looking to travel to Playa Del Carmen for a week of wonderful vacation, but saw a whole bunch of warnings and the Canadian Government posting a ‘Avoid all non-essential Travel’ warning, which is pretty serious. Of course, after reading many posts on the web, it may seem that PdC is safe from all that non-sense. But I do have a question as you seem to know quite a lot about PdC. We’re planning to visit the Chichinitza (mayan ruins? hoped I spelled correctly), and will likely take a tour bus. Would this be safe? I mean, have you heard of any dangers or issues with this place? Any response would be much appreciated, thank you

By: pardeep

pardeep — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:49:46 +0000

playa is a paradise on earth that is true!

By: Esther

Esther — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:20:28 +0000

So glad to here your reassurance. We travel every year to Playa de Carmen and my grand-boys look forward to there mini vacation. Unfortunately, this year, my 13 yr old is telling me he is afraid because he has been hearing it is dangerous to travel to Mexico.
I am forwarding to him a link to your blog, to reassure
him we will be safe.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:20:21 +0000

Hi Heather,

Can you recommend any safe night clubs in Playa ? I assume there are plenty of taxi at 12 a.m to 1 a.m ? Heading down Feb 4 – 11 and our resort has no night club in it.. The Valentin.

Thanks, great blog, very informative.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:41:06 +0000

Um, OK, JOHN SMITH. Exactly how could you be “walking” along the main street and at the same time be surrounded at an ATM machine. I think “yes, I was drunk at the time” pretty much gives you away……

By: John Smith

John Smith — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:38:37 +0000

I would avoid Playa Del Carmen.

The biggest danger is the corrupt police. Do not go out alone ever. I was harassed by 5 police officers who robbed me of 2500 pesos. When I demanded some paperwork or osmething, I was put in jail for a night. No one told me why, and when I asked how long they said at least three days (although they let me out the next day).

Yes I was drunk at the time, but I had been in no altercation and was walking along the main street. They surrounded me at an ATM machine.

All I can say is, be careful. It is not a safe place, and the police have very little respect for tourists.

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:09:18 +0000

Hi Heather!
We will leaving for our honeymoon during the end of November (Thanksgiving). How is the weather? We will be staying for nine days, any suggestions of what we should do with our time?! We are looking forward to relaxing in the sun!!!!!

By: Nikita

Nikita — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:32:18 +0000

hey heather i am meant to be coming to mexico on wedensday but i am debating whether or not to cancel my trip due to this swine flue virus has it spread to playa del carmen?

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:47:38 +0000

Hi Heather!
My husband and I are traveling to PDC in July, for the first time! I’ve been to Mexico twice….just not PDC yet.
Anway, I keep reading all these reviews on the food. That it’s hard to find authentic Mexican food close to the hotels or on 5th street. It seems that all the resturaunts in our area are italian food…and I’m not really an fan of italian food.
We will be staying at La Tortuga and would like to know if you can suggest some inexpensive local mexican resturaunts or taco stands, within walking distance from our hotel…or maybe tell us what streets to take from our hotel where we could hit several local food places during our one week visit.
Also, we were thinking of taking the ferry from PDC to Cozumel. Our question is this…..when we get dropped off in Cozumel, are we going to need transportation to get anyway or are there plenty of resturants and shopping close to the ferry’s drop off point in Cozumel?
I’m sure I will have more questions as we get closer to our trip! Thanks so much for running this blog! This is a BIG HELP!
Kim